Synology DSM 7.0: All the new features you need to know

The latest version of DiskStation Manager is here, and you should install it right now.

Synology makes the best NAS enclosures you can buy today, and the brand's main differentiator is the software. DiskStation Manager (DSM) has powerful features that let you easily back up data, host your own mail, office, and VPN server, and so much more.

DiskStation Manager 6.0 launched back in 2016, and while the software picked up a lot of updates in the last four years, the core features have remained unchanged for the most part. That's why it's exciting to see that Synology is now rolling out the stable version of DiskStation Manager 7.0. DSM 7.0 brings a ton of new features, including a unified photo management service, fresh user interface, better system monitoring tools, new sharing and collaboration features, and more.

Here's everything you need to know about all the new features in DiskStation Manager 7.0, what NAS enclosures are eligible for the beta, and how you can install DSM 7.0 on your NAS right now.

The ideal NAS

Synology DiskStation DS220+

• $299 at Amazon
• $299 at Newegg
• $300 at B&H Photo

Everything you need

The DS220+ is a standout NAS that delivers everything you're looking for in a home server. The robust hardware means it is a great Plex server, it holds up to 32TB of storage, and has all the latest features that DSM has to offer.

Jump to:

• New features
• Eligible models
• How to install

What are the new features in DSM 7.0?

DSM 7.0 comes with redesigned storage management features that make it easier than ever to configure storage volumes and switch out hard drives. You can now see just how much data every individual DSM package is using, identify issues with any drives in the storage pool, and there are welcome enhancements to SSD caching.

Synology Photos is an interesting new addition that merges the Moments service with Photo Station, with the package now being the default photo management service on DSM. The service relies on AI to automatically sort and categorize images into albums, and it offers a seamless way to back up photos from all the phones connected on your home network to your NAS.

Active Insight is a centralized dashboard that lets you control all Synology NAS enclosures registered under the same account, so if you remotely manage a NAS, the feature definitely comes in handy. Synology Drive is getting an admin console that monitor file transfers, usage trends, and much more. And there's Hybrid Share, a useful tool for small businesses that hooks into Synology's C2 cloud service and backs up data, making it accessible across different locations.

There are also exciting changes around file sharing, security, and virtualization. The detailed release notes list all the new additions in DSM 7.0:

Storage

• A new revision of Storage Manager:
  • Added visuals of Synology NAS models with their drive slots, expansion units, and built-in M.2 slots to help users view drive status.
  • Enhanced usability with a clearer display of the relationship between storage pools, volumes, and SSD caches.
  • Enhanced the setup process of Hot Spare and Data Scrubbing.
  • Added a feature to guide users through configuring newly inserted drives.
  • New features of storage pools, volumes, and drives:
  • Supports performing different tasks on different storage pools simultaneously.
  • Supports updating the firmware for Synology drives.
  • Enhanced the access performance of RAID 6 by 80% on Broadwell (FS1018, SA3400, RS1619xs+, DS3018xs) and Grantley (FS3017) CPUs.
  • Enhanced the access performance of degraded RAID 6 by 70%.
  • Added display of the storage usage of each category item on Btrfs volumes.
  • Added a new Fast Repair mechanism to reduce the time needed for RAID repair based on storage usage and thus reduce the time of RAID degradation.
  • Added the ability to replace a drive in a healthy storage pool with an unused one without interrupting services or causing storage pool degradation.
  • Added the ability to automatically replace Critical or Failing drives in protected storage pools with Hot Spare.
  • Added the Auto Repair feature to automatically run a RAID repair when a malfunctioned drive is replaced with a healthy one in the same drive slot.
  • Added the ability to eject a storage pool on an expansion unit to ensure the safe removal of drives without interrupting system services.
  • Added the ability to mount storage pools from drives that are inserted after the device has been powered on without interrupting system services.
  • Added support for Western Digital Device Analytics (WDDA) health analytics service for compatible WD Purple, Red, and Red Pro drives.
• New features of SSD Cache:
  • Added the ability to create and remove SSD caches without interrupting system services.
  • Added the new SSD Cache Advisor to monitor I/O accesses and provide more accurate capacity recommendations.
  • Added the ability to pin all Btrfs metadata to SSD caches to enhance the performance of accessing small files and shorten the response time when accessing files regularly.
  • Added the ability to activate automatic protection on SSD read-write caches with multi-drive fault tolerance.
  • Added support for the quick write-back mechanism, delivering a 30% faster synchronization from SSD caches to HDDs when automatic protection is activated.

Resource Monitor

• Revamped the display of recorded performance metrics with a finer granularity of data points and the ability to focus on certain time points.
• Enhanced monitoring transparency of system services by separating larger, unrelated processes.
• Added the ability to manage currently accessed files and their connected users to better handle locked files.

File System/File Services

• Supports enabling/disabling file compression for shared folders created on DSM 7.0.
• Enhanced file compression ratio and added display for the current ratio for each shared folder.
• Added support for cross-protocol locking between SMB and AFP.
• Supports accessing encrypted shared folders via NFS.
• Enhanced Btrfs performance and lowered I/O latency.
• Modularized the SMB file service into a package.
• Allows users to enable/disable SMB transfer logs for permission changes, providing more flexible transfer logs.
• Enhanced the encryption performance by up to 10% on certain models with the x86 platform.

User Management

• Enhanced the password policy. Passwords must exclude username and description, include both upper-case and lower-case letters as well as numerical digits. The minimum password length is 8 characters.
• Added the ability to delegate predefined administrator roles to non-administrator user accounts and allow them to manage certain services and system settings, offering more flexible permission management.
• Added the ability to require imported users to change their passwords after their initial DSM logins.
• Added the ability to assign user accounts from import lists to specific groups.

Domain/LDAP Integration

• Enhanced LDAP client authentication performance by reducing the number of queries sent with a caching mechanism.
• The following services and packages now support UPN logins: Synology Assistant, Hyper Backup, Synology Mail Server, Synology Calendar, and Shared Folder Sync.
• Enhanced domain database synchronization performance by syncing only altered data.

Security

• Added the ability to block USB and console ports.
• Enhanced QuickConnect connection process to strengthen security.
• Provides only TLS 1.3 support for the Modern Compatibility option for TLS/SSL profile level.
• Added the ability to set 2-factor authentication as mandatory for specific users or groups.

User Experience

• Enhanced user experience for DSM first-time installation and Synology Account related service setup (e.g. QuickConnect).
• Added information and usage tips about security, notification, and other recommended settings in DSM Help.
• Added the ability to back up DSM system configuration to a connected Synology Account.
• Added support for application webhook integration to send system notifications to Synology Chat and other third-party applications.
• Added severity levels to notifications for better categorization of events.
• Enhanced user interface responsiveness to launch installed packages and services faster.
• Enhanced login performance when connecting from external networks.
• Enhanced user experience for package update processes by displaying the update status with package icons on the DSM desktop.
• Resetting the passwords of all user accounts in the administrators group by pressing the RESET button on Synology NAS for 4 seconds.
• Enhanced Control Panel usability by reorganizing related functionality together:
  • Added a new Synology Account tab to consolidate future services provided through Synology Account.
  • Consolidated Domain/LDAP options to be configured in a new unified wizard.
  • Consolidated QuickConnect settings into the External Access tab.
  • Consolidated User and Groups settings.
  • Consolidated Theme and Application Portal options into Login Portal tab.
  • Consolidated email notification options into Notification > Email tab.
  • Consolidated WS-Discovery into File Services > SMB.
  • Consolidated Network > DSM Settings into Login Portal > Web Services.
  • Relocated the SMB Server Signing option to File Services > SMB > Advanced Settings.
  • Moved Shared Folder Sync into the File Services tab.
  • Moved the Enforce 2-factor authentication option into the Security tab.
  • Modularized DHCP Server into a package.

What NAS enclosures are eligible for DSM 7.0?

Synology has shared the full list of NAS enclosures that can install the DSM 7.0 stable version. Most NAS enclosures released within the last seven years — from the DiskStation DS220j to the 2013 DS213j — are eligible to install the latest version of the operating system. These are the Synology NAS enclosures that can install the DSM 7.0 right now:

21-series:

• DS1621+
• RS1221+
• DS1821+
• RS2421RP+
• RS2421+
• RS1221RP+
• RS2821RP+

20-series:

• DS120j
• DS220j
• DS220+
• DS420j
• DS420+
• DS620slim
• DS720+
• DS920+
• DS1520+
• RS820+
• RS820RP+

19-series:

• DS119j
• DS419slim
• DS1019+
• DS1819+
• DS2419+
• DS2419+II
• RS819
• RS1219+

18-series:

• DS118
• DS218j
• DS218play
• DS218
• DS218+
• DS418j
• DS418play
• DS418
• DS718+
• DS918+
• DS1618+
• RS818+
• RS818RP+
• RS2418+
• RS2418RP+
• RS2818RP+

17-series:

• DS1517
• DS1517+
• DS1817
• DS1817+
• RS217

16-series:

• DS116
• DS216j
• DS216se
• DS216
• DS216play
• DS216+
• DS216+II
• DS416j
• DS416
• DS416slim
• DS416play
• DS716+
• DS716+II
• DS916+
• RS816
• RS2416+
• RS2416RP+

15-series:

• DS115j
• DS115
• DS215j
• DS215+
• DS415+
• DS415play
• DS715
• DS1515
• DS1515+
• DS1815+
• DS2415+
• RS815
• RS815+
• RS815RP+

14-series:

• DS114
• DS214
• DS214se
• DS214+
• DS214play
• DS414j
• DS414slim
• DS414
• RS214
• RS814
• RS814+
• RS814RP+
• RS2414+
• RS2414RP+

13-series:

• DS213j
• DS713+
• DS1513+
• DS1813+
• DS2413+

Note that the full list of eligible models includes Synology's business-focused enclosures. These models aren't getting the DSM 7.0 build just yet, so if you're running a RackStation or a DiskStation model that's targeted at businesses — like the DS1621xs+ — you will have to wait a little while. Here's the list of all NAS enclosures that are eligible for DSM 7.0:

21-series:

• DS1621+
• DS1621xs+
• RS1221+
• DS1821+
• RS2421RP+
• RS2421+
• RS1221RP+
• RS2821RP+

20-series:

• DS120j
• DS220j
• DS220+
• DS420j
• DS420+
• DS620slim
• DS720+
• DS920+
• DS1520+
• FS6400
• FS3600
• SA3400
• SA3600
• RS820RP+
• FS3400
• RS820+
• SA3200D

19-series:

• DS119j
• DS419slim
• DS1019+
• DS1819+
• DS2419+
• RS819
• RS1219+
• RS1619xs+

18-series:

• DS118
• DS218j
• DS218play
• DS218
• DS218+
• DS418j
• DS418
• DS418play
• DS718+
• DS918+
• DS1618+
• DS3018xs
• FS1018
• RS818+
• RS818RP+
• RS2418+
• RS2418RP+
• RS2818RP+
• RS3618xs

17-series:

• DS1517
• DS1517+
• DS1817
• DS1817+
• DS3617xs
• FS2017
• FS3017
• RS217
• RS3617xs
• RS3617xs+
• RS3617RPxs
• RS4017xs+
• RS18017xs+

16-series:

• DS116
• DS216j
• DS216se
• DS216
• DS216play
• DS216+
• DS216+II
• DS416j
• DS416
• DS416slim
• DS416play
• DS716+
• DS716+II
• DS916+
• RS816
• RS2416+
• RS2416RP+
• RS18016xs+

15-series:

• DS115j
• DS115
• DS215j
• DS215+
• DS415+
• DS415play
• DS715
• DS1515
• DS1515+
• DS1815+
• DS2015xs
• DS2415+
• DS3615xs
• RS815
• RS815+
• RS815RP+
• RC18015xs+

14-series:

• DS114
• DS214
• DS214se
• DS214+
• DS214play
• DS414j
• DS414slim
• DS414
• RS214
• RS814
• RS814+
• RS814RP+
• RS2414+
• RS2414RP+
• RS3614xs
• RS3614xs+
• RS3614RPxs

13-series:

• DS213j
• DS713+
• DS1513+
• DS1813+
• DS2413+
• RS3413xs+
• RS10613xs+

Others:

• VirtualDSM

How to install DSM 7.0 on your NAS

Before you install DSM 7.0, there are a few points to consider. There's no way to downgrade to DSM 6.2 following the switch, so make sure you're ready to take the plunge. To install DSM 7.0, you'll have to make sure that your NAS is currently running DSM 6.2 or above. Head to Control Panel > Update & Restore to see if your NAS is on DSM 6.2, and install any updates available.

DSM 7.0 is rolling out as a stable build, so it should be available as an OTA update for your NAS. But if it isn't available on your enclosure just yet, you can easily install it manually. Here's how you can install the stable version of DSM 7.0 on your NAS:

1. Go to the Synology Download Center to download the DSM 7.0 package for your NAS.
2. In the Select product type menu, select NAS.
3. Enter your NAS model name or scroll down the list to locate it.
4. You should see all the OS packages for your NAS. To see the DSM 7.0 build, you will have to change the OS Version (it's located on the right of the page) from the default 6.2 series to 7.0 series.
5. You should now see the DSM 7.0 RC build package show up. Hit the Download button to start the download. The build will save as a .pat file.
6. Once the build is downloaded, you'll have to head over to your NAS to initiate the update. Within DSM 6.2, navigate to Control Panel.
7. Choose Update and Restore within the System section.
8. Select Manual DSM Update.
9. You can use the Browse button to locate the DSM 7.0 build that you downloaded earlier. This will be the .pat file.
10. Once you've found the file, hit OK to start updating your NAS to DSM 7.0.

It should take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes to install DSM 7.0. The new visual design combined with exciting new features like Photos and Active Insight make DSM 7.0 a noteworthy update, and if you've been waiting to install the build on your NAS, now is the time to do so.

The ideal NAS

Synology DiskStation DS220+

• $299 at Amazon
• $299 at Newegg
• $300 at B&H Photo

Everything you need in a NAS

The DS220+ is a standout NAS that delivers everything you're looking for in a home server. The robust hardware means it is a great Plex server, it holds up to 32TB of storage, and has all the latest features that DSM has to offer.

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Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic leak shows off popular design feature

Alongside the Galaxy Watch 4 Active, Samsung might be releasing a Galaxy Watch 4 Classic.

What you need to know

• New leaks purport to show the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic.
• The phone is rumored to be launching alongside the Galaxy Watch 4 Active.
• Both are to make an appearance at Unpacked later this summer.

Samsung has been working on the new Galaxy Watch 4, as it's presumed to be called, and leaked renders from Android Headlines give us a look at one of the models.

Aside from the Galaxy Watch 4 Active, which might actually just be the regular Galaxy Watch 4, the company is launching a more conventional Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. Both will run the new One UI-based Wear experience co-developed by Google, but the Classic model would be aimed at a more mainstream audience than the fitness-focused Active model.

Android Headlines reports that the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic will come in three sizes and three colors. A 42mm size, a 44mm size, and a 46mm size will offer variety to customers who may be enthralled by its sleek design and the presence of a rotating bezel. As for colors, the Watch 4 Classic will come in white, gray, and black.

Samsung will reportedly offer this in either stainless steel and aluminum models. For protection, the company will cover these with Gorilla Glass DX or DX+ for the steel or aluminum models, respectively. It'll also be 5ATM rated for shower and pool use, much like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and features MIL-STD-810G certification.

Samsung is expected to announce the new Galaxy Watch 4 models at an Unpacked event this August, where they will be the first to run the new Wear OS update. It is also predicted to be releasing the Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G, the Galaxy Z Fold 3, and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE at the same launch event.

Still Good

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

$250 at Amazon $250 at Best Buy $250 at Walmart

A well balanced option

So you might not be getting the new Wear with this older watch, but it's a good-looking and durable smartwatch that integrates well with your Samsung phone and tablet.

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These are the best movies on HBO Max right now

All the best movies streaming on HBO Max today.

HBO Max launched in 2020 as the digital hub for all of HBO's exclusive content. It features a rotating lineup of hundreds of television series and movies from Warner Bros., DC, Studio Ghibli, and more. HBO Max will also launch brand new films from WarnerMedia in 2021 without waiting for them to play in theaters first. Here are the best movies on HBO Max right now, from new drama and comedy films to the best in action franchises and classic films.

The best movies on HBO Max

• Popular movies
• Best action films
• Best comedy films
• Best documentary films
• Best classic films

Movies and more

HBO Max

$15 at HBO Max

Find new releases and old favorites on HBO Max

HBO Max provides streamers with access to film and television content from HBO, WarnerMedia, and DC, among other studios. Subscribe now to check out new blockbusters or your longtime faves.

Popular Movies on HBO Max

WarnerMedia announced at the end of 2020 that it would be releasing its entire slate of blockbusters in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously in 2021. In addition to those blockbuster releases, HBO Max boasts a rotating lineup of fan-favorite films, which are refreshed regularly. With that in mind, here are the best new releases and additions on HBO Max right now.

2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)

Revisit a fan-favorite installment in the Fast and Furious franchise with 2 Fast 2 Furious. The standalone sequel to 2001's The Fast and the Furious introduces fans to Tej Parker (Chris "Ludacris" Bridges), Monica Fuentes (Eva Mendes), and Suki (Devin Aoki) to La Familia.

Fatale (2020)

Fatale stars Michael Ealy as sports agent Derrick Tyler, whose perfect life is turned upside down after a one-night stand with a mysterious woman named Valerie (Hilary Swank), who also happens to be a cop.

In the Heights (2021)

Jon Chu's film adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights musical follows bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) regarding the changes occurring within his neighborhood, New York City's Washington Heights. The musical leaves HBO Max on July 11.

Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)

Hitting theaters and HBO Max on July 16, Space Jam: A New Legacy finds LeBron James teaming up with Bugs Bunny to save both his son and the Tune Squad. The film also features the voice of Don Cheadle as Al G. Rhythm and Zendaya as Lola Bunny.

Young Hearts (2021)

A modern love story in the age of Time's Up and Me Too, Young Hearts follows the unlikely romance between high school freshman Harper and her upperclassmen boyfriend, Tilly, who also happens to be her brother's best friend.

Action on HBO Max

HBO Max is also the place to go for action-packed movies full of adventure that has been licensed for streaming. Whether suspenseful, fast-action flicks or sci-fi thrillers are your thing, here are the top action movies and franchises on HBO Max to watch before they're gone.

Aquaman (2018)

Get amped for the upcoming Aquaman 2 by rewatching 2018's Aquaman. The film follows Jason Momoa's Arthur Curry as he sets off on a mission to retrieve the legendary Trident of Atlan and save both the underwater city of Atlantis and the surface world — from his power-hungry brother (Patrick Wilson). The film also stars Amber Heard and Willem Dafoe.

Blade franchise

The Blade franchise stars Wesley Snipes as the titular vampire hunter, who sets out on a dangerous mission to avenge his mother's death at the hands of ruthless bloodsuckers. The three-part story unfolds in 1999's Blade, 2002's Blade II and 2004's Blade: Trinity.

Dune (1984)

While Denis Villeneuve's remake of Dune is set to hit HBO Max and theaters in October, the original Dune is streaming now on the platform. The 1984 version stars Kyle MacLachlan as Paul Atreides, who leads a group of desert warriors against the galactic emperor following the assassination of his father.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road serves as a prequel to the Mad Max film trilogy starring Mel Gibson. Fury Road follows Tom Hardy as a younger version of Max Rockatansky, who joins a group fleeing across the Wasteland and led an elite Imperator named Furiosa (Charlize Theron).

No Sudden Move (2021)

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, No Sudden Move follows a group of small-time criminals in 1954 Detroit who are hired to steal a document. However, when the heist goes horribly wrong, the team must track down the person who hired them. The ensemble cast includes Brendan Fraser, Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, and Jon Hamm. The film hits HBO Max on July 1.

Comedy on HBO Max

13 Going on 30 (2004)

Starring Jennifer Garner, 13 Going on 30 tells the story of a bullied tween who makes a wish on her 13th birthday to be a successful 30-year-old woman. Things get wild when she wakes up the next morning to find her wish has come true.

How to Be Single (2016)

How to Be Single follows a group of young New Yorkers as they attempt to navigate dating in the Big Apple in the time of texting and dating apps. The ensemble cast includes Rebel Wilson, Dakota Johnson, Alison Brie, and Leslie Mann.

Shazam! (2019)

Get ready for the highly-anticipated Shazam! sequel by watching the original film. Released in 2019, Shazam! follows a 14-year-old named Billy Batson, who can magically transform into the adult superhero Shazam (Zachary Levi) simply by shouting out one word. His newfound powers get put to the ultimate test when he comes face-to-face with the evil Dr. Thaddeus Sivana.

This Is 40 (2012)

Directed by Judd Apatow, This Is 40 stars Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann as a couple trying to balance their marriage and being parents while also dealing with a milestone birthday.

An American Pickle (2020)

An American Pickle stars Seth Rogen as a struggling laborer named Herschel Greenbaum, who reemerges in the present day after being trapped in a vat of pickles for 100 years. Rogen also stars as Greenbaum's only living relative in modern-day Brooklyn, his mild-mannered great-grandson Ben.

Documentaries on HBO Max

After Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News (2020)

In After Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News, filmmaker Andrew Rossi examines the rising phenomenon of fake news and how it actually impacts the average United States citizen.

Alabama Snake (2020)

Alabama Snake explores the true story of a Pentecostal minister named Glenn Summerford, who remains in prison after being accused in 1991 of attempting to murder his wife with a rattlesnake.

Banksy Does New York (2014)

Banksy Does New York documents the infamous artist Banksy during his month-long residency in New York City through social media content and curated video shot by local fans.

LFG (2021)

LFG gives viewers an inside look at the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team's ongoing battle for equal pay. The film features new interviews and insights from World Cup champions Megan Rapinoe, Jessica McDonald, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelley O'Hara, and Sam Mewis.

Tina (2021)

Described as Tina Turner's swan song, Dan Lindsay and T.J. Martin's Tina reflects on the rock-and-roll legend's tragedies and triumphs in five incredible acts.

Classic films on HBO Max

HBO Max also offers various award-winning and history-making films that you probably grew up being told to watch. If you want to revisit a favorite or view a Hollywood classic for the first time, HBO Max is the place to go. Here are five classic films available on HBO Max.

Cabaret (1972)

Cabaret stars Liza Minelli as an ambitious singer and master of ceremonies who tries to bring happiness to the patrons at her club amidst the rise of Nazism in 1931 Berlin.

Lethal Weapon (1987)

Lethal Weapon stars Mel Gibson as Los Angeles police detective Martin Riggs, who has become reckless following the death of his wife. When Riggs is partnered with Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), the two immediately start to clash.

National Lampoon's Vacation (1983)

In National Lampoon's Vacation, the Griswold family set out on a road trip from Chicago to a West Coast theme park called Walley World. With patriarch Clark (Chevy Chase) at the helm, things go wildly off the rails.

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

Starring James Dean as rebellious teenager Jim Stark, Rebel Without a Cause follows a group of emotionally confused suburban, middle-class teenagers living in Los Angeles. The film also stars Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, and Jim Backus.

The Wedding Singer (1998)

Set in 1985, The Wedding Singer stars Adam Sandler as a broken-hearted nice guy named Robbie, who's stuck in one of the most romantic jobs in the world: a wedding singer. After being dumped by his fiancée, Robbie falls for a young named Julie (Drew Barrymore), who enlists him to help plan her wedding to another man.

More exclusives on HBO Max

HBO Max is also the exclusive home for the Studio Ghibli Collection. As part of the partnership, the entire Studio Ghibli catalog can stream now via HBO Max. This includes award-winning animated titles such as My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Spirited Away.

Outside of the Studio Ghibli projects, HBO Max offers a wide selection of family-friendly content perfect for your next family backyard theater experience, including favorites like The Wizard of Oz, The Witches (2020), Happy Feet, and Free Willy.

There's a lot to consider when choosing what to stream these days, especially when you're presented with the amount of content available on HBO Max versus Peacock versus Disney+ and so on. And like its competitors, HBO Max regularly updates its expansive media library with fresh content and brand new releases.

Among the most-anticipated releases on HBO Max is James Gunn's Suicide Squad, which will hit the platform for a limited time on Aug. 6, and Denis Villeneuve's highly-anticipated Dune remake, which is scheduled to debut on Oct. 1. Meanwhile, the Hugh Jackman-led sci-fi thriller Reminiscence is scheduled to bow on August 20, and a fourth installment in the Matrix franchise is scheduled to debut in theaters and on HBO Max on Dec. 22.

Movies, movies, movies

HBO Max

$15 at HBO Max

HBO Max has all the new movies

The HBO Max streaming library boasts more than 10,000 hours of exclusive film and television content from HBO and WarnerMedia. Check out new releases, all-time classics, and your personal favorites.

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Facebook is creating a subscription-based newsletter to take on Substack

Creators will have tools to understand and grow their audience.

What you need to know

• Facebook is launching a subscription-based newsletter that is very similar to Substack.
• Creators will be able to keep all of their subscription revenue for the time of their partnership.
• Creators will also have ways to connect with users more with tools to help understand their audience.

Facebook wants to take on Substack by launching its version of a subscription newsletter called "Bulletin."

The company announced the new product on June 29, which will allow writers to publish free and paid newsletters that can be posted on the internet and also sent to subscribers. These newsletters can also be shared on Facebook, the company said in a blog post.

Facebook says that it will allow writers to keep all of their subscription revenue for the time "of these partnerships, and will have the ability to take their subscriber lists and content with them."

It noted that payments will be handled by Facebook Pay, which will let subscribers pay with a credit card, debit card, or through PayPal.

Writers will have access to analytics tools that will help them understand their audience so they can grow it over time, Facebook noted.

The social media giant also noted that writers will have a "standalone website under their own brand, and will be able to customize their publication's name, logo and color palette."

Facebook launched this new service shortly after it launched Live Audio rooms, which is available on the best Android phones.

During a call in a Live Audio room, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that the platform is "focused on empowering independent writers, helping them reach new audiences and power their businesses."

He added that Bulletin will help Facebook's mission to "support eventually millions of people doing creative work."

Fidji Simo, head of the Facebook app, said in a post on Facebook that Bulletin will be free for creators until 2023. She added that the platform will also give the creators the ability to build "more opportunities to foster deeper connections with their audiences, like the ability to create free or subscriber-only Facebook groups."

The Verge reported that Facebook has signed up Malcolm Gladwell, Tan France, and Erin Andrews, among others to cover different topics like sports, finance, science, and medicine.

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Amazon's Halo app can now help you improve your 'functional fitness'

The newest Halo feature aims to help improve your movement health.

Update, June 30 (12:00 pm ET): The Movement Health feature is now rolling out.

What you need to know

• Movement Health is the latest feature addition to Amazon's Halo experience.
• The new feature will analyze your movement health and suggest corrective exercises to help you improve.
• Movement Health will be available via Amazon's Halo app in the coming weeks.

Amazon has added a new feature to Halo to help improve the way you move. The feature, which is dubbed Movement Health, will be available to Halo members within the Halo app in the coming weeks.

The new Movement Health feature lets you easily assess your functional fitness, which is defined as the body's readiness to perform everyday movements like bending, reaching, lifting, pulling, pushing, and walking. Maintaining good movement health is essential to perform basic movements such as picking something up from the floor, lifting up your child or pet, carrying groceries, or running.

Once the feature becomes available, you'll be able to begin a short assessment of your movement health by opening the Halo app on the best Android phones and setting up your phone camera. The app will then guide you through five simple movements – single leg balances, forward lunges, overhead squats, overhead reaches, and feet together squats. Halo will evaluate your body position using computer vision and machine learning to identify limitations in your mobility, stability, and posture as you perform the exercises.

After the assessment is completed, you'll get an overall Movement score out of 100, along with details about your limitations. Amazon claims the assessment can deliver "comparable accuracy to an in-person assessment with a professional trainer."

To help you improve your movement health, Halo will provide you a personalized program of corrective exercise videos with guided instruction from the renowned coach and physical therapist Dr. Kelly Starrett.

Explaining the importance of movement health, Dr. Starrett said in a statement:

This feature is a game changer. It replicates the experience of a professional assessment — putting the expertise of a trained coach's eye right in your Halo app, providing a highly accurate assessment on the state of your movement health. Halo then provides targeted, easy-to-perform exercises and resources that will help improve your ability to move freely and effortlessly in your daily life.

Update, June 30 (12:00pm ET) ― Movement Health is now available for use in the Amazon Halo app

Amazon Halo members can now use the Movement Health feature to assess their functional fitness in the Halo app.

Amazon Halo

$100 at Amazon

Amazon's Halo fitness tracker offers a number of features that help you better understand your physical health, including some that you won't find on rival products. It also has an attractive design and is comfortable to wear.

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Is the Galaxy S21 worth an extra $100 over the S20 FE?

Best overall

Samsung Galaxy S21

$700 at Amazon $800 at Samsung $800 at Best Buy

Pros

• Gaming-optimized Snapdragon 888
• Aggressive trade-in deals
• Smaller, trimmer design
• Newer One UI 3.1 software

Cons

• No microSD slot
• No charger in the box

The Galaxy S21 is a compact, affordable flagship with three great cameras and the latest One UI 3.1 software. The screen is better than ever, and with Samsung's current trade-in offers, you can grab the S21 for an unbeatable price.

Even better value

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE

$600 at Amazon $600 at Best Buy $600 at B&H

Pros

• Expandable microSD storage
• Optical 3x telephoto camera
• Retails for $100 less
• Larger battery

Cons

• Older specs and software
• Less generous trade-in

The S20 FE is a terrific phone at a great price, with many features as the newer S21. It's the most affordable option in the Galaxy S series, with a larger screen and plenty of great colors to choose from.

When the Galaxy S20 FE launched last fall, it set a new standard for Samsung's affordable flagship line, offering just about everything the higher-end models could do for hundreds less. The Galaxy S21 follows in the FE's footsteps with a flat display, plastic body, and all of the same ultra-powerful specs of its pricier counterparts. So which of these affordable models is the right choice for you?

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE: Battle of the budget bangers

Plastic isn't the dirty word it used to be. The Galaxy S21 and S20 FE feature polycarbonate backings that help bring the total cost down without sacrificing build quality. This is still top-notch hardware, free of any creaking or bending. As a bonus, plastic is less prone to shattering than the glass used in some of the other best Samsung phones.

The Galaxy S21 is slightly smaller than the S20 FE and has tighter bezels around the display upfront. It has a newer design with a refined camera housing, though both phones feature similar triple camera systems. The Galaxy S20 FE impressed last year when it shipped with the same top-end Snapdragon 865 processor as the rest of the S20 series. The S21 kicks it up a notch with the latest Snapdragon 888, which focuses largely on gaming performance, 5G support, and image processing for photography.

Both phones are IP68 water- and dust-resistant and ship with 128GB of internal storage. However, while the S20 FE has a single storage configuration, the S21 can be upgraded to 256GB and benefits from 8GB of RAM versus the S20 FE's 6GB. The FE does have one advantage over the newer S21, though: microSD support. The S21 lacks expandable storage of any kind, so you'll need to plan for your storage needs at the time of purchase.

Category	Galaxy S21	Galaxy S20 FE
Operating System	Android 11 + One UI 3.1	Android 11 + One UI 3.0
Display	6.2 inches, 2400x1080 (421 ppi) resolution, Dynamic AMOLED 2X	6.5 inches, 2400x1080 (407 ppi) resolution, Super AMOLED Plus
Processor	Snapdragon 888	Snapdragon 865
Storage	128/256GB, 8GB	128GB, 6GB
Rear Camera	12MP, ƒ/1.8, 1.8µm (wide) 12MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.4µm (ultra-wide) 64MP, ƒ/2.0, 0.8µm (telephoto)	12MP, ƒ/1.8, 1.8µm (wide) 12MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.12µm (ultra-wide) 8MP, ƒ/2.4, 1.0µm (telephoto)
Front Camera	10MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.22µm	32MP, ƒ/2.2, 0.8µm
Battery	4000mAh	4500mAh
Water Resistance	IP68	IP68
Dimensions	159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4mm, 190g	159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4mm, 190g

You'll get a great screen on either device, as well. The S20 FE has a larger screen at 6.5 inches, but both measure in at 1080p with an ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Each phone also runs on Android 11 with Samsung's One UI interface, but while the S20 FE has been updated to One UI 3.0, the Galaxy S21 ships with the newer One UI 3.1, which comes with new features like the ability to swap the Samsung Free feed to the left of the home screen with the Google Discover feed.

A large focus of each phone is the camera system, and both feature nearly evenly-matched triple-camera arrays with 12MP primary sensors, backed by ultra-wide and telephoto cameras. While the main and ultra-wide sensors are more or less identical, the S20 FE utilizes an optical 3x telephoto sensor, while the S21 crops in on a higher resolution image to achieve the same effect. You'll see similarly great results from either phone, with 3x zoom from the telephoto camera that reaches up to 30x thanks to Samsung's Hybrid Optic Zoom technology.

Here's the real kicker, though: the Galaxy S21 is currently available for as low as $100 through aggressive trade-in offers. While you can knock a few hundred dollars off of the S20 FE's price (which typically retails for a bit less than the S21), it's tough to beat the S21's current price — assuming you have a relatively new phone to trade in already. If you already have the S20 FE, there's no reason to upgrade to the S21, but if you're stuck deciding between the two, the S21 is a no-brainer.

Best overall

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G

Trade-in offers make it an unbeatable deal

$800 at Amazon $800 at Samsung $800 at Best Buy

The Galaxy S21 is a compact, affordable flagship with three great cameras and the latest One UI 3.1 software. The display is better than ever, and with Samsung's current trade-in offers, you can grab the S21 for an unbeatable price.

Even better value

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G

Save a Benjamin without sacrificing on experience

$600 at Amazon $600 at Best Buy $600 at B&H

The S20 FE is a terrific phone at a great price, with many features as the newer S21. It's the most affordable option in the Galaxy S series, with a larger display and plenty of great colors to choose from.

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