Mike Adams Live: April 2021

Friday, April 30, 2021

How to get a VPN: Why you need one & how to download

The process of how to get a VPN can be super simple if you just go online, download the first you see, and install it. But, in reality, it's far more complex than that. Not only do you have to pick the right service if you want the best VPN experience but you also need to know how to set it up correctly for your needs.

Start by working out why you want a VPN. Is your priority getting a secure VPN for better online privacy and anonymity? Do you want a Netflix VPN for streaming internationally? Perhaps a VPN is your way to save money on shopping where the prices adjust to your details.

Then you need to think about where this applies. Will you need it on your computer, your phone, maybe your console and TV? And do you want more than one person to use it in your household?

Price is another big part of your decision. There are free VPN options and there are paid-for VPN choices – do you need to pay or not?

Then, once you've picked one, how do you actually get it up and running? Read on to find out everything you need to know about how to get a VPN.

What do you need a VPN for?

A VPN will use multiple servers to ping your IP address so that you appear to be somewhere you're not. This allows you to remain behind that proxy address, hidden and anonymous. So if you want online anonymity this will do that for you in all cases. Some offer extra security with double-hop servers, meaning you're hidden behind two rather than one server. Some also offer double encryption for the ridiculously secure transmission of your data, like NordVPN.

Perhaps your needs are more aimed at entertainment and shopping? By spoofing your location it becomes possible to get around geo-restrictions. For example, Netflix in the U.S. has a different library of movies and shows than the UK. So if you're away in the UK and want to get to your shows, you'll be blocked. A VPN lets you appear to be back Stateside so you can still catch up on what you want to watch. Equally – but we're not endorsing this – you could appear to be anywhere in the world and enjoy that region's programming.

For shopping, this can help you appear anonymous. Some websites, like flight sales sites, will adapt prices based on where you are. There are even claims they'll look at details on your machine, like a Mac versus a PC, and adjust prices to suit the wealth you appear to have – although that's not proven. Either way, a VPN could make you appear elsewhere and get you a cheaper price.

What devices do you need a VPN for?

Most VPN services offer the ability to use them with one account logged into more than one device at a time but this varies in number from service to service so be sure you know how many you need before you start shopping around. ExpressVPN is one of the best but it limits you to five devices, where the cheaper but also impressive Surfshark gives you unlimited connections.

It's worth also keeping in mind that many VPNs will let you install on your router. That means no matter how many devices you have, they'll all be behind the VPN since they connect to that router for their internet connection. If you're doing this then you won't need to worry about having so many account logins. That said, they're all then on the same region so you can't change that for each device at the same time.

How much does a VPN cost?

This question is varied since you can get free VPN services. The catch here is that most of them are limited by the amount of data you can use, very minimal in most cases. In the rare exception where data is unlimited, on ProtonVPN, you're then very limited by speeds.

In terms of features, like the number of servers and countries you can connect to, security, interfaces, and apps, if you pay you get a lot more. This doesn't mean you have to pay a huge amount. Commit to a longer-term payment upfront and you'll save lots on the price. Surfshark, for example, is $12.95 per month but if you commit to 24 months it drops to just $2.49 per month.

How to install a VPN

First, you'll need to sign up for a service on its website. This will then allow you to download the client (app) for your device. It can be easier to set up on a computer before adding the app version to a smartphone, for example.

Most VPN options will take you through the setup process which can be straightforward. But for some devices, like Android or Chromebooks, it can pay to check out tutorials from the VPN provider's website to get it done correctly.

To set up on something like a router it can be useful to use a third-party OpenVPN compatible client, assuming the VPN supports this. Many already offer this so even this part is easy to do following the install guidance. Failing that you can get tutorials on the VPN provider's website in most cases.

If you have problems try these quick fixes.

Close down and restart the client, reboot the device and try again.
If you have other VPN software, stop that running.
If the drive isn't working try using the Repair function that many VPNs offer, or a similarly named feature in Settings.
Make sure you're logged in correctly.
Try switching to other servers to make sure you're getting what you need.
Try switching protocols too.
If you have a firewall or antivirus setup be sure they're not causing the block by shutting them down to test.

If all else fails you can usually contact a decent VPN provider by live online chat where a trained professional will be happy to help. ExpressVPN offers a 24/7 live chat support service, for example.

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Former Netflix CTO convicted for taking bribes

A former Netflix VP has been convicted of taking bribes from suppliers worth more than $500,000.

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Samsung's UWB-based Galaxy SmartTag+ is finally available to purchase

It only took Samsung a few months.

Update, Apr 30 (8:10 pm ET): The Galaxy SmartTag+ is available for purchase.

What you need to know

The Galaxy SmartTag+ is finally up for purchase after being announced in January.
The tag features UWB for enhanced location tracking with the SmartThings Find app.
Galaxy SmartTag+ retails for $40 and is available in two colors.

During Galaxy Unpacked in January, Samsung announced its first Bluetooth tracker alongside the Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphones. The Galaxy SmartTag was launched as a competitor to some of the best Bluetooth trackers on the market, but then Samsung also teased an even better version of the tracker that would be released at an unspecified date. Although without much fanfare, that date happens to be upon us, with Galaxy SmartTag+ now available for preorder.

Like other Bluetooth trackers, the Galaxy SmartTag and SmartTag+ can be attached to items like backpacks, luggage, or even pets and track them with a Bluetooth signal. Samsung even has a neat crowdsourcing trick where the tag will silently ping other nearby Galaxy devices if you're out of range; that way, you can hone in on its position. We have a handy guide on how to use the Galaxy SmartTag on your Samsung phone to help you get set up with your new tracker.

The Galaxy SmartTag+ takes things up a notch. Thanks to the benefits of ultra-wideband (UWB), the new version of the tracker can provide users with much more precise positioning and tracking. It can provide an AR-powered map to help guide you towards your tag, making it easier to locate your items. Tile has been rumored to be working on a tracker with UWB, highlighting just how impressive the technology is.

Update, Apr 30 (8:10pm ET) ― Available for purchase from Samsung and Amazon

After a brief preorder period, it seems Samsung is ready to start selling its Galaxy SmartTag+. The new item tracker is now available to purchase, just after Apple launched its own UWB-based Apple AirTag. The Galaxy SmartTag+ is available now for $40. There are two available colors, Black and Denim Blue.

A better tracker

Galaxy SmartTag+

$40 at Amazon $40 at Samsung

A smarter way to keep track of your things

With Bluetooth LE, SmartThings Find, and the power of ultra-wideband, Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag+ makes it easy to keep track of your belongings and your pets. Even if your item is outside Bluetooth range, the Galaxy SmartTag will ping the signal of nearby Galaxy devices to let you know where it is.

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How Hainbach tackled 'the Dark Souls of synthesis'

The composer and YouTuber on his test equipment-based album and virtual instrument 'Landfill Totems.'

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Does Ultra Mobile support 5G?

Best answer: Yes. Ultra Mobile does support 5G, but you need to have a 5G-enabled phone to access the next-generation wireless network. You will also need to have an Ultra phone plan.

What is Ultra Mobile?

Ultra Mobile focuses on offering cost-effective phone plan options, so you're not spending hundreds on a phone plan. It's a Mobile Virtual Network Operator that uses on T-Mobile's network, and because it runs on T-Mobile's network, it supports many devices that are made for the U.S. market.

According to the company's site, its 5G network covers 200 million people in 6,000 cities. Because T-Mobile's network coverage is vast, most people won't have trouble having a network connection. The only time you'll find yourself having issues is in more rural areas, in which case you might encounter dead zones.

However, if you're planning to use the service for 5G, you'll need a phone that enables 5G services. Ultra Mobile does have nationwide 5G coverage, but not only will you need a phone that is 5G compatible, but you'll also need a plan that has enough data. In this case, you'll need an Ultra Mobile Unlimited plan.

You need a 5G phone and an Ultra Mobile Plan

If that 5G has piqued your interest, you have some options available. Ultra Mobile has single-month plans that start at $19 for 1 GB and go up to $49 for 50 GB. If you need a lot of data, which you might especially on a 5G network, you might consider getting one of the multi-month plans.

The multi-month option is also good for people who plan to stay with the company for a longer period of time. It'll save you some money in the long run, but note that the highest tier doesn't offer the same amount of GB as the single-month plan does. The company offers three, six, and 12-month plans. They start at $16 per month for 1 GB and go up to $46 per month for 32 GB.

Ultra Mobile offers two 5G compatible phones: the Samsung Galaxy S20 and the One Plus 8. Both are available through the site at 0% financing with no shipping costs. The Samsung Galaxy S20 is currently sold out on Ultra's site, so you could either go in-store and get it or buy it elsewhere. So, if you are a fan of the Ultra Mobile Plan and want to get some 5G, you have some options.

Our pick

Samsung Galaxy S20

$600 at Amazon $750 at Best Buy $1,000 at Walmart

A great Android option

The Samsung S20 is a great phone. It's got a rich 120Hz screen, a battery that lasts forever, and its performance is strong. It's a great phone that runs on the 5G network.

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Google's new Play Store rules target misleading app listings

Google is enforcing new Play store policies designed to crack down on misleading and inaccurate app store listings.

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The best tech gifts for new moms

Here's a list of the best tech gadgets for new moms, as chosen by Engadget editors.

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Why the Galaxy Note is obsolete

When Samsung brings the Note back in 2022, it probably won't look like what we've come to expect.

It's been a good couple of years since I last used a big-screened Samsung phone for any length of time. When I have used a Galaxy S, it's usually been one of the smaller models. That said, I've also used and enjoyed the Galaxy Note series over the years, many of which have ranked among the best Android phones. But spending more time with the Galaxy S21 Ultra over the past week or so has convinced me that this, and not the Note, is the future of big-screened, slab-shaped Samsung phones.

Or, to put it another way, the Galaxy Note, in its current form, is obsolete.

It seems that Samsung itself might be of that same opinion, as the boss of the company's smartphone division has basically told us not to expect a Galaxy Note 21 this year, with the Note instead expected to make a return in 2022. As for why that's the case? Well, I don't want to go too far down that particular rabbit hole. Samsung indirectly blamed this year's missing Note on the current worldwide chip shortages; however, the best information I have from my sources is that the decision to hold back on a Note 21 predates the current global supply issues.

Regardless, having used the S21 Ultra as I have done over the past few days, it's become clearer than ever to me that we just don't need the Note in its current form anymore. That's not to say previous Notes were bad, or that the entire Note brand should die. It's just that I think when the Note does return, it won't just be the "Ultra" Galaxy S model with an S Pen. The time for that sort of phone, I think, is over.

With the arrival of 'Ultra'-sized Galaxy S phones, the writing has been on the wall for the Note.

Ever since Samsung started developing larger Galaxy S phones, it's had a hard time differentiating the Note in any meaningful way besides the S Pen. And including the pen inside the phone comes with its own set of engineering challenges. Every square millimeter of space inside a smartphone is precious, and the S Pen dock eats into that. This is why the S20 Ultra has a bigger battery than the Note 20 Ultra, as with the Note 10 Plus and the S20 5G, and so on. All other things being equal, a phone without an internal S Pen silo will always have a bigger battery.

This kind of undermines the Note's image as the ultimate enthusiast phone. In fact, if you take a look at last year's Samsung phones, were it not for the widespread autofocus issues with the S20 Ultra's main camera, there would be almost nothing that the Note could do better. The kind of mid-cycle hardware upgrades that made earlier Notes worthwhile just aren't showing up as often.

Instead, the combination of Galaxy S21 Ultra plus an optional, standalone S Pen makes more sense for Samsung. While some of the early cases to attach the stylus to the phone are undeniably a bit janky, that's a problem case makers will eventually solve. And having an external S Pen means the pen itself can be bigger, making it more comfortable to use for long periods.

Samsung no longer has to ship two almost identical phones that both cater to mostly the same audience.

It's true that, with the current external S Pen, we're missing out on the Bluetooth features we first saw in the Note 9. But powered features like remote shutter and wavy gestures will eventually be returning in the form of the S Pen Plus later in 2021, just in time for new S Pen-enabled foldables like the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3.

With a standalone S Pen, the Galaxy S21 Ultra makes for a pretty great Galaxy Note replacement, doing most of what previous Notes could. What's more, it lets Samsung include a competitively sized battery and sidestep all the annoyances and competitive disadvantages of hollowing out a silo inside the phone itself — while also not competing with itself by shipping two precariously positioned big-screened, high-end smartphones that mostly cater to the same audience.

But let's hold up a second because we already know the Galaxy Note will be returning in some form in 2022. And while it's certainly possible Samsung will go back to making basically a cut-down Galaxy S Ultra to accommodate the internal S Pen, I don't think that makes much sense when you look at the direction of travel for Samsung's premium handsets.

At the very high end, Samsung is pivoting more towards foldables and more novel form factors. We've already seen clamshell and fold-out models from Samsung in the form of the Z Flip and Z Fold line, and there are rumors of a rollable phone in the works too.

When the Galaxy Note returns, it should be as a foldable or rollable.

This kind of unique handset, I think, would be a perfect way to reinvent the Galaxy Note — still a premium phone, but with its own unique form-factor separate from Samsung's other premium offerings. The expandable screen would be perfect for a flagship phone built around the S Pen. And while Samsung would still have to make space inside for the stylus silo, let's also remember that this kind of phone would be bulkier by default, so you'd likely have more internal space to play with.

This kind of thing wouldn't be unprecedented. Years back, Samsung used the Note line to experiment with the first curved OLED displays in 2014's Note Edge. And the screen curve eventually became a major design feature of future Notes, though in a less dramatic way than we saw with the Note Edge's single-sided curve.

So, with the S "Ultra" series really emerging as the very best traditional smartphone Samsung can offer, including standalone S Pen support, it's time for the Note itself to fundamentally change. That's what I hope and believe Samsung will offer when it resurrects the Galaxy Note in 2022.

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Engadget Podcast: Samsung's slew of Galaxy Book laptops

This week, Cherlynn and Devindra chat Samsung’s latest Galaxy Unpacked fiesta and all its new laptops.

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YouTube is testing SoundCloud-like timestamped comments

YouTube has started testing a new feature that gives you a quick way to view comments "timed to the exact moment you're watching in a video."

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Wreckfest, Battlefield V, and more free this month on PS Plus

One of the biggest perks of having a PlayStation Plus membership is the free games you get every month. The free PlayStation Plus games offered this month include three major titles, all available on either the PS4 or PS5. Check out the list of games below, with downloads available starting May 4. Enjoy the price of free until June 1, 2021.

★Crash hard

Wreckfest: Drive Hard, Die Last (PS5 Only)

Burn rubber, break the rules, and take down your opponents in this full-contact racer. Wreckfest: Drive Hard, Die Last's title explains a lot of the game, as you'll be racing wrecking cars as you look to come out on top in a variety of circuit races. Upgrade your car, improve its looks, and then dive into some Challenge modes the game has as well for even more fun.

See at PlayStation

★ Relive the fight

Battlefield V

Battlefield V drops players into some of the most iconic and well-known battles throughout World War II, in a way only a Battlefield game could. Players can jump into the large-scale multiplayer and battle it out for supremacy or play through the single-player War Stories, which tell the more intimate tales of some soldiers throughout the conflicts.

See at PlayStation Store

★ Survive at all costs

Stranded Deep

Being stranded at sea is undoubtedly a fear for many people. Stranded Deep takes that fear and makes it a reality, dropping players into the vast Pacific Ocean and tasking them with surviving by any means. Explore underwater or on land, hunt for supplies and food, and do whatever it takes to stay alive for another day in this survival game.

See at PlayStation

The best exclusives for PlayStation Plus this month

Exclusives are free bonus content available on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation Plus subscribers. It's usually a character or weapon skin, but sometimes you might catch a deal for exclusive content like bonus weapons, in-game currency, or perks! Every month we'll update this section with the best PlayStation Plus exclusives so you never miss any of the good stuff.

Grab some gear

Rocket League PlayStation Plus Pack

With Rocket League soon becoming free-to-play, now is the best time for players to pick up this Rocket League pack which is free to PlayStation Plus subscribers. The pack includes four unique customization items, including new wheels, smoke boost, trail, and a new banner for your car.

See at PlayStation Store

It's a celebration

Warzone Combat Pack (Season Five Reloaded)

Call of Duty's Warzone game mode is all the rage lately, and PlayStation Plus subscribers can grab some free bonus items to take into battle. The latest Combat Pack for Warzone includes an Epic Operator skin for Otter, a legendary pistol blueprint, an Epic Knife, and many more epic items, including a weapon charm, calling card, and emblem for you to use in the game.

See at PlayStation Store

The best deals for PlayStation Plus this month

Outside of free games and exclusive content, PlayStation Plus accounts also come with discounts on select games. Each month, we'll let you know the best deals for PlayStation Plus accounts by comparing prices, deals, and content.

A ton of gear

Fortnite PlayStation Plus Celebration Pack

The latest celebration pack for Fortnite is here and once again free for those who have PlayStation Plus. This pack includes the Perfect Point Pickaxe, the Point Patrol Wrap, the "What?" Emoji and a brand new banner for you to show off in Fortnite.

See at PlayStation Store

Which is your favorite game you've gotten for free with PlayStation Plus?

After April's big month of PlayStation Plus titles, May winds things back a bit and offers some fun titles for players to pick up for the summer months ahead. First, Wreckfest: Drive Hard, Die Last is a fun, fast-paced racing game that involves slamming cars into each other to be the last person standing. For fans of driving games that don't know too much about the ins and outs of cars, this could be a great pickup to scratch your racing itch.

Elsewhere in this month's lineup, Battlefield V makes it into the PlayStation Plus library, giving fans a chance to dive into one of the better first-person shooters of the past few years. While the World War II genre of shooters may be dull to some, Battlefield's sheer scale of multiplayer matches and storytelling never disappoint. Finally, Stranded Deep gives players a new survival game to explore and a unique twist on the genre in the form of being stuck out in the ocean.

All in all, these games still represent a ton of different genres for fans to check out for no extra cost, which is what PlayStation Plus is all about. Let us know which game you've loved and which one you're excited about this month! Shoot us a Tweet over at @AndroidCentral and tell us all about it!

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The Morning After: New WiFi 6E routers are starting to go on sale

New WiFi 6E routers are going on sale, with prices that start at $500 and go up from there.

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The Shure MV5C is a great compact mic for your endless Zoom meetings

A great option for today's work-from-home needs.

Shure is one of the most pedigreed names in the audio business, with a range of incredibly popular and instantly recognizable microphones, from the SM7B to the SM57 to the gorgeous Super 55 Deluxe. These models have been around for decades and have established Shure as an undeniable force in recording, but in more recent years, there's been an increasing demand for portable USB microphones — not so much for musicians looking to record their next album, but for podcasters, streamers, and voiceover artists who want to record audio without the need for expensive and bulky equipment like XLR interfaces and pre-amps.

Last winter, I reviewed the Shure MV7, calling it "the perfect podcasting microphone" thanks to its great sound, versatility, powerful app, and options for either USB or XLR output. It's essentially a more compact and modern SM7B, and I still use it for every recording of the Android Central Podcast — but even that microphone is larger than what most would considerable "portable," and requires some sort of mount like a boom arm to use properly.

That's where the Shure MV5C comes in.

Shure MV5C

Bottom line: The MV5C is a compact USB microphone designed specifically for Zoom meetings, with built-in settings like compression and automatic EQ adjustments that ensure great sound quality with as little work as possible.

The Good

Small, lightweight design
Speech mode toggles handy optimizations
Great sound relative to its price
Headphone jack for audio monitoring

The Bad

Uses the dated Micro-USB
Speech mode can't be customized
No angle adjustment

$99 at Amazon $100 at Best Buy $99 at B&H

Shure MV5C: Price and availability

The Shure MV5C was announced on October 27, 2020, and released the same day for $99 MSRP through a variety of retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, and others. This microphone is currently available in either black or silver, featuring a silver metal stand with either color option.

It's still a little too early for the microphone to have gone on any major sales, but we'll keep an eye on pricing and update this section with the occasional deals as they come.

Shure MV5C: Touring the hardware

The MV5C is a strikingly tiny microphone, fitting easily onto anyone's desk setup and just as easily tucking into a bag for quick travel. The hardware is made up of two components: the microphone itself, featuring a ball-shaped design with a flat back exposing its various ports; and the stand, a small, lightweight silver base made of metal with a soft, grippy pad on the bottom to keep it from moving around or scratching your desk.

The base attaches easily to the microphone with a small, circular thumbscrew. I love that you can assemble and disassemble the mic without the need for any tools, though for the sake of packing, I'd love it if the stand had been collapsible since its shape is a bit awkward to fit into a bag. Still, I like the retro design of the MV5C overall, and the built-in windscreen works surprisingly well without the need for an additional filter.

Quick setup for Zoom calls, and small enough to stay out of view from your webcam.

On the back is where all of the action is — which is to say, the ports and buttons. There's a 3.5mm headphone jack in the recessed cavity for monitoring audio input, and you can set your computer to route all outgoing audio through to your headphones, as well; this is generally how I've used the MV5C (and the MV7) for podcasting.

As with the MV7, there's a Micro-USB port on the back of the MV5C ... and also as with the MV7, I wish it had been a USB-C port instead. It's hard to imagine Shure is saving that much money by opting for an outdated port, but at the very least, you get cables ending in both USB-A and USB-C in the box, so you don't need to dust off your USB-C dongle to record audio on the go.

Along with the two ports, there are two buttons on the back of the MV5C: one for quickly muting and unmuting your audio and one for switching between modes. The MV5C features a dedicated Speech mode that automatically adjusts gain, compression, and EQ processing to improve your in-call audio for Zoom meetings and voiceovers, though you can just as easily disable it to record other types of audio.

Unlike the MV7 I reviewed before, the MV5C doesn't feature any specialized desktop software like ShurePlus MOTIV. Whether that's a good or bad thing will depend on how you look at the mic; this isn't intended to be a professional-grade microphone by any means, and adding complex software to the mix would only serve to scare off first-time users. Instead, the MV5C has great plug-and-play compatibility, and you can always tweak your own settings in a DAW if you choose to.

For quick reference, there are three status lights on the back of the MV5C, indicating settings like whether Speech mode is enabled or whether you're monitoring audio through the mic's headphone jack. A much more subtle hardware feature is the gain dial just below these status lights.

Shure MV5C: How does it sound?

The MV5C is heavily marketed towards people who need a better mic for meetings in today's work-from-home environment, but it works just as well for voiceovers or even musical performances. The built-in Speech mode instantly adds compression to up your audio levels and balance out the highest and lowest points in the waveform, tweaks settings like the EQ, and even adds a de-esser to reduce the unpleasant hiss of sharp "S" sounds.

For the best results, Shure recommends recording with the MV5C 12-18 inches from your mouth. There's a lot of bass response in the MV5C's audio, and that's only emphasized by the compression of Speech mode, though it's not so bass-heavy that it's a problem. I typically prefer a brighter sound, but I appreciate that the MV5C automatically applies so many of the settings that I typically add to my audio in Logic. Of course, I'd love some more flexibility — again, without an app of any kind to adjust the settings on the MV5C, you're stuck choosing between all or nothing.

Hayato Huseman · Shure MV5C test audio

One of my only complaints with Speech mode is how aggressive the de-esser is, often resulting in a muffled sound rather than soft, smoothly rounded out esses. Again, though, you can always stick with Flat mode by pressing the mode button on the back of the mic to record audio exactly how the MV5C hears it and then add your own settings later.

The MV5C definitely doesn't have the crisp, clear audio of its pricier sibling, the MV7, but that's to be expected for nearly a third of the price. More importantly, it's perfectly sufficient for the meetings, and video calls it's made for.

Shure MV5C: Competition

For as nice as the MV5C is, Blue has had a strong grip on the consumer audio space for some time now, and with good reason. The Blue Snowball is perhaps the MV5C's most direct competitor, with a similarly compact circular design and the option to change pickup patterns — effectively changing the directionality of the mic for, say, an in-person podcast for which you need to capture multiple people in a room with a single microphone. I think the MV5C sounds much better than the Snowball, but having multiple pickup patterns is a compelling feature, especially for $30 less than the MV5C at just $70.

For a bit more money, you could also pick up the mighty Blue Yeti. It's a much larger and heavier mic, but the Yeti has been a staple of podcasting, streaming, and voiceover work for years now, thanks to its four variable pickup patterns. You can choose to record audio from directly in front of the Yeti, from in front and behind, from the front and sides, or all around the mic with a single dial.

If portability is your primary need — maybe you're regularly traveling or working from coffee shops and need a microphone that's as mobile as you are — there are also options like the Samson Go, which tucks neatly into a pocket and mounts directly onto the top of your laptop. You won't get quite the same impressive sound quality as you would from the MV5C, but it'll certainly beat out the built-in mics on your computer.

Shure MV5C: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if ...

You need an affordable and simple microphone for meetings with great, clear audio
Portability is a factor, whether for traveling or simply working from different rooms
You'd rather not fuss with settings like compression and EQ adjustments manually

You shouldn't buy this if...

You like to tweak the settings on your microphone
You want the low noise floor of an XLR mic
You need the option of multiple pickup patterns for more flexibility

The Shure MV5C punches well above its weight in terms of raw audio quality, and its built-in Speech mode is a great way to instantly improve your sound for meetings and podcasts. I do wish there was the option to customize those Speech mode settings, either through an app or onboard controls, but I think this is a terrific overall microphone for working from home that won't overextend your budget or desk space.

4 out of 5

So long as you only need to record yourself and don't have a need for other pickup patterns, I'd take the MV5C over any of the alternatives from Blue and others around the same price point. Shure is a legendary brand for a reason, and this mic simply sounds better than a $100 microphone should. Put simply, this is one of the new best cheap USB microphones you can buy.

Shure MV5C

$99 at Amazon $100 at Best Buy $99 at B&H

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Star Wars Instant Pots hit all-time low prices ahead of May the 4th

Williams Sonoma's Star Wars-branded Instant Pots have gone on sale on Amazon at some of the steepest discounts we've seen.

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If iMessage was available on Android, would you use it?

Chatting with the AC forums.

Recent reports from the Apple vs. Epic Games trial unearthed communications between Apple executives, confirming that the company had at least considered bringing its popular iMessage service over to Android as far back as 2013. It's pretty easy to understand why Apple wanted to protect its ecosystem lock-in, but it's also interesting to speculate what might have been.

Sure, we have no shortage of great messaging apps over here on Android, but being able to securely communicate with our iPhone wielding friends on their preferred chat app would have been nice too.

So what say you, faithful Android community? Would you have rushed to download iMessage for Android to join club blue bubbles? I probably would have.

We want to hear from you — If iMessage was available on Android, would you use it? Why or why not? Let us know!

Join the conversation in the forums!

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Global Chromebook sales grew by over 350% YoY in Q1 2021

Demand for Chromebooks is expected to remain strong in the second quarter.

What you need to know

Sales of tablets and Chromebooks continued to rise in the first quarter of 2021.
Preliminary data from IDC shows a total of 13 million Chromebooks were shipped in Q1 2021, up from 2.8 million during the same period last year.
HP was the biggest Chromebook vendor in the January to March period, with a market share of 33.5%.

Chromebook sales skyrocketed last year as the pandemic made studying and working from home the new normal. According to preliminary data from the IDC's worldwide quarterly personal computing device tracker, sales of Chromebooks and tablets remained strong in the first quarter of 2021.

While only 2.8 million Chromebooks were shipped in the first quarter of 2020, total shipments reached 13 million units in Q1 this year. HP, which was held the third spot in Q1 2020, was the biggest Chromebook vendor in Q1 2021, with a market share of 33.5% and 633.9% YoY growth. Lenovo, which makes some of the best Chromebooks, saw shipments rise 356.2% in the January to March period. However, its global market share remained flat at 25.6%. Acer's market share, on the other hand, fell from 26.4% to 14.5%. However, the company still achieved an impressive 150.9% growth in shipments.

Anuroopa Nataraj, research analyst at IDC, said in a statement:

While vaccine rollouts and businesses returning to offices may slow down the work-from-home trend, we are still far from returning to 'normal' working conditions and hence the demand for tablets, especially detachables, is expected to continue for a while. However, as buyers increasingly turn towards competing products, such as thin and light notebooks for work or entertainment and Chromebooks for education, the future of tablets will remain under constant competition, leaving the heavy lifting to larger brands such as Apple, Samsung, Amazon, and Microsoft.

Tablet shipments reached 39.9 million in the first quarter with 55.2% YoY growth. Unsurprisingly, Apple remained the market leader with a market share of 31.7%. Samsung's market share increased marginally from 19.3% in Q1 2020 to 20% in Q1 2021. Rounding out the top five were Lenovo (9.4%), Amazon (8.7%), and Huawei (6.8%).

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The EU's Apple antitrust investigation is moving forward

The EU has opened a formal probe into how Apple runs the App Store.

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Imagining a world where iMessage came to Android

Had iMessage come to Android in 2013, Google would have less competition in the U.S., but the biggest loser would have been Facebook.

In 2013, Apple's senior VP of software and services Eddy Cue wanted to bring the iMessage service to Android, but the idea was nixed by other Apple executives, including Apple's SVO of software engineering Craig Federighi. Ever since, there have been a lot of people who wish it could have happened.

Of course, this would have had an impact. Many people think iMessage is the best messaging app available, and with the iPhone holding a large portion of the market in the U.S. and the U.K., sales numbers might look a little different. But neither Google nor Apple is the winner here. Instead, both lost the battle to Facebook because Apple didn't make iMessage cross-platform.

Apple's future would have changed

There are people who won't use any messaging app except iMessage. In fact, those people sometimes refuse to talk to someone who isn't sending a blue bubble in the app because they are using a different platform.

It's a good service. It's not the end-all-be-all Apple likes to claim it is and it has more than a handful of technical faults, but it's the default app on the iPhone, and it's pretty good. That's a formula for success, and I'll bet that most iPhone users in the U.S. use iMessage as their chat and texting app. And if you're Apple, this is more than enough reason to keep it away from Google.

Apple uses iMessage as a lock-in to the iOS ecosystem. It works because iMessage is good.

Apple uses iMessage as a lock-in to keep users from switching away from iOS. Or, as Federighi puts it, "[it] would simply serve to remove an obstacle to iPhone families giving their kids Android phones." And he's exactly right. There are plenty of ways to chat from the same account on every device in the world, but there is only one way to chat over iMessage: buy Apple products.

A look at global market share doesn't tell the story, but a look at U.S. market share (and to a smaller extent the U.K and Japan) does. Three of the richest countries in the world have about half of the smartphone users holding an iPhone, which is something that Apple places an enormous value on.

If there were one less thing to keep users in the Apple ecosystem, these numbers could be a little different. You can buy an Android phone with a better screen than an iPhone. You can buy an Android phone with a bigger battery than the iPhone. You can buy an Android phone with a better camera than the iPhone. In fact, outside of the chip inside, the iPhone's hardware is far from the best available.

Apple would have lost significant market share had it made iMessage for Android.

On the software side, iOS is extremely polished, and Apple does a lot of work to keep things simple to use. A lot of folks value these things and wouldn't let hardware influence any decision to switch. There's also a perception that iOS is better than Android, and while that might have been true years ago, it isn't really the case today.

One thing a lot of people want to overlook is how Google could help Apple to improve iMessage. For some reason, in 2021, if you try to reply to a group iMessage chat using SMS, everything breaks, and the entire thing defaults to an SMS conversation. There is no real technical reason for this, and I have a feeling Apple likes it being this way. If not, Google has some of the best network engineers on hand and would happily investigate the issue if asked.

All things considered, Apple would have lost market share to Android had it allowed iMessage to come over. How much is up for debate because the iPhone does offer other benefits, but having a good messaging app means a lot. Especially when you keep telling the world that it's better than everything else and you have a user base that agrees.

Android would look different, too

Messaging on Android isn't as cut and dried as it is on iOS. There is an overwhelming selection of different services and apps, and even the carriers are in on the action. Google is unable to fix it. It will never be able to fix it because once you give people plenty of choices trying to corral them away from what they like isn't going to happen. People find what they like and will keep using it.

Android users would have rushed to install iMessage in 2013.

But what if iMessage was an option for Android faithful back in 2013? Would users have decided they wanted in on it and stuck to it? Yes.

In 2021 iMessage isn't nearly as special as it was in 2013. Back then, SMS was the standard in the states, and that meant your carrier got to decide what type of media you could send, how big a file could be and took no measures to keep your messages safe. That's changed a little but if you look back and remember, messaging was bad in 2013. Really bad.

What made iMessage great in 2013 was that it was a gateway for SMS that could send messages as data. That means photos and videos didn't look like garbage, and your carrier didn't get to see anything not sent over its SMS channel. Compare that to the alternatives, and you can see how iMessage could be very appealing. So appealing that Google tried to emulate it when it announced in 2013 that Hangouts would act as an SMS app in Android KitKat.

Where Google failed was the user interface, which was a lot busier than iMessage. This alone would have influenced many a decision to install and use iMessage, as evidenced by Hangouts being depreciated in favor of multiple failed attempts at a universal messenger. While some people like iMessage because Apple makes it, others just like using it without changing any settings or fiddling inside any menus.

Google can't fix messaging on Android. Taking away choice would backfire.

Google finally got things together and drove the change to RCS. Now you can use the Messages app on your Android phone, and as long as the other party has an RCS-capable app installed, there is no line between SMS and chat. Google might not have tried to bring this change if half the customer base was using iMessage. That's important because RCS is a far better service than SMS, and we all should be happy to watch the latter die off.

What about market share, though? Would removing "an obstacle to iPhone families giving their kids Android phones" actually have happened? Absolutely.

Most parents would happily buy one of the best Android phones under $200 for the kids and have less headache to deal with when kids do what they do best and break it. Those parents could also use iMessage to talk to their kids, who could use iMessage to talk to their iPhone-using friends. Android market share, especially in the under-18 group, would have grown significantly. And as the kids grow up and buy their own phones, there is a much better chance they will keep using Android because of similar lock-in on the Google side of things.

I'll go as far as saying I think U.S. market share would look a lot like global market share had iMessage come to Android. Android getting iMessage is a nightmare situation that Apple was wise to avoid. Mostly.

The real winner is Facebook

Yes, you read that right — Facebook. While we can speculate how much market share Apple would have lost or how Google could have changed its attempts at building an iMessage-like service to Android but we know one thing: without iMessage on Android WhatsApp took over the world.

According to Statista, in 2013, WhatsApp had 200 million active users. In 2020 the service topped 2 billion users. Do you know what happened during that time? Smartphones ended up in almost everyone's hands.

WhatsApp grew with Android. Without an iMessage of its own, users — especially outside of the U.S. — needed a good way to chat that didn't cost 5-cents per message after the first 500 every month. As more and more users got an Android in their hands, they installed WhatsApp to talk with friends and family, or even to order food or to call a taxi. WhatsApp seemingly does everything.

Outside of the U.S., everyone uses WhatsApp.

WhatsApp also has matured into a great app with features that rival those of iMessage and anything Google has to offer. This potential is what made Facebook buy the service. Outside of a few blunders from Zuckerberg and company, WhatsApp is filled with really happy users. That's a lock-in in and of itself.

And by now it's too late to change anything. As long as WhatsApp stays around (and it's not going anywhere anytime soon), it will continue to draw more and more users because of two things: it's a good service, and it works in every country on every smartphone. When Android reaches the 3 billion user mark, WhatsApp will soon follow.

There are plenty of great services you can use to chat with friends and family that aren't tied to any one particular brand of smartphone. But iMessage is still what you hear about most, even though you're probably using WhatsApp.

Messaging will continue to evolve, and iMessage will keep considerable mindshare even though it doesn't have the market share to back it up. But things would have looked very different had Eddy Cue been allowed to move forward and release the service to Android, and by extension, Windows.

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London City is the first major airport to control air traffic via a digital tower

London City Airport has become the first major international airport to launch a remote air traffic control system.

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It's time for Google to invest in a high-end Chrome OS tablet

The iPad Pro is eating Google's lunch, so where's the Lenovo Duet Pro?

Google's Chrome OS powers more than just laptops. From devices as large as desktops to small children's tablets, the operating system is flexible enough to work on a variety of devices. While Chromebooks have been steadily creeping higher in price and specs over the past couple of years, the same can't be said about Chrome tablets. Yes, we've seen some excellent ones like the Lenovo Duet, which perform well for their price. Still, it's been a while since we've seen one that could take on the likes of the iPad Pro or Surface Pro and make a good argument for why you should pick it over those devices, and that's a real shame.

The Pixel Slate was the first and last prosumer Chrome OS tablet.

Before Chrome tablets were a thing, Google once pushed Android tablets as iPad rivals. It had its own Nexus tablet line, and every other Android manufacturer had an Android tablet at one point. There's an argument to be made that Android tablets are actually still successful on a pure sales front. Many of them are cheap and cheerful, and any tablet with a competent app store can consume content just as well as any other (something Amazon has learned very well with its Fire tablets). However, when it comes to "Pro" tablets, i.e. devices with beautiful screens, powerful processors, and chiseled frames that you would actually want to buy, the view becomes a bit more stark.

There's also no Chrome OS competitor to the iPad Air as of this time.

Currently, Chrome OS powers a handful of tablets. The Lenovo Duet is one of them, Asus's upcoming CMO5 is another, and that's really about it. If you want a Chrome OS tablet that's as slick as an iPad and can handle being thrust into a work environment in 2021, you're pretty much out of luck.

There's a question to be asked about the wisdom of supplanting Android tablets with something new if Android tablets are still selling, but it's a question of workflow and flexibility. It's not that Android tablets are incapable of matching and surpassing the iPad Pro on a pure hardware level. Absent the processor (which is good enough already), the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 series is just as nice, if not nicer, than Apple's designs. Where neither iOS nor Android can surpass Chrome OS is its flexible operating system.

Powerful Android tablets are hobbled by their mobile operating system for professiional work.

Reviewing the Lenovo P11 Pro, both Android Central's Ara Wagoner and Wired found that the Pro would have benefited from Chrome OS over Android. Much like the Microsoft Surface, a Chrome OS-powered tablet would have a touch-compatible operating system as well as a full desktop system running in the background. Unlike the failed Microsoft Surface RT (or any Windows 10 tablet really), there already exists a full-fledged fleet of mobile apps to be used in touch mode. In 2021, the web has matured enough that web apps can pull off a heck of a lot without desktop apps — but support for Linux apps and Windows apps via Parallels means that users can find a way around those restrictions if they wanted it bad enough. In other words, while some people may cry out for macOS on an iPad, Google's Chrome OS is already halfway there.

The Lenovo P11 Pro would have benefited from Chrome OS over Android.

There's also an argument to be made that Chrome OS thrives on the low-end and doesn't need high-end specs. However, I'm not a fan of that argument. Google's Pixel Slate tried to be a pro tablet with middling specs and ended up doing so poorly both critically and commercially that Google flat-out quit the tablet game. A "Pro" tablet would necessarily need high-end specs to be classed as "pro" so that it can handle more than the barest minimum.

Low-powered, low-priced tablets can't compete with the iPad or Surface for prosumers.

Reading the tea leaves, there might well be one such tablet on its way. Spotted last year by Chrome Unboxed. Chromium commits have revealed an upcoming Snapdragon-powered Chrome tablet with a QHD 3:2 display. If released, this would be a high-end Chrome OS tablet with pen support, a display ratio that's just about perfect, and a processor equipped to make the best of Android apps. Google has signaled that it has big plans for Chrome OS this year, and has also said that we should expect some big announcements at its forthcoming I/O conference. It's not beyond the pale that we may see some genuinely interesting hardware there in just over a month.

Google's Chrome OS operating system remains one of the more modern and most accessible operating systems on laptops. With so much work gone into making it tablet-friendly as well, it would be a shame if we never got a tablet that could really take advantage of all this operating system offers.

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Watch the trailer for the final season of Netflix's 'Castlevania'

Netflix has released a two-and-a-half minute trailer to give you a glimpse of what you can expect from the final season of Castlevania.

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Thursday, April 29, 2021

Stratolaunch completes second flight of world's largest plane

Stratolaunch hascompleted the second test flight of its carrier vehicle, which is currently known for being the world's largest aircraft by wingspan.

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Review: The Snapdragon 7c holds back the Acer Chromebook Spin 513

I want to love this laptop, but it still needs a bit more refining.

The processor diversity on the best Chromebooks has expanded nicely over the last year, with Ryzen processors arriving on the ThinkPad C13 and the Snapdragon 7c first announced for Chromebooks last October. We've been waiting on the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 for a solid six months now, with some questioning if the model had been canceled after the silent delays surrounding its release.

Now, the wait is over for the Acer Chromebook Spin 513, and while there's generally a lot to like about this laptop, what makes it unique also makes it a liability for at least the next few months: it's using a budget processor that's not fully optimized yet. In short, the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 is a perfectly fine laptop being held back by its chipset.

At a glance

Acer Chromebook Spin 513

Bottom line: The first Chromebook with the Snapdragon 7c processor is a lightweight laptop in every sense of the word. While the battery will last you all day with ease and the screen looks good, the processor is a little lackluster, with Acer focusing more on efficiency than raw power.