9 oddball Waze celebrity voices that deserve a listen
Outlandish, fun, off-beat alternatives to boring text-to-speech driving prompts
Proof that not all ads are annoying, Waze celebrity voice prompts originated as a way to interest drivers in seeing movies. They actually played a big role in propping the company up before Google acquired it, and continue to give the service some personality and help it stand out from Android Auto. Over the years, we've seen everything from popular sci-fi franchises to a Malaysian rapper-turned-politician lend their dulcet tones to the comprehensive driving directions app. Only available for a limited time, some of the retired ones really stand out.
OnePlus Watch 2 vs. Google Pixel Watch 2: Which wearable works for you?
OnePlus is back in the smartwatch arena, but how does its Watch 2 stack up against Google's Pixel Watch 2?
OnePlus previously tried its hand at making a good smartwatch, but it didn't really resonate, which puts the Watch 2 in an interesting spot as a sequel. Sporting a new look with a broader feature set that includes adopting Wear OS, it's a wearable that can compete with the best of all models running that platform. But how does it line up against an established player like the Pixel Watch 2, a device that delivers on aesthetics and comes straight from Google? Both of them are among the best smartwatches for Android, so let's dig deeper to see which one is worth putting on your wrist.
Anker's impressive ANC wireless earbuds are a no-brainer at 50% off
The Soundcore Space A40 buds have a long-lasting battery and great sound for the price
Anker built its reputation by delivering reliable, budget-friendly products in the mobile charging space, and its audio products are equally impressive. Take the Soundcore Space A40 wireless earbuds, for example. They feature highly detailed sound, customizable ANC that can reduce external noise by up to 98%, and up to 10 hours of battery life. They are also comfortable to wear, thanks to their smaller size and weight, and loaded with features. They're great for traveling and commuting, relaxing, or working out, and we like them a lot on sale for just $50.
Chrome can now use Android's default password provider instead of Google's
The new setting is hidden behind a flag, but it's functional on Chrome stable
There are so many excellent browsers for Android that sticking with the default might be doing yourself a disservice. Google Chrome comes pre-installed on all phones that ship with the Play Store, but with major competitors like Firefox opening up extension support and others with anti-tracking features, people who roll with the default are seeing new incentives to switch. Chrome's lack of support for non-Google password managers is another reason you may have been looking to make the jump, but a new hidden setting could level the playing field on this front.
Google Drive for the web finally goes dark
Manage your files in low-light conditions without straining your eyes
Dark mode took off with the advent of AMOLED displays a few years ago, with many web developers and app management teams scrambling to implement the new feature. It makes reading much easier on the eyes, and some would argue it also reduces power consumption on AMOLEDs, but in any case, Google wasn’t a forerunner in adoption. To this day, a vast majority of Workspace apps don’t offer the convenience on the web version, but things are now starting to change, starting with Drive.
AT&T vs. Mint Mobile: Do you really need unlimited data?
Looking to save on wireless? Mint Mobile's 12-month plans can save a lot of money over AT&T
Prepaid wireless service is getting a lot of attention with increased advertising budgets and increased popularity among those looking to reduce their monthly expenses. Mint Mobile has been impossible to ignore with its Ryan Reynolds-driven marketing and promise of cheap data, but it still can’t match all the features that a premium AT&T plan offers. AT&T provides stronger international features, truly unlimited data, and discounts for veterans, military members, nurses, teachers, and more.
YouTube forces creators to disclose AI usage, but not always
The prominence of informative AI labels will differ based on the content
As AI continues to weave its way into Google’s apps and services, the company is taking measures to ensure users understand its impact. YouTube, the Google-owned video streaming platform, has a plethora of creators who are beginning to leverage AI for content. Now, the tech giant is enacting policies to make sure that viewers can differentiate fact from fiction while using YouTube.
Fitbit is undergoing a name change as Google reorganizes
Fitbit by Google is no more after an external makeover for the division
When a company becomes as large as Google, a little housekeeping is necessary every now and then to keep operations running smoothly. In some instances, it looks like restructuring and a change in staff. Google recently began reorganizing its teams to align with its evolving products and services. As a result, a new name is being introduced to reflect some of the changes happening to its Fitbit division, in particular.
Samsung's March 2024 update is available now for the Galaxy S23, S24, and more
One UI 6.1 not included
Samsung's March 2024 security patch is rolling out now to devices worldwide. Still, many will be disappointed when it arrives, as it's nothing more than the usual security-focused update for most devices, with the S24 series also benefiting from some big fixes.
Best Motorola phone deals: Big savings on the Razr, Moto Edge, and G series
Take up to $300 off some of Motorola's most popular devices
There are a lot of different options when it comes to smartphones. And while Motorola might not be in the spotlight all that much lately, it still offers a wide range of devices, delivering something for every budget. The brand has its Razr line of foldables for those who are looking for something more ambitious, along with its Moto G and Edge series devices that deliver unique experiences in their own right.
How to use Google Translate to translate images in real time
Transcend communication barriers with a few taps
Google Translate is a nifty tool for understanding foreign languages on the go. It can take input in the form of text, images, or voice and translate it into the language of your choice. Although it is available on the web and mobile, the former is a limited version. The app works on both Android and iOS, but Google Pixel owners get access to the latest features. We show you how to use Google Translate on most devices, whether you use it on your phone or desktop PC.
Waze is a navigation app that makes moving from location to destination easy. Unlike Google and Apple Maps, which rely heavily on satellite data, the app is community-driven. Users like you report speed traps and other live incidents, as well as become map editors to add new roads, points of interest, and missing information. Accessing these real-time contributions requires an internet connection, whether you're using the app on your mobile phone or car display. You can't download maps and use them offline. However, there's a workaround, and we show you how it works.
The FCC is raising the bar for internet providers promising ‘broadband’ service
Broadband speed qualifications are being raised for the first time since 2015
In 2023, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced plans to open an additional 850MHz of spectrum within its 6GHz band. Specifically targeting low-power devices, the goal was to allow for fast transfer speeds between nearby devices. This spurred several companies into a frenzy under the assumption that it could greatly expand Wi-Fi capabilities. However, these types of changes often shed light on an existing problem — the lack of high-speed internet in certain areas of the country. Now, the FCC is updating its policies once again, and it’s doing so with these regions in mind.
Tablets come in various sizes and prices, and while some of the best tablets feature high-resolution, large, responsive displays, they’re very fragile. That’s where rugged tablets come into play, offering a fair compromise on the latest features, providing only the essentials in more compact and durable designs and form factors.
Android digital car key lets you use an Android phone as a car key. You can lock, unlock, start your car, and perform more functions from your compatible Android phone. But is the Android digital car key secure? How does it work? What if my phone's battery is dead? Continue reading to learn everything about this UWB (Ultra-Wide Band) based technology on your smartphone.
How to find your AT&T account number
For customer service or to check your balance, find your account details fast
Whether you want to port your existing phone number to a new provider or contact customer service, you'll want to find your AT&T account number fast. Your account number is a unique identifier that distinguishes your account from other AT&T customers. It's a fast way for a customer service rep to find your information (and solve your problem quickly). There are several ways to track down your AT&T account number. You can use one of the best AT&T phones, go to the website in a browser, or look at a physical bill. Here's how.
Best smart speakers with clocks in 2024
Why ask for the time when you could just see it on these smart speakers?
Smart speakers are a dime a dozen these days, and we're not complaining. From Google to Amazon (and let's not forget the many third-party offerings), you can use a smart speaker to control and automate your smart home devices, listen to music, make phone calls, and so much more. But aside from asking Google Assistant or Alexa what time it is, not many of these devices have integrated LED clocks.
You can display PDFs as-is by sharing your new Chromebook's screen with your audience, but scrolling through pages isn't engaging. With a little touch-up in Google Slides, you can make a great presentation out of a PDF file. This step-by-step guide shows you how to convert a PDF to Google Slides to keep your audience engaged.
LinkedIn wants you to work hard, play harder with its upcoming games
Brace for fun puzzle games like Wordle
When we think of popular social apps which could pivot towards gaming, names like Discord and Telegram are among the first that come to mind. However, Netflix recently proved us wrong with Netflix Games spawning a sea of titles playable on TV and your mobile devices. Now, it appears Microsoft has the same idea, but it plans to pivot a seemingly unrelated platform in this direction — LinkedIn.
How to give any Android phone the Google Pixel Experience
How to make any Android phone smoother, faster, and more customizable
Google offers one of the best Android smartphone experiences, mainly because of its software features. Pixel owners get the best of the best in terms of user experience, thanks to the Google Pixel launcher and regular feature drops. But there's good news for the non-Pixel owners among us: whether you own a gorgeous flagship or just a solid Android budget phone, you can get a similar experience with a few tweaks. This guide will walk you through the steps to make your phone nearly Pixel perfect.