Review: Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker offers Assistant smarts at a low price

The Mi Smart Speaker sounds just as good as the Google Home, and costs less than half as much.

If there's one trait that defines Xiaomi, it is value. Regardless of whatever Xiaomi product you pick up from Chinese manufacturer's portfolio — whether it's a $100 entry-level phone, $600 value flagship, or even a $2,000 laser projector — you know that you're getting a great value.

Xiaomi used this value-focused approach to considerable benefit in the handset market, and it is now doing the same with the smart home category. Xiaomi has a vast ecosystem of smart products, and its latest offering in this segment is one that I've been particularly looking forward to for some time.

The Mi Smart Speaker is a smart speaker with Google Assistant integration, much like the Sonos One, Sonos Move, JBL Link 300, Bose Home Speaker 500, and others. You get the full range of features that Google Assistant has to offer, the ability to add the speaker to an existing multiroom configuration within the Google Home app, and so much more. And because this is made by Xiaomi, you're getting incredible value as well.

This isn't the first time Xiaomi is making a smart speaker, but its initial offerings have been limited to China and feature the manufacturer's own XiaoAI assistant. This particular model debuted in China earlier this year, and is now available in India, with availability in other global markets kicking off later this year.

Xiaomi is positioning the Mi Smart Speaker as an alternative to the Google Home, touting significant gains in audio at a lower cost. The Mi Smart Speaker is now up for sale in India for ₹3,499 ($48), and will be coming to other global markets later in the year. With Xiaomi undercutting Google by a significant margin, let's take a look at what the Mi Smart Speaker has to offer, and why it may just be the ideal smart speaker in India.

Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker review:

• What I like
• What needs work
• The competition
• Should you buy?

Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker

Bottom line: The Mi Smart Speaker delivers everything you're looking for in a Google Assistant speaker, and does so on a budget. You get similar audio quality as the Google Home for less than half the price, and a design that emulates the Sonos One.

The Good

• Excellent value
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Great sound quality
• Two far-field mics
• Chromecast built-in
• Control panel

The Bad

• Limited global availability

₹3,499 at Xiaomi India

Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker What I like

The Mi Smart Speaker is a Google Assistant speaker, so in terms of functionality it is identical to the Google Home or Nest Mini. The speaker has an interesting design with a metal grille that has 10,531 perforations, and the overall aesthetic is similar to what you get on the Sonos One. The design allows it to stand out from what Amazon and Google offer in this segment.

The Mi Smart Speaker delivers Google Home-level performance for the price of a Nest Mini.

There is a light ring at the top that gives you a visual indicator for any notifications — à la Echo — and you get a control surface with four buttons: volume down, play/pause, mute, and volume up. There's a Mi logo at the front, and rubber feet at the bottom ensure the speaker stays planted on a surface.

There are two far-field mics at the top that do a great job picking up your voice commands from all the way across the room. The Mi Smart Speaker is taller than the Google Home and Echo, and is twice as heavy as the Google Home. The power unit for the speaker sits inside the housing, and you get Wi-Fi ac connectivity.

Powering the Mi Smart Speaker is a 2.5-inch driver that delivers 12W of sound. The sound signature is warm and inviting, and the speaker sounds just as good as the Google Home and Echo. That's a big deal when you consider the Mi Smart Speaker costs less than half as much as Google and Amazon's offerings.

A key feature on the Mi Smart Speaker is Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity. You can connect to the speaker as you would to any regular Bluetooth speaker, making it that much more versatile. You can also pick up two speakers and create a stereo pair.

Because the Mi Smart Speaker is a Google Assistant speaker, it has Chromecast built-in, and you can set it up and configure settings via the Google Home app. In terms of features, it is identical to the Google Home: you can get your daily briefing and run Google Assistant routines, ask queries, get timer and notification alerts, and so much more.

The Mi Smart Speaker also ties in seamlessly with your existing multi-room configuration. I have three Google Homes, a Nest Hub, and five speakers hooked up to Chromecast Audio, and I was able to add the Mi Smart Speaker to that configuration from within the Home app without any hassle. And because of Chromecast built-in, it showed up as a Cast target for Spotify and Tidal.

Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker What needs work

The Mi Smart Speaker has the same set of features as the Google Home, and I didn't run into any issues with it in my usage. Xiaomi mentions that it is in charge of delivering firmware updates for the device, so that may be an issue down the line if Google decides to add new features to Assistant. With Xiaomi handling the firmware, the speaker may not get the new additions at the same time as Google's own speakers.

Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker The competition

If you're looking to get started with a smart speaker, the Echo Dot is the obvious choice. The 4th-gen Echo Dot is now on pre-order for ₹4,499 ($61) (or $60 in the U.S., and it comes with an interesting new spherical design that delivers better sound. The Echo Dot's low cost makes it an ideal option to get started with Alexa.

If you're like me and are invested in Google's ecosystem, the ₹3,999 ($55) ($50 in the U.S. is a better choice. While the Nest Mini does a great job as an Assistant-enabled device, the sound quality is lackluster. That's an area where the Mi Smart Speaker handily beats Google's offering.

Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker Should you buy?

You should buy this if ...

You want a smart speaker with Google Assistant integration

The Mi Smart Speaker offers the same functionality as Google's first-party Google Home and Nest Mini.

You want great audio at an affordable cost

You get the same audio quality as a Google Home or Echo at less than half the price.

You want seamless integration with the Google Home app

Want to add the Mi Smart Speaker to your existing multi-room audio setup? You can do that with ease.

You should not buy this if ...

You don't want a smart speaker

Not sold on the idea of a Google Assistant-enabled smart speaker yet? Then the Mi Smart Speaker is not for you.

At ₹3,499 ($48), the Mi Smart Speaker is positioned against the Echo Dot and Nest Mini in terms of price, but it delivers performance that's equivalent to the Echo and Google Home, which cost twice as much. That's what makes the Mi Smart Speaker so enticing.

A bulk of smart speaker purchases are in the $25 to $50 category, and by offering the Mi Smart Speaker for under $50, Xiaomi is clearly going after Echo Dot and Nest Mini buyers. In doing so, it has offered one of the best Google Assistant speakers in the market today.

Xiaomi's differentiator is that the Mi Smart Speaker delivers incredible sound quality for the asking price. I've used the speaker alongside the Google Home and Echo, and it is on par in terms of audio quality. Xiaomi has once again managed to beat the incumbents by offering a speaker that has excellent value, and if you're looking to get started with a Google Assistant smart speaker, the Mi Smart Speaker is the default option for under ₹5,000.

4.5 out of 5

The Mi Smart Speaker is now on sale in India, and Xiaomi will bring the speaker to global markets, including the UK, Europe, and other countries. It won't see a formal launch in the U.S., however, so if you're looking to pick it up from the U.S., you'll have to do so from Amazon UK.

Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker

Bottom line: The Mi Smart Speaker costs the same as the Nest Mini but offers a feature-set that's more in line with the Google Home. It has Bluetooth connectivity, excellent audio quality, and the value on offer is incredible.

₹3,499 at Xiaomi India

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Google’s Pixel 4a is finally launching in India on October 17

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.

— Made By Google (@madebygoogle) October 1, 2020

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.

Get More Pixel 4a

Google Pixel 4a

$349 at Amazon $350 at Best Buy

• Google Pixel 4a review
• Best Pixel 4a cases
• Best Pixel 4a screen protectors

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How to watch the 2020/21 Serie A season online

It hasn't been long since the 2019/20 Serie A season wrapped up with Juventus claiming a record ninth consecutive title, but we're the 2020/21 campaign is already underway. We've got all of the details on how to live stream Serie A games online during this new season no matter where you are in the world.

The global pandemic meant an unusual end to the last season with an enforced break pushing fixtures into the summer months. Italian teams returned to play in June with the Coppa Italia being decided on penalties as Napoli beat Juventus. League fixtures also resumed with the Bianconeri topping the table for the 36th time in the club's history.

Lecce, Brescia, and SPAL finished in the bottom three and were relegated to Serie B. The teams will be replaced by Benevento, Crotone, and Spezia for the new season.

The 2020/21 Serie A season kicked off on the weekend of September 19, the later-than-usual start date being necessitated by the late completion of the last campaign. UEFA Nations League fixtures are also scheduled for early September.

Serie A sides are going to have had a much shorter pre-season period with just a matter of weeks between competitive fixtures having wrapped up and the new wave of games beginning. It remains to be seen if the truncated break will lead to a shakeup in the status quo in the Italian league.

Read on for full details on how to get a live stream of the 2020/21 Serie A season no matter where you are in the world with our guide below.

When does the Serie A 2020/21 season start?

Similar to the Premier League and La Liga, the Italian top-flight is scheduled to return this month, though the league is kicking off a week later than its European counterparts. The first raft of games is schedule to took place on September 19. The season is scheduled to finish on Sunday, May 23, 2021.

Current champions Juventus hosted Sampdoria in week one with fellow Champions League qualifiers Lazio and Atalanta facing off in Rome. AC Milan took on Bologna and rival Milan side Internazionale travelled to Serie B winners Benevento for their opening game.

We've got all the info on how to watch this season's Serie A action in your location below.

Watch Serie A online from outside your country

We have details of all the US, UK, Australian, and Canadian broadcasters of Serie A football further down in this guide. If you're looking to watch the action, 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.

ExpressVPN

From $6.67 per month at ExpressVPN

No matter where in the world you may be, a VPN is one of the easiest ways to watch Serie A. Get in on this deal now!

How to stream the 2020/21 Serie A season online in the U.S.

ESPN has broadcast rights to the Serie A in 2020/21 and is splitting fixtures across its various channels and ESPN+ service which gives you a few ways to watch the games live online.

Sling's Orange plan includes ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3 which will give you access to a variety of live games. Hulu with Live TV is another great option with ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNews. AT&T Now and YouTube TV also feature ESPN and ESPN2 plus some other sports channels that may make them better options depending on the other content you want to watch.

Over-the-top service fuboTV will live stream Rai Italia's Serie A coverage available to its subscribers in the USA.

Sling TV

$30 per month at Sling

Sign up for Sling TV to access Serie A matches!

How to stream the 2020/21 Serie A season online in the UK

You'll need to be a Premier Sports customer to watch all of the action from Serie A in the 2020/21 season the UK.

The subscription service is available to Sky and Virgin Media TV customers from just £9.99 a month for access to its live channels as well as the network's Premier Player streaming app. As part of your membership, you'll also get live coverage of La Liga, Scottish football, and the Dutch Eredivisie. If it's just streaming access you want, then go for the standalone Premier Player package that includes everything for online viewing for £9.99 a month.

How to stream the 2020/21 Serie A season online in Australia

If you're planning on watching the La Liga Down Under, then you'll need to be a BeIN Sports subscriber as the network holds live broadcast rights to the tournament for Australia.

Alternatively, subscribing to Kayo Sports gets you access to La Liga football from BeIN Sports among 50 other sports from AU$25 per month.

How to stream the 2020/21 Serie A season online in Canada

Sports streaming service DAZN holds the rights for live Serie A 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.

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Can you remove your Facebook account from Oculus Quest?

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)
• Keep it protected: Oculus Quest 2 travel case ($49 at Amazon)
• Most comfortable headset ever: Oculus Quest 2 Elite Strap ($49 at Amazon)

Forever entwined

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.

Our pick

Oculus Quest 2

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

Effortless VR

The Oculus Quest 2 brings all the best of Oculus to the best VR hardware Facebook has ever made.

Just in case

Oculus Quest 2 travel case

$49 at Amazon $49 at Best Buy $49 at Walmart

For on-the-go VR

The Quest 2 travel case is the best way to take your truly wireless Quest 2 with you anywhere while keeping it super safe.

A better fit

Oculus Quest 2 Elite Strap

$49 at Amazon $49 at Best Buy $49 at Walmart

For all-around comfort

The Quest 2 Elite Strap provides substantial comfort improvements when compared to the head strap included with the Oculus Quest 2.

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How do the Pixel 4a and the Motorola One 5G compare?

The phone for everyone

Google Pixel 4a

$350 at Amazon

Pros

• Flagship-grade camera quality
• Vibrant OLED display
• Compact and lightweight
• Great performance
• Three years of guaranteed updates

Cons

• Has just one rear camera
• Might be too small for some people

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.

Only at AT&T

Motorola One 5G

$445 at Best Buy

Pros

• 90Hz display is buttery smooth
• Tremendous battery life
• Fast, responsive performance
• Expandable storage
• Supports 5G connectivity

Cons

• Exclusive to AT&T
• Hit-or-miss cameras
• Disappointing hardware

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 phone for everyone

Google Pixel 4a

A seriously great value

$350 at Amazon $350 at Best Buy

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.

Only at AT&T

Motorola One 5G

Big battery, smooth display

$445 at Best Buy $445 at Motorola $445 at AT&T

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.

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Google expects to sell only 800K units of the Pixel 5 this year

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.

Get More Pixel 4

Google Pixel 4 & 4 XL

Pixel 4 From $799 at Amazon Pixel 4 XL From $899 at Amazon

• Google Pixel 4 review
• Google Pixel 4 XL review
• Best Pixel 4 cases
• Best Pixel 4 screen protectors
• Best Pixel 4 XL cases
• Best Pixel 4 XL screen protectors

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The Marshall Stanmore II Bluetooth speaker down to $250 has Alexa built in

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.

You can also find this deal over at Best Buy.

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.

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4 things we'd change about Chrome OS in 2020

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.

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Amex Credit card showdown: Blue Cash Preferred vs. Blue Cash Everyday

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.

Related: Best no-annual-fee credit cards

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.

Related: Blue Cash Everyday Card review: Tough sell in a competitive cash-back landscape

When you should get the Blue Cash Preferred

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.

Related: 3 reasons why the Amex Blue Cash Preferred comes out on top during the pandemic

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.

Related: Amex Blue Cash Preferred card review

Bottom line

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.

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Sonos sues Google again for 'stealing' its wireless audio tech

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.

Sonos One

$198 at Amazon $200 at Best Buy

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.

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