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Google has smartened up texting, music, and video. Now it wants to do the same for your bank.

What you need to know

Google is working on its own branded payment card.
This card will be a debit card, powered by Google Pay and backed by more conventional financial institutions.
Google says that it’ll have more to share in the coming months.

Google has made a name for itself in building smarter experiences for consumers in products ranging from maps to music to video. Now it wants to do so with banking. In the wake of the Apple Card, a new report indicates that Google is working on its own branded payment card.

TechCrunch broke the report today, saying:

The Google card and associated checking account will allow users to buy things with a card, mobile phone or online. It connects to a Google app with new features that let users easily monitor purchases, check their balance or lock their account. The card will be co-branded with different bank partners, including CITI and Stanfo…

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.

Capital One has added new ways for cardholders to redeem their Venture miles.

In light of people staying home and putting travel plans on hold until pandemic concerns subside, Capital One has added three new categories where you can redeem your miles at a fixed-value. Starting today, April 16, 2020, through June 30, 2020, you’ll also be able to use the Venture purchase eraser feature on takeout, delivery and streaming services. For Spark Miles business cardholders, you’ll be able to use the business purchase eraser feature for takeout, delivery and phone services.

I confirmed with Capital One that the redemption rate would be the same as for travel at 1 cent per point. Capital One® Venture® Reward…

Not all great headphones have to be super expensive. And not all cheap headphones have to be bad. Sometimes you have to find the middle ground. The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 are a perfect example of this with superb sound quality, long battery life, and are super comfortable to use for long periods.

Best Overall: Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 are by far the best value when it comes to headphones in this price range. They have physical media controls that are super solid, long battery life with up to 30 hours on a single charge, and are ultra-comfortable for long term use.

In terms of sound quality, the BackBeat Pro 2 offers a modest bass boost making it suitable for more bass-heavy genres such as EDM, hip-hop, or rap. However, the rest of the sound is fairly balanced making them versatile enough for most other genres.

For comfort, the BackBeat Pro 2 are decent. The ear cups and headband are super soft and comfy, not causing any discomfort or fatigui…

The all-new eufy Security Indoor Cam 2K series has been unveiled, and there’s already an opportunity to save on the model of your choice! Though the new line isn’t set to begin shipping to customers until the end of May, pre-ordering now could save you up to 35% off the full cost. You’ll just need to use the appropriate promo code during checkout to snag the discount. We’ll get into which to use on which camera below.

There are two different models in the eufy Security Indoor Cam 2K series lineup currently: the standard eufy Security Indoor Cam 2K and the enhanced, 2K Pan & Tilt version. While the standard version could be sat on a bookshelf or a counter, the Pan & Tilt model is much more versatile and can even be adhered to a more inconspicuous place, such as high up in the corner of your wall or on the ceiling.

While the standard Indoor Cam 2K model is set to be priced at $39.99 normally, today you can use promo code WSEUFYIDC1 during checkout to save $14 off its cost. Th…

Like other laptops, the trackpad on a Chromebook works well enough for most situations. But you might find yourself in a situation where you could make use of a separate mouse, especially if you’re now working from home. It might be while using a larger display to multitask, when you need to scroll through various documents, files, or columns on a spreadsheet, or during video gaming time. Most wireless mice will work with Chromebooks but here are some great options if you’re looking to find the perfect one to meet your unique needs.

No risk, easy set-up

Seenda Wireless Mouse

Staff pick

Available in tons of cool colors including this pastel-like mint green, this versatile mouse is compact enough to throw into your bag and easy to set up via the USB dongle and instant connection via a 2.4GHz network without the need to install drivers. Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty that promises a free replacement if it’s defective.

$13 at Amazon
From $15 at Walmart

Super quiet operat…

If you have an account with a VPN provider, you can use it on your Chromebook, too! While most VPN companies have something you can download for Windows or Mac that’s a one-click-install set up, you’ll need to enter the information manually on your Chromebook. It’s not difficult; you don’t need to know any network jargon or define any extra parameters, and any VPN setup to work with OpenVPN is compatible.

Products used in this guide

Best all-around: ExpressVPN (See latest pricing at ExpressVPN)
Keep safe from prying eyes: NordVPN (See latest pricing at NordVPN)
Protect passwords and browing: Dashlane (From $5/month at Dashlane)
Bear-y safe: TunnelBear (Try TunnelBear for free today)

Before you start…

If you haven’t already, you should check to see if your VPN company has an app in the Chrome Web Store. There are many VPN providers that do, including the ones we mentioned above, and you can install their apps like you would any other app or extension.

If your VPN company does…

The phone’s launch date has apparently been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

What you need to know

According to a new rumor, the mid-range OnePlus Z is still on its way.
Its has apparently been postponed due to the coronavirus crisis and is now expected to debut this summer.
The phone is rumored to feature a MediaTek Dimensity 1000 chipset and a flat AMOLED display.

The rumored mid-range OnePlus smartphone was a no-show at the company’s OnePlus 8 series launch event earlier this week. According to reliable tipster @OnLeaks, however, the phone is still on its way, but has been delayed due to the COVID-19 crisis.

According to my sources, that model was initially planned to be unveiled along with the #OnePlus8 series during yesterday’s event but has been postponed (at least to upcoming summer) due to #CoronaVirus situation…— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) April 16, 2020

The tipster says the mid-range phone, expected to be called the OnePlus Z, will be launched sometime t…

Smart home assistants don’t just come in the form of a speaker. Plenty of options are available with a screen, which adds even more functionality. One example is the Lenovo Smart Display 7 on sale for $99 shipped at B&H. That’s $30 off the regular price for this Blizzard White model and a match for the lowest we’ve seen it go. You’ll also get a Lenovo smart plug worth $30 thrown in at no extra cost. You can get the smart speaker alone at Lenovo for $100, though there’s no freebie there.

Lenovo has been selling its 8- and 10-inch Smart Displays for a while now, and last year came out with a smaller bedside version with the Lenovo Smart Clock. Now, the company als ohas a Smart Display 7 that, you guessed it, has a 7-inch display and all of the Google Assistant features you’d expect which is especially handy if you’re already in the Google Home ecosystem. In many ways, it’s better than a smart speaker if you’re looking for the most functionality possible.

The Smart Display 7 has a…

Data focused

Mint Mobile

From $15/month at Mint Mobile

Pros

Unlimited talk and text
Unlimited 2G data
Hotspot included
Free calls to Mexico, Canada

Cons

Only uses T-Mobile
All plans require data

Mint Mobile makes a lot of sense for most smartphone users with good T-Mobile coverage thanks to three data sizes that work for most people. With a three month minimum term with six and 12-month options available, you save money the more you’re willing to buy in advance. All plans come with unlimited talk and text, including free calls to Mexico and Canada

Max flexibility

Republic Wireless

From $12.50/month at Republic Wireless

Pros

Sprint or T-Mobile network
Unlimited talk and text
Hotspot included
Plan flexibility

Cons

Data can get expensive
No international calling
Can’t choose your network

Republic Wireless has a plan that can grow with you without the risk of buying more than you need. Data can be added to plans at $5 per 1GB with base plans starting at 1…

Finding yourself bored at home with nothing to watch? The latest $5 film sale at iTunes is set to change that, and now that films and shows from iTunes can be viewed in the Apple TV app, you can watch your collection anywhere using a compatible device like an Amazon Fire TV Stick or a Roku Streaming Stick. The app is available to download on a variety of smart TVs as well.

Today’s sale at iTunes is filled with a bunch of the best comedies and feel-good films from the past couple of decades for just $4.99 each this weekend. Whether you see a film on the list that’s one of your favorites or a few you’ve been meaning to see forever, now is the best time to buy. It’s rare to see any digital film go on sale under $5, and most of the time they’re priced at $10 to $20.

With theaters closed down, having a movie night now means you’ll be saving quite a bit in comparison. You could purchase a few of these films for less than the price of some movie tickets, and let’s not get started on the c…