Motorola Moto G Play (2024) review: Getting back into the budget groove
Motorola regains its footing after last year's budget blunder
Finding a good quality phone for under $200 can be difficult. As with any budget device, there are bound to be compromises to reach the desired price point. While that fact will never be one that can be ignored, as the buyer, you have to decide which choices you are willing to live with. With the new Motorola Moto G Play (2024), the company made the necessary cuts to reach the $150 price tag the device carries. But those choices are far better this round than last year's variant. So much so that I can actually recommend the new Moto G Play (2024) for those on a tight budget — assuming you can accept what the phone offers.
Best Google Pixel 7a screen protectors in 2024
Your Pixel 7a deserves the best defense, and these screen protectors deliver
The Google Pixel 7a may not be the absolute cheapest smartphone on the market, but with nearly flagship-level performance, it's one of the best budget Android phones out there. You'd be hard-pressed to find another smartphone as impressive at its price point. The 7a is the poster child for choosing a new budget phone over an older flagship model.
Google Pixel Watch 3: News, rumors, and our hopes for Google's next smartwatch
It looks like we're finally getting a bigger Pixel Watch
We're big fans of the Pixel Watch 2 — it's one of our favorite smartwatches. It's not the flashiest update coming from the first-gen Pixel Watch, but it makes improvements where it counts: battery life, in particular, is much improved in the newer model. But now that we're used to Google's latest wearable, we can't help but think about what could be in store for a future Pixel Watch 3.
The Samsung Bixby voice assistant has a Routines feature similar to iPhone's Shortcuts app. You can use it to automate dozens of system functions and make life easier. If you use a reading app on your phone, automate the brightness settings for reading. Or, automatically set your device to silent when at work. You can also create audio profiles for different Bluetooth devices or automatically disconnect from Wi-Fi if the signal quality drops.
OnePlus's inaugural tablet avoided most of the pitfalls of first-gen products, offering respectable performance and a stylish design for less than $500. As we discussed in our review, the OnePlus Pad's successes more than compensate for its shortcomings, making it one of the best Android tablets on the market.
AT&T doesn't have the largest pool of MVNOs using its networks, but a few are worth investigating (and a few you should stay away from).
How to change your Cricket Wireless telephone number
Whether you're an existing user or not, changing your phone number with Cricket is quick and easy
Cricket Wireless is a prepaid carrier that uses AT&T's network for coverage. It's a great option when you need a good value data plan, especially for multiple lines. You may need to change your phone number if you're switching to Cricket Wireless or are an active user. This guide shows you how to change your Cricket phone number and prepare for the change without losing your contacts. If you're switching to one of the top Android phones, you can keep your Cricket phone number during the switch. If you're ready to change your number, read on.
Telegram is one of the most popular social apps. Like most messaging apps, it sends notifications. Telegram notifies you when you receive a new text or call or when a group or channel admin pins a message. You also receive a notification when someone from your device contacts joins Telegram. If you don't find these notifications useful, turn them off from the settings. We show you how to turn off Telegram's new user notifications on various devices, including your budget Android phone, iPhone, and Windows PCs.
Android 15 could hide your location from carriers on command
This anti-stingray feature could be just what you needed
The days of Android updates taking giant leaps ahead with outstanding new features and UI design changes seem to be behind us since version 12 and its Material You goodness. Android 13 and 14 were mostly optimization-focused, and you could say the same about Android 15 as well, but a lot of the smaller behind-the-scenes changes add up, to enhance your user experience and safety. The newest feature discovered in Android 15 should keep your location data safe, even from cellular carriers.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 has more ways to take screenshots than other non-foldable Samsung phones. While these methods aren't as exciting as the most useful Galaxy Z Fold 5 features, knowing all the ways to take a screenshot is helpful when switching between the phone's inner and outer screens.
You can use most apps in landscape mode and portrait mode. The flexibility of switching between these modes enhances your viewing experience, whether you're gaming or watching a video. However, the screen rotation feature on Android devices might not always work as expected, making it hard to toggle between modes. In this article, we explain how to quickly rotate your device's screen, whether you use a top Samsung phone or a budget Android device.
How to open HEIC files on Android
Don't let iPhone's default image format stop you from sharing and receiving photo memories
When you capture pictures on your iPhone, the device stores them in the High-Efficiency Image Container (HEIC, or HEIF). Compared to JPEGs and PNGs, HEIC produces high quality at a small size. Android 10 introduced compatibility with the format, so you can open it on your Google Pixel and other phones. Older devices and some apps may not support it.
Snapchat is a feature-packed messaging app with a paid plan that gives power users access to experimental, pre-release, and exclusive features. Among the Snapchat Plus features, the Friend Solar System is an interesting add-on that allows you to rank and visualize your closest friends. Snapchat is available on the desktop, but the ability to check your solar system is available only on iOS and Android phones. Keep reading to learn about Snapchat planets, their order, and their meaning. You'll also find a trick to check your ranking in your friend's solar system.
You often want to know how fast you're going. Whether you're driving a car or riding your bike, learning your vehicle's average speed can help you plan outings. This is where speedometers come in handy. They often show your vehicle's average, current, and top speed while sometimes alerting you when you're over your limit.
Although many prefer cable TV, streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV are slowly taking over satellite channels in most households. The e-commerce giant offers a range of media streaming devices at multiple price points. All Fire TV devices come with a Bluetooth-powered remote to navigate the Fire OS. Still, the Fire TV remote isn't void of issues. If the Fire TV remote frequently disconnects from the streaming device, resetting it is a good idea.
Despite competition from apps like Instagram, TikTok, and X, Snapchat remains popular among youngsters. The app's self-deleting messages, streaks, filters, and scores make for a fun experience. You can connect with your friends on Snapchat on almost any device, whether it's a smartphone, an affordable Chromebook, a desktop PC, or a laptop.
Best Google Pixel deals: Sweet savings on stellar smartphones, watches, and earbuds
Don't miss out on these spectacular savings on the Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, and other devices
Google makes some of the best smartphones that you can buy in 2024, with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro taking two top spots on our list, making them some of the most compelling devices if you're shopping for a new phone. In addition to flagship devices, the brand also has a fantastic budget handset with the Pixel 7a, along with an alluring smartwatch lineup.
Amazon is the go-to website for millions of customers every year. It lets you view your online shopping history on your phone, desktop PC, Mac, or Chromebook. You might want to hide select Amazon orders from family members who share your account. Perhaps it's a secret birthday present or something you're embarrassed about. You can't delete an item from your order history, but Amazon lets you archive orders to keep them out of sight. This tutorial shows you how to find and archive your Amazon orders.
Google Podcasts is closing. Here's how to move your podcast feed to YouTube Music
With a few months left for Google Podcasts to die, it is time to move your podcasts to YouTube Music
You may have heard that Google Podcasts is going away and YouTube Music will become Google's new podcast delivery system in April 2024. YouTube Music users can now stay in a single app to enjoy their tunes and podcasts, similar to competitors like Spotify. To make the transition smooth, we show you how to move your Google Podcasts subscription to YouTube and where to find podcasts on the site and app. Then, get the most out of your podcasts by bringing along your favorite pair of earbuds.
Your Android smartphone or tablet is probably your everyday mobile device, but sometimes you want to share the onscreen experience. While you could share a bunch of page links with your pals, there’s nothing like the reveal of a bite-sized projector to earn you showmanship points. Plus, Android-compatible projectors are just about everywhere these days.