Realme GT 2 Pro renders reveal a familiar design from six years ago

The renders show a Nexus 6P-style camera bump at the back.

What you need to know

• Renders of the rumored Realme GT 2 Pro have leaked on the web.
• Realme's upcoming flagship phone could be inspired by the Nexus 6P's design.
• The company has also recently confirmed the phone's name, and it will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC.

Shortly after Realme's founder and CEO Sky Li confirmed that the company's next device will be called the Realme GT 2 Pro, renders of the upcoming phone surfaced online, courtesy of prolific leaker OnLeaks (via 91mobiles).

The renders reveal a familiar design from a few years back. When you start to examine the back of the phone based on the leaked renders, it becomes clear that the upcoming device may be borrowing a design cue from the Nexus 6P, which was released in 2015.

The back of the phone has a horizontal strip camera bump, which is somehow similar to the rear design of the Google Pixel 6 series. The camera island, however, appears to protrude slightly more than that of Google's flagship phones.

Meanwhile, the phone's body has flat edges, leading us to compare it to the iPhone 13. Of course, Realme isn't the only company to borrow Apple's design language; OPPO's upcoming Reno 7 series is said to have a similar shape.

91mobiles claims to have obtained information on the phone's specifications and price. The Realme GT 2 Pro, according to the website, will have a massive 6.8-inch WQHD+ OLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. The handset's camera may include a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide shooter, and an 8MP telephoto camera. Its selfies could be handled by a 32MP front-facing camera.

Realme has also confirmed that it will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 flagship chip. It will also most likely have up to 256GB of internal storage and 12GB of RAM. Realme's new 125W fast charging technology could also make its debut with the device. The renders also show white and green colorways.

Li recently described the upcoming handset as Realme's "most premium flagship phone," which will presumably go after the best Android phones next year. We'll see for ourselves if that turns out to be correct when the phone arrives sometime in 2022 with a rumored price tag of $799.

The Google Chat app's bottom bar on Android gets a less-cluttered design

All those shortcuts are now tucked away under a single button.

What you need to know

• The Google Chat app picks up a fresh UI for its bottom bar.
• Google Chat now hides its shortcuts behind a single button to free up some screen space.
• The latest change appears to be rolling out gradually to users.

Google has begun to roll out a new design for the bottom bar of the Google Chat app on Android, making the interface much cleaner than the previous version.

Google Chat's previously crowded bottom bar has now been tweaked with a new UI that frees up some screen real estate, as spotted by Mishaal Rahman. The app's shortcuts for Gallery, Camera, Drive, Google Meet, and Calendar are now hidden beneath the new plus button.

Looks like a new UI is rolling out for the bottom bar in Google Chat on mobile.

Left: Old
Middle & right: New pic.twitter.com/8UppM0e6QX

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) November 30, 2021

Prior to this change, those shortcuts appeared in the text box, just below the area where you type your message. While those shortcuts have been consolidated into a single area, the redesigned bottom bar still includes the frequently used image button, which allows you to quickly attach photos to your chat. It is located directly next to the send button.

The most recent change reflects Google's increased focus on the successor to Hangouts, which is being phased out gradually. Google began a "forced" migration of free Hangouts users to Chat a few months ago in preparation for the shutdown of the legacy service. Since early 2020, Google has been transitioning Hangouts users to Chat, so the move was not entirely unexpected.

According to XDA Developers, the new modification is apparently available in the latest version of the Chat app (v2021.10.31.408397499). However, the update has yet to reach all modern Android phones, so the change appears to be a test for the time being.

Xiaomi 12 will be the first to introduce Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun has confirmed the news at Qualcomm's Tech Summit.

What you need to know

• The upcoming Xiaomi 12 will be the first device to get Qualcomm's next-generation premium chipset.
• Xiaomi has confirmed this information at the Qualcomm Tech Summit.
• The flagship device is likely to debut in December, just like its predecessor.

Xiaomi's Lei Jun has announced that Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform will make its way first to the upcoming Xiaomi 12 series, contrary to a previous rumor.

The company's founder and CEO has confirmed the latest development at Qualcomm's Tech Summit in Hawaii. He noted that Qualcomm and Xiaomi collaborated for several months to bring its latest flagship SoC to the Xiaomi 12.

.@Qualcomm has always been one of the most important partners of Xiaomi. Today I'm proud to announce that after months of joint effort between Xiaomi and Qualcomm, Xiaomi 12 Series will be the world's first smartphones powered by the new @Snapdragon 8 5G Gen 1 mobile platform. pic.twitter.com/U7l3BytRce

— leijun (@leijun) December 1, 2021

Xiaomi has been among the first to release devices powered by Qualcomm's latest designs, and this trend is unlikely to change anytime soon. Last year, the Chinese phone maker beat Samsung to the punch by introducing the Snapdragon 888-powered Xiaomi Mi 11 series. Having said that, Xiaomi took a few months to launch that phone outside of China.

Jun also highlighted a number of improvements made by Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in terms of AI capabilities, camera, gaming, and other areas. Previous rumors suggested that Xiaomi's answer to the best Android phones next year could include an insanely large camera sensor based on Samsung's 200MP ISOCELL HP1.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is built on a 4nm process and includes a 3GHz ARM Cortex X2 high-performance core that should provide a 40% performance boost over its predecessor. The chipset can also achieve faster AI capabilities thanks to Qualcomm's 7th Gen Qualcomm AI Engine.

There is no set date for when the Xiaomi 12 will be available to consumers, but Jun stated that it will arrive soon. According to the latest leaks, Xiaomi will unveil the next flagship phone in late December.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is coming to these phones in 2022

Qualcomm's 2022 flagship chipset will make its way to devices from all major Android manufacturers.

Qualcomm has unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, with the flagship chipset getting a new name and exciting upgrades on the hardware front, including the latest Arm cores, new AI engine, and imaging tweaks that will allow phones that leverage the platform to take much better photos.

We don't have to wait long to see the first phones with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1; the Xiaomi 12 will be the first to use the platform, with a launch slated for sometime in December. We should also see one of the BBK entities follow suit shortly thereafter, and with Nubia, Motorola, and Honor on the list, the best Android phones will once again use the latest Qualcomm design. Here's the full list:

• Xiaomi
• Redmi
• OnePlus
• OPPO
• Vivo
• Realme
• Nubia
• Black Shark
• Motorola
• iQOO
• Honor
• Sony
• ZTE
• SHARP

Now, Samsung isn't mentioned here, and that's normal. Samsung is always missing from Qualcomm's list of phone partners, but the Galaxy S22 will use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in North America and select global markets.

What's interesting in that list is the inclusion of Redmi; Xiaomi's sub-brand is focused on the budget and mid-range segments, but last year it started using the Snapdragon 888 on the Redmi K40 Pro that eventually debuted globally as the Mi 11X Pro.

Next year's OnePlus 10 series is also going to use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, and with the OPPO integration now finalized, there should be even more similarities to the Find X5. Vivo, similarly, is going to use the Qualcomm design in the X80 series, with all three manufacturers set to launch their flagships in Q1.

Then we have Motorola, Nubia, Vivo sub-brand iQOO, Sony, and Honor, with all of these manufacturers set to launch phones sometime over the course of 2022. Qualcomm is touting heady gains with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, and we'll have to get our hands on the first set of devices to see how it differs to the Snapdragon 888.

The Google Search app tests a change that we've all been waiting for

But which design or location do you like better?

What you need to know

• Google has been spotted testing new designs and positions for the search bar in the Google app.
• One design puts the user's thumbnail into the search bar at the top of the app.
• Another keeps the current design but with the search bar moved to the bottom of the display.

The Google Search app appears to be testing new looks and locations for its search bar, according to some users in the Google News Telegram (via Mishaal Rahman).

According to the images, the new design could incorporate the user thumbnail into the right-most section of the search bar. This appears to move the search bar further up on the screen, likely to match the current position of the thumbnail in the top right corner of the display. However, it would bring it in-line with other apps like Gmail and the Play Store, which place the thumbnail in their respective search bars.

Another change could be the search bar finally moving to the bottom of the app, although this doesn't appear to feature the user's thumbnail.

Google is testing a few different designs and locations for the search bar in the Google App, according to users of the Google News Telegram group.

Do you prefer the search bar at the top or at the bottom? pic.twitter.com/AdeHqFXPAa

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) November 30, 2021

It's unclear how widely available these new tests are, but there could be benefits and downsides to either. The new design change would consolidate the user settings into the search bar, although at the expense of reachability by moving the bar up further. It would also remove the weather app from the top left corner.

Bringing the search bar to the bottom of the display would be much better for reachability, especially for phones with tall displays like the Galaxy Z Fold 3, but it appears Google would opt to keep the user icon at the top of the display.

Of course, users with the best Android phones could opt to have the search bar on their home screen, but this would still be a welcome change to the actual app.

According to SmartDroid, the bottom bar seems to show up in the Google app beta version 12.47.12, although mileage may vary.

Dynamic and colorful

Google Pixel 6

From $499 at Best Buy $599 at Amazon $599 at Google

It's time to upgrade

The Google Pixel 6 is the latest flagship from Google, featuring a brand new design, great cameras, and intelligent custom-built Tensor processor to enable smart AI capabilities all throughout your phone.

The Google Pixel 6 series is hit with another charging-related fiasco

The phones just won't play ball with low-quality USB-C cables and charging bricks, and that's fine.

What you need to know

• Google's latest flagship phones apparently refuse to charge with third-party cables and chargers.
• The Google Pixel 6 series works only with PD-certified USB-C charging gear.
• Google already warned that other cables and charging bricks might not work with Pixel phones.

Some Pixel 6 owners may have been disappointed earlier this month when they discovered that their devices only support up to 23W wired charging rather than 30W, as many had assumed. Now, Pixel 6 users are in for yet another letdown.

Google's latest flagships appear to reject charging via non-PD-certified cables and chargers. Some Pixel 6 owners have taken to Google's support forum to express their disappointment with the phone's refusal to charge using a low-quality USB-C cable or power brick (via 9to5Google). Plugging in a cheaper cable appears to have no effect, and the phone displays no warning message or charging status. In some cases, the phones can charge extremely slowly over these cables.

On the other hand, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro charge just fine with Google's own charging brick, but you'll have to buy it separately because the phone only comes with a USB-C cable inside the box.

This doesn't come as a surprise, though. Google's support page already explains that "other Android cables and power adapters might not work with Pixel phones." This is probably meant to protect the device's battery from potential damage.

While the Pixel 6 series is PD (Power Delivery) certified, low-quality or cheaper cables are not. It's not surprising, therefore, that these third-party cables can properly charge other devices, but not Google's best Android phones.

It may be disappointing, but it's also not a bad idea. However, the lack of compatibility between the Pixel 6 phones and third-party power bricks would not have been an issue if Google had included a compatible charger with the device, albeit not necessarily a 30W charger.

Google Pixel 6 Pro

$899 at Amazon $899 at Best Buy

Google's new Pixel 6 Pro is the company's best smartphone to date, thanks to its smooth 120Hz display, powerful Tensor chip, and impressive triple camera setup.

Your Chromebook is getting new camera tricks, GIF maker coming soon

The latest Chrome OS release focuses on the camera app.

What you need to know

• Google is launching new features for the Chrome OS camera app.
• Users will be able to control the angle of their external webcams from the app.
• Google is also teasing a GIF creator that will be available next year.

Google has highlighted some new features that it's bringing to the Chrome OS camera app that owners of the best Chromebooks can look forward to.

Google first highlights the Scan mode that first appeared with Chrome 94, which includes QR code scanning and as well as document scanning. This will scan any document using the front or back camera on your Chromebook and convert it to a PDF or JPEG. The function will automatically detect the edges of your document, but users can also manually adjust them.

Additionally, for users with the best webcams, the camera app will now include Pan-Tilt-Zoom controls to adjust the angle that the camera captures videos and images. The camera app will save these settings, so you don't have to keep readjusting for every Google Meet video chat.

Google is also teasing the ability to create GIFs straight from the camera app. This will let users record five-second videos that can be converted into shareable GIFs. This function isn't yet available, but Google says it will arrive in early 2022.

A new beta feature also allows users to control the camera with their voice thanks to Google Assistant integration.

As 9to5Google points out, these new features are rolling out as part of Chrome OS 96, coming just a week or so after Chrome 96 became available. Other features arriving include Nearby Share, which is now available within app share sheets, as well as improvements to the Chrome OS app settings page that includes individual notification toggles.

More bang for your buck

Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5

$325 at Amazon $355 at Walmart

Even cheaper than cheap

The Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 is the best Chromebook you can buy, thanks to its compact design, loud front-facing speakers, and long-lasting battery life. And right now, you can snag one for more than $100 off!

Qualcomm announces its new flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform

Snapdragon chips get a new name and new capabilities.

What you need to know

• Qualcomm announces its latest flagship Snapdragon chipset.
• The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset is the first to utilize Qualcomm's new naming convention.
• The chipset features advancements in AI to enhance on-device processing and improve photo quality.

Qualcomm has finally unveiled the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform, the first chipset to adopt Qualcomm's new naming convention that it teased earlier this month. This new "simplified" naming scheme represents a new generation for Qualcomm that focuses its efforts on advanced AI processing and fast 5G speeds.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 features a new 3GHz ARM Cortex X2 high-performance core that should provide up to 40% better performance than its predecessor. It's also built on a 4nm process for improved efficiency over the Snapdragon 888.

However, beyond speed, Qualcomm is focusing on AI capabilities and performance. Thanks to the 7th Gen Qualcomm AI Engine, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 features 4x faster AI performance. This will help enhance on-device processing capabilities to better group and prioritize notifications on the best Android phones with natural language processing. It will also enable vocal analysis with Sonde Health, which Qualcomm says can help monitor your wellbeing and detect if a user might be at risk of conditions like asthma, depression, and even COVID-19.

Beyond that, the AI engine will help take photography to a new level thanks to Leica's Leitz Look mode and the introduction of Snapdragon Sight. Like Snapdragon Sound, which is an umbrella of Qualcomm's audio technologies like AptX Lossless and AptX Adaptive, Snapdragon Sight brings the best of Qualcomm's imaging under one name. This includes Qualcomm's first 18-bit ISP for more vivid images and unprecedented 8K HDR video capture along with simultaneous capture from up to three sensors. And with the always-on ISP, your camera will detect faces for fast, accurate focusing and seamless face unlock without sacrificing battery life.

The new Spectra ISP can capture up to 200MP images, meaning it'll be ready for Samsung's new 200MP sensor when it arrives on the first Android smartphones. Qualcomm also highlights a "mega night mode," which captures and stitches 30 images together for the best night shots.

The chipset supports up to 16GB of RAM and is paired with the X65 modem, enabling up to 10Gbps 5G speeds with its improved mmWave antenna module while providing all-day battery life. There's also Wi-Fi 6, 6E support for the fastest Wi-Fi connection.

For mobile gamers, Snapdragon Elite Gaming gets a 30% boost in graphics rendering with the latest Adreno GPU while providing increased power efficiency. This comes in handy with Unreal Engine 5 support and improved frame rate for a smooth gaming experience. Qualcomm also comes with Audiokinetic technology for console-quality audio.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is also the first mobile platform to support Android Ready SE, which paves the way for standardized digital car keys, mobile drivers' licenses, and more while retaining a high level of security.

With the increased focus on AI performance, it seems like Qualcomm is taking aim at Google after the release of the Pixel 6 running the search giant's own Tensor chipset. While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is likely to provide faster general performance than Tensor, it'll be interesting to see how companies play up the AI features in their phones when the first devices launch.

The new chipset is set to be used by Android OEMs, including Honor, Motorola, Nubia, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, Redmi, Sony, Vivo, Xiaomi, and more. Qualcomm says the first commercial devices are expected before the end of the year.

Google reveals Project Starline specs and proof that it's better than Zoom

The classic restaurant booth design gets a 21st century upgrade.

What you need to know

• Project Starline is a new way to remotely connect with people by providing the feeling of being present with them, known as telepresense.
• The booth uses an 8K display with a parallax barrier-like lens array to display 3D images without the use of glasses.
• User movement and audio are tracked via 3 "pods" that are used to render a life-like 3D version of a person to transmit wirelessly.

When Google announced Project Starline back at Google I/O 2021 in May, no one was under any illusion that the tech behind it was simple. A new whitepaper published by Google research, spotted by 9to5Google, details just how complicated the tech actually is.

It all starts with the booth design, which is similar to a familiar restaurant booth and gives users a comfortable place to sit while they meet or converse with other people remotely. Google says it chose a seated design primarily for this purpose.

Since comfort was paramount to the design, Google opted to develop a technology that didn't require users to wear anything — like any of the best VR headsets or 3D glasses — and still be able to see and hear the person on the other side as realistically as possible.

Google also wanted to ensure that users had the freedom to move around a bit, stretch their legs, and still get a full view of the person on the other end from head to waist.

Google built Project Starline booths with the ability to display a realistic 3D recreation of the person on the other end, complete with the ability to view them from multiple angles, maintain eye contact, and even hear audio as if it were coming from the other person's mouth.

In order to achieve this, Project Starline records and tracks individuals with a set of three "pods" — two located above the display on the left and right sides, and one centered below the display — which contains four synchronized 1280×1024 monochrome cameras operating at 120 Hz, with filters to block near-infrared light so that extra display information isn't erroneously picked up.

Think about how a Wii remote would freak out when sunlight poured into a room and you'll quickly understand the importance of blocking this type of light.

The bottom pod contains an extra RGB camera that captures the color necessary to properly replicate an individual in 3D space. Four cardioid microphones are also found throughout these pods, helping the system to replicate exactly where the sound comes from when it eventually recreates the person on the other end.

Visual and audio information captured from these cameras is then rendered on a Lenovo P920 PC with four GPUs — that's two NVIDIA Quadro RTX 6000 GPU and two NVIDIA GeForce Titan RTX GPUs — then sent over the internet via WebRTC. Essentially, a composite image is created using all of the pods' images combined into one big piece.

The 3D-rendered recreation of the person sitting in the Project Starline booth enables Google to not only send a higher quality image than can be delivered via 2D video as you'd find on Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime, but it also grants the ability to move and rotate the 3D model to create the illusion of a three-dimensional person sitting in front of you.

That display is a custom 65-inch 8K panel with stereoscopic lenses, which at least have a passing similarity to the display found in a Nintendo 3DS, which uses a parallax barrier. Unlike a parallax barrier, which has a small "sweet spot" where the 3D image is created, the lenses in Project Starline are used to send a different image to each eye, recreating 3D vision in a wholly natural way.

It can be argued that VR can create a similar experience in many ways, but Google points out that existing VR headsets don't have a wide enough field of view and have trouble properly recreating a face since a VR headset blocks quite a bit of it when worn.

Latency and other commonplace issues that still plague internet communication can also affect Starline a bit, but it seems like it might do a better job than what we've come to expect from current 2D video solutions.

Project Starline has been used by Google for many reasons, including on-boarding and meetings, but it's not clear how widely used we'll see Starline throughout offices or other commercial areas in the future. For now, check out Google's original announcement video below to see it in action.

Foldables enjoyed a record quarter thanks to the Galaxy Z Flip 3, Fold 3

Unsurprisingly, Samsung reigns supreme.

What you need to know

• The latest numbers show that Samsung led foldable shipments in Q3 2021.
• Total foldable shipments in Q3 were 2.6 million, with Q4 expected to grow to 3.8 million.
• DSCC expects 2022 foldables to exceed 17 million.

The latest report from Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) shows that foldable shipments are improving, thanks mainly to Samsung's best foldable phones.

The numbers show that shipments in Q3 2022 exceeded the previous four quarters combined with 2.8 million units shipped. Unsurprisingly, most of that volume could be attributed to Samsung's cheaper Galaxy Z Flip 3, which accounted for 60% of foldable shipments during the quarter, while Samsung took 93% of total foldable shipments overall. Huawei managed just 6% share with its Mate X2 phones.

"Samsung's August release of its improved foldables, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3, at more attractive prices along with strong promotional efforts and attractive trade-ins ensured the unprecedented growth of the foldable market," says Ross Young, CEO of DCSS. "Furthermore, additional growth is expected in Q4'21 when the products are available for a full quarter."

Foldable shipments are expected to grow to 3.8 million in Q4, partly because it's the first full quarter that Samsung's new phones will be available. The growth will undoubtedly be driven by carrier offers and trade-in deals, which helps consumers swallow the $1000+ price tags, particularly for the more expensive Galaxy Z Fold 3, which is expected to gain significantly in foldable share this quarter.

In fact, some of the Cyber Monday Galaxy Z Flip 3 deals are still live now, which gets you the phone for $400 off or even for free with a trade-in. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 offers similar deals, although they likely won't last long.

With Samsung pushing heavily on foldables and other OEMs expected to debut their own, DSCC expects foldable shipments to exceed 17 million in 2022. And while the Galaxy Z Flip 3 will likely lead the pack, analysts expect that the clamshell foldables don't have much of a future compared to their larger-screened counterparts. However, until prices come down, there's still a way to go before foldables of any size become truly mainstream.

Still, with an improved outlook for foldables and more companies producing more durable, higher-quality devices, prices may continue to fall over the years, even if slowly.

Flip phones are back

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3

From $600 at Best Buy $850 at Amazon

It flips but it won't flop

The new Galaxy Z Flip 3 is perfect for anyone who misses the good old days when hanging up was as dramatic as slamming your phone shut. And with the larger external display, it's perfect for controlling music, checking messages, or taking selfies with the dual-camera setup.

The Amazon Appstore is completely useless on Android 12 at the moment

Do not upgrade to Android 12 for now if you're using apps downloaded from the Amazon Appstore.

What you need to know

• Apps and games installed from the Amazon Appstore are currently not working on Android 12 phones.
• The issue appears to stem from Amazon's DRM implementation.
• Amazon has yet to issue a fix for the problem, which began more than a month ago.

Google made Android 12 available for beta testing for several months before making it available to the general public. However, Amazon appears to have missed the opportunity to ensure that its Appstore is compatible with the most recent version of Android.

The Amazon Appstore is currently broken on Android 12 (via Liliputing). This means that apps and games downloaded from the online marketplace will not function on some of the best Android phones that have been upgraded to the OS, such as the Google Pixel 6 series and the Pixel 4a 5G.

A considerable number of users who have already upgraded to Android 12 took to Amazon's support forum in order to complain about the ongoing issue. The app library does not apparently show up on the Appstore app for some users as well.

The issue is said to be caused by Amazon's DRM implementation rather than the app itself. This affects both free and paid apps.

An Amazon staff has acknowledged the issue a month ago, saying "our technical team is aware of this issue and they are currently working on a resolution." However, the company has yet to roll out a fix for it. Amazon did not immediately respond to Android Central's request for comment.

Users who have downloaded and installed apps from Amazon's app store and have not yet upgraded to Android 12 are advised to stick with their current OS version, as the retail giant appears to be ignoring the Appstore issue at the moment.

PlayStation recap: Skyrim gets yet another re-release for its anniversary

We're almost into the new year and PlayStation has had a middling holiday period.

I've got to be honest, it's a little weird writing a November PlayStation recap when the company hasn't had a big exclusive this holiday season. While everybody was hoping that Horizon Forbidden West would make it out in time for the holidays, it won't be ready until February 2022 at the earliest (if it isn't delayed again). That said, there are a few notable news stories this month in the world of PlayStation.

The PS5 is still going as strong as ever, and if you've managed to snag one during a PS5 restock, maybe you'll want to replay Skyrim. Because it released again. I'm serious. It's the year 2021 and Skyrim released again.

But that's not all. We also got a new teaser image for the next Mass Effect and learned a little bit more about what players can expect from Elden Ring. Let's dive in and check it out.

Skyrim gets re-released for the millionth time

It wouldn't be the holidays without Skyrim being released again. It's already playable on just about every platform under the sun, and might as well be playable on smart toasters and refrigerators. I mean, if we can get DOOM running on a pregnancy test, why not?

Anyways, it's been 10 years since The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim first released, and to celebrate the momentous occasion, Bethesda released Skyrim: Anniversary Edition. It's the same Skyrim we all know and love, now complete with extra Creation Club content and fishing (!!!). It's definitely still worth playing in 2021, even if you've put hundreds of hours into it already. Skyrim just never gets old, and that's why they keep releasing it.

Have I already purchased Skyrim on four different platforms? I sure have. Will I buy it again for the Anniversary Edition? I sure will. I'm absolutely part of the problem here.

Horizon Forbidden West settlements and machines look incredible

Guerrilla Games revealed more information about Horizon Forbidden West, the highly-anticipated sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn set to launch in February 2022. The information in a lot of ways is more technical than most people may care about, delving into how the team crafted its world and what went into expanding its machine catalog. But for people interested in learning what went into creating the game, I'd recommend giving the blog posts a read.

I'm personally extremely excited to see the Tremortusk and Shellsnapper in-game. I'll probably die a ton trying to take them down, but damn they look cool.

Elden Ring tech test makes players git gud

If you weren't one of the players accepted into the Elden Ring tech test, my condolences. If you did get in, then you've already experienced the next offering from Dark Souls developer FromSoftware. It's been getting a lot of praise online for its gameplay and world, being described as breathtaking and a ton of fun. If you played it, then you also probably died. A lot. Repeatedly. Over and over. It's a running theme in Souls games, so it should come as no surprise that Elden Ring is also unforgiving.

Elden Ring is due out on Feb. 25, 2022... provided it isn't delayed again.

BioWare teases the next Mass Effect

We have another #N7Day surprise for you from the team working on the next Mass Effect. 👀

Thank you all for being the best fans in the world! pic.twitter.com/kUwASGJhcx

— Mass Effect (@masseffect) November 7, 2021

Mass Effect's rise and fall between the acclaimed trilogy and Andromeda is a frequent topic of discussion. BioWare, what was once the premiere RPG storyteller, isn't exactly looked upon the same way anymore. It's disappointing, but some fans have faith that it can be turned around.

For N7 day, the developer gave us a little tease at what's to come in the next Mass Effect. While we know very little about it, there have been hints that it could tie into Shepard's trilogy and our adventures in Andromeda, bringing it all together. The picture that was posted on Twitter appears to show the impact of a large asteroid or other object, and many people have noticed that the impact crater bears resemblance to the Geth.

I don't know whether the resemblance was intentional or if it's just an average crater, but I can definitely see the similarities. Unfortunately, it could be a long time before we get clear answers. The next Mass Effect likely won't release any time soon, and BioWare is expected to release the next Dragon Age game first.

HBO's The Last of Us finds its Jackson settlement

🤩

📸 shannon.fox71/IG #TheLastofUs pic.twitter.com/BJ3Y3A6Aa1

— The Last of Us Updates (@TheLastofUsNews) November 19, 2021

Filming on HBO's The Last of Us series continues in Canada, and if you aren't following TheLastofUsNews on Twitter, then you're missing out. We've seen a ton of behind-the-scenes looks at the drama starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. For a while, the production crew was shooting at a stand-in for Jackson, Wyoming, the settlement that Tommy and Maria helped found in-game.

Right now it appears that they're filming for the University segment of the game, where Joel is impaled by a rebar and severely wounded after being ambushed.

PlayStation finds itself in hot water... again

Shortly after comments made by CEO Jim Ryan were brought to light, criticizing Activision's response to its on-going workplace harassment and cultural problems, PlayStation had a lawsuit filed against it for gender discrimination. The lawsuit, filed by a former employee, alleges that "Sony tolerates and cultivates a work environment that discriminates against female employees, including female employees and those who identify as female."

According to a report from Axios, former IT security analyst Emma Majo is seeking court approval to expand it into a class action lawsuit, hopefully helping other women who have worked for the company in recent years.

Next year is looking good

The year may have ended with a whimper, but 2022 is set to start off with a bang. Horizon Forbidden West, Elden Ring, Dying Light 2, and more are all expected to release within a month of each other. Please pray for your local struggling games journalist. Until next time 👋

– Jennifer Locke

December Quest v35 update finally adds cloud saves and multi-user support

An early Holiday gift from Meta, with half a dozen new features for your Quest or Quest 2.

What you need to know

• Quest December v35 update brings along half a dozen new features and has begun rolling out starting November 30, 2021.
• Cloud backup for save files is now enabled in this new version, which will automatically back up any game saves you have on your Quest.
• Multi-user support is exiting beta, Facebook Messenger can now be used for calls in VR, mixed reality camera makes it easier to stream your VR gaming sessions, Horizon Workrooms features more customization, and more web apps (PWAs) are now becoming available.

Exactly one month ago, Meta announced that cloud save backup would be coming to the Quest and Quest 2 in the coming weeks. Thankfully, we didn't have to wait very long for this feature, as it's now rolling out alongside the v35 December update for both headsets.

That more or less solves the conundrum of whether to pick the 128GB or 256GB Quest 2 because, before this update, save files were directly tied to the game's own files. This meant that if you were to uninstall any game from your Quest or Quest 2, you would also lose your save files.

This update will now automatically back up all game saves from your headset onto Meta's cloud systems, meaning you can finally install Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond on a 64GB Quest 2 without uninstalling all of your games.

In addition to what was probably the most-requested feature for the Quest platform is Multi-user and app sharing support, which is now exiting beta and will now be available in the regular Quest settings menu. Folks using a single headset in their household can now share games without having to share a single account. Just have everyone else that uses the Quest log in with their Facebook account, and everyone will have separate profiles.

Additionally, all secondary accounts are able to share a library with the main account on the headset. That means you can use multiple accounts per headset without having to buy multiple copies of the same game.

Facebook Messenger support now includes the ability to make calls over Messenger in VR, making it easier to communicate with everyone in your life without taking off your headset.

If you find yourself working in Horizon Workrooms or using Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) like Instagram, Facebook, or others, you'll be pleased to know that both features are getting notable updates in this release, as well. Workrooms now includes more customization that can be made to your workspace, and even more PWAs are now available through the Oculus store.

Lastly, in this release is the addition of the Mobile Mixed Reality Camera. This feature is currently iPhone-only and needs an iPhone XS or above running iOS 11.0 or higher. With this new ability, the camera feature in the Oculus app gets a massive upgrade, making it possible to show your entire body in VR using spatial awareness technology. VR streamers, in particular, will likely be thrilled with this new feature as it requires no additional equipment to make it work.

Meta Quest 2

The 128GB Quest 2 model is double the storage of the original at the same great price, opening up the path to install dozens of games without worry. It's hassle-free VR in every single way.

$299 at Amazon $299 at Best Buy $299 at Walmart

17 Cyber Monday Android phone deals are still live — but won't be for long

Cyber Monday is over, but a few sites still have great prices and trade-in offers.

Black Friday weekend is a major deal-hunting event, and with all the deals available, you may have missed your shot to buy one of the best Android phones at a major discount. But don't worry: some of our favorite deals are still available for Cyber Week, if you want to upgrade to something better.

Along with these great last-minute Android accessory deals, these are the post-Cyber Monday Android phone deals to check out.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 | Save hundreds or trade-in with Samsung

Save $250 + up to $900 enhanced trade-in credit at Samsung $1,500 at Amazon ($300 off) $1,400 at Best Buy ($400 off)

Get $250 off, free Galaxy Buds 2, and up to $900 enhanced trade-in credit from Samsung, bringing your bill down to a potential $650 (or higher with an older phone trade). This deal should be available until December 5. Samsung's premium foldable offers lightning speeds, a gorgeous fast-refreshing display the size of a small tablet (when unfolded), S Pen support, and great software for multitasking.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 | Save $400 or trade-in for free

$100 off plus up to $650 enhanced trade-in at Samsung Free (with trade-in) from AT&T $599 at Best Buy $850 at Amazon

Save up to $400 at Best Buy if you activate today, or get major trade-in credit from either Samsung or AT&T, depending on whether you want an Unlocked phone or a better carrier deal. It has a gorgeous 6.7-inch display and a 2-inch cover display when closed. With a Snapdragon 888 chipset and 8GB of RAM, it has much faster performance than you might expect. And it's a great deal if you have a phone to trade for it.

Samsung Galaxy S21 series | Verizon trade-in deal

Save up to $1,000 with trade-in at Best Buy (Verizon)

Most S21 deals haven't lasted past Black Friday, but Verizon is still offering huge trade-in deals on the S21, S21+, or S21 Ultra. Any flagship phone from the last couple of years should get you $800–$1,000 off a new line or $440 off an upgraded line in trade-in credits.

Samsung Galaxy A51 | $120 off

$100 at Amazon

Looking for a smartphone on a budget? Look no further. Tracfone is offering the Samsung Galaxy A51 for just $100. With 128GB of storage, a 48MP camera, and a bright 6.5" AMOLED display, you're getting a decent phone for a great price. The hardware may not be advanced as phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21, but it gets the job done.

Google Pixel 6 (Save up to $700 with trade-in)

Free w/ trade-in at Verizon

The Pixel 6 is our new top pick among the best Android phones available, thanks to its powerful cameras and AI tech through Google Tensor. Verizon will still give Unlimited subscribers the Pixel 6 for free with the right trade-in, which is a great offer for people who held onto their old phones.

Google Pixel 6 Pro (Save up to $900 with trade-in)

Up to $800 off w/trade-in at Verizon $4/mo. w/trade-in at AT&T

Google's best flagship ever sports an instantly-iconic design, an LTPO OLED screen with a variable refresh rate, and all the lightning-fast AI awesomeness of Google Tensor. The 4x telephoto sensor exclusive to the Pixel 6 Pro helps you take the best pictures ever without having to get up close and personal.

Google Pixel 5a with 5G | $50 off

$399 at Google Store

The Google Pixel 5a is only a month old and is already down to its best price ever. Grab this amazing phone with fantastic battery life and an even better camera for less.

OnePlus 9 Pro | $169 off

$899 at Amazon

One of the best Android phones hands-down, the OnePlus 9 Pro has a Snapdragon 888 chipset, 120Hz QHD display, superb cameras, and 65W Warp Charge. This isn't the lowest price we saw on Black Friday ($799), but $170 off is still a solid deal.

OnePlus 8T | $100 off

$499 at Amazon $499 at Best Buy

The OnePlus 9 is no longer on sale, but the 8T remains at its Black Friday price and is practically very similar to the OnePlus 9, with the exact same 6.5-inch OLED FHD displays with 120Hz refresh rates, glass backs, 4,500 mAh batteries with 65W Fast Charge, 48MP primary cameras, OxygenOS 11 out of the box, and base 8GB/128GB memory. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset still offers great performance too, making this a great price on a near-flagship phone.

OnePlus Nord N200 (T-Mobile) | $90 off

$99 at Walmart

The Nord N200 has a modern design backed by a decent screen with 90Hz refresh, reliable hardware that holds up well for gaming, good cameras, two-day battery life, and clean software.

Motorola Edge (2021) | $100 off

$600 at Amazon $600 at Best Buy

With 2-day battery life, a 6.8-inch 144Hz display, a solid Snapdragon 778G SoC, and clever Motorola software tools, this large, smooth-displayed phone is a solid mid-range option.

Motorola One 5G Ace | $100 off

$299 at Amazon $299 at Best Buy

For reliable performance thanks to its Snapdragon 750G and 5G support, the One 5G Ace is a solid option. Battery life is almost unending and its 6.7-inch display looks great.

Motorola Edge 5G | $300 off

$400 at B&H

The Motorola Edge is a good 5G smartphone with a reliable processor, a vibrant OLED display, and a versatile camera set up to match many of the best Android phones on the market. Save $300 for a limited time.

Moto G Stylus (2021) | $70 off

$230 at Amazon $230 at Best Buy

Compared to the Power (2021), the Stylus version has more than its namesake for more traditional navigation. It also has better FHD resolution, a faster Snapdragon 678 SoC, more RAM by default, and more storage. It's the better purchase if you don't mind the extra cost.

Moto G Power (2021) | $70 off

$180 at Amazon $180 at Best Buy

If you mostly care about a massive battery in your phone, the Moto G Power (2021) will fit the bill. It has Motorola's trademark stock software up to Android 11, a headphone jack, expandable storage, and a nice design. And it's at a very low price for Cyber Monday.

Moto G Stylus (2020) | $100 off

$200 at Amazon

Downgrade to last year's Stylus phone, and you still get a 4,000mAh battery, 4GB of RAM, a 1080p display, dual stereo speakers, 128GB of storage, and a built-in stylus for slightly less.

TCL 10 Pro | $100 off

$300 at Amazon

The TCL 10 Pro steps things up with faster performance thanks to its Snapdragon 765G processor, 6GB of RAM and a 4,500mAh battery. It also boasts a 64-megapixel main camera with 4K recording capabilities, and at $279.99 (for Amazon Prime members) it's one of the cheapest 4K-capable phones we've seen. Just make sure to clip the coupon to get the $100 off.