The appeal of mobile applications lies in innovation. App developers provide a service to fill a need that the common user didn't even know they had, as well as emulating other tasks with greater convenience. From services that track fitness to those that simulate traditional board games, innovation keeps our trusty Android phones useful, or at least, it did. These days, the more I engage with my smartphone, the fewer apps I use, and my enthusiasm for exploring new Play Store content is at an all-time low. Genuinely interesting apps are nigh impossible to find due to laziness, unoriginality, and homogenization. When was the last time you went scrolling in the Play Store for fun?
6 times Google leaked its own phones
Let's dive into six times when Google, in one way or another, spilled the beans on its own phones
Google may be a tech giant and one of the most valuable companies in the world, but it is notorious for leaking its own highly-anticipated Pixel smartphones. Whether these leaks are intentional or not is a matter of debate. But these leaks have given away a few of Google's upcoming phones, whether through subtle app updates or full-blown promotional videos. And in the case of the Pixel 6, they just went ahead and wrote a blog post about it months before it was officially released.
Best Android phones in 2024
In the market for a new phone? Get the best Android experience with these flagship phones
Life is all about choice, and giving you options is Android's true power in the smartphone space. The best smartphones are all about meeting your needs, which is why many of the best ones run Android. The flexibility and versatility that Android offers simply can not be found on competing devices. In addition to being able to customize the Android OS to your heart's content, various manufacturers are bringing different designs and approaches to the table.
Samsung's back on top, but Apple's gunning for Android's crown in this week's news
This week in Android: Pixel leaks are dropping like beats while Google Maps does the two-step
Apple, Google, and Samsung have had a bit of a bizarre love triangle going on in recent months, with the California companies brokering a deal to end AirTag stalking, and the Android cohorts combining their AirPlay alternatives into a unified platform. But that hasn't stopped the trio from competing amongst itself, and this week, Samsung snatched the crown from Apple, while the latter seems set on dulling the emulator edge Google has honed for Android. Meanwhile, Google's hoping an internal shakeup can right the ship, but it's sending mixed signals with Maps, and its Pixel plans seem to have sprung a leak.
I don't have a go-to Android phone recommendation, and that worries me
Why aren't modern flagships nailing the basics?
Even as the Android market has shrunk over the past decade, there are a lot of good phones to pick from right now. I wouldn't blame anyone who's stuck between upgrade options — it's tricky to narrow down which device is right for you, especially if you aren't already baked into Google or Samsung's respective ecosystems. But I think there's another reason selecting a new phone is difficult in 2024. For as good as devices like the Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S24 Ultra might be on paper, no Android phone right now checks all the right boxes, and I think that's a major problem.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: The competition is fierce
Two top-tier devices that take completely different approaches
When shopping for an Android device, it’s important to keep your needs in mind. Smartphones excel in varying areas, making your choice a bit more difficult. They differ in features and specs and their intended target audience.
WhatsApp's new Quick Share alternative inches closer to release
'People nearby' gets some much-needed polish
Back in January, we learned that WhatsApp was working on a Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share) alternative to offer an easy file-sharing solution for its users. However, the feature, known as People nearby, was far from official, and the early implementation we encountered didn't reveal much about its functionality. We're now coming across a revised version of People nearby, containing a handful of UI refinements.
I made my own performance Chromebook by installing ChromeOS Flex on a cheap laptop
For those who aren't technically minded, zapping the operating system on a laptop with a ChromeOS fork is actually easier than it seems
To run ChromeOS, you must have a Chromebook, surely? Oddly, the answer is 'no' because ChromeOS is a derivative of Linux and will run on any platform that can handle that operating system. That includes, but is not exclusively limited to, ARM processors, like those used in phones and tablets. It will also run on Intel-based computers, including Windows-based PCs and older Apple hardware.
Whether you're a professional with an expensive MacBook or a student with a Chromebook, your laptop is a crucial tech companion that holds your documents, photos, and more. Ensuring its safety on the go is paramount, and a reliable laptop bag is your best defense. It not only provides essential protection but also offers a convenient space for your daily tech or non-tech essentials.
Google Pixel 8 vs. Pixel 7: Future-proof or bargain hunt?
Does the Pixel 8 do enough to justify an upgrade?
The Google Pixel series has offered some of the best Android smartphones on the market. Each year, Google releases a new Pixel device and since the launch of the Pixel 6, has continued to refine the Pixel’s design and provide a modest bump to the specs sheet. This continued refinement means each year you are going to get a better phone than the previous year, but it may not be enough to sway you to an annual upgrade.
These Sony headphones sit at the top of our list and are now on sale for a record-low price
You won't find a better deal on one of the best ANC headphones out right now
If you're looking to splurge on some of the best headphones out right now, then these Sony WH-1000XM5 are going to be it. Not only do you get great sound, but you also get impressive ANC. Furthermore, the headphones are comfortable and offer long battery life. The only problem is that they are usually really expensive, coming in with a retail price of $398.
A new charging algorithm could solve battery health issues
Could it be? An effective, real-world battery technology advancement?
According to a study published in the Advanced Energy Materials journal on April 9, a team of researchers at four institutes in Aalborg, Denmark, and Berlin discovered a novel way of charging that can greatly increase a battery's overall lifespan. Known as pulsed-current charging, it could as much as double the length of time it takes a battery to reach the 80% capacity figure that typically signifies its end-of-life.
Chromebooks allow people to accomplish most tasks they want on a computer. There are a variety of Chromebooks to fit everyone's needs, from students to professionals. While they're great for work, they're also great for fun, including gaming. Many popular game streaming services are available on Chromebooks. The Google Play Store gives you access to most Android games and emulators. Here are the best emulators for Chromebooks.
Google Drive's new search filters come to Android a month after they hit iOS
It's now even easier to find what you're looking for thanks to enhanced search filters
There's a reason Google Drive is one of the best cloud storage options in 2024. The service is simple and easy to use, and if you're someone that's a frequent user of Google products and services, then the integration is going to be top tier. Of course, the brand isn't one to rest on its laurels, and has frequently brought new features to the platform that make it easier to use.
Apple TV is one of the best streaming devices due to its ease of installation, access to a range of streaming services, and high performance. It lets you access Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and more. It also comes with apps like Apple Music, Photos, Podcasts, and iTunes out of the box. You can easily download your favorite apps and games from the App Store. However, your home screen can get filled with junk if you aren't careful. We show you how to keep it tidy by deleting unnecessary apps.
5 open-source alternatives to Google apps
Escape the Google comfort zone with these open-source gems
When you purchase a new phone, there are certain quality-of-life applications that you expect to see, features that cater to the daily tasks that we've come to consider the bare necessities. Gallery, web browser, navigation, and calendar apps could all be expected software features on our respectable Android phones; their absence would be confusing. Google's ecosystem provides useful renditions of the above examples, all preinstalled and ready for use upon startup. But users don’t have to settle for all of Google’s baseline services, thanks to the Play Store’s healthy open-source app library.
Pokémon Go added more customization for avatars and players hate it
New character customization options aren't the welcome change that people had hoped for
It's kind of hard to believe, but we're coming up on the 10-year anniversary of Pokémon Go, and it probably comes as no surprise that the game is still going strong, being one of the best Android games that you can download, with a growing community and a number of changes over the years that have made the game better than it has ever been. There are a lot of elements about the game to love, but one of the most vital is the ability to create and customize a trainer.
eSIMs are a digital replacement for the SIM card, but despite their advantages over physical SIMs, the technology can be difficult to use. While transferring a physical SIM card between phones is a simple matter of installing it, transferring an eSIM isn't straightforward. This guide shows how to transfer an eSIM between Android devices without contacting your carrier and alternative ways to move an eSIM to a new phone if a direct transfer doesn't work. This guide works for eSIM-compatible Android phones, but you can't use it to transfer an eSIM from an Android to an iOS device.
5 Google web apps still mistreating our eyes without dark mode
Google Drive is crossed off the list but these 5 apps lack dark mode on the web
Recently, it was reported that Google Drive for web is finally receiving its long-awaited dark mode support. Web users on desktops are undoubtedly elated that Google’s file storage app will no longer blast your eyes with harsh white light. While Google has thankfully crossed another app off its list, there are still plenty of web apps in desperate need.
Synology BC500 and TC500 review: Smart IP cameras with local AI
They're hard to install, but come with plenty of features
In the competitive world of smart security cameras, Synology developed an innovative offering to differentiate itself from the competition. Its BC500 and TC500 smart cameras work with Synology NAS and NVRs and are poised to maximize safety and offer advanced image recognition. They focus on local data storage for maximum privacy while giving you full control over the footage they record.