Xiaomi's latest fitness tracker doesn't look like one at all

The Mijia Quartz Watch doesn't look like your average fitness tracker, but it is hiding a lot of smarts.

Xiaomi is known primarily for its phones, but the Chinese brand is the second-largest wearable manufacturer in the world. That's down to its affordable line of fitness bands under the Mi Band label, but that's not all Xiaomi makes. It introduced a full-fledged smartwatch last month, and over the years it has launched a few hybrid wearables, like the Mijia Quartz Watch.

As a refresher, Xiaomi uses Mijia branding for devices it sells under its smart home and lifestyle portfolio. These include everything from action and security cameras to razors, desk lights, cordless vacuums, home automation tech, and much more.

Like every other product that Xiaomi makes, affordability is a key trait here. The Mijia Quartz Watch retails for under $50, making it an enticing option if you're looking for a fitness band disguised as a regular watch.

At a glance

Xiaomi Mijia Quartz Watch

Bottom line: The Mijia Quartz Watch combines classic styling with fitness tracking capabilities, making it an enticing option if you want a fitness tracker that looks like a regular watch. It automatically syncs time with your phone, you can set activity alerts and hourly reminders, and you'll get six months of usage from the battery.

The Good

• Minimal design
• Great value
• Accurate fitness tracking
• Six-month battery life
• 3ATM water resistance

The Bad

• Limited availability
• Pairs with Mi Home and not Mi Fit

$40 at AliExpress

Xiaomi Mijia Quartz Watch What feels great

The Mijia Quartz Watch looks like a regular watch; in fact, it's hard to tell from a first glance that it can be used for fitness tracking. The design is what sets the watch apart from other fitness trackers, and in this area, Xiaomi is channeling Withings. If you've ever used a Withings watch or even looked at one before, the Mijia Quartz Watch has the same design aesthetic with clean lines and a focus on simplicity.

The Mijia Quartz has a 40mm stainless steel case with a two-hand dial displaying the time in hours and minutes. There's a secondary dial at the bottom with a single hand that tracks daily activity, with the step counter going up to 20,000. The bundled blue band is made out of leather, and you can switch it out if you're interested in using steel links. You can also use any 20mm strap with the watch, and switching out the bands is as straightforward as removing the lugs.

The front of the glass is coated to provide adequate protection against the usual wear and tear, and it also has a coating to resist fingerprint smudges. Xiaomi sells the Mijia Quartz Watch in three options — the black and grey models have matching dials and straps, and the blue variant pictured above has a white dial with a blue leather band. This is the variant that I like the most, and the classic styling goes with a wide range of outfits.

The Mijia Quartz Watch automatically syncs time with your phone, and you get detailed fitness data on the Mi Home app.

The minimalist design extends to the buttons as well, and there's a single button on the right side that's used for pairing the watch with your phone. All you need to do is press the button for five seconds, and the watch goes into pairing mode. Once it's paired, it sets the time to match that of your phone, and the best part about this is that it syncs time automatically, so even if you're traveling, you don't need to manually adjust the time on the Mijia Quartz Watch.

The watch features a motion sensor to track daily activity, and when used side-by-side with a Fitbit Alta HR, it provided nearly identical data. You'll be able to access daily activity statistics as well as activity history from the Mi Home app, and you'll also be able to see calories burned and distance covered. You also have the option of setting hourly activity reminders, with the watch vibrating to notify you to get up and move.

Pairing and syncing data with your phone is done over Bluetooth 4.0 LE, and the watch is powered by a CR2430 battery that lasts up to a year. Not having to worry about charging the watch is liberating, and makes the Mijia Quartz that much more enticing.

Xiaomi Mijia Quartz Watch What feels off

The main issue with the Mijia Quartz Watch is that it doesn't pair with Xiaomi's Mi Fit app. You'll instead have to use the Mi Home app, which is used for smart home products.

You'll have to use the Mi Home app to sync activity from the Mijia Quartz Watch.

The Mijia Quartz is the only Xiaomi wearable that connects to Mi Home, and that's puzzling when you consider the fact that all four Mi Bands, older Amazfit smartwatches, Xiaomi's smart scales, and smart shoes all pair with Mi Fit. Having to use a different app to sync data is irksome, but Mi Home provides the same statistics as Mi Fit.

Honestly, there's little else that's wrong with the watch. You do have to unscrew the back to switch out the battery once every year or so, but that is also straightforward and shouldn't take more than 10 minutes.

Xiaomi Mijia Quartz Watch Should you buy it?

The Mijia Quartz Watch is one of the best fitness trackers around if you're looking for a device with a minimal design aesthetic. Yes, Xiaomi is essentially copying Withings' design here, but the quality on offer is better than what you get with a Withings Move, and you're paying just over half the price.

The 3ATM water resistance means you can take it to the pool without any issues, and the best part about it is that you don't need to charge it weekly or even monthly. That makes it a standout product, and the fact that you can pick it up for $40 is a steal for what you're getting here.

4 out of 5

If you're in the market for a fitness tracker that you can wear with any outfit, the Mijia Quartz Watch is an ideal choice. You won't need to charge it, and you get detailed activity data as well as hourly reminders in a design that looks fantastic.

Best of both worlds

Xiaomi Mijia Quartz Watch

$40 at AliExpress

A fitness tracker that you can wear anywhere.

The Mijia Quartz Watch combines classic styling with fitness tracking capabilities, making it an enticing option if you want a fitness tracker that looks like a regular watch. It automatically syncs time with your phone, you can set activity alerts and hourly reminders, and you'll get six months of usage from the battery.

You can buy Android smartwatch without breaking the bank

If you're thinking about buying a Wear OS smartwatch, you may have noticed there are a lot of nice-looking options from top brands. However, not everyone is looking to spend hundreds of dollars. Luckily, there are quality options available at lower price points. One of the most affordable yet feature-packed Android smartwatches out there is the TicWatch S2, which is all about providing users with rugged durability. There's plenty more where that came from.

Best Overall: TicWatch S2

The TicWatch S2 isn't for the faint of heart. This smartwatch was designed with the active individual in mind. Whether you're the outdoorsy type or a certified gym fiend, you'll be glad to have this level of strength on your wrist. The large 1.39-inch display is crisp and easy to read. It's not only waterproof but it was also built with military-grade durability, so you know it's tough. You won't have trouble keeping track of your stats, either. The combination of Google Fit and TicMotion will help you stay motivated with easy access to all of your workouts and data.

The TicWatch S2 also provides you with smartphone notifications so can stay connected to the world as you go about your day. Let's not forget about the convenience of having Google Assistant readily available. With that said, you can expect up to two days of battery life. If you take advantage of always-on display and regularly use GPS and apps, you can expect closer to one day of battery. It would've been nice to have Google Pay on the S2, but at this price point, it's hard to complain. You also don't have an altimeter, so you won't be able to track floors climbed.

Pros:

• Onboard GPS
• Two color options
• Military-grade durability
• 5 ATM water resistance
• Heart-rate monitoring

Cons:

• Lacks NFC payments
• Rugged look isn't for everyone
• No altimeter

Best Overall

TicWatch S2

• $126 from Amazon

Affordably durability

The S2 offers a pretty display, military-grade durability, GPS, and great fitness tracking. It's also reasonably priced.

Best Value: TicWatch E2

When you're seeking the best possible bang for your buck, you can't go wrong with the TicWatch E2. It might resemble the S2 at first glance, but there are a few differences between the two. This model isn't as bulky, which means you won't get the military-grade durability. However, if you're not worried about maximum ruggedness in a smartwatch, this could be a great choice.

Other than that, the TicWatch E2 functions just like the S2. They have the same display and battery size as well as the same processor and storage space. It's only available in one color, but this can easily be jazzed up with a new band. You'll still enjoy onboard GPS, Google Fit and TicMotion, 24/7 heart-rate monitoring, and Google Assistant. Like the S2, the E2 is also missing an altimeter and Google Pay.

Pros:

• Onboard GPS
• Sleeker look than the S2
• 5 ATM water resistance
• Great fitness tracking
• Heart-rate monitoring

Cons:

• No NFC payments
• Lacks MIL-STD-810G rating
• No altimeter
• Only available in one color

Best Value

TicWatch E2

• $112 from Amazon

The most bang for your buck

Aside from lacking military-grade durability, the E2 is just as capable as the S2. You'll have the same core features that count.

Best for Basics: Misfit Vapor

The Misfit Vapor may already have a successor, but the original is still a perfectly competent smartwatch for those who don't want to pay extra for the newer version and are content with the basics. You'll have a lovely AMOLED display, heart-rate monitoring, music storage, and 5 ATM water resistance. It's also nice that there's a virtual bezel for easy navigation. You'll get at least a day of battery life with the Misfit Vapor, possibly a bit more.

When you settle for an older version of a smartwatch, there's likely to be some compromises. In the case of the Misfit Vapor, you won't get built-in GPS or NFC payments. While you can go out for a run and listen to music without needing your phone, you'll still need to have it if you want to utilize connected GPS during your workout. The watch case is 14mm thick, so it might be a bit too chunky for some users.

Pros:

• Strong, solid build
• Heart-rate monitoring
• 5 ATM water resistance
• Music storage
• Decent fitness tracking

Cons:

• Lacks onboard GPS
• No NFC payments
• A bit bulky

Best for Basics

Misfit Vapor

• $159 from Misfit

Keeping it simple

The Misfit Vapor might keep things simple, but sometimes that's all you need. You'll have music storage, waterproofing, and fitness tracking.

Best for Fashion: Fossil Gen 4 Explorist HR

It's easy to see that the Fossil Gen 4 Explorist HR was designed for those with a sense of style. It's available in multiple eye-catching colors, including Gunmetal, Black, Silver, and Rose Gold. This successor offers heart-rate tracking, NFC payments with Google Pay, onboard GPS, and music storage. All of these features are new when you compare it to the previous Gen 3 model.

While the Fossil Gen 4 Explorist HR is a great improvement from the predecessor, it's still lacking in some areas. It's not fully waterproof like most of the other smartwatches on this list nor does it have its own swim tracking app. It's also still running on the old Snapdragon Wear™ 2100, which is a bit of a bummer. Battery life is estimated to last for up to 24 hours. Other than that, it's got some solid upgrades and won't break the bank.

Pros:

• Fashionable design
• Onboard GPS
• Activity and heart-rate tracking
• Music storage and controls
• Google Pay

Cons:

• Only 3 ATM water resistance
• No native swim tracking
• Still running old processor

Best for Fashion

Fossil Gen 4 Explorist HR

• $185 from Amazon

Form and function

An affordable watch doesn't have to lack style. The fashionable Gen 4 Explorist model gives you GPS, NFC, music storage, and more.

Best Improvement: Misfit Vapor 2

While there were many great things to say about the original Misfit Vapor, the successor brings even more to the table. You'll have onboard GPS to go along with the music storage, which means you can take advantage of the full phone-free workout experience. Don't forget that Google Pay is available this time around, too. It also gives you two size options: 41mm or 46mm.

This smartwatch boasts all-day battery life, and can maybe last up to two days, but that figure can vary depending on individual usage. If you can't live without the always-on display, you won't be able to live without your charger for a day. Considering this smartwatch was just released last year yet is still running the Snapdragon Wear™ 2100, performance is unsurprisingly sluggish. The rotating crown isn't very functional, either.

Pros:

• Onboard GPS
• Two size options
• Google Pay
• 5 ATM water resistance
• Music storage and controls

Cons:

• Performance could be better
• Mediocre battery life
• Poor rotating crown

Best Improvement

Misfit Vapor 2

• $199 from Amazon

Truly new and improved

The Misfit Vapor 2 is pricier than the original, but it's worth it if you want built-in GPS, Google Pay, and two size options.

Best for Athletes: Fossil Sport

Those who like the Fossil Gen 4 Explorist HR but want something more ideal for an active lifestyle may prefer the Fossil Sport instead. It's got the features to satisfy workout enthusiasts. You'll have built-in GPS, seamless integration with Google Fit, a reliable heart-rate monitor, a sweat-resistant plastic frame, and a soft rubber band. Perhaps the most important improvement is the long-awaited addition of the Snapdragon Wear™ 3100 processor for faster performance.

We were hoping for more battery life when the Fossil Sport was released, but it didn't happen. You'll get the usual 24 hours of battery life from this smartwatch. Sure, there's a low-power mode that claims to extend the battery life, but it will disable everything except for the ability to keep time. Considering that most people will be using a Wear OS smartwatch for more than telling time, you can count on having to charge it daily. The new processor is a plus, but Wear OS still has its flaws and lags from time to time.

Pros:

• Multiple colors and two size options
• Running new Snapdragon processor
• Lightweight and perfect for workouts
• 5 ATM water resistance
• Onboard GPS
• Google Pay

Cons:

• Battery life isn't the best
• Software can still be buggy
• Screen struggles in sunlight

Best for Athletes

Fossil Sport

• $149 from Amazon

For the sporty folks

The Fossil Sport is ready to be active with you. It has GPS, 5 ATM water resistance, heart-rate monitoring, and Google Fit.

Bottom line

While Wear OS smartwatches may not be the most popular wearables on the market, there are a handful of excellent options that hold their own. Most importantly, you don't have to spend a fortune to get one of these bad boys. Mobvoi's TicWatch series is a great place to start, especially if you're a beginner in the smartwatch world. When it comes to finding one that offers both affordability and a well-rounded experience, the TicWatch S2 is ideal. This rugged watch comes with military-grade durability, all-day battery life, waterproofing, heart-rate monitoring, and more.

If you're not a fan of how large most of the TicWatch models are, there are other Wear OS options that you may find more suitable. Whether you're prioritizing fashion, features, or both, you'll have the chance to choose a smartwatch that will make your wrist happy without making your wallet sad.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Courtney Lynch is a freelance writer at Android Central. She's obsessed with all things health, fitness, and music. At any given time she can be found checking out the latest and greatest gadgets while simultaneously petting her dog and sipping iced coffee.

What to expect in the Android world in 2020: Foldables, 5G and more

Another year of Android fun awaits.

We just spent a considerable amount of effort covering all of the milestones of the past decade, but now it's time to look forward to 2020. The Android world always keeps us on our toes with tons of variety and innovation coming from unexpected places, and the start of a new year gives us an opportunity to speculate where it's all headed. These are the trends and changes I'm expecting in the coming year.

Foldable phones (for real this time)

2019 was supposed to be the year where foldable phones entered the mainstream. It didn't happen. The Galaxy Fold failed and re-launched after it had lost all momentum, and the Huawei Mate X never really launched in the first place. And so, we look forward to 2020 as the real start of foldables.

Not only will we see more foldables, we'll see a wider variety of designs.

The year will kick off strong with the new Motorola RAZR, which is not only a foldable but also the first clamshell-style foldable to immediately give the market some diversity from the tablet-style foldables we've seen. And all indications are Samsung has its own second-gen foldable with a similar clamshell-style design, and we know TCL (among others) is experimenting with a variety of display and hinge designs to bring different shapes and sizes of foldables to market.

These early foldables will still, of course, be riddled with compromises. There's still an incredible amount of complexity involved with making a phone that can repeatedly be folded and unfolded — both in the screen and everything underneath it. But this year will at least give us an opportunity to experience these foldable phones and start to better understand what they're all about.

Fewer ports, buttons and openings

It's already no secret that smartphone companies want to simplify their hardware; hardware complexity is one of the biggest reasons why foldables are tough to make and incredibly expensive right now. Making unibody phones without removable batteries a handful of years back was a big step, but there's much more to do. The headphone jack is just about gone for good, and phones no longer have separate trays for SD card slots, but now we're going to start seeing phones without a SIM card slot either as they go all-in on eSIM.

Companies will do everything they can to remove hardware complexity.

We've already seen some phones drop traditional volume and power buttons entirely, with different solutions and mixed results. But this is the holy grail for hardware makers — the fewer openings, and fewer moving parts, you have in your phone the better. Whether it's pressure-sensitive "buttons" like HTC tried, or full-on capacitive areas, we're bound to see phones shift away from traditional clicking buttons.

The time of true stereo speakers was short, but we're going to start getting even further from it as companies once again try to simplify their hardware designs. Using a single speaker at the top of the phone for both phone calls and speakerphone is a start, but we also see innovative solutions with bone conduction and using the display panel as a speaker. A phone's audio quality is less and less defined by the number of "speakers" and their size and placement — it's going to be much more nuanced than that in 2020.

In a move that may initially feel more complex, companies are also reducing bezels and increasing screen-to-body ratio even further. It's an appealing and very marketable feature to have the "all screen" look, and that means notches giving way to cutouts, and cutouts giving way to under-display sensors and even under-display cameras. This goes hand-in-hand with the removal of front-facing speakers, too.

5G — whether you use it or not

Much like foldable phones, the promise of 5G's proliferation has been delayed from our initial expectations. 2020 is where things will actually hit the mainstream in earnest due in large part to Qualcomm's push into the technology. Its new mobile platforms, the Snapdragon 865 and 765, only come in 5G versions — and that means there's a great chance that the new phone you buy in 2020 will be 5G capable, because phone makers simply won't have the option to release a 4G-only phones if they want to use the latest processors. Other inexpensive 5G-capable chips from competitors like MediaTek will also bring the new networking standard to less-expensive phones.

If there's a silver lining here, it's that 5G networks are continuing to expand now that phones are available.

That is, of course, whether you actually have access to a 5G network or not. 5G networks are still in their infancy, despite all of the noise carriers are making about their expansion. mmWave networks, such as Verizon's, are only available in specific parts of specific cities. Sub-6 5G networks, like the one T-Mobile is deploying, have the best footprint — but even in that best-case scenario, throughout 2020 you're still going to be spending a large amount of time relying on LTE.

If you're going to be buying a high-end phone in 2020, expect it to have 5G whether you think you'll use it or not — and expect to pay a little more for the phone because of it. If there's a silver lining to all this, it's that the proliferation of 5G-capable phones will also spur carriers to expand 5G networks faster — and you may actually get to use 5G consistently within the life of that phone you just bought.

Another round of amazing cameras

Computational photography and multi-lens camera systems have dramatically improved the quality of photos we can get out of smartphones, and it isn't going to slow down this year. A new round of camera sensors that use ultra-high-megapixel counts are coming, pushing over the 100MP barrier — and a couple are already on the market.

More megapixels, more lenses, and even better processing to combine it all.

But that doesn't mean we're going to start seeing higher-megapixel photos; the extra sensor data is going to be processed with ever-improving algorithms to combine pixels for smoother, crisper photos that output at "normal" resolutions. A 100MP camera sensor will output a 25MP, or even 12.5MP, photo in the end — but that's great, because we don't need higher resolution, we need more light and more color in our smartphone photos.

These new sensors and processing software will continue alongside the steady march of just adding more cameras to phones. Two cameras is already the norm; now we're going to see everyone standardizing on three and four-camera arrays — and at this point, it lets companies use those tertiary sensors for ever-more-specific use-cases rather than general image capture. Things like dedicated sensors for depth sensing, black-and-white capture, extra-long focal lengths and more.

Faster (and smaller) software updates

Google's changes to the way Android updates can be applied with Project Treble have already improved software update speed and consistency, but the improvement has (as usual) not been evenly distributed. Project Treble lets Google and phone makers release incremental updates easier and faster because small changes — like security patches — can be released without affecting the entire system, so we can get feature updates from Google without requiring manufacturers to tweak and re-certify all of their low-level hardware support to release the update.

The combination of Treble and Mainline will update your phone faster and more frequently.

But Project Treble only works on phones that launched on Android 8.0 or later. Now that we're a couple years removed from Android Oreo, a vast majority of phones we're using launched with Android 8.0 or 9 and have Treble capabilities. And we're nearing the end of the software update lifespan of phones that launched on Android 7.0, meaning manufacturers will be able to focus all of their attention on Treble-style updates for all of their phones. That means the potential for faster, more consistent updates in 2020 — even if you bought your phone in 2019.

That's going to get even better with phones on Android 10 in 2020 with another improvement to updates called Project Mainline, which is a perfect companion to Treble. Similarly, Project Mainline lets phone manufacturers update individual parts of the system — like hardware drivers, security features, networking components and more — without touching either the interface layer on top or the sub-Treble layer below. These updates are delivered just like app updates, through the Google Play Services framework, so they're near-seamless to the user.

The combination of Treble and Mainline isn't necessarily going to more quickly deliver major version updates, like upgrading to Android 11 late in 2020. But it will speed up smaller updates like improvements to individual features, networking tweaks, and changes to low-level controllers and drivers for improved performance in parts of the system that interface closely with the CPU and GPU. Together with Treble, we're all going to be getting software and firmware improvements more frequently in 2020.

Two-factor authentication: Everything you need to know

What 2FA is, why it's important, and why you should use it.

You see a lot of talk on the internet about two-factor authentication (or 2FA as it's commonly called), and most of the time you just see people like us telling you to use it.

We'll continue that trend and start this bit of prose by telling you to use 2FA whenever and wherever you can. However, we're also going to let you know what it is, and why you must use it.

Ready to learn more? Read on.

• What is two-factor authentication?
• Is it truly secure?
• Here's how to start using it
• Why 2FA is so important

Lock it down

Yubico Security Key

$20 at Amazon

Keep your accounts extra safe with a physical 2FA key

Everyone should be using two-factor authentication (yes, you!), and one of the best ways to start is with the Yubico Security Key. This USB key fits in any USB-A port and securely saves 2FA login codes for your Google, Facebook, Dropbox, and other online accounts. It's also extremely durable and can be attached to a key ring for easy transportation.

What is two-factor authentication?

To put it in simple terms, two-factor authentication (2FA) means that you need to present two different things from two different sources that prove who you are. Generally, three different ID types can be used for 2FA purposes when it comes to online accounts:

• A thing that only you should know. A password, PIN, account number, your street address, or even the last four digits of your Social Security number fit the bill here.
• A thing that you can hold in your hands. This means your phone, an authenticator fob, or a USB security key.
• A thing that is part of you, like your fingerprint, retina pattern, or voice pattern.

When you have 2FA enabled on an account, you need two of these three things to get access.

You've been using 2FA for most of your adult life. The companies who process credit card payments for online retailers usually force you to enter the three-digit code on the back of your credit card as well as the card number, then need you to provide the billing address. The numbers on the card (both front and back) are a way to make sure you have the card in your possession for the first method of authentication, then the address you provide has to match what the card issuer has on file as a second way to prove who you are. That's 2FA.

Back when the world still used checks to pay for things, most businesses wanted two forms of physical ID from a well-recognized place like your state DMV or school as a way to make sure you are the person whose name is on the top of the check. That's also 2FA. Plus, to get those IDs usually requires multiple things from different places to prove who you are.

You've been using 2FA all along and probably didn't realize it.

Using 2FA for your online accounts is a little bit different, but still uses the same principle — if you can provide more than one method to prove who you are, you probably are who you claim to be. For an account like Google, Facebook, or Amazon, you need to supply a password. Your password is something only you should know, but sometimes other people can get hold of it. When you add a 2FA requirement — like an authentication token sent to your phone or a USB security key that you plug into your computer — a password is no longer enough to get into your account. Without both pieces of authentication, you're locked out.

Google Titan vs. Yubikey 2: What's different and which should you use?

Is two-factor authentication secure?

Yes and no. Using 2FA on an account is a lot more secure than not using it, but nothing is perfectly secure. That scary thought aside, using 2FA is usually sufficient protection for your "stuff" unless you're a high-profile target or really unlucky.

Using 2FA is usually sufficient protection for your online accounts and services.

On the positive side, if you're using 2FA and some fake phishing email manages to get you to supply your password, they still can't log into your account. The way most people use 2FA for online accounts is to have a token sent to an app on their phone, and without that token, the email scammer isn't going to have any luck getting access. They will enter your account user name or ID, then the password, and then they need to supply that token to go any further. Unless they have your phone, the work involved in bypassing the second ID requirement is enough to get the bad guy to say "forget it!" and move to someone else.

On the other hand, if you're someone like the President or Mick Jagger, people are going to want to get into your accounts, and there are ways. The communication between the people supplying the authentication token and your phone is safe for the most part, so attackers go after the website or server asking for the credentials. Auth tokens and cookies can be hijacked by very clever folks, and as soon as one method gets patched, they start looking for another. This takes a lot of knowledge and hard work, so that means that the result has to be worth it all. Chances are you and I aren't worth the trouble, so 2FA is an excellent way to secure our accounts.

How do I use two-factor authentication?

It's easier than you might think!

Setting up 2FA on an account is a three-step process. You need to provide your current credentials by typing in your password again (this helps keep someone else from adding it to your account), even if you're currently logged into the service. Then you go into the account settings and enable 2FA on your account. This lets the server know you want to enable it, and it'll ask what kind of authentication you will be using — most common are codes sent to your phone as an SMS message or through an authenticator application. Finally, you affirm the change by supplying a token back to the server. If you're using an app, this might be a barcode you have to scan or manually enter some information into the app. If you chose to use SMS, a code will be sent that you need to enter on the website to finish things up.

That last step happens when you want to log into that account again. You'll enter a username or ID, then a password, and then be asked to supply an authentication number. That number is sent as an SMS, for example, or in the app on your phone if you decided to go that route. You type that number into the text field and that's it! You have access.

Most services will store an authentication token on your phone or computer, so the next time you want to log in, you won't have to supply the code again. However, if you want to set up access from another place, you'll need a code.

The exact process for how this looks varies from site to site, but below are a few examples of how to enable 2FA on some of the most popular platforms.

How to set up 2FA on your Google account How to set up two-factor authentication on your PlayStation 4 How to secure your Ring account with two-factor authentication (2FA) How to change your Twitter password and activate two-factor authentication

Why 2FA is so important

In a world that's constantly becoming more connected with new security and privacy issues popping up just about every day, it's important that everyone out there takes the necessary precautions to protect their online presence as much as possible.

Two-factor authentication is not 100% fool-proof, but it does add a significant layer of security that can keep unwanted eyes and hands off of your data.

It might be annoying at first to deal with entering your 2FA codes when logging into your online accounts, but the extra couple of seconds this takes is well worth the added protection that two-factor authentication provides.

Why you (and your family) should be using two-factor authentication and a password manager

Lock it down

Yubico Security Key

$20 at Amazon

Keep your accounts extra safe with a physical 2FA key

Everyone should be using two-factor authentication (yes, you!), and one of the best ways to start is with the Yubico Security Key. This USB key fits in any USB-A port and securely saves 2FA login codes for your Google, Facebook, Dropbox, and other online accounts. It's also extremely durable and can be attached to a key ring for easy transportation.

ToTok co-founder pleads with Apple and Google to reinstate its app

"We firmly deny this baseless accusation, and we are profoundly saddened by this complete fabrication that was thrown at us."

What you need to know

• The co-founder of ToTok has taken to Twitter in a public appeal to Apple and Google.
• Giacomo Ziani posted a messaged on Twitter pleading with both companies to reinstate its messaging app.
• The app was removed from both app stores over concerns it was being used as a spy tool by the UAE.

The co-founder of ToTok has taken to Twitter to plead with both Google and Apple, asking that they reinstate ToTok on the App Store and Google Play.

The app was removed from the App Store and Google Play earlier this month over concerns it was being used by intelligence agencies in the United Arab Emirates to spy on its users.

Now, in a video message, Giacomo Ziani, co-founder of the app, says the move "is seriously hurting our company and putting all of our efforts at risk".

As reported by Arabian Business, he said that ToTok were international entrepreneurs with no links to any government and that data protection and privacy were their top priority.

Message to @Apple and @Google from our Co-Founder.@tim_cook @sundarpichai #totok #apple #google pic.twitter.com/soWwMJxgj9

— ToTok (@ToTokMessenger) December 27, 2019

Alongside his Twitter appeal, Ziani gave an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times in which he said ToTok is fully compliant with its treatment of personal data. He also claims that the reason ToTok was allowed to operate in the UAE (most apps such as FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Skype are not available in the country) was that it was a pilot project that had met all the UAE's regulatory requirements:

The UAE had already released multiple public statements in this regard. ToTok was allowed as a pilot project, because we were new, had no market share, and from a clean slate, we met all the UAE requirements to operate in the country (for example, our employees work and live in the country).

On the accusations that ToTok was being used to spy on its users he said:

We firmly deny this baseless accusation, and we are profoundly saddened by this complete fabrication that was thrown at us. We feel caught up in some vile conspiracy against the UAE, and even jealousy by some people, who do not wish an app like ours from this region to ever become a global player.

Ziani went on to say that ToTok hopes the suspension will be lifted "in the next few days".

As per previous reports, ToTok does not offer end-to-end encryption on its messages, and the initial report from the New York Times noted that the firm behind ToTok, Breej Holding, is likely a front company affiliated with Abu Dhabi-based cyberintelligence firm DarkMatter.

Investigations by both The New York Times and American intelligence services seem to have unanimously concluded that the app is indeed being used by the UAE to spy on its users. One digital security expert went as far as to suggest that senior Emirati officials told him that ToTok had been developed in order to track its users. With mounting evidence contrary to Ziani and ToTok's claims, it seems likely his plea will fall on deaf ears.

Does casting Oculus Quest games reduce battery life?

Best Answer: No. The Oculus Quest was built with a mobile experience in mind and, surprisingly, casting to a TV or another external device will not negatively affect battery life in any noticeable way.

• Freedom of wireless VR: Oculus Quest (From $399 at Amazon)
• Keep playing longer: Anker Powercore 10000 ($30 at Amazon)

How long will the Oculus Quest battery last then?

The Oculus Quest is rated to last around three hours on a single charge. Some games will be more demanding than others and may bring that number closer to two hours, but the battery life is approximately the same as other portable gaming systems, such as the Nintendo Switch. While two and a half or three hours doesn't sound like a lot of time, most gaming experiences will still feel fulfilling even after a relatively short amount of time.

For example, popular titles like Beat Saber and Pistol Whip will get you sweating and your heart pumping in just a few minutes' time. After playing for even an hour, many of these more physically demanding games will leave your body as sore as a hard workout at the gym.

The biggest downside to the Quest's battery life out of the box appears when playing games with others. It's easy to get your friends and family immersed in VR thanks to the ease of taking the Quest anywhere and setting it up in a matter of seconds, but two and a half hours passes by incredibly quickly when you're passing it off between players. For those times, you're definitely going to want to pick up an extra battery pack to keep the battery humming along for several more hours. Just like a modern Android smartphone, the Oculus Quest uses a USB Type-C port to charge and that rechargeable battery pack you already have might even work to keep it juiced up.

Keep it going

Anker Powercore 10000

$30 at Amazon $26 at Walmart

Lengthy play sessions now possible

Anker makes lengthy play sessions on your Oculus Quest possible thanks to the Powercore 10000, a 10,000mAh battery pack that'll add several hours of VR game time to the Oculus Quest experience.

How does casting work? Are there any downsides?

Facebook outfitted the Oculus Quest with dedicated hardware to ensure the mobile experience was a solid as possible, and that includes dedicated processing cores for things like casting to TVs or powering the home screen. Despite not affecting battery life in any meaningful way, casting could affect performance in some games.

Occasionally, I've come across titles that will feature a distinct jutter or pause from time-to-time when casting, live-streaming, or recording gameplay. You'll also find that some games handle casting better than others. Pistol Whip, for instance, outputted a far lower resolution than other games at launch, and even included a full second delay in sound effects on the TV casted to when compared to what the player is experiencing in VR.

Facebook and game developers have improved casting quality and performance dramatically since the launch of the Oculus Quest, making the experience far better and a great way to share the experience with everyone in the room.

Just as you can easily record or stream gameplay from the Oculus Quest, sharing the screen with a Chromecast-ready device in your home is as easy as a few clicks. Simply navigate home, head to the sharing tab on the home bar at the bottom of your cone of vision, and click cast screen. You can also perform these same actions from the Oculus app on your smartphone by clicking the headset button on the top right of the app and then select any of the displays in the list to cast the display to (including right to your phone).

Alternatively, you can also connect your Oculus Quest to a gaming PC and use that to completely drive the experience. It'll add a wire to the side of your headset and force you to be tethered to a PC, but it enables richer, more graphically complex games to be played on your Oculus Quest. It also solves the problem of battery life and casting performance, so long as you have a gaming PC that can deliver solid VR performance.

Totally wireless

Oculus Quest

From $399 at Amazon $537 at Walmart

Easy as it gets

The Oculus Quest is the easiest, hassle-free way to experience VR. No expensive PC, no wires, and no limits to the freedom of enjoying VR.

The new Eero mesh system is cheaper and easier to set up than ever

Eero is no stranger to the mesh router space. Its original mesh system, released in 2016, was one of the first to combine small, stylish design with an easy-to-use app that made home networking far less daunting — though it came with a hefty price tag that made it hard to recommend over similar options like Google Wifi.

A subsequent second-gen model later arrived with simpler Beacon access points that plugged straight into your AC outlets, but at $400 for the three-piece kit, it was still hard for many to justify. Now, the once-independent company is releasing its first product since being bought by Amazon in 2019: a third-generation mesh system that further simplifies the setup process and finally offers competitive pricing.

Networking simplified

Eero Mesh WiFi System (Gen 3)

Bottom line: Eero's third-generation mesh system simplifies the setup process with three identical units and a robust mobile app. You can cover up to 5000 square feet with this system — just don't expect gigabit speeds.

The Good

• Robust and easy-to-use app
• 1500 sq ft of coverage per unit
• Incredibly easy to set up
• Great device and network management
• Family profiles for scheduled pauses and filtering

The Bad

• No desktop controls
• Not the fastest router
• Finicky connection with some devices

$249 at Amazon

Eero Mesh WiFi The hardware

My favorite thing about the new Eero (stylized eero) system is that there's no longer a difference between the router and its access points. Whether you buy an individual eero or a three-pack bundle, every unit is the same relatively small white plastic puck. You don't have to worry about which unit goes where — it's all plug-and-play.

The setup is about as simple as it gets. The eero is powered over USB-C via a 15W brick — just plug it in next to your modem, connect the two together using the included ethernet cable, and follow the instructions on the eero app from your phone (which mostly just comes down to choosing a name and password for your new Wi-Fi network).

Depending on your ISP, though, there may be a few extra steps involved. In my case, AT&T Fiber doesn't allow you to use your own equipment without routing it through the provided modem/router combo. Setting up a passthrough connection isn't terribly complicated, but it takes a bit of manual configuration that first-timers may not be comfortable with. Of course, that's not eero's fault, but it's helpful to know before you run into trouble.

After you've set up your first eero and established a Wi-Fi network, setting up additional mesh points is even easier. You can plug them in anywhere throughout your house, and the app will quickly pair the eeros together. You'll want to place them a fair distance apart to get the widest reach — each node covers about 1500 square feet. Mesh systems are particularly useful in multi-level homes or homes with dense walls, so place them strategically based on your living situation.

Eero claims that its new mesh system can cover homes up to 5000 square feet. I don't have nearly enough space to fully test that claim, but the range hasn't been an issue at all in my house, which measures in at about 1900 square feet with two floors and a basement (rent is dirt cheap in Indiana). In fact, I haven't even had to set up the third eero included in my kit; there's one next to my modem in the living room and one on my desk upstairs.

Each eero mesh point features two ethernet ports, which is great for hardwiring devices that either don't have built-in Wi-Fi or work better with a direct connection; I have a Philips Hue Bridge connected to my upstairs eero to control some of my smart lights. I wish eero would have also included USB ports, however, which would have allowed for connecting devices like external hard drives.

Seeing as eero is now an Amazon product, I also would've loved to have seen Alexa baked into each access point, similar to what Google's done with Nest Wifi. There are Alexa skills, though, which let you pause individual profiles on the network or even turn off the LEDs on top of each mesh point with an Alexa-enabled speaker.

The best part of the new eero system is that every mesh point is completely identical.

The third-generation eero uses 802.11ac Wi-Fi and features automatic band steering for its 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. You can't create separate networks for each band, which often comes in handy for devices like smart home accessories that can only operate on 2.4GHz, but I haven't run into any band-related issues with my devices connected to eero — my LIFX bulbs, in particular, had previously had some trouble with the band steering from my stock AT&T router.

That doesn't mean I haven't had any connectivity issues whatsoever, though. My Samsung TV (the UN55NU8500) wasn't able to maintain a steady connection to the new Wi-Fi network without requiring a manual DNS server. My Pixel 4 and my partner's Pixel 3 also seemed to have trouble with the handoff from one mesh point to another; when moving from floor to floor in the house, we'd both regularly get a "no internet" warning while connected to Wi-Fi — though curiously, I haven't run into the same problem with other phones like the Note 10.

Eero Mesh WiFi Software and user experience

Eero has a fantastic mobile app that lets you keep track of and rename the various devices connected to your network. You can see each device's individual throughput, along with the band it's using and which eero mesh point it's connected to. You can block unwanted devices from your network, and even turn on notifications for any newly connected devices.

The base eero that's hardwired to your modem periodically runs speed tests and displays the results at the bottom of the app's main screen. Mine consistently sits at around 930Mbps in each direction, but running a speed test from any of my Wi-Fi-connected devices yields results in the neighborhood of 400Mbps up and down.

Slower speeds over Wi-Fi are certainly to be expected, and don't get me wrong — 400Mbps is still more than enough for just about anything you would do online; even streaming uncompressed 8K video wouldn't require that much headroom, provided the source has enough bandwidth to deliver it. But if you want to fully utilize the higher speeds you're paying for, there are faster routers out there.

The eero app offers a few other great features like guest access through either a separate network with limited access or your main network using a QR code to circumvent giving out your password. You can also set up profiles for individual content filtering, scheduled timeouts, or quick breaks — something parents will probably appreciate more than their kids will.

Just about the only thing I don't love about eero's app is that it's the only way to configure your network. It's not a big deal for most, but if you're someone who prefers making changes to your network from your web browser on your computer, tough luck — it's all done on your phone, whether you like it or not.

I'm also not crazy about eero locking many of its features behind a paywall with eero Secure, a $3 monthly subscription on top of what you already paid for the hardware itself. It's genuinely useful, with constant security scans to detect potential threats along with ad-blocking and safe filters (configurable to individually block adult, criminal, or violent content), but it hardly feels worth paying extra for.

You can also get eero Secure+, which includes subscriptions to three of eero's partners: 1Password (which happens to be my password manager of choice), Encrypt.me, and Malwarebytes.

Eero Mesh WiFi Should you buy it?

The new eero system is a lot like the second-generation eero system before it. It's sleek enough to place out in the open (which is exactly where a mesh system should go), and it's incredibly easy to set up and have a speedy and consistent network throughout your home that's simple to manage and amplify. But that's not as unique as it once was, and the eero is far from the fastest or most affordable mesh system on the market.

4 out of 5

Again, I wish eero would have integrated Amazon Alexa and a speaker into the mesh points, as Google did with the Nest Wifi, or simply supported faster speeds like the similarly priced TP-Link Deco M9 Plus, which supports near-gigabit speeds over Wi-Fi.

Still, the eero app is polished and easy to use, and the reduced pricing with this generation is a welcomed step in the right direction.

Networking simplified

Eero Mesh WiFi System (Gen 3)

Uniform mesh points at a lower price

Eero's third-generation mesh system simplifies the setup process with three identical units and a robust mobile app. You can cover up to 5000 square feet with this system — just don't expect gigabit speeds.

$249 at Amazon