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Your Pixel 4a has been a good phone, right? Its unflashy exterior may not be much to write home about, but for the price and pocketability — which is a real selling point given today’s expensively gigantic devices — it’s an undeniably endearing handset, even in 2021. If you’re looking to hold onto your Pixel 4a for another year or so, you should really consider wrapping it in one of our favorite cases below.
Samsung's latest Galaxy Buds Pro firmware brings features from the Buds2
Including a lot more control over Ambient Sound mode
Samsung is one of the few manufacturers that consistently brings features from newer designs to older hardware via software upgrades. Usually it's phones (like the older Galaxy Z Flip series this morning, for example), but Samsung's also looking after its galaxy of accessories. Today the Galaxy Buds Pro get some of the newer features developed for the non-pro Galaxy Buds2.
Aukey Hybrid ANC Wireless Earbuds long-term review: Long in the tooth
It works, but it's a nightmare to use
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You don't need to break the bank for a pair of true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation. Hell, you probably won't even need a whole Benjamin. Aukey's Beyond ANC Hybrid earbuds, otherwise known as the EP-N5, only cost $59 most days and can be found for way less sometimes. But can your ears live with them? Check out our appended update below.
Here's what the Pixel's new underwater photography looks like
Courtesy of a KRH04 dive case, a Pixel 4, and my friend Matt
When Google announced that the Pixels were getting an update to add a whole underwater photography mode, we were pretty curious what its results would look like. Sure, the company provided samples, but there's no telling how curated the collection was, or how it would work anecdotally. Unfortunately, none of us at Android Police have the time (or money) to invest in diving — it's an expensive hobby. Thankfully, Matthew Franklin, a friend of the site, was able to take his Pixel 4 and a compatible diving case on a recent trip underwater.
Xiaomi Mi Band 6 review, one month later: Almost perfect
Thoughtful hardware and software upgrades all around
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Xiaomi made a name for itself in the budget phone market, but the company has also made a big push into wearables. Xiaomi's affordable but capable Mi Band series (actually made by certified partner Huami) has always been a prime example of making great products that don’t break the bank. The latest iteration, the Mi Band 6, is a considerable step up, both in price and in functionality. The question that begs to be answered — is it still worth buying at $60?
The idea of cases for true wireless earbuds has always been a funny one to me. Modern earbuds come with their own cases by necessity — it's how they charge. Why would I spend money to protect the thing that's protecting my earbuds?
Tribit FlyBuds C1 review, one month later: Buy these (or something like these)
Lots to like about these earbuds, but there are plenty like them
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When it comes to wireless earbuds, you might not care about the point to point upgrades going on with Bluetooth. After all, everything's backwards-compatible, so anything works with everything and there isn't much to worry about, right? Well, Tribit's FlyBuds C1 run with the latest Bluetooth 5.2 which offers big upgrades just for TWEs and they cost less than $100. But do these buds bring out the best of what the new tech has to offer?
Here's why you should try bone conduction headphones
They're useful for a lot more than just cycling
Active noise cancellation is all the rage in the headphone space, putting a premium on the ability to tune out the world and focus on whatever it is you're listening to. But what if you'd rather do the opposite? What if what's happening around you is actually pretty important, like the sound of your kids trying to beat their record for consecutive days without household destruction, or the rolling-coal diesel that's about to turn you and your bike into a greasy smear in its blind spot?The answer is bone conduction headphones. These gadgets rest outside of your ear canal — outside of your ear entirely, for most designs — and vibrate the bones in your head directly to get the sound to your auditory nerve. The upshot: you get to listen to your music (or video, or podcast, what have you) while still being able to listen to the world around you.Listening to bone conduction headphones is a unique experience, one that's both better and worse than conventional earbuds or around-the-ear headphones. In terms of audio fidelity, well, it kinda sucks. There's no way around that: modern audio just isn't designed with this kind of system in mind. A lot of these designs include foam earplugs, allegedly improving the sound… but that pretty much defeats the entire purpose. So audiophiles can pretty much disregard this post; I'm not one, and I'm usually listening to audiobooks, podcasts, background videos, etc.So what's the point? The point is that you can hear all the stuff around you and whatever you're pumping through your headphones, with more or less equal fidelity. It's hard to describe just how big a deal that is to someone who hasn't tried it before. But let me just list out the reasons that I've come to use bone conduction headphones most of the time:Safety: Ask my buddy and former Android Police editor Cam: bone conduction headphones are really the only safe way to listen to something while riding on a bike, short of strapping a massive speaker to your handlebars. Keeping your ears clear for traffic and other hazards is a must. Joggers and dog walkers could also make good use of these headphones.Situational awareness: You might be familiar with some headphones' pass-through audio mode, which uses microphones to digitally allow external sound in along with whatever it is you're listening to. It's like the reverse of active noise cancellation. I've never tried any headphones with pass-through audio that worked even a tiny bit as well as bone conduction headphones. I'm a bit of a clumsy oaf, so I've started wearing them when grocery shopping, just so I can listen to podcasts without stopping and having people slam into my ass with their previously-silent carts. Bonus: I don't have to take them out when going through the checkout.Comfort: North Texas is so humid that you're basically wading through the air for five months out of the year. In such conditions, there's no kind of headphones that don't get sweaty and nasty in your ears. Enter bone conduction headphones, which aren't in your ears. Combined with their handiness for workouts, these designs are fantastic for keeping cool and comfy when it's soupy.There are a few downsides. In addition to the previously-mentioned drop in audio fidelity, bone conduction headphones also let more noise out via their strong vibrations. So they may not be the best choice If you're in close quarters with other people and you don't want to annoy them, as in public transit. They're also not ideal if the sounds around you are so loud that you really should be using hearing protection: obviously, they offer none.
Since landing in Paris, I've been on a quest to put together the perfect work station. After all, if I left my pharmacy in Lebanon and was going to commit to this blogging thing for a while, I needed my setup to be as comfortable and as practical as it could be. I started with the desk itself (but that's a story for another day), a new blue iMac to complement my Pixelbook, and went all the way down the price meter to smaller and cheaper accessories. I've already talked to you about my new USB-C desk lamp and now it's time we addressed my minimalist Ugreen headphone stand.I've always watched YouTube videos of cool tech bros and sisters with their pristine desks and neat headphone stands and thought that this was the most first-world accessory ever. I mean, you could always just put the headphones on your desk, in lieu of the stand, right? Who's goofy enough to want to show off their headphones?
I never knew I needed a portable USB-C desk lamp in my life, but here we are
This Baseus contraption is the most versatile desk lamp out there
I didn't set out looking for a desk lamp, I was simply researching ways to provide a bit of extra light for my Android Police gadget photography. You know, for images like the ones you see on top of our articles. For weeks, nay months, I've been lost among the small LED panels, the portable photo studios, the huge light umbrella-looking thingies, and every apparatus in the middle of that range. Then it occurred to me that for one, Parisian apartments are small enough that I didn't have the space luxury to store big paraphernalia, and for two, maybe I just needed a small light or two to put near me when taking pics like... a bedside lamp or... a desk lamp?! Then I could also use them as a regular lamp too — what a novel idea!Long story short, I ended up on Baseus' site trying to decide whether the rechargeable USB-C desk lamp or the magnetic under cabinet lamp was a better fit for my needs. In the end, the former won, and I'm glad it did, because it turned out to be a lot more versatile than I thought it would be.
This smart wallet doesn’t look like one, and has a neat trick up its sleeve
The Ekster Modular Bifold can be located with the help of Google Assistant
The last decade has seen a rapid rise in digital payments, so much so that you can easily spend a day out in the city, making payments with smartphones or smartwatches, without breaking a sweat. However, we're far from completely ditching our hard and plastic cash; this means wallets are still a thing. Like a gazillion other everyday carry items, they too have been given the tech treatment — they protect you from theft with RFID blocking and you can ring them when they’re out of sight. Well, not all of them, but the one in my pocket can be located with the help of Google Assistant or Alexa.
Review: Aukey's portable generator and solar panel saved me during a power outage
The PowerTitan 300 is a big battery, and the PowerHelio Y100 is a big solar panel, and together they solve big problems
It's a slightly different sort of work day as I sit down to write this review. My power is out, the house is dark, and I'm outside on the deck with my laptop, phone as a hotspot, blogging and Slacking and what have you. But I'm fine, and excluding the distraction of a breeze and the nicer view, I'm still able to get my job done. In fact, the only reason I can is because of the subject of this review: The Aukey PowerTitan 300 and PowerHelio Y100.I know this sounds like the premise for some marketing copy or sponsored content, but it's not. I'm just a blogger who took way too long to get around to reviewing this big battery I got sent in the middle of January. Of course, it was winter, and testing a solar panel in the snow sounded like an awful time to me, so I marked my calendar for an outdoor trip this summer and forgot about the hardware in my closet until the power was scheduled to be out for an entire workday. "That's right," I thought, "I have something for that."
This smartphone gimbal will take your TikToks and Instagram videos to the next level
Review: Zhiyun Smooth-Q3 — Designed for creators
Smartphone gimbals have progressed quite a bit over the years, first serving just as tools to keep the image steady, but eventually evolving more targeted features and designs. Zhiyun released the Smooth-Q2 in 2019, and its small size and sturdy design made it ideal for travel. Now the brand new Smooth-Q3 is out, but this time the design and features are directed toward vloggers and social networking.
This $150 wireless charger bridged the iOS and Android gap for me
You'll definitely pay for Nomad's ultra-versatile Base Station, but I think you'll be happy if you do
A $150 phone charger might not be the pinnacle of tech accessory excess, but it surely sits comfortably among the foothills of luxury. A few generic Qi chargers and a USB hub can achieve largely the same goal as Nomad's Base Station, but they won't look or feel nearly as good doing it — and that's what this product, at the end of the day, is really all about.
Fuji's new Pokémon-themed mobile printer is a nostalgic Nintendo Switch accessory and I love it
It's no Blockbuster Video, but it scratches an itch
Nostalgia is a powerful thing, and savvy legacy companies know how to capitalize on it. Nintendo and Fujifilm, two such companies with more than 200 years of combined history, have teamed up to create the ultimate nostalgia trap: an adorable Pokémon-themed instant photo printer. It connects to your phone to pop out tiny prints of your favorite photos — or, using a special app, Nintendo Switch screenshots.Released in conjunction with New Pokémon Snap, this special edition Instax Mini Link is meant to evoke the feeling of printing out your favorite critter snaps at Blockbuster, a millennial rite of passage. It's not cheap, but it's a ton of fun — especially if you've got little ones of your own to share it with.
Moft's X Tablet Stand is the incredibly portable kickstand your tablet deserves
Origami-inspired design makes it an excellent companion to any large slate
I love kickstands. Everything should have kickstands, and the fact that everything doesn't is a damn tragedy. That's especially true for tablets, little slabs of fragile glass that are designed for media consumption. Despite some sterling work from Microsoft, Lenovo, and (occasionally) Samsung, tablets with kickstands as an integral part of their design are still rare. But with this cheap add-on from Moft, you can give almost any tablet the kickstand it deserves.The Moft X Tablet Stand is essentially cardboard, fabric, a bit of glue, and a few magnets. But all that unassuming stuff is assembled in such a way that it's an origami kickstand for your tablet. And unlike the other various small stands on the market, it's happy to travel with your tablet wherever it goes, stuck onto the back and folded down to about three millimeters flat.With two unfolded positions, plus an extra fold in the triangular portion, the X Tablet stand has a total of four different angles at which it can rest. You can add an extra two for viewing your tablet in portrait mode, for a total of six positions. Technically there are four more options (reversed horizontal and vertical, but the extra cutout doesn't change those angles), though honestly you're unlikely to use those.And that's it! It's a little add-on that unfolds when you need a stand, and disappears when you don't. While it's practically weightless and won't get in the way of any normal tablet grip, it's juuuust thick enough that it won't work with a protective case. But no worries: you can stick it to the outside of the case instead. In addition to being perfect for movies and music, I've found myself holding onto the unfolded stand when I'm carrying it around, for comfortably playing games like Hearthstone.The stand's magnets keep it open and stable when unfolded, such that you'll never accidentally collapse it with an errant finger, and it stays nice and flat when folded up. The only tricky part is figuring out precisely where to place it on your tablet's butt, because it's hard to judge exactly where the "sweet spot" will be to optimally balance it when deployed.But here again, Moft's excellent design is on display. The adhesive square on the back is some kind of magical mystery glue: it's sticky enough to stay in place without budging, but giving enough to come loose with enough pressure and leave no residue. I've used this thing on four different tablets (an HP Chromebook x2, a Pixel Slate, a Lenovo Chromebook Duet, and the iPad Air in these photos), years apart, and it still has no problem coming off cleanly and going onto a new one.The Moft X Tablet Stand is a little pricey for what it is, at $30. With a size of 150x210 milimeters, it's ideally sized for 10-inch tablets — bigger ones work fine, but an 8-inch tablet is too small. There are mini options for phones, though I can't say I need to prop one up often enough for it to appeal to me.But it's worth it. Dollar for dollar, the X Tablet Stand might just be the most useful mobile accessory I've ever purchased. Pick one up and forget your travel stands forever.Buy: Amazon
Amazon Echo Frames review: About as useful as an Echo Dot taped to your forehead
You don't need Alexa on your face
Amazon's Alexa has been put into basically every product imaginable from smoke detectors to toilets. The goal, apparently, is to get Alexa into as many places as possible, so putting Alexa in glasses seemed like the next logical step. Amazon Echo Frames bring Alexa even closer and make it easier to access by putting it right on your face. While the Amazon Echo Frames are cool, they lack the audio quality I'd expect from $250 earbuds, and easy access to Alexa doesn't make up for that.
BlueDriver for Android: The all-inclusive digital car mechanic
Reveal more than just basic engine codes with this scanner
Bluetooth helps link your smartphone with your car, and already grants you the power to play music wirelessly over the sound system, pull up audio cues for road navigation, and enhance the hands-free calling experience. Now imagine also using Bluetooth to perform vehicle diagnostics without an expensive visit to your mechanic, right from the comfort and convenience of your Android device.This is all thanks to the venerable OBD-II port, also known as "On-Board Diagnostic 2," that's found on virtually all modern vehicles (per a US government mandate dating back to 1996) and offers an I/O port for vehicle diagnostics, filled to the brim with untapped potential. In days gone by, dedicated OBD-II scanners were generally designed with basic, two-line error code readouts that made the prospect of deciphering them nothing short of obtuse. Feature-rich units with full-color screen readouts and support for additional plugins could often cost anywhere from $500 to upwards of $1000 for a complete kit. Thankfully, with any reasonable spec Android phone or tablet, a Bluetooth-based OBD-II scan tool called BlueDriver is available as an interesting alternative that is quite feature-rich.To put it mildly, this isn't your father's OBD-II scanner. The BlueDriver system consists of two parts: the Bluetooth-to-OBD-II dongle, which is currently listed on Amazon at the down-to-earth price of $99.95, and the BlueDriver companion app, which can be downloaded from the Play Store. Not only are you able to read error codes that are kicked out by your car's or truck's ECU (that's its engine control unit), but you can also measure vehicle stats in real time, such as engine RPM, potential cylinder misfires, smog check readiness, and detailed vehicle information.My personal Nissan Frontier PRO-4X was utilized in this fun scanning experiment.Per BlueDriver's documentation, it's recommended that the driver starts the engine before plugging the Bluetooth OBD-II dongle in place. Shortly thereafter, a blue LED springs to life, signaling the device status as needed. After pairing the dongle to an Android phone or tablet, the driver then launches the BlueDriver app to initiate the full diagnostic scan. A thorough examination can take upwards of five minutes or more, depending on the number of subsystems BlueDriver must query.The BlueDriver OBD-II Bluetooth dongle is a snug fit, so care must be taken when plugging it in.When codes are revealed by the BlueDriver scan, reports for them can be opened individually to bring up helpful details, such as possible causes and frequently reported fixes by the BlueDriver community. To further emphasize the sharing aspect within the app, a prominent "Report Your Own Fix" section is present to allow the user to submit their solution to the BlueDriver database on that particular vehicle.
This cheap adapter replaced my car's crappy Bluetooth connection
Twenty bucks was all it took to give my old car decent music controls
A few weeks ago I bought a used Kia Soul. (Please, no comments from the peanut gallery.) I'm pretty pleased with it overall, and my dog Marty freakin' loves having the spacious back all to himself. But it's a 2013 model, made in that awkward period when pretty much all cars had Bluetooth, but they sucked at it. The Soul's built-in Bluetooth stereo can't play, pause, or change tracks on my phone, which is a bummer.There are a few ways to fix this. I could replace the stereo with a fancy Android Auto head unit… but if I was the kind of guy who would drop $500 into his car on a whim, I wouldn't be driving a used Soul. There's an AUX input on the dash and I could just directly connect it, but the Pixel 5's lack of a headphone jack complicates this, and my whole goal is not to need to touch a screen to control my music.I searched for a cheap solution for my cheap car. And I found it on Amazon: a little Bluetooth-to-AUX adapter for . It's tiny, it can be powered by the USB port in my car (which is so old that it's labelled "iPod"), and it comes with a little hockey puck of physical control buttons.
YubiKey 5C NFC review: Everybody should have one of these
Secure your accounts for less than 60 bucks
If you're at all serious about online security, you're sure to have at least a passing familiarity with two-factor authentication, or 2FA. Single-use codes sent in text messages or emails are probably the most common type of 2FA, but there are more secure methods. The YubiKey 5C NFC facilitates several of those methods in a small, affordable package: at 55 bucks, it's a pretty fantastic little gadget. Honestly, everybody should have one of these things.