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Save money and upgrade early on Visible Wireless

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These days, smartphones are becoming ridiculously expensive and each time you upgrade you’re likely to get sticker shock by looking at the prices. Fortunately, if you’re a customer with Visible, upgrading your phone is about to become more affordable.

Starting May 3, 2020, Visible members will be able to upgrade their phones after only paying off half of the loan balance. In order to be eligible, Visible customers will need to first purchase a qualifying device on visible.com through Affirm with 0% APR. The program is available for devices from Apple, Samsung, Google, as well as specific models from Motorola, OnePlus, and ZTE.

Next, you’ll be required to pay off at least half of the Affirm loan, at which point you’ll become eligible to upgrade to a newer phone of the same make for no additional upgrade fee.

Finally, return your old phone to Assurant within 14 days of receiving your new one, and Visible will cover the remaining balance of the device. With Visible paying off 50% of your previous phone, not only do you get to save some money, but you also get to upgrade early to the latest and greatest smartphone.

This new program builds on Visible’s previously Apple-exclusive one it announced back in 2020, and opens it up to Android users. It also makes Visible one of the most affordable ways to get unlimited service with benefits usually reserved for postpaid wireless companies.

Visible wireless service runs on the Verizon network and the unlimited plan starts out at as little as $25 a month when you link accounts with other members. Otherwise, it’ll cost a flat $40 per month for unlimited minutes, text, and data.

Amazon’s Alexa Show Mode feature can transform some PCs into an Echo Show

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Have you ever wanted the convenience of a smart display without having to pony up the extra money for one? If so, this could be great news for some of you. I say some of you, because unfortunately, Amazon’s great new Alexa feature only works with select Windows 10 Lenovo PCs. However, if you’re one of those lucky ones to own a Lenovo Yoga, IdeaPad, or ThinkPad with Alexa built-in, then get ready for a treat.

Amazon’s latest addition to the Alexa family isn’t a new device, but a new feature to turn your current device into an Echo Show. With the newly released Show Mode, it uses your laptop’s display and mics to transform it into an Alexa smart display.

To get started, all you have to do is say “Alexa, open Show Mode” or you can click the Show Mode button in the Alexa app. Now, you can ask Alexa to display news, the weather, listen to music, control your smart home, and more. With over 100,000 skills and growing, Alexa has something for everyone.

Whether it’s listening to your latest audiobook, playing games with the family, or setting a cooking timer–Alexa has you covered. You can even use Drop In to check on other rooms in the house with an Alexa device.

With the new Alexa Show Mode for PCs, your computer has become more useful than ever. Even when you’re not sitting in front of it, you can take advantage of its large display and all without spending an extra dime.

Lenovo and Amazon first announced this collaboration at CES 2021 on the Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i laptop. It’s now available on select Lenovo PCs running Windows 10 in the US, UK, Germany, Japan, India, Ireland, Austria, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. Later this year, Show Mode will become available on additional PC models.

Total Wireless Buyer’s Guide

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Most consumers are familiar with the big-name wireless carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Not nearly as many, though, are as well-versed when it comes to the topic of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO), the smaller companies to license coverage from the tier-one providers.

These lesser-known brands offer their own phones, rate plans, and customer service. Let’s take a look at one in particular, Total Wireless — a TracFone subsidiary.


How is Total Wireless coverage?

Total Wireless sets itself apart from the competition by emphasizing multi-line plans while leveraging Verizon’s highly regarded network coverage. In the beginning, it only offered 3G service and was exclusive to Walmart, but today it is full (4G LTE) speed ahead and more accessible.

What are Total Wireless rate plans?

Total Wireless includes unlimited talk and text with all plans. Enrollment into auto-refill saves subscribers 5% on monthly plan.  Also worth noting, two of the options now include mobile hotspot capabilities.

Single Line

  • $25.00 per month โ€“ 1GB high speed data (unlimited talk/text)
  • $35.00 per month โ€“ 5GB high speed data
  • $50.00 per month โ€“ Unlimited high speed data, slowed at 25GB

Extended Plan

Customers interested in purchasing plans in quarterly increments can do so under what’s called an Extended Plan. For $90, subscribers can get unlimited talk and text with 5GB of data every 30 days. It’s like buying the aforementioned $35 plan three months at once and receiving $15 discount.

Multi-Device Plans

Subscribers with multiple users can share data across 2-4 lines with unlimited talk and text included. As for the data allotments and price, it breaks down as follows.

  • $60 โ€“ 30GB shared on up to two lines
  • $85 โ€“ 60GB shared on up to three lines
  • $100 โ€“ Unlimited high-speed data, slowed at 100GB, up to four lines

As is the case with standalone lines, customers can save money by enrolling in automatic bill payment. The prices shown in the image above reflect the discount.

What deals does Total Wireless offer?

You can check for deals at the Total Wireless website where a few models are currently shown with price drops.

Tell me about Total Wireless phone selection

Phones from manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung, LG, Alcatel, and ZTE are available for purchase online, along with retail options like Walmart, Best Buy, and Target.

Customers can also bring devices they currently own, however it must be CDMA. If unsure, check compatibility to see if you can add a SIM card.

There are plenty of wireless service providers to choose from, at least here in the United States. In fact, it may seem as if there are too many options to consider. But when it comes down to it, many of them rely on the networks offered by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

Total Wireless, a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), is one such carrier. Indeed, it has its own rate plans and features, but it licenses coverage from Verizon.

When it comes to buying a phone for use on Total Wireless there are a few options to consider. For starters, you can bring your current Verizon device to the carrier. Additionally, you can buy an unlocked CDMA phone for use on Total.

Customers can also purchase a phone directly from Total Wireless. While there’s a fairly decent and well-rounded handset selection, a few key models rise to the top.

What follows are some of the best Android phones available at Total Wireless today. These aren’t the most powerful, but rather the best for particular needs.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

The cream of the crop when it comes to Samsung’s 2021 phone lineup, very few handsets can rival its performance. Not only that, but it’s prettier than ever with the new color options, too.

Come for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and the 12GB RAM, stay for the 5,000mAh battery and quad-core camera. Of course there’s plenty in between as well and it’s all in service of high-end prowess.

Everything runs smoothly but it looks even smoother when you’ve got a 6.8-inch Quad HD+ display that delivers to the tune of 120Hz refresh rate.

Shop the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra at Total Wireless

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The Best Available

If youโ€™re looking for the biggest and most powerful all-around device from Total Wireless, this is it. With a screen size (6.9-inches) that rivals early tablets, it packs an upgraded S Pen stylus and cutting-edge hardware. Oh, and then thereโ€™s a first-of-its-kind 108-megapixel camera, too.

Powered by Android 10 with Samsungโ€™s custom UI, the handset has generous battery, tons of (expandable) storage, and support for Verizonโ€™s Ultra Wideband 5G network. Choose from Cosmic Black and Cosmic Gray color options, both of which are stunning.

Shop the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra at Total Wireless

Motorola Moto G7 Optimo Maxx

Well-rounded and Affordable

This is a great phone for first-time buyers and those who don’t need all that much from their handset. It’s a solid mix of entry-level hardware with a clean and user-friendly version of Android.

The Motorola phone offers up a 6.2-inch HD+ display, 12-megapixel rear camera, and a 5,000mAh battery. For those who don’t know what that means, it’s enough juice to get many users through two days of usage.

Shop the Motorola Moto G7 Optimo Maxx at Total Wireless

Samsung Galaxy A50

An Affordable Galactic Star

One of the best things about today’s breed of smartphones is that you can often purchase a generation or two later and still end up with more than you need. Or, you can go with the Galaxy A series which is a way to get many of the better features found in more prominent models.

For about one third of today’s flagship phone you can get something that will last a couple of years. We’re talking plenty of hardware, a beauty of a screen, and one of the better cameras around. Here youโ€™ll get a sizable (6.4-inch) screen, plenty of memory and storage, and a triple-camera setup on the back.

Shop the Samsung Galaxy A50 at Total Wireless

LG Stylo 5

Multi-task on a Budget

Big, practical, and the only one with a stylus, the LG Stylo 5 provides users with a large screen and an extra bit of functionality. The 6.2-inch display offers up plenty of high-definition space for scribbling notes, marking up documents, and more.

Running Android 9, the phone is powered by an octa-core processor with 3GB RAM. Storage comes in at 32GB with a 3500mAh battery that should give users more than a day’s worth of usage. Wrapping things up, the LG handset has a dual camera configuration on the rear.

Shop the LG Stylo 5 at Total Wireless

What else?

Total Wireless offers a $10 global calling card that can be added to any plan. Users can place international calls from the U.S. or Puerto Rico. Rates vary.

Get this great deal on the Nokia 8.3 5G in time for Mother’s Day

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Mother’s Day is coming this Sunday and Nokia is making it easier to stay in touch with mom with a fantastic deal on its recent flagship. Right now, you can grab the Nokia 8.3 5G for only $479.99 from Best Buy until Sunday, May 9, 2020.

That’s a savings of $220 for one of Nokia’s latest 5G phones and ensures you’ll be able to call, text, and swap photos with dear old mom without breaking the bank.

The Nokia 8.3 5G comes with a large and in charge 6.81-inch display, perfect for video calls with mom or binge-watching your favorite show. There’s also 8GB of RAM for multitasking, and it’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor for snappy performance with 5G capability, so nothing is gonna slow mom down.

When it comes to storage, mom should have plenty of space for pictures and videos of the kids with 128GB of storage. Additionally, there is a microSD card slot to expand it further, and a headphone jack so she won’t have to keep up with dongles.

Last but not least, the Nokia 8.3 5G includes a PureView quad-camera array on the back featuring Zeiss optics. Mom will have no trouble capturing everything and anything with the 64MP wide camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. Plus, she’ll be able to add some fancy video effects with the Zeiss cinematic effects.

If the Nokia 8.3 5G is a little too overwhelming for mom or you’re looking for a more affordable phone, Nokia has you covered there as well with the Nokia 225 4G. While the Nokia 8.3 5G gives you plenty of bells and whistles, the Nokia 225 4G keeps it nice and simple with a basic phone for basic tasks for only $49.95.

Convert Youtube Playlist to MP3

YouTube Converter is a platform on which you can convert videos simply by entering the URL of the YouTube video and clicking the command button to convert the video. Get MP3 or MP4 files from an mp3 converter in a few seconds in 2-3 simple steps.

Online vs. Desktop YouTube Converter

The choice of YouTube to MP3 or MP4 converter depends on the needs of all of us. As mentioned above, online tools are suitable for casual users.

Also, malware attacks can occur while using online tools. Therefore, be careful when choosing the right tool. Ontiva.com and mp3download.to are currently the best YouTube converters in terms of speed and security.

Online tools like ontiva.com and mp3download.to convert files and make this converted file available for download in seconds. For example, browser compatibility may prevent you from downloading files to your iOS device.

In most cases, there are desktop applications available for Windows.

Ontiva and mp3 download converter, essential tools for entrepreneurs

There are several ways to locally download the content available on YouTube, the most famous and used video page on the internet. Flash download applications, mp3 converter web services, and other installable programs designed to extract music and multimedia content to make them available offline.

But the truth is that, currently, we no longer have the need to install programs on our PC or mobile phone to be able to download YouTube videos or to listen to their audio in mp3 format on our headphones. Today we have at our disposal a very practical, easy-to-use online mp3 converter that works very quickly.

You can find it on the web ontiva.com and mp3download.to and use it very easily as many times as you want. Let’s go to ontiva.com and mp3download.to and see how these tools work:

  • Once on the web, we paste the Youtube link that interests us, or we simply write the song or the name of the artist in the white box.
  • Select the one you want to download or convert to mp3, click on the corresponding button, and you’re done.

Ontiva.com and mp3download.to are a very secure site that is used as an mp3 converter and that allows you to download the videos you want. It has no ads or pop-ups that annoy the user every time they appear. By clicking on the green button to start the download, in just 5-10 seconds, you can enjoy your favorite music on the device you want and without having to be connected to the internet.

You can convert songs to mp3 one by one or convert a Youtube playlist at once. In the latter case, each track is downloaded individually since no one wants a zip file on their phone or on their portable player. The service will help you download all the tracks converted to mp3.

In addition, ontiva.com and mp3download.to allow you any live broadcast as long as it has ended. Contact the site, and they will help you through the process.

How to convert multiple Youtube Playlist to MP3 

If you download a few, that’s not a problem, but you might come across a YouTube channel of your new favorite artist and want to download them all.

Either way, we found a really smart way to manage a large number of YouTube video downloads without manually running new ones.

Ontiva.com and mp3download.to offer super-fast downloads of all file types. You can download Trent, YouTube podcasts, and individual tracks from the Internet.

Most importantly, ontiva.com and mp3download.to let you schedule downloads. This is great for downloading a large number of YouTube files. This can be used because you only need to set Folk to download overnight or if you are not in front of your computer for any other reason.

Here’s how to use Ontiva and mp3 downloader for converting YouTube to mp3 download:

  • Open your tube converter, i.e., Ontiva or mp3 downloader. From the menu bar, select Folk> Preferences.
  • Select “scheduler.”
  • Select your night time/zone for downloading. (Make sure you are using the correct palette. You should use the color of the Download box over time to download the file).
  • In the main window, enter the video.
  • In the next pop-up window, select Startup Scheduler.
  • Select audio from the Quality drop-down list
  • Click OK
  • ontiva.com and mp3download.to saves music from YouTube

Benefits of conversion tools

There are many music apps on the market like Spotify and Amazon Music, they are paid tools, but most YouTube to Mp3 or MP4 converters are free. Also, YouTube has a larger collection of music than any other website. There are some free music apps, but people prefer to search for music videos on YouTube and convert them to Mp3 or Mp4.

Conversion provides the function of being a one-time process to convert music files from YouTube to Mp3 or Mp4. Therefore, the user can keep the converted files and use them forever. The converted files can be used on MP3 or MP4 compatible devices without an internet connection. These tools also help you extract selected parts from your video and make them available for use. For example, create a ringtone.

Functions that YouTube converter can provide

  • Ability to convert files with high precision.
  • Some tools provide advanced features such as cross-platform support and YouTube 3D video download capabilities.
  • In addition to MP3, most tools can convert files to other formats.
  • Some tools have built-in video editing capabilities.

Conclusion: If you are addicted to YouTube, and you love online videos, this tool will become your best friend in many ways. This website has many advantages. In addition to being a practical mp3 converter that allows you to convert any interesting video you see on YouTube to this format and then download it and listen to its music and audio on other offline players, it is and will be completely free for all users. Without forgetting the advantage of being able to download content without the annoying advertising that appears every few minutes in YouTube videos.

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen) review

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Google’s latest smart display, the second generation Nest Hub, arrives as a more well-rounded yet less expensive successor. It comes in new colors, has a more eco-friendly design, offers 50% more bass, and includes a handy new feature — sleep tracking. All of this and it’s 30% cheaper.

We’ve had this second generation device on a stand next to bed for a few weeks now, using it for an array of purposes. How does it fare? Is it worth picking up or adding to a smart home? Read on to find out.


Sleep Sensing is the key feature, and biggest selling point for the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) and for a good reason. According to Google, one in every five (20%) of its first generation Nest Hub is found in the bedroom. Why not add an optional capability that tracks sleep patterns and quality since it’s quite possibly going to be sitting on a night stand?

The new Sleep Sensing technology utilizes Google’s Soli miniature radar technology to detect sub-millimeter movements of the person who sleeps closest to the display. There are no cameras present, not even one that has a toggle.

Using other sensors, such as ambient light and temperature, the Nest Hub promises to keep an eye on your sleep habits and activity. Indeed, it can tell the difference between lying still and watching TV or reading and heading off to la-la land.

What is setup like for the Nest Hub (2nd Gen)?

If you’ve ever set up a smart display or speaker, you’re more or less familiar with things. Upon powering it on you’ll go through a guided process with the Google Home app on your phone. You won’t configure any real sleep settings in the initial stages.

Should you decide that you do want to use your Nest Hub for Sleep Sensing you’ll walk through a separate set of instructions, including assistance on how and where to place the device. Additionally, you’ll get into bed and lie still for a few moments so that it can calibrate itself. After that you’re good to go.

via Google

How does the Sleep Sensing work?

In short, it’s pretty damn cool. As far as accuracy goes, it was a mixed bag at first. It seems we didn’t have it properly calibrated and in the right place. You should take every effort to place it in a spot that is level with your bed and not very far from it.

After a second calibration a few days later we found it did a great job of calculating the time we spent in bed, how long we slept, and the quality of sleep.

A Respiratory Wellness feature can detect how often you’ll cough or snore during the night and can even calculate the number of breaths you take per minute.

Should you (or the Nest Hub) find that you’re not getting ideal sleep, it can make suggestions for you. Maybe the lighting changes in the middle of your sleep that causes you to become restless. Or maybe the temperature is a little too warm for quality sleep. Coughing too much? Maybe you’ll want to look into cleaning air ducts or dusting things off.

via Google

Likewise, the Nest Hub takes your schedule into consideration and tells you whether or not you’re spending too much time waiting to fall asleep. If that is the case, it may suggest a wind down process at night or offer to play calming sounds.

Upon waking each morning you receive a sleep report which tallies quality, duration and schedule and visually represent things in a Venn diagram of sorts. The goal is to have as close to a purple circle as possible.

Sounds great, what else?

As awesome as the Sleep Sensing feature is, the Nest Hub only keeps track of the sleep that happens in bed. If you are like us, you tend to fall asleep in a chair or on the couch.

When you get up and stagger to bed at 2AM you’re not only late for your scheduled time, plus it thinks you’re also not getting enough sleep. It doesn’t know about the three hours you just spent on the sofa. This is an area where it may still make sense to have a wearable device.

With that said, it stands to reason that maybe you ought to go to bed earlier or at least try to fall asleep in bed. You’d be doing your body more than one favor.

Spend a few nights away from home every so often? Or, travel as part of your career? The Nest Hub won’t be able to collect that data, and it won’t help your running average. On a positive note, it’s a pretty compact unit and easy to pack if you want to pack one.

What about privacy?

What sort of information does Google gather while you sleep or curate? Well, since there’s no camera, Google isn’t recording any facial images or movements and it’s definitely not recording videos. There are microphones for voice commands and prompts, light and temperature sensors, and the Soli sensor for gestures.

Sleep Sensing, it should be noted, is entirely optional for users. If you’re not interested in using it in the bedroom, which the majority of people won’t, you don’t have to use that feature. It’s a simple setting in the device. Other than that, the new Nest Hub captures no more data than your Google Home or Nest Mini.

Free Trial

If you do like Sleep Sensing, you should know that it’s only a free preview through 2021 and into some point next year. According to Google, the Sleep Sensing tech and features will be later be folded into the larger fitness plans that include Fitbit.

Enjoy a preview of Sleep Sensing. It’s free until next year. As we learn and innovate on this new technology, we’re excited to explore how this can become a part of the Fitbit and Fitbit Premium experiences in the future.

Google, on the nest hub’s sleep sensing

We suspect Google will fold that feature and capability under the Fitbit umbrella and tuck it behind a paywall of sorts.

Tell us about the other features

The Soli Motion Sense isn’t about helping in the Sleep Sensing feature. Indeed, the mini radar aids in gesture controls for dismissing timers and alarms or pausing and playing content. All it takes is a quick pat of the air facing the Nest Hub.

The gesture control is fun and handy to have in the kitchen should you be working on a meal and have messy hands. After a few weeks it becomes as mindless and simple as asking Google to pause or stop. Along those lines, we cannot help but feel like we’re not far away from swiping to control music or other media.

The machine learning chip that’s found in newer Google/Nest devices is also present. This helps the Nest Hub learn your most common commands and process them locally, speeding up response times ever so slightly.

Google claims the new Nest Hub has 50% more bass than its predecessor and we found it to be noticeably louder than the first generation. Sound is decent but definitely not premium or strong. It’s serviceable for YouTube videos, Netflix, or casting, and holds its own when added to a party, but it shouldn’t be treated as your center of attention for social gatherings.

There are other untapped capabilities in the Nest Hub, including support for Thread, a low-energy IPv6 protocol for connecting third-party devices. Once turned on it will make Thread-certified devices like those from Nanoleaf, Nordic, and Eve work even better together.

Conclusion

Even with the unknown pricing and features of Sleep Sensing beyond its free window we feel good recommending the Nest Hub.

The new Nest Hub has all of the great things that we fell in love with in the first generation, including the digital picture frame, controls for smart homes, access to cameras and doorbells, and more. Then you add in an optional Sleep Sensing feature and gestures, and offer it all up for just under $100. How can you complain? We can’t.

The second generation Nest Hub is great successor to the original design in that it balances minor amounts of revolution and evolution. Already more capable directly out of the box, we suspect it gets even better with time.

The world is hinging on the verge of an era driven entirely by tech

It is no secret that we have seen an incredible amount of modernisation around the world. This is especially true in recent years, as the beginning of the digital era has begun to unravel more and more, riding ongoing waves of interest and investment to get from point A to point B. Much like the rest of the world, there has been so much emphasis on digital and technological inclination in recent human history. And of course, much of this has come to life as the result of more awareness and understanding surrounding modernisation in all its many forms and the different ways that it is enhancing and vastly improving life as we know it and the world around us. 

Digital and technological innovation reign supreme

Technological advancement has been an incredible asset to us. The introduction and ongoing advancement and enhancement of technologies has definitely created an upward sense of absolute dedication and enthusiasm towards this exact design and intent. Today, digital and technological advancement and innovation reign supreme. And when one takes a step or two back to take a closer look at exactly how, when, where, and why this has happened, it makes perfect sense as to why that is. Technologies are designed and intended to transform the world in positive ways. And time and again, they prove themselves to be entirely effective and successful in this exact goal.

Every aspect of life and industry is impacted

There is a remarkable amount of attention to detail and overall emphasis focusing on technological impact. From the introduction of the latest digital marketing company (think SEO Sydney, for instance) to the advancement and enhancement of the most life changing technologies (i.e. nanotechnology, etc), technologies continue to meet and exceed any and all expectations time and again. There is truly so much genuine value in understanding that every aspect of life and corresponding industry has been and continues to be impacted by technologies, as well as knowing and wholeheartedly appreciating the fact that there is still so much left to be discovered and explored via technological impact and influence.

This is just the start of a tech driven future

We are today on the verge of an era that is entirely driven by technology. While this might seem like a strange thing to say, considering just how potently we are immersed in and surrounded by technologies today, the fact is that this is still just a taste of what is still yet to come. This is just the start of a technologically driven future. So long as interest and investment meet convenience and efficiency, there is going to continue to be further advancements and implementations that are driven forward, onward, and upward by the many technologies that either already exist and thrive today as well as those that are going to be introduced and built upon in the coming months and years, now and well into the future.

Photo byย Josh Sorensonย fromย Pexels

Free Star Wars game on Stadia and Easter egg on Google Search for May the Fourth

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For the uninitiated, today is an unofficial Star Wars holiday known as May the Fourth, a reference to the line “may the force be with you.” However, all you need to know is that Stadia is giving away Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order to its Pro subscribers. Unfortunately, without a Pro subscription, you’ll be looking at paying $40 on Stadia to own the game.

That’s still a discount from its regular $60 retail price though. If you prefer to play it locally on your PC instead of streaming, then Steam has it discounted for $20 to celebrate the holiday as well. Console players can even pick it up even cheaper from Best Buy for the PS4/PS5 or Xbox One starting at $15.

Overall, picking it up from Stadia is the best deal, if you sign up for the Pro subscription for one month, because that will only set you back $10 in total. After your one-month trial is up, you can still play it for free, the quality will just be lowered to 1080p with stereo sound. You better hurry though, May the Fourth only lasts for one day, before you know it, it’ll be Revenge of the Fifth.

Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or not, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is a fun action game with challenging lightsaber combat. You follow the journey of Cal Kestis, voiced by Cameron Monaghan, as he tries to evade the Imperial Inquisition. Along the way, you meet some new friends and discover new Jedi powers as you battle a variety of enemies with the force and a customizable lightsaber.

If you’d like to celebrate the Star Wars holiday without dropping any coin, then check out the Easter egg in Google Search today. Just type in “Star Wars day”, “R2D2”, “May the 4th”, “ewok”, “stormtrooper”, “lightsaber”, or “C3PO” and you’ll be greeted with some festive Star Wars confetti in your browser.

Google rumored to be working on ultra-wideband support for the Pixel 6

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Rumor has it that Google is working on ultra-wideband support for an upcoming phone. The tip comes from XDA-Developers editor-in-chief Mishaal Rahman, which gives it a little more weight. The guys over at XDA-Developers know their stuff, and when one of their informants drops some knowledge, we take notice.

Mishaal shared this tidbit over on his Twitter account saying, “I’ve just been informed that Google is testing support for Android 12’s Ultra-wideband (UWB) API on “raven”, one of the code-names that could belong to the GS101-powered next-gen Pixels.”

There’s a lot to unpack from that singular tweet. First off, Google is testing UWB support, which is a technology that allows for more precise location tracking and seamless communication. It is being used currently by the iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy flagship phones. Most notably, it is what is powering Apple’s AirTag and Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag+ personal tracking devices.

It’s possible that Google is working on its own personal tracking devices, or perhaps it will include support for trackers from third parties such as Samsung or Tile.

Additionally, Mishaal’s tweet confirms that Google is busy at work on a new phone with the code name “raven” powered by its own silicon processor, the GS101. If this turns out to be true, and many rumors point to it as being accurate, it would be one of the Pixel 6 phones, and the first Google smartphone powered by a chip that’s not made by Qualcomm.

For now, this is all rumors and speculation, we’ll have to wait until later this year to see what kind of surprises Google has been working on.

In fact, Mishaal even clarified by replying to his own tweet to say, “I don’t have any more details to share, such as confirmation that a next-gen Pixel will indeed support UWB, if Google is working on any UWB/BT trackers, whether “raven” is the Pixel 6 or 6 XL, etc.”

Verizon sells off AOL, Yahoo, Engadget, and more for $5 billion

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Verizon announced that is selling off its Verizon Media division to Apollo Global Management in a deal worth $5 billion. The deal includes brands such as AOL and Yahoo, once juggernauts of the internet, as well as popular tech sites such as Engadget and Techcrunch.

While the transaction unloads Verizon’s media division on Apollo Global Management, the deal still has the telecom retaining a 10% stake in the company. So even though Verizon Media will be under new management, Verizon hasn’t completely cut ties with the company.

It’s uncertain what changes might be in store for the companies under the Verizon Media umbrella. Certainly, some will be cut or merged in with other underperformers in the portfolio. Regardless, we’re not likely to see much change until the deal officially closes in the second half of 2021.

Despite receiving $4.25 billion in cash and $750 million in preferred interests, the deal sees Verizon losing quite a bit compared to its initial investments.

Originally, Verizon paid 4.4 billion for AOL and $4.5 billion for Yahoo. It seems the investments didn’t quite pay off, which is why the telecom is finally saying goodbye and redirecting its focus on its network.