Google's new Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 phones won't be launched in India.
What you need to know
The Pixel 4a will finally be available to purchase in India starting October 17.
It will be sold in the country via Walmart-owned e-commerce giant Flipkart.
The price for the Indian market, however, hasn't been revealed yet.
Google's budget-friendly Pixel 4a, which was launched in August, will finally go on sale in India later this month. Replying to a query from a fan on Twitter, Google has revealed that the Pixel 4a will be available in India from October 17.
Hi Roger, we appreciate your interest in our Pixel devices. The Pixel 4a launches in India on October 17th and will be available for purchase on Flipkart. To learn more about the Pixel 4a check out the official blog post here: https://t.co/EOgWtQ7NMg Appreciate it.
As confirmed by Google in August, the Pixel 4a will be sold in India exclusively via Flipkart. A landing page) for the phone is already live on the Flipkart website, although it doesn't mention the October 17 launch date.
Even though the phone's India launch date has now been confirmed, its price is yet to be revealed. While the Pixel 4a is priced at just $349 (₹25,600) in the U.S., it is expected to cost around ₹30,000 ($409) in India for the lone 6GB/128GB version.
Unfortunately, however, Google will not be bringing its new Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 phones to India. The Pixel 4a will be the only phone that the search giant will launch in the country this year.
Google's Pixel 4a features a 5.81-inch FHD+ display with a hole-punch cutout on the top-left corner for an 8MP selfie camera. Under the hood is an 8nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G chipset, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage. Around the back of the phone is a single 12.2MP camera with support for up to 4K video recording. It also comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers, and a 3140mAh battery with 18W fast charging.
Best answer: No. As of Sept. 2020, you can no longer remove your Facebook account from an Oculus Quest or Oculus Quest 2. In fact, you'll need it to access a lot of features.
A new level of wireless VR: Oculus Quest 2 (From $300 at Amazon)
While you could previously use a Facebook account or an Oculus account, you can no longer remove a Facebook account from Oculus Quest. Facebook announced the change in August 2020. If you preordered an Oculus Quest 2, just be aware that you'll need to sign in with your Facebook account and won't have any other options.
Oculus players that are still using an Oculus account have the option to merge their Oculus account with their Facebook account if they want. Just remember to use a legitimate Facebook account with your real name and not a fake account, as Oculus stated that it will ban players who use false identities.
Once you merge your Oculus account with your Facebook account, there's no going back. Facebook says it will not require existing Oculus players to merge their accounts, but players might have issues beginning January 2023 if they do not, as Facebook is continuing to merge Oculus services with Facebook services.
A better way to play
The Oculus Quest 2 is a huge leap over the original Oculus Quest in every way. From the lighter and smaller design to the new, more comfortable head straps and face pads, the Oculus Quest 2 is designed for a more enjoyable experience. It's also got more ergonomic controllers with a better button design, better haptic feedback, and longer battery life.
If that wasn't enough, the Oculus Quest 2 features a processor that's over three generations newer than the one found in the Oculus Quest. It's also got a display that sports 50% more pixels than the original, and enough horsepower to add additional detail to all your favorite games.
The Pixel 4a is the budget phone that manages to do it all. It has good performance, a great OLED display, unmatched cameras, and clean software that's backed by years of updates. It does all of this while retaining a wonderfully small size and price tag, making it a go-to recommendation for just about anyone.
With the Motorola One 5G, we have a phone that does some things better than the Pixel, others worse, and does so at a higher price. The 90Hz display, Snapdragon 765G processor, and huge battery are all great, but things like mediocre cameras and carrier exclusivity are not. If you're an AT&T customer, it's certainly worth a look.
Both of these phones bring a lot to the table while maintaining low price tags, but if we had to pick a winner, we'd choose the Pixel 4a. Its camera is unmatched, performance and battery life are great, and Google backs the phone with three years of major updates and security patches. Even better, it costs just $350 and can be purchased unlocked for use on any carrier that you'd like. The Motorola One 5G is also worth considering, though it doesn't have the same mass appeal of the Pixel. It gets big points with its 90Hz display, faster processor, and larger battery, but it also finds itself hindered by disappointing cameras, worse hardware compared to the 4a, and carrier exclusivity deals.
Google Pixel 4a vs. Motorola One 5G Price and availability
When looking at pricing and availability for the Pixel 4a and Motorola One 5G, the Pixel instantly gets points for being both cheaper and more accessible. It has a retail price of $350, can be purchased at Amazon and Best Buy, and is sold as an unlocked smartphone that can be used on whichever carrier you like — including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and any of their respective MVNOs.
By comparison, the Motorola One 5G costs $445. That price increase isn't too bad considering some of the different specs between the two phones, but where the One 5G tumbles is with how it's being sold. The phone is currently exclusive to AT&T, meaning if you aren't an AT&T customer, you have no way of buying and using the phone.
Motorola has said that the Motorola One 5G is headed to Verizon at some point this fall, but even when that happens, there still won't be an option to buy the phone unlocked and use it wherever you please.
Google Pixel 4a vs. Motorola One 5G The Pixel 4a is best for most people
With that out of the way, let's take a closer look at what it's like to use both phones and where each one shines. Starting with the Pixel 4a, the most obvious advantage is its camera.
On paper, the single 12.2MP sensor looks pretty weak stacked up against the four cameras offered on the Motorola One 5G. To actually use both phones, however, is a completely different story. The Pixel 4a takes absolutely incredible photos, with shots having great detail, depth, and colors regardless of the time of day. Whether you're shooting in broad daylight or in pitch black, the 4a is there to capture a gorgeous image time and time again. No matter the price tag, this sort of camera performance is beyond impressive.
The other big benefit of the Pixel 4a is its software. Both the Pixel 4a and Motorola One 5G ship with clean builds of Android and their own sets of useful feature add-ons, but the Pixel is backed by Google's excellent update policy. You're looking at three years of major OS updates and monthly security patches, with updates heading to the phone first before anyone else. If you plan on keeping your phone for a long time, this is a huge perk to consider.
Other specs of the Pixel 4a aren't as jaw-dropping, but they all contribute to make the phone a joy to use. The OLED display looks great, there aren't any performance issues, and you get reliable all-day battery life. I'm especially fond of the Pixel 4a's design, which is super lightweight and easy to use with one-hand (something we don't get enough of with phones these days). There's a reason we consider the Pixel 4a to be one of the best Android phones of 2020.
Google Pixel 4a
Motorola One 5G
Operating System
Android 11
Android 10
Display
5.8-inch OLED
2340 x 1080
60Hz
6.7-inch LCD
2520 x 1080
90Hz
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
RAM
6GB
4GB
Storage
128GB
128GB
Expandable Storage
❌
✔️
Rear Camera 1
12.2MP primary
f/1.7
OIS
48MP primary
f/1.8
Rear Camera 2
❌
8MP ultra-wide
f/2.2
Rear Camera 3
❌
5MP macro
f/2.2
Rear Camera 4
❌
2MP depth
f/2.2
Selfie Camera 1
8MP primary
f/2.0
16MP primary
f/2.0
Selfie Camera 2
❌
8MP ultra-wide
f/2.2
Audio
Stereo speakers
3.5mm headphone jack
Mono speaker
3.5mm headphone jack
Battery
3,140 mAh
18W wired charging
5,000 mah
15W wired charging
Dimensions
144 x 69.4 x 8.2mm
168 x 74 x 9mm
Weight
143g
210g
Google Pixel 4a vs. Motorola One 5G Where the Motorola One 5G shines
That brings us to the Motorola One 5G, which could be a great purchase depending on where your needs lie (and which wireless carrier you're subscribed to). The Motorola One 5G has three main benefits over the Pixel, with those being its display, processor, and battery.
In regards to the display, we're treated to a much larger 6.7-inch LCD panel with a crisp 2520x1080 resolution. It's a perfectly fine screen with good colors and detail, but what helps it stand out is the 90Hz refresh rate. This makes all of the scrolling, swiping, and other animations considerably more fluid than how they look on the Pixel 4a, and especially at this price point, it's a fantastic feature to have. When you pair that with the more powerful Snapdragon 765G processor, the Motorola One 5G ends up feeling a bit snappier and more responsive than the Pixel.
Battery life is outstanding on the Motorola One 5G.
Then there's that 5,000 mAh battery, which is substantially larger than the 3,140 mAh one that Google gives you. The Motorola One 5G easily lasts for over two days on a single charge, which is something a lot of other devices just can't do.
All of that's great, but that's not to say everything about the Motorola One 5G is better than the Pixel 4a. In fact, it has a few different problems you don't have to worry about if you get the Pixel. Motorola's phone is difficult to use one-handed, its camera performance is pretty disappointing compared to what the 4a offers, and the single mono speaker is annoying if you watch a lot of YouTube or movies.
Worse than all of that, though, is the lack of updates offered for the Motorola One 5G. Motorola is committed to just a single update for the device, which will take it from Android 10 to Android 11. After that, it won't get anything else. That won't be a deal-breaker for everyone, but it is annoying if you plan on keeping the phone for any longer than a year.
Google Pixel 4a vs. Motorola One 5G Availability is king
At the end of the day, a lot of this comes back to the phones' availability. Anyone can go out right now, buy the Pixel 4a, and use it on their carrier — no matter if you use AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Mint Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc., etc. Factor that together with the lower price, and the Pixel 4a becomes an unignorable value.
The Motorola One 5G is a non-starter for anyone that doesn't have AT&T, but if you do, there are a few other things you'll want to consider. Motorola's phone doesn't have as good of cameras as the Pixel 4a, but its battery life is substantially better. The 90Hz display is a wonderful treat, but are you willing to sacrifice long-term update support to get it? There's also the matter of size, with the Pixel 4a being nice and compact while the Motorola One 5G is rather bulky.
Once you answer those questions, it should be pretty clear which phone is right for you. Happy shopping!
The Pixel 4a is one of those phones that easy to recommend to anyone. Excellent camera? Check. Fast performance? Yep. Sharp and colorful display? Of course. Easy-to-use software that'll get updates for years to come? You betcha.
The Motorola One 5G isn't as well-rounded of a device like the Pixel 4a, but for the right buyer, it is a compelling option. The 90Hz display is buttery smooth, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 765G is super powerful, and that 5,000 mAh battery is a treat.
Google can still adjust the production volume based on the market response.
What you need to know
A new report claims Google is planning to produce less than 1 million Pixel 5 phones this year.
Google's phone sales fell below its target last year, and the company is reported to have shipped just 1.5 million Pixels in the first half of 2020.
The Pixel 5 and the Pixel 4a 5G will debut at Google's "Launch Night In" event later today.
In just a few hours from now, Google will take the wraps off its first 5G Pixel phones, along with a new Chromecast and Nest-branded smart speaker. Ahead of the event, a report from Nikkei Asia claims Google has set a surprisingly modest sales target for the Pixel 5, mainly due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Google is apparently looking to produce only around 800,000 units of the Pixel 5 this year. Initial production for the Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, and Pixel 4a combined is currently set at just 3 million units. Not only has COVID-19 lowered demand for smartphones globally, it also disrupted Google's plans of moving production of its Pixel phones to Vietnam. While the Pixel 4a is already being produced in Vietnam, the Pixel 5 is being manufactured in Shenzhen, China.
A source close to Google told Nikkei:
Google gave a relatively conservative order forecast this year because its flagship Pixel 4 did not sell well last year, and because COVID-19 is causing their team to stay on the safe side concerning handsets for now.
Google had set an ambitious sales target of 8 to 10 million units last year, but it could only ship 7.2 million. Sales of the company's flagship Pixel 4 series were particularly disappointing. According to data from IDC, Google only shipped 1.5 million phones in the first six months of 2020, a massive decline compared to the 4.1 million units it sold in the first half of 2019.
The Marshall Stanmore II Bluetooth smart speaker with Alexa is on sale for $249.99 on Amazon. That's $150 off what it normally sells for and a crazy low discount for a speaker that hs never really gone on sale. There is another version of this speaker that's just Bluetooth with no Alexa, and even that one is currently going for $350 right now. This is a super low price on one of Marshall's best speakers.
The speaker uses Bluetooth 5.0 technology, which allows for a low latency connection that doesn't use much power and doesn't get interupted. It even uses the aptX codec for a smoother audio experience and lossless wireless sound. The multi-host functionality of the speaker allows you to connect two different Bluetooth devices and easily switch between them. Of course you don't have to just connect via Bluetooth either. The speaker has an RCA connection and a 3.5mm input so you can connect your favorite pair of headphones if you want.
The advanced components used in the speaker's design help it produce clean and precise audio. That means it can fill up a room, whether that room is large or small. And no matter what volume level you set, the speaker's audio will still sound fantastic. Do more to control the sound, too. Use the Marshall Bluetooth app or the analogue controls on the speaker's top panel. You can get the perfect sound based on the room you're in this way, which helps when the acoustics change.
With Alexa built right in, you have even more ways to control this speaker. Connect it to your Wi-Fi and your smart home. You can use this speaker to control your other Alexa-enabled devices. Plus it has LED lights on the front that correspond to Alexa's voice. You can also use the Voice Mute button if you don't want Alexa to hear you.
Chrome OS used to be lightweight and simple, but that doesn't mean it should rely on workarounds and hobbled apps.
There are a lot of great things about Chromebooks: they're competitively priced, even the affordable models run all day on a single charge, and there's not much I'd change about the Chrome OS operating system. Designed to be lightweight and stay out of your way, Chrome OS helps you focus on your work or play while still giving you the productivity and convenience of using Android apps and Linux apps.
New features are arriving all the time, too, like the coming dark theme — that sat near the top of this list for a long, long time — and screen recorder. Even after nine years of slow, continual improvements, though, there are still a few things that make me groan every time I see them. Google gets so much right, but there are still a few wrongs that need righting.
Google needs more proactive standards for Android apps on Chromebooks
The first thing I — and probably more Chromebook users — would fix, is how Android apps look on Chromebooks. Most apps when you open them are either one of three things:
A small phone-sized window for a small phone-designed app
A full-screen window for a comically blown-up phone-designed app
A full-screen window that scales for a Chromebook but still has tons of white space
While there are some apps optimized for Android tablets that work pretty well on Chromebooks, the vast majority of the apps we use on Chromebooks today are obviously and laughably mis-scaled phone apps. Four years ago when Android apps were still relatively new on Chromebooks, I could have forgiven this.
Now, it's just a slap in the face to users. Google and Chromebook manufacturers put Android apps front and center when marketing Chromebooks to customers. But when it comes to getting apps optimized for Chromebooks — both in how users navigate and interact with the app and how well the app runs on Chromebook hardware — Google's done practically nothing in years to improve the situation.
When you compare a Chromebook to an iPad, Chromebook takes the lead whenever you're dealing with the Chrome Browser and a straight web experience. However, the second you bring apps into the mix, Apple takes the lead because of the strict guidelines Apple has and enforces for iPadOS apps.
Google's long been lax when it comes to app standards. It has an entire website devoted to Material Design and better UI design, and even that seldom mentions designing responsive layouts for tablets and the only mention of Chromebooks on the entire site is an outdated device metrics list. The section on Android Developers focuses much more on the functional rather than design, to the detriment of all.
This is the perfect time to make a fresh push to get developers to redesign apps for the multi-window experience on Chromebooks and the ever-shifting experience on foldable phones. But no one can push for it unless Google's willing to start playing hardball.
Simplify permissions and app use for microSD cards
Another infuriating aspect of Android apps on Chromebooks — especially on budget-minded, storage-strapped Chromebooks that dominate the market — is that while you can get a Chromebook to read a microSD card, most apps can't consistently save any app data to them. For instance, I've tried to save videos to a microSD through the Android apps for Disney+ and Google Play Movies, and it errors out on every Chromebook I've tried so far.
Of course, letting an app see the microSD card to begin with requires you going into a Storage management submenu in the Settings app, then going to each individual app in the apps section of Android Settings and turning on the Storage permission, and then rebooting everything to get the microSD card to show up in your desired app.
Oh, and even then, it might not work.
I know this is done for security reasons, but I think we can also agree that this is a ridiculous amount of hoops to jump through. Most Chromebooks sold in the last three years only have 32GB of internal storage to begin with and need a microSD to expand their storage; we shouldn't be punishing users for using external storage.
At the very least, I'd settle for having all the settings to turn on microSD support for each app on a single page rather than being spread out in three different menus.
It's time to overhaul Chrome OS's settings
Turning on microSD support isn't the only operation that requires you to hunt through multiple menus to get it working. If you have poor eyesight and want to adjust the screen and font sizes, you have to go to the Display settings in the Settings app, then over to Appearance settings inside Chrome Browser and bounce between the two menus before you find a zoom/font balance that works for you.
Want to change the look of your Chromebook? Well, first you open the Settings app to change your wallpaper, then you head over to the Chrome Web Store to find your new Chrome theme, then you open a new tab to customize which shortcuts you see and what image displays on a new tab.
As Project Lacros has the Chrome OS team detangling the Chrome Browser from the Chrome OS system, it's also a good time to re-evaluate the Chrome OS settings menu and streamline more complex procedures. Google prides Chrome OS on its simplicity; that should extend to its system settings, too.
Give us home screen widgets
The last thing I'd change is petty, but if even Apple can come around on home screen widgets, then it's time to allow them on Chromebooks, too! Widgets would allow the desktop to be a little more functional than a bare wallpaper alone — as much as I love a good wallpaper.
Wouldn't you like to get a peek at the weather and your next calendar appointment just by minimizing your Chrome window for a moment? How about getting an inspirational quote that changes every few hours to keep you motivated when you close your window to take a break.
Widgets can add just a little bit of functionality and fun to our laptops without letting the screen get too cluttered. Though while they're at it, support for Android icon packs would be nice, too!
What would you change?
I'll admit that I want some significant changes for Chrome OS — particularly in regards to apps — but I know I'm not alone in these frustrations. But what grinds your gears in regards to the Chrome operating system? Do you think it should be easier to install Linux apps? Do you think there should be a manual toggle for tablet mode rather than being tied to the angle of your screen? Should Chrome shortcuts we re-programmable? Share your hopes, dreams, and fury with us in the comments below.
Heads up! We share savvy shopping and personal finance tips to put extra cash in your wallet. Android Central may receive a commission from The Points Guy Affiliate Network. Please note that the offers mentioned below are subject to change at any time and some may no longer be available.
American Express is known for offering some of the best travel credit cards on the market, but the issuer also has quite a few cash-back card options to choose from as well. These days, the ability to redeem cash back to help you save money might be higher on the priority list than stocking up points for a vacation.
Two of the more notable cash-back cards are the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express and the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express. Both offer bonus rewards at U.S. gas stations and U.S. supermarkets, but there are also divergent bonus categories to consider — along with different earning rates and annual fees.
Today, we're walking through the benefits offered by both and when it makes sense to choose one over the other.
The information for the Blue Cash Everyday card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
When you should get the Blue Cash Everyday
Objectively, the Blue Cash Preferred is definitely the superior card. But the Blue Cash Everyday does have two benefits the Blue Cash Preferred does not: 2% back at U.S. department stores and no annual fee (see rates and fees).
Department stores are a bonus category you don't often find anymore. If you're looking for a card that specifically earns bonus rewards at U.S. department stores, this card will be more helpful than the Blue Cash Preferred. However, keep in mind that you can get 2% cash back with the no-annual-fee Citi® Double Cash Card across all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay your bill). This has the potential to be more lucrative if you're considering applying for the Blue Cash Everyday based mostly on that rare department store bonus category.
Something you really should consider is your monthly budget. Both cards earn bonus rewards at U.S. supermarkets and gas stations, though at differing rates. You'll need to earn enough rewards with the Blue Cash Preferred to offset the cost of the $95 annual fee (see rates and fees). If you are a credit card beginner who is only going to spend $100-$200 per month total on your card, the no-fee Everyday might be the better choice.
For the vast majority of those looking for a credit card, the Blue Cash Preferred is the better choice. For starters, for the same spending requirement, you're getting an extra $100 with your welcome offer. That alone will cover your Preferred's annual fee for the first year. Plus, you're getting a higher earning rate across the board — an extra 3% at U.S. supermarkets, an extra 1% at U.S. gas stations, and additional bonus categories in transit and streaming services.
Let's say you spend an average of $150 per month on groceries, $80 on streaming, $150 on gas and/or transit combined and $100 at department stores — which evens out to a modest $480 in card spending per month within the potential bonus categories. With the Blue Cash Preferred, that would mean $231.60 in rewards over the course of the year. The Blue Cash Everyday would earn $123.60.
Even after you factor in the $95 annual fee (see rates and fees) with the Blue Cash Preferred, it still comes out on top, with $136.60 in rewards each year. And $430 in card spend per month is a conservative estimate for most people's monthly budgets in these categories.
Something else to consider is that the Blue Cash Preferred comes with return protection. If you try to return an eligible item within 90 days from purchase date and the merchant refuses to take it back, Amex will refund up to $300 per item, excluding shipping and handling charges, up to a maximum of $1,000 per year per cardholder account.
It's no secret that the Blue Cash Preferred is the all-around better card. You're getting a better welcome offer, higher earning rates, expanded bonus spending categories and superior protections. Even though the card does come with a $95 annual fee (see rates and fees), the higher bonus you'll earn after spending $1,000 in the first three months makes the card worth it over the Everyday, no matter your budget for the first year. And if you continue to spend more than a couple hundred dollars on the card per month, you're going to end up getting more value with the Preferred, even after your first year with the card.
Featured image by The Points Guy staff.
For rates and fees of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred, click here.
Sonos filed its first lawsuit against Google earlier this year.
What you need to know
Sonos has filed a new lawsuit against Google over patent infringement.
The company has accused the search giant of infringing five of its wireless audio patents.
Sonos had filed its first lawsuit against Google in January this year.
Connected speaker maker Sonos has filed another lawsuit against Google, accusing the search giant of infringing five of its wireless audio patents. Sonos had filed its first patent lawsuit against Google in January this year. Five months later, Google countersued Sonos over patent infringement.
"Since 2015, Google's misappropriation of Sonos's patented technology has proliferated. Google has expanded its wireless multi-room audio system to more than a dozen infringing products, including the Google Home Mini, Google Home, Google Home Max, and Pixel phones, tablets, and laptops. And Google has persisted in infringing even though Sonos has warned Google of its infringement on at least four separate occasions dating back to 2016," the complaint reads.
The move comes just ahead of Google's "Launch Night In" event, where it is expected to announce a new Chromecast, Nest-branded smart speaker, Pixel 4a 5G, and the Pixel 5. The patents in the new lawsuit are related to the technology used for the transfer of streaming music from a user's device, audio settings based on environment, and "zone scene management."
Sonos is seeking an injunction from further infringement of the patents-in-suit, along with legal fees and damages sustained due to Google's violation of its patents.
Despite its compact size, the Sonos One offers impressive sound and works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It also includes four far-field microphones and supports Apple AirPlay 2 as well.
In-between league fixtures, the round of 16 in the Carabao Cup takes place this week with a number of top Premier League teams still involved in the competition. Today's fixture list sees Manchester United travel to Brighton & Hove Albion for the second time in five days. Don't miss a moment with our Brighton vs Manchester United live stream guide.
These two sides will be familiar with each other after having met just this past weekend in the Premier League. United came out on top in that game with a controversial injury-time penalty securing the 3-2 victory.
In their opening league game, the Red Devils lost 3-1 at home to Crystal Palace with former United forward Wilfried Zaha finding the net twice, making it three points from six in the Premier League thus far. In the Carabao Cup, Ole Gunnar Solskjær's side saw off lower league opposition in the form of Luton Town to progress to today's fourth-round tie.
It's one win and two defeats for Brighton in the Premier League so far with that defeat to Man United as well as a 3-1 loss to Chelsea on opening day. In between those fixtures, the Seagulls beat Newcastle United and also won two games in the Carabao Cup against Portsmouth and Preston North End to get this far.
Graham Potter's men will be seeking revenge for the weekend's disappointing late defeat at the hands of Manchester United. Knocking the five-time league cup winners out of the competition would likely go some way to fulfilling that desire.
Read on for full details on how to get a live stream of Brighton vs Manchester United no matter where you are in the world with our guide below.
Brighton vs Manchester United: Where and when?
All eyes will be on the Amex Stadium on Wednesday for this match which is set to take place behind closed doors. Kick-off is at 7:45pm BST local time.
That makes it a 2:45pm ET / 11:45am PT start for U.S. folks tuning in. For those watching the game from Australia, it's a 4:45am AEST start on Thursday morning.
Watch Brighton vs Manchester United online from outside your country
We have details of all the US, UK, Australian, and Canadian broadcasters of the Carabao Cup further down in this guide. If you're looking to watch the Brighton vs Manchester United game, but find yourself away from home then you'll run into problems when trying to stream your domestic coverage online from abroad as its likely to be geo-blocked.
That's where a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can be a lifesaver. They allow you to virtually change the ISP of your laptop, tablet, or mobile to one that's back in your home country, letting you watch as if you were back there.
VPN's are incredibly easy to use and have the added benefit of giving you a further layer of security when surfing the web. There are lots of options, and we recommend ExpressVPN as our #1 pick due to its speed, security, and ease of use. It can be used on a vast array of operating systems and devices (e.g. iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, Roku, games consoles, etc). Sign up for ExpressVPN now now and enjoy a 49% discount and 3 months FREE with an annual subscription. Or give it a try with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Looking for other options? Here are some alternatives that are on sale right now.
No matter where in the world you may be, a VPN is one of the easiest ways to watch Brighton vs Manchester United. Get in on this deal now!
How to stream Brighton vs Manchester United live in the UK
Sky Sports has got the broadcast rights to this Carabao Cup game between Brighton and Manchester United with the game being shown on its Sky Sports Football and Main Event channels and for streaming via its Sky Go app. If you're don't have Sky Sports as part of your TV plan, you can get a Now TV Sky Sports monthly pass for just £25 that also gets you access to all of Sky's sports channels and coverage of not only the Carabao Cup, but the Premier League, UEFA Nations League games, NFL, select MLS games, and much more.
How to stream Brighton vs Manchester United live in the U.S.
For viewers in the U.S. ESPN+ is the easiest and best way to watch Carabao Cup games including Brighton vs Manchester United. ESPN holds the exclusive rights for Carabao Cup soccer in the States so should be your go-to place.
How to stream Brighton vs Manchester United live in Australia
To get your fix of Carabao Cup football Down Under, you'll need to tune in to BeIN Sports. You can subscribe to BeIN Sports Connect for AU$19.99 per month or AU$179.99 per year and access all of the Carabao Cup fixtures. It comes with a two-week trial, too.
Alternatively, subscribing to Kayo Sports gets you access to Carabao Cup football among many other sports, competitions, and leagues from AU$25 per month. If there's something else on that service you want to watch, then it might be a better value overall.
How to stream Brighton vs Manchester United live in Canada
Sports streaming service DAZN is the sole rights holder for live Carabao Cup matches in Canada.
The network is offering a one-month free trial followed by a rolling $20-a-month or annual subscription of $150. The dedicated DAZN app is available for iOS and Android phones and tablets, as well as Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Apple TV plus most modern Smart TVs. Of course, if you are outside Canada, you can follow the VPN route above and tune in with a DAZN log-in all the same.
Two titans of German football meet in this year's DFL-Supercup as domestic double winners Bayern Munich take on Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund. Read on to find out how to watch this match between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund no matter where in the world you are.
The DFL-Supercup is the traditional curtain-raising game for the domestic soccer season in Germany, though the global pandemic put a pause on those plans and sees the game take place after the season has already begun.
Similar to the Community Shield game in England, the DFL-Supercup sees the Bundesliga champions from the previous season face off against the winners of the DFB-Pokal cup competition. Since Bayern Munich won both of those honors last season, the Bundesliga runners-up are awarded the Supercup berth.
Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga at a canter last season. That title was their eighth successive league win in what has been almost a decade of domestic dominance. FCB also lifted the DFB-Pokal for a record 20th time last campaign in a thrilling final that saw the German champions beat Bayer Leverkusen 4-2. On top of that domestic success, Bayern went on to win the Champions League, seeing off French champions PSG and asserting themselves as the best side in Europe.
Despite finishing second in the Bundesliga title-race once again last season, Borussia Dortmund are actually the holders of the DFL-Supercup after beating Bayern Munich in the same showpiece fixture in 2019. A win in today's game would see BVB equal Bayern Munich's record for the most Supercup wins.
This year, the DFL-Supercup is being played after the domestic campaign has already begun and represents Bayern Munich's third game in seven days, owing to their participation in the UEFA Super Cup, meaning some star players are likely to be rested.
So far this season, both teams have recorded one victory and one defeat in the Bundesliga with Dortmund also winning in the DFB-Pokal first round. Munich beat Europa League champions Sevilla 2-1 to lift the UEFA Super Cup last week.
Read on for full details on how to get a live stream of this DFL-Supercup clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund with our guide below.
Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund: Where and when?
The DFL-Supercup is being played at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, behind closed doors.
Kick-off is set for 8:30pm CEST local time today, September 30. That makes it a 7:30pm BST start for those tuning in from the UK and Ireland and a 2:30pm ET / 11:30am PT kick-off start for U.S. folks tuning in. If you're looking to watch the match in Australia, it's a 4:30am AEST kick-off on Thursday morning.
How to watch Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund online from outside your country
We have details of all the US, UK, and Canadian broadcasters of the DFL-Supercup further down in this guide. If you're intent on watching Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund but find yourself away from home then you'll run into problems when trying to stream your domestic coverage online from abroad as it's likely to be geo-blocked.
That's where using one of the top VPN (Virtual Private Network) picks can be a lifesaver. They allow you to virtually change the ISP of your laptop, tablet, or mobile to one that's back in your home country, letting you watch as if you were back there.
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How to watch Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund online in the U.S.
ESPN+ has exclusive broadcast rights to the 2020/21 DFL-Supercup in the States. Kick-off for the Arsenal vs Liverpool game in the U.S. is at 11:30am ET / 8:30am PT.
If you find yourself unable to access ESPN+'s coverage because you're out of the country, remember that you can use a VPN to tune into your usual coverage just like you would at home. Of the many options, ExpressVPN as outlined above, remains one of the best services currently out there.
How to stream Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund live in the UK
The DFL-Supercup match will be broadcast on BT Sport, the exclusive rights holder for German football in the UK. The game being shown on its BT Sport 1 channel as well as via its BT Sport app for streaming. If you're not yet signed up with BT Sport, you can get a monthly pass for just £25 that gives you access to BT's Premier League football, Women's Super League, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, and more.
How to stream Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund live in Canada
Sportsnet is the rights holder for live FA Community Shield this season in Canada and will be showing the match between Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund, with kick-off set for 11:30am ET / 8:30am PT.
If you're already a Sportsnet subscriber as part of your TV package, you can stream Sportsnet online at no extra charge. The network is also available on a streaming-only basis with plans starting from just CA$9.99 a month.
Gaming headphones may be a beloved necessity for most PC gamers, but I've never been a fan. My glasses frames get jammed into my temples and ears over long play sessions, my tinnitus becomes more noticeable thanks to the noise cancellation, and the headbands quickly get itchy and sweaty. So, when Panasonic contacted me about testing a soundbar specifically for PC gaming that could serve as a headphone replacement, I felt practically giddy.
The Panasonic SoundSlayer is, on paper, the headphone substitute that gamers like me have been seeking out. Along with Bluetooth and optical, it supports 4K HDR passthrough from your graphics card to your monitor. At 17" W x 2.06" H x 5.25" D, it is surprisingly deep for a compact soundbar, but should hopefully fit under most monitors. It supports dedicated RPG, FPS, and dialogue settings — though these are a relabeling of features like 3D audio or voice modes that you'll find on most soundbars nowadays.
In practice? It's a small soundbar with solid performance and cool features that doesn't quite live up to the expectations that Panasonic set for it with its $299 price tag. It lives up to the crisp sound you get with headphones, but not necessarily the 3D directionality or diverse gaming audio modes.
At a glance
Panasonic SoundSlayer
Bottom line: The Panasonic SoundSlayer produces excellent sound quality in a small package that will fit with most PC gaming setups. Even without a subwoofer, the bass performance will benefit action-heavy games while the 3D object Atmos tech immerses you inside of various gaming worlds. As a four-pound, 17" soundbar, however, it won't reach the sound quality of other 2.1ch soundbars at a cheaper rate.
Unless you have a large monitor base (like me), you'll have no trouble fitting this soundbar on your desk beneath your monitor, despite its girthy frame. In my case, I rest the SoundSlayer on the base and have no problems. It has a solid top that makes it easy to keep clean, and you can put things on top of it without messing up the sound quality (as would happen with open-top bars). I personally think its thin-but-deep build gives it a distinct and cool look, but fully acknowledge that my aesthetic opinions aren't that reliable.
Panasonic packs its 80W subwoofer and two tweeters into the body of the SoundSlayer, which I prefer to a discrete subwoofer. A separate device may produce better quality bass in theory, but I don't have anywhere to put a sub behind my desk and neither will many other gamers. It also sports two full-range drivers.
Powerful bass is one of the SoundSlayer's greatest strengths.
Bass ended up being one of the SoundSlayer's greatest strengths, for a variety of media. In games like Horizon: Zero Dawn and Destiny 2, the action sounded distinct and dangerously close. When I rested my hands on the desk, I could feel the vibrations emanating from the speaker when thunderjaws tried to body slam me or tearblast arrows knocked off components, particularly with the Game mode with 3D Surround activated.
The same applied when listening to music. I tested the Music mode on percussion-heavy rock or hip-hop like All Along the Watchtower and WAP, and the rich bass and low tones came across loud and clear.
You'll find four main sound modes on the remote: Standard, Music, Cinema, and Game. I never found any reason to use Standard, while Music and Cinema are self-explanatory. Anyone buying a SoundSlayer will spend the bulk of their time in Game mode, and thankfully I found it to perform well in a variety of genres.
Marketing for the SoundSlayer focused on specific game modes for different genres — FPS, RPG, and Voice for cutscenes and dialogue-heavy games — but that's slightly misleading. The Game button corresponds to the immersive RPG mode that was designed for games like Final Fantasy XV. But the FPS "mode" is actually toggled by the 3D Surround button, which can be used with Game mode or any other mode. The same goes for Voice, which is triggered by the CLR Dialog button. So, technically, you can have the RPG, FPS and dialogue settings all active at once if you want.
I don't like that the remote relies on different language than the official marketing, as I spent a good amount of time trying to figure out how to access the "missing" audio modes. But I brought the modes up in this section because the FPS, or 3D Surround option is a game-changer. Whether you're listening to music, watching films or playing games, this mode truly enhances the quality of the sound into something rich and immersive.
"FPS" mode is basically Atmos, and will benefit your gaming audio no matter which genre you choose.
Once I realized 3D surround wasn't just for Dolby Atmos content, I kept it on most of the time during PC play sessions. The exception was when my partner was in the room watching TV or vice versa, as the setting tends to make the audio bounce across the whole living room. She is a fellow Horizon: Zero Dawn fanatic, and while she put the soundbar through its paces on the PC, I was able to comfortably watch sports on our TV in the same room using our Vizio 2.1 soundbar. Despite being just fifteen feet apart, the sounds didn't overlap in an annoying way.
In other words, as long as you keep the SoundSlayer at a reasonable volume, it provides good audio quality directly in front of it but won't necessarily annoy your loved ones or roommates elsewhere in your apartment or home.
One gaming setting
Panasonic SoundSlayer What I don't like
Loud music, explosions, orchestral crescendos: the Panasonic SoundSlayer is built for that kind of thing. When the sounds playing are more subtle, the limitations of the soundbar become more apparent.
Deep-voiced singers sounded normal, but listening to high tenor bands like Fleet Foxes and Whitney, or quiet classical pieces like Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, the SoundSlayer sounded slightly more artificial in recreating the notes.
As I mentioned before, I had expected the SoundSlayer would lend itself to trying out different modes for different games. If you're like me, though, most of you will probably stick with "Game" and "3D surround" for everything you play. I never really found a need to use the clear dialog option in any of the games I tested.
For whatever reason, Panasonic decided to make the 3D surround indicator bright orange. I'm sure this made sense to someone, but it stands out distractingly compared to the other green indicators, making me feel like I shouldn't be using it.
Unlike with headphones, I had trouble differentiating which audio source came from one direction or the other.
Then there's the fact that the 3D mode didn't add the directional sounds I expected, considering the Dolby Atmos label. In multiple games, I tried turning away from enemies and tilting the camera left and right, trying to see if I could tell which way they would approach from; the resulting audio was more faded and quiet than instructive. (As a disclaimer, my living room doesn't have a good layout for sounds to bounce back towards me, which may partially explain the issue.)
Finally, for the sake of not slaying your electric bill, the SoundSlayer shuts down automatically if it doesn't detect any sounds for 20 minutes. What makes this frustrating is that using your computer during this period doesn't necessarily reset the counter if you're performing tasks unrelated to audio like checking email. Once it shuts down, if you've connected the soundbar via passthrough from your graphics card, it shuts down your monitor for a few seconds while it recalibrates to pass through while the soundbar is off. Needless to say, it's annoyed me every time it happened.
Panasonic SoundSlayer The competition
Compared against other cheap Dolby Atmos soundbars, the Panasonic SoundSlayer can really only compete with the Soundcore Infiniti Pro, another affordable (for Atmos) 2.1ch soundbar that technically offers Atmos but really just creates an indistinct bubble of excellent-sounding audio. At more than twice the length of the SoundSlayer, the Infiniti Pro won't work for PC gamers but would be a better choice under your TV set.
Other Atmos soundbar sets require rear speakers and have even larger soundbars with upward-facing drivers, making it even less likely they'd work for PC gamers. Perhaps the best alternative for that specific demographic is the Razer Leviathan, which has a leg up on the SoundSlayer in some key areas: it costs less, supports NFC tech for single-tap pairing of your smartphone, is a 5.1ch soundbar instead of 2.1, and is a couple inches less deep for an easier desk fit. It also has a separate subwoofer, which you may or may not see as a positive.
Panasonic SoundSlayer: Should you buy it?
You should buy this if ...
You can spare the $300
You want Atmos without spending hundreds more
You need something that fits under a monitor
You prefer bass-heavy music
You'd like a soundbar you can fit in luggage
You should not buy this if ...
You're mainly getting it for a TV
You want something for in-game strategic advantage
You want true Atmos with discrete rear speakers
Your gaming budget can't afford it
It's easier to judge a soundbar kindly when you receive a review unit for free. Yet the high price of the Panasonic SoundSlayer will make it difficult for many gamers to pull the trigger on the device.
If you regularly use gaming headphones for the sake of tactical performance, so you can hear which direction enemy footsteps are coming from, stick with your headphones. If, however, you want quality audio for games from a casual enjoyment perspective, along with 3D audio for your gaming and movie-watching, then the SoundSlayer is worth considering even at its high price.
3.5out of 5
4K passthrough ensures that gamers can use the soundbar even if their monitor has only one HDMI port, or you can connect via optical or Bluetooth if you'd prefer. Just consider the layout of your room before buying. With my desk facing outward towards the rest of the room, it's harder to get directional surround sound because the sound travels too far before bouncing back. If your desk is perpendicular to a closer wall, you may get a better result.
In the end, I intend to keep using my SoundSlayer soundbar and the 3D setting regardless of the shape of my home. It's freed me from my headphones, and feels like a wide wave of sound washes over me as I play. If I need to figure out if someone's behind me, I'll just use my eyes.
At a glance
Panasonic SoundSlayer
Bottom line: The Panasonic SoundSlayer features an optical port, HDMI input/ output with 4K passthrough and Arc, and Bluetooth connectivity. The integrated subwoofer and tweeters do a remarkable job at generating clean bass audio. While the price is high, you'll find very few Atmos-compatible devices for cheaper.
