Google Stadia has had a handful of exclusives since its 2019 launch, but none of them have been super compelling, especially with price barriers in the way. Last month, Orcs Must Die 3 arrived on the platform, and personally, I think it’s perhaps the best reason to sign up for an account. Plus, it had perfect timing now that Stadia is free.
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Pixel 4a Review: Superb smartphone on a budget, and a formula Google should remember
Google’s long-awaited Pixel 4a starts landing in the hands of customers next week, and by now, you’ve probably heard the narrative. This is all the phone anyone needs, and it has the best camera. Beyond that, though, Pixel 4a has a larger job. With Google’s smartphone lineup flailing at the high end, this mid-ranger can teach the company a thing or two.
Expand Expanding CloseTicWatch C2+ review: Essential upgrades but sadly more of the same [Video]
A sequel to one of our favorite Wear OS smartwatches, the TicWatch C2+ is essentially a minor bump to what was formerly a solid wearable.
Expand Expanding CloseReview: This Nest Hub Max stand makes the smart display a usable security camera
Google’s Nest Hub Max is an excellent smart display and speaker, but it also has a full security camera built into it. However, the design of the Nest Hub Max makes that camera somewhat useless at times, but I managed to fix that with this handy stand.
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus Buds review: Affordable OnePlus-only wireless earbuds [Video]
In the world of wireless audio, there is still a heavy reliance on the work Apple has previously done with the tried-and-tested AirPods. While the design is derivative of the AirPods, the OnePlus Buds are about the closest experience thus far on the Android side of things.
Expand Expanding CloseLG Velvet Review: The company’s best phone in years — take that as you will
Looking at the smartphone market, there aren’t many stories as unfortunate as LG’s. Well, aside from HTC. Anyway, LG once pushed the Android market forward in more ways than one, but just a few years later it felt like the company just couldn’t keep up or come up with anything on its own. The LG Velvet is a soft reset of the company’s mainstream smartphone, and it gets a lot right.
Expand Expanding CloseOnePlus Nord review: Price-to-performance perfection [Video]
It’s easy to criticize brands that have made their name on aggressively low price to performance when they steadily bump up costs and move away from the “flagship killer” roots. However, the OnePlus Nord feels like a step back and reassessment of what we should expect from future mid-rangers.
Expand Expanding CloseAmazon Fire HD 8 (2020) review: Admittedly cheap but actually not terrible [Video]
Amazon is one of a very few select companies still really pushing Android tablets at this stage of 2020 with their Fire HD line — which leads us to the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020 edition).
Expand Expanding CloseUrbanista London review: Earbuds under the influence [Video]
Apple’s influence in the world of smartphone audio accessories is undoubted. There is absolutely no denying where Urbanista took design cues for the recently released London earbuds.
Expand Expanding CloseGalaxy A51 Review: Samsung made most of the right mid-range choices
Samsung’s flagship phone often gets the most attention, but the company’s most successful smartphones are the ones that cost less than half that price. Lately, I’ve had the Samsung Galaxy A51 in my pocket, the successor to the company’s most popular smartphone in 2019. Is it worth picking up? Let’s talk.
Expand Expanding CloseHuawei Watch GT 2e review: A sleek, sporty, long-lasting smartwatch [Video]
While US-trade restrictions hamper Huawei’s smartphone aspirations in Western markets, the ace up the sleeve is undoubtedly it’s growing wearable selection — of which the Watch GT 2e is another fantastic addition.
Nokia 1.3 review: About the cheapest phone we can recommend [Video]
There are very few smartphones under $100 that we would actually recommend, but the Nokia 1.3 is one of our selected few.
LG Stylo 6 Review: A well-built budget smartphone that requires patience
When it comes to looks, performance, and just overall quality, budget smartphones have come a long way. LG’s Stylo lineup has proved very popular in the affordable market, but is the new LG Stylo 6 still worthwhile? Well, it hits two of the three checkboxes mentioned above. Let’s talk.
Review: TiVo Stream 4K builds an excellent live TV experience on Google’s Android TV
Streaming has taken over entertainment for millions of people, but when it comes to the live TV experience, that transition has changed a lot. With the TiVo Stream 4K, the company tries to deliver a product that appeases the typical streamer, but also the cord cutter. Here’s what you need to know if you’re in the market.
Nokia 5.3 review: Another excellent affordable Android [Video]
The lack of MWC 2020 didn’t dull the release schedule for many manufacturers, including Nokia, as the firm announced the Nokia 5.3 alongside the Nokia 8.3 5G in late March.
TCL 10L review: A little taste of everything for just $250 [Video]
Affordable smartphones have come a long way, and the TCL 10L is yet another testament to that statement.
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Review: Chrome OS finally gets the tablet it’s always needed
When you think of Chrome OS, you probably think of cheap laptops. For the past few years, though, Google has been working to make Chrome OS better for more expensive machines and, perhaps more importantly, for tablets. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet looks on paper like it would be the first good Chrome OS tablet, but does it live up? I’ve spent the past week finding out.
Review: Jabra’s Elite Active 75t deliver sound quality worth every penny
Often when you think about truly wireless earbuds, the first thought is convenience or features at the expense of sound quality or battery life. With the Jabra Elite Active 75t, that formula is flipped on its head completely. And you know what? They’re pretty great.
TCL 10 Pro review: A premium package at an affordable price tag [Video]
TCL might be better known for making TVs or selling rebranded devices with the Blackberry or Alcatel logo, but now they are hoping to take on the mid-range with their own 10 Pro.
Belkin Soundform Elite Review: Great sound and wireless charging, but questionable value
There’s a Google Assistant speaker at this point in every shape and size, and to suit every need or price. Back at CES, Belkin showed me its new Soundform Elite Assistant speaker, the very first one to include wireless charging built-in. Now, I’ve spent the past couple of months using it, and as great as it is, I have a tough time figuring out who it’s for. Let’s talk.
Embr review: Stadia’s first Early Access game is already a fireball of fun
During the most recent Stadia Connect, Google showed off three new First on Stadia titles, including Embr, a game about firefighters being an app-based service instead of a public offering. I got a chance to play and review Embr over the weekend, and it’s genuinely a fun game with a few caveats from being an “Early Access” release.
Review: Moto G Power and Moto G Stylus offer a decent package, but wait for a discount
Motorola’s Moto G series is the company’s most popular smartphone lineup and, really, that’s for good reason. A few years ago, any “budget” smartphone was pretty awful, but Motorola fixed that by making smart choices in its cuts and delivering a software experience that was nothing short of excellent. Now, in 2020, Motorola has ditched the numbers and delivered the Moto G Stylus and Moto G Power. Are they worth your attention? I’ve spent a few days trying to answer that question.
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z review: Affordable almost-wire-free audio [Video]
The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z might not be at the top of most shopping lists when you’re in the market for a pair of wireless earbuds, mainly due to that extra tether.
iPhone SE review: Requiem for a truly competitive mid-range Android phone [Video]
Straight up, the 2020 iPhone SE is a good phone. It probably won’t replace the phone in your pocket unless you happen to own a really old device, but it really is impressive — even if it does run iOS.