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The best smartphones, tablets and smartwatches for students
New school year, new gear. Maybe you're due for an upgrade, or maybe you broke your phone over summer break, or maybe you just want a new toy. Either way, you might be looking to refresh your slate of devices before heading to campus. For the mobile section of our back-to-school guide, we considered the best phones you can get on a student-friendly budget. We also threw in our favorite smartwatches for both Android and iOS users. But "mobile" means more than just phones and phone-like things meant for your wrists. We also included our favorite e-reader and make a case for why someone might want to splurge on an iPad Pro. (Hint: art and design students might get a kick out of it.) We know that in your haste to get to class on time you might occasionally forget to charge your devices, so we've also included a portable battery that can keep all your stuff running. And life isn't all work and no play, so when it's time to chill out in your dorm, you can strap on our favorite wireless headset and take out some aliens in VR -- no need to make your roommate trip over any cables.
Google releases its last Pixel 3 security update
Google has released the final security update for the Pixel 3 as it delivers the February update to newer phones.
Google's Live Caption feature for Pixel phones now supports calls
Google’s Live Caption tool is not only an important accessibility feature, but it’s also useful in noisy environments like a bar or a subway station. It’s available on Pixel phones and computers through the Chrome browser, and will provide onscreen subtitles for any media that plays audio on your device. With today’s launch of the Pixel 4a, though, Google is unveiling Live Caption for Calls and it’ll be available on the Pixel 2, 3, 3a, 4 and 4a.
Google discontinues its affordable Pixel 3a and 3a XL phones
Google has officially discontinued its Pixel 3a and 3a XL phones, it has confirmed in a statement sent to Android Police. It was previously marked “Out of Stock” on the US Google Store, but now its listing says it’s already “Unavailable.” Google’s spokesperson says the tech giant has sold through its inventory, and partner retailers will only be selling the devices until supplies last.
The best deals we found this week: AirPods Pro, Fire TV Cube and more
The best deals from this week include AirPods Pro for $228, Amazon's Fire TV Cube for $100 and $70 off a Google Nest WiFi two-pack.
Google's Pixel 3a and 3a XL are at their lowest prices ever on Amazon
However, Amazon is taking us back to the Nexus days, offering the Pixel 3a and 3a XL smartphones at $279 and $319 respectively, the lowest prices we’ve seen yet. Buy Google Pixel 3a on Amazon - $279 Buy Google Pixel 3a XL on Amazon - $319
The iPhone SE and other midrange phones worth your money
The iPhone SE's launch last week rightfully places the spotlight on major midrange phones.
Our readers think the Pixel 3a is a first-rate budget phone
Our user reviews share what they love most about their Google Pixel 3a phones.
The new iPhone SE shows Apple's other phones were overpriced all along
More so than any other iPhone before it, Apple's new SE model shows the company's phones should cost less.
The best deals we found this week: 'The Sims 4,' Fire TV Sticks and more
Digital deals dominated this week, but there are also numerous deals on gadgets as well. Some of the highlights include an early start to Origins' annual spring sale, which brought steep discounts on The Sims 4 expansion packs and dropping the price of the base game to $5. Square Enix cut the prices of all of its Nintendo Switch games, so now's the time to grab a Final Fantasy title (or three) while they are up to 50 percent off. Amazon Prime members can also snag a Fire TV Stick 4K for only $25. Here are all the deals from this week that you can still get today. The Sims 4 This is a great time to get into The Sims—or to jump back into it—while the base game and most expansion packs are still on sale. The Sims 4 costs $5 right now, and some of the most popular expansion and game packs, including Parenthood, Realm of Magic and Spa Day, are as low as $15. Be careful, though — once you start playing The Sims, it's pretty hard to stop. Buy The Sims 4 on Origin - starting at $5 Buy The Sims 4 on Amazon - starting at $5
Get $100 off Google's already budget-friendly Pixel 3a
If you'd like to buy a new phone but don't want to break the bank doing so, Amazon has discounted one of Engadget's favorite budget devices: the Pixel 3a. Except for the Purple-ish Pixel 3a XL, all three different color models of the 3a and 3a XL are currently $100 off, making the former $300 and the latter $380. For context, $300 is the lowest price we've seen Amazon sell the Pixel 3a since the company discounted the phone to $280 last year.
Is the Pixel 3a your ideal budget phone?
As much as we loved the Pixel 3 and 3 XL, we were let down by their hardware, especially given how much they cost. Which is why the Pixel 3a and 3a XL were such a breath of fresh air: They offered the same great software features and excellent camera, but at half the price. They even had bigger batteries and a headphone jack!
Pixel 4a leak video dives into the phone’s most intimate details
In a repeat of last year, one of Google's upcoming Pixels phones has found its way into the hands of a YouTuber ahead of its official launch. Just two days after we saw a grainy photo of the Pixel 4a, Cuban technology blog TecnoLike Plus has released an almost seven-minute-long video detailing nearly every aspect of the unannounced device. As with every other pre-release leak, keep in mind we can't verify the details until Google officially announces the phone.
Grab a discounted Pixel 3a and get a $100 gift card at these US retailers
If you're in the market for an affordable new phone, Amazon, Best Buy and B&H have gotten into something of small pricing war over Google's excellent pair of Pixel 3a devices. Amazon and B&H are currently selling all three color variants of the unlocked 64GB model Pixel 3a and 3a XL for $349 and $429 respectively. That's a $50 discount from their usual price. To sweeten the deal, you'll also get a $100 gift card from both retailers at checkout.
The Pixel 3a was a turning point for affordable smartphones
When it comes to phones, there hasn't been a year like 2019 in a while. Between the introduction of the first foldables and the rollout of technologies like 5G, 2019 wasn't just another year of comfortable iteration for manufacturers. Instead, it saw the introduction of devices that are likely to define the space moving forward, but none more so than the modest Pixel 3a.
Google's powerful Recorder app now works on older Pixel phones
Over its last few Pixel cycles, Google has made a point of bringing some features of its most recent phone to other devices. This week, for instance, Pixel 4's live audio captioning tool expanded to Pixel 3 and 3a devices. Now, owners of older Pixel handsets can check out one of Pixel 4's niftier aspects: the Recorder app that can capture and transcribe audio simultaneously.
Google's Live Captions come to the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3A
Google has rolled out Live Caption to the Pixel 3 and the 3a like it promised back in October. The tech giant debuted the feature, which enables captions for all audio in real-time on your device, at I/O in May. It first landed on the Pixel 4, but now it's also out for the phone's older and more affordable siblings.
Google's Pixel 3a drops to $300 on Amazon for Black Friday
If you missed out on the Pixel 3a's price drop last week, don't worry -- you'll have a second shot now that Black Friday is here. Google's starter 64GB smartphone is selling for $300 between now and December 2nd at 3AM Eastern. That's a full $100 below the official price, and tempting if you want 'pure' Android without spending much. The pricing applies to all colors, including black (above) as well as purple and white.
Google is putting the Pixel 4 and Stadia on sale for Black Friday
Black Friday is just around the corner, and Google is sharing a sneak peek of the sales it will offer. We've rounded up the tech deals to look out for. Most start on November 28th, but a few sales will go live on November 24th.
Amazon cuts the price of the Google Pixel 3a to $299
Google's Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are two of our favorite affordable smartphones, delivering similar camera tech found in the older Pixel 3 flagship while costing significantly less than the recently-released Pixel 4. Prices for these budget options have continued to drop since launch, but now Amazon has discounted both models to their lowest pricing yet.
