Airbnb embraces the novel concept of showing what you'll actually have to pay

Scrubbing at the sticker shock of cleaning and service fees

By Jules Wang 19 minutes ago

Whether you're out for a vacation or just need a crash pad for the night, you've got more choices than ever when it comes to on-the-spot accommodations. If you're going beyond the hotel, Airbnb is arguably the most prominent platform on the market — we think it's one of the best apps for Android-toting travelers — with property-owning hosts listing rooms, apartments, or even entire houses. The biggest issue for would-be guests, though, is the whiplash you get trying to figure out what you're really paying for your stay. Fortunately, the company's CEO says there should be a remedy on the horizon.

Black Friday 2022 deals: The best prices on phones, tablets, earbuds, Chromebooks, and smart home

Black Friday's weeks away, but the deals are already flowing

By Ara Wagoner 24 minutes ago

While Prime Day draws in millions and seasonal sales in May, July, and September are fun, when it comes to deals, there's no beating Black Friday. What once was a single day of sales has exploded like The Thing and absorbed the following weekend and Cyber Monday into a four-day free-for-all of deals, discounts, and doorbusters. Of course, Black Friday starts long, long before the turkey is brined, much less fried, sliced, served, and then turned into leftover sandwiches.

Google Pixel 6a repair parts and DIY kits surface on iFixit

Several guides, but just a few components

By Chandraveer Mathur 31 minutes ago

Late in June this year, Google partnered with iFixit to offer genuine replacement components for the Pixel 2 through the Pixel 6. These parts could help any DIY enthusiast or small-scale electronics repair business fix broken Pixels without getting a Google technician involved. Now, replacement components for the Pixel 6a are available on iFixit’s website for the very first time.

Ring Video Doorbell 4 review: Security that will cost you

Keep your deliveries safe — but for a high price

By Will Sattelberg 2 hours ago

Diving into the world of smart home accessories — beyond your usual lineup of smart speakers or displays — is an exciting, costly proposition that can involve modifying your home to accommodate your new gadgets. It's not enough to just buy a bunch of hubs, bulbs, and cameras from your local Best Buy. They have to work together with whatever ecosystem you've found yourself in, even as Matter finally arrives to put an end to our long smart home nightmare.

The feather-light Sony LinkBuds S are cheaper than ever in today's deal

Down to $128 ahead of Black Friday

By Taylor Kerns 2 hours ago

Sony's LinkBuds S are more similar to the company's traditional ANC earbuds than they are the original Sony LinkBuds. Unlike the first pair that had an unusual, open design, the S model is essentially a stripped-back version of the high-end Sony WF-1000XM4. They're a bit smaller and a lot less expensive, especially today: in advance of Black Friday 2022, the white LinkBuds S are way down from their $198 MSRP to just $128.

Amazon Echo: 11 simple tips and tricks you must try

You can do more than just check the weather

By Rajesh Pandey 3 hours ago

Are you the proud new owner of an Amazon Echo, or are you planning to buy one but are unsure what you can do with it? Amazon's Alexa-powered speakers and smart displays can do more than check the weather and set the alarm. Check out the top Amazon Echo and Echo Show tips and tricks below, guaranteed to make your life better.

How to change ChromeOS channels: easily switch between Stable, Beta, and Dev

Try out the newest Chromebook features early

By Zach Traverso 4 hours ago

Chromebooks are capable and easy-to-use devices that come with several useful features. The best Chromebooks combine excellent hardware with great features to create a truly fantastic computing experience. If you're an early adopter, Chromebooks allow you to try out the newest features while they're still being finalized by changing ChromeOS channels. Here are the channels available to Chromebook users and how to try them out.

The best Android apps on the Play Store in 2022

A running list of the best Android apps available today

By Matthew Sholtz 4 hours ago

Thanks to Google's lack of discovery on the Play Store, it can be challenging to find the best apps on the OS. This is why we here at AP have taken the time to round up our favorites. The heaviest of heavy hitters, the must-haves every Android device should have installed. So if you're sick of Google's complacency and are looking to dig up a few handy apps to load up on your favorite Android phone, you've come to the right place

Honor will reveal its second 2022 flagship phone series this month

The Honor flagship is rumored to use Qualcomm’s upcoming high-end processor

By Karandeep Singh 4 hours ago

Ever since it parted ways with Huawei, Honor has been trying to grab the attention of potential phone buyers. It already has some decent mid-range phones and plans to take on some of the best foldable phones out there with its own model. But Honor seemingly wants a bigger slice of the flagship pie as it is set to announce a new flagship smartphone later this month — its second high-end phone series for 2022.

Xiaomi 13 Pro renders reveal a OnePlus-inspired camera bump

When the designers get lazy

By Chandraveer Mathur 5 hours ago

The Xiaomi 12 Pro is one of the best smartphones the company has made, and as the year draws to a close, rumors about the upcoming Xiaomi 13 series are surfacing. Last week, we reported on the possible hardware specifications of what could be the Xiaomi 13 Pro, but now, we have what could be our first look at Xiaomi’s hardware design for the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro models.

The best rugged Android phones in 2022

Android phones that are built to take a beating

By Heather Comeault 5 hours ago

When buying a smartphone of any kind, one of the most important things you want is for the device to last. It can be frustrating constantly having to replace broken phones and cracked screens. While there are many rugged cases on the market for even the best Android phones, a case might not be enough for you. If you're someone who might feel a bit odd bringing a $2,000 phone to a construction site, these rugged Android phones come packed with some crazy features.

Best Final Fantasy games on Android in 2022

Brace yourself for these great Final Fantasy games

By John Bradbury 7 hours ago

Ah, Final Fantasy, the famous turn-based JRPG series that paradoxically never seems to conclude. The Final Fantasy series has a storied history, with entries and remakes appearing on multiple platforms. The Play Store has its own additions to the illustrious saga, with RPG gameplay adapted for play on touchscreen devices like your phone. Whether you’re a fan of the series, a newcomer, or just a lover of great mobile RPG games, the Play Store has a Final Fantasy experience for you.

What is Nest Renew?

Consume greener energy using Nest Renew

By Zach Traverso 7 hours ago

We all consume energy to power our phones and computers, keep our lights on, and heat and cool our homes. That energy has to come from somewhere, and a lot of energy in the U.S. comes from greenhouse gas-emitting sources such as coal or natural gas. Google introduced the Nest Renew program to help those with Nest Thermostats, some of the best smart thermostats available, buy cleaner or cheaper energy. What exactly is Nest Renew, how does it work, and how do you sign up for it?

YouTube Music could change up its home screen just a bit

Stepping off the carousel

By Jules Wang 21 hours ago

Google is doing its darndest to keep YouTube Music alive and kicking. That effort mostly comes through in a lot of little nips and tucks around the edges whether it's in the guts or the front end. Now, it may be time to tally up another one for the front end.

New Telegram update adds video message transcription and a way to break out groups

Guess which feature is Premium-only?

By Chethan Rao 23 hours ago

Telegram is undoubtedly one of the most widely used instant encrypted messaging applications, which isn't an easy feat considering the competition. Although the developers have offered the app for free since its inception, the company took the step of launching a paid subscription service in June this year. Just as Telegram was obsessed with new features going out on a timely basis before, Telegram Premium keeps the pace up, but saves the best tidbits for its subscribers. In continuing this tradition, Telegram has now announced yet another update that includes some handy new features for its free and Premium subscribers.

Samsung's latest Good Lock module attempts to one-up WeTransfer

'DropShip' should make it easy to share files on every single device

By Chethan Rao 1 day ago

Samsung Good Lock is an essential app for almost all Galaxy smartphone owners, enabling features that are otherwise not available by default. We've seen the addition of innumerable Good Lock modules over the past few years with the company usually dosing them out following the annual One UI software refresh. Samsung is now making another module available for Good Lock users in the form of DropShip, a file transfer app that can send files to practically any device, including Android phones/tablets or iPhones/iPads, and even your laptop.