Caleb Potts
Contributing since May, 2020
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690articles
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About Caleb Potts
designer, writer, cat person.
Latest Articles
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Samsung has been near the front of the pack when it comes to releasing monthly security updates for a while now. The December 2020 update has rolled out to several of the company's phones in the United States, and a similar schedule is now taking place with Samsung's international models.
Google Docs to start letting you mix landscape and portrait pages like a madman
But just because you can doesn't mean you should
Google Docs is a powerful tool that can unlock a lot of possibilities when it comes to editing documents, but combining portrait and landscape page orientations wasn't one of them — until now. That's right: Google is finally allowing users to create horizontal and vertical pages within the same document.
Existing YouTube TV subscribers are getting the new Chromecast with Google TV for free
Google is getting into the gift giving spirit
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YouTube TV isn't cheap. Subscribers do get a lot of channels for the money, at least, and now it looks like they might be getting even more than they bargained for. Google just started sending out emails to some current users inviting them to claim a free Chromecast with Google TV — but hurry, because the offer expires later this month.
Google adds an Office editing shortcut for Gmail attachments
Plus handy new features that make collaborating on Office files via Gmail easier than ever
Google's office suite has been able to work with Microsoft Office files for a while now, but the company has recently focused on improving the experience. Last month, it started making editing more accessible for Office files stored in Drive, and now it's announcing new features that create even more synergy between Gmail, Drive, and Office files.
Already sick of eggnog? Google now lets you turn off alcohol ads
Ads promoting gambling can also be disabled
Google's ad network promotes pretty much every kind of product under the sun, but sometimes you might prefer not to see ads that fall under certain categories. Today, Google announced that it will be launching a new control option in the Ad Settings hub to let users limit ads related to unsavory vices — starting with alcohol and gambling.
CBS All Access finally supports user profiles, sparing you from your roommate's bad taste
There are special profiles for kids with parental controls, too
There are a lot of streaming services out there these days. Each of them have different pros and cons, but one of the most universal features is being able to create multiple user profiles for different individuals. Now it looks like CBS has finally added this seemingly basic ability for All Access members using its mobile apps.
FTC files lawsuit in an effort to split Instagram and WhatsApp away from Facebook (Update: FB response)
And Google thought it was in hot water
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Back in October, the US Justice Department went after Google in a massive antitrust lawsuit filed against the company. We heard that Facebook could be looking at similar scrutiny, and now those rumors have come to fruition. Multiple lawsuits were filed against Facebook yesterday, including one from the Federal Trade Commission that seeks to remove Instagram and WhatsApp from the company's control. For its part, Facebook has called the litigation "revisionist history."
Sony's $1 billion acquisition of Crunchyroll is now official
Previously rumored deal between AT&T and Sony's Funimation Global Group is still subject to regulatory approvals
Sony may not be great at selling smartphones, but it has been doing a pretty fine job of acquiring anime streaming companies. It bought Funimation in 2017, and now it looks like another deal might be closing soon that would bring Crunchyroll into the Sony stable at a price approaching one billion dollars.
Fire TV gets its biggest update ever, with an emphasis on content discovery and personalization
Better Alexa integration, personalized recommendations, individual user profiles, and more
Amazon announced a bunch of new hardware back in September, but the company also teased a brand-new Fire TV experience. Now the update appears to be rolling out to select Fire TV devices, and it promises to be the most significant software upgrade yet, delivering plenty of new features that make it easier to watch what you love.
Security cameras are one of the best investments you can make when it comes to keeping your home safe. Right now, you can get a 1080p security camera from Yi with two-way audio and night vision for just $17.99 on Amazon — its lowest price yet.Just because this camera is affordable doesn't mean it skimps on the essentials. With 1080p resolution video and night vision, you'll be able to get a clear picture of what's going on in your house no matter the time of day. The 112° degree viewing angle means that you can capture plenty of space in the scene, too.
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S6 keyboard cover is just $72 right now ($108 off)
You're basically getting each key for a mere penny apiece!
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S6 has been around long enough for plenty of consumers to have picked up, and now Verizon is offering a major deal on the tablet's keyboard cover accessory, marking it down to just $72 — a savings of $107.99 off the list price.
Google certifies 5 more Android phones for ARCore support
Augmented reality takes on higher importance during a pandemic
Now that more people are staying at home these days, augmented reality has the potential to become even more important. AR may not be as novel as it once was, but that doesn't mean Google isn't continually expanding its ARCore SDK to more devices to enable them to seamlessly access AR experiences like its virtual zoo.
Google wants to crowdsource data for medial research with its new Health Studies app
The app uses federated learning to keep user data private
Google makes a lot of experimental apps, but the company's latest one couldn't have landed at a more opportune time. The Google Health Studies app allows users to sign up and participate in research studies to advance medical knowledge — and its first project tackles respiratory illnesses.
Wireless earbuds from Anker start at just $25 in Amazon's Deal of the Day (up to $50 off)
Savings never sounded so good
Bluetooth earbuds are one of the most convenient ways to enjoy listening to music, podcasts, and more. Anker makes a variety of wireless buds, and today, a selection of them are on sale in Amazon's Deal of the Day starting at just $24.99, with savings of up to $50 on some of the most affordable wireless audio products around.There are options for everyone here, like the Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo, a $25 pair of buds that feature Bluetooth 5.0, IPX7 waterproofing, and over 3 and a half hours of battery life. The product with the most premium price tag is the Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro. They offer an impressive 8 hours of playback on a single charge, along with other handy additions such as custom sound profiles powered by HearID, independent playback, and wireless charging. There are plenty of other choices (even a neckband) — check out the full list below.
Ding dong! It's a sale on Eufy's 2K wireless video doorbell: $140 ($80 off)
AI-powered human detection, two-way audio, six months of battery life, and more
You want to be careful about who you're around these days, and having a video doorbell makes the decision to open up or not much easier. Right now, you can get Eufy's wireless video doorbell with 2K resolution and two-way audio for just $139.99 on Amazon — that's $80 off.Eufy outfitted this doorbell with dual power options, so it can last up to 6 months on a single charge or be connected to a power source for everlasting life. It's great for keeping an eye on things thanks to its 4:3 aspect ratio that gives you a full-body view of approaching visitors. Plus it includes onboard AI that sends you alerts when an actual human is in the picture.
Get a Pixel 4 for just $300 when you activate it on Verizon
Big savings on a small phone
The Pixel 4 is still the best Pixel available today if you value futuristic features like secure face unlock and fancy motion gestures that (sometimes) work. This may be the last truly high-end Pixel we get for a while, so now's a great time to make it your daily driver, especially if you're okay with Verizon. Right now, Best Buy will sell you a Pixel 4 for just $299.99 with instant activation.
Snag Fitbit's newest Sense smartwatch for just $260 ($70 off)
The Versa 3 is also on sale for $30 off
Fitness tracking is one of the main reasons people love smartwatches, and Fitbit's offerings excel at it. Right now, Amazon has two of the company's watches on sale, including its newest watch, the Fitbit Sense. It has special health monitoring sensors, long battery life, Google Assistant integration, and it's just $259.95 at the moment — $70 off.The Sense excels at smartwatch essentials with a bold, bright 1.58" screen and long battery life. Fitbit says it should last up to six days, and we rated the longevity as a plus when we reviewed it back in October. There's also built-in GPS and support for Google Assistant thanks to a recent OS update. But one of the most unique features is the ECG sensor, which allows the watch to monitor your heart for atrial fibrillation. Check out our full review here for more details on the fitness-focused wearable.
Google Photos has gone through a lot of changes recently, including introducing a new subscription for photo prints and an adjustment to the unlimited storage policy. Now the app is getting a new filter that adds an HDR-like effect to your photos to increase brightness and contrast.
Rakuten is behind some of the new Google Pay's surprisingly good rewards
The partnership enables cash back rewards without needing to jump through hoops
The new Google Pay app was released last month, bringing a bunch of new features with it. Among the perks of the revamped app are new dynamic rewards that give cash back and other offers on in-store and online purchases. And now we know how Google is able to award these benefits without requiring users to scan a code or use a coupon: it's thanks to a new partnership with Rakuten.
Spotify makes custom playlist covers for its mobile app official
Time to get creative
Creating playlists is one of the best ways to express yourself through music, and today Spotify is making them easier to personalize. Starting today, all Spotify users will be able to pick custom covers to display on playlists, right from the company's mobile app.