About Gaurav Shukla
Gaurav Shukla has been writing about consumer technology for over a decade. His first foray into technology journalism was a self-published Android blog — AndroidOS.in — where Gaurav covered everything from the T-Mobile G1 to HTC’s descent into smartphone oblivion. Since then, he has worked with How-To Geek, MSN.com, NDTV Gadgets 360, and XDA-Developers. Over the course of his career, Gaurav has extensively covered consumer technology news, written dozens of product reviews, how-to guides, explainers, buying guides, and much more. When he’s not writing or keeping up with the latest gadgets, you can find him catching up on the latest TV series or movies. You can reach him at gaurav.ap@proton.me.
What was your first phone and what do you remember about it?
My first phone was a hand-me-down from my brother: Sony Ericsson T100. I remember trying to access the internet on it with the built-in WAP browser, but back then, barely any carriers offered data plans in India. So I wasn’t very successful. But it was a cute little phone that served me great until I could buy a phone with my own money. My first smartphone came from HTC – P3400 – and it was a Windows Mobile device with a resistive screen and a built-in stylus. Despite not having powerful hardware, it was pretty capable. You could sideload apps on it and do all sorts of things.
Latest Articles
If you made the jump to using your Google Wallet as your primary way of paying at tills, consider a smart wallet to carry on taking your cards with you, and some notes for the times when you need a few more options. Smart wallets have several benefits over traditional wallets, including a slimmer and more compact form factor that’s easier to carry, and fits better in more confined spaces, such as your pockets, handbags, and backpacks.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is one of the best flagship and compact smartphones on the market. It's powered by the premium Qualcomm chip (at least in North America), and packs an impressive AMOLED display, a reasonably powerful battery, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. There is so much to like, which is why it's one of the best phones in Samsung's portfolio.
Best phone chargers in 2024: USB-C PD, PPS, and fast chargers
Charge your phone faster and more safely with these affordable, reliable, and compact wall adapters
If there is a silver lining to the removal of chargers from smartphone retail boxes, it’s the freedom to choose a power brick that best suits your gadget collection. As we carry and use more battery-powered devices than ever, your phone charger doesn’t just have to top up your phone. It can also charge your laptop, power bank, smartwatch, tablet, wireless earbuds, and other mobile accessories.
Best cheap Motorola phones in 2024
Need a good budget phone? Here are your best options from Motorola
Motorola has been making cell phones since they were big bulky affairs that needed to be installed in cars or briefcases. So naturally, it was also one of the first companies to eagerly embrace the new era of mainstream smartphones in the late 2000s. Motorola's 2009 release of the Droid was instrumental in turning Android into the dominant force it is today, and that's grown into a wide range of devices covering every conceivable price range and need.
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.
Tile Sticker vs. Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2: Which is more suitable for you?
Never lose track of what matters
Tile has an excellent smart tag selection to choose from. While some feature a key ring cutout, others cater to niche use cases. The Tile Sticker is one such specialized smart tracker that lacks a cutout for attachments but boasts an adhesive back. Its unique form factor has some advantages, but you must also deal with some drawbacks, like a non-replaceable battery. You can avoid these drawbacks by going with Samsung's Galaxy SmartTag 2, which has a user-replaceable battery and a big cutout to attach it to your belongings. But, like any other smart tracker, the Samsung offering isn't ideal for everyone.
Best smart tags for wallets in 2024
Get your wallet guardian with a specialized tracker
The fear of losing a wallet can send a jolt of panic through anyone. After all, it houses some of our most important documents, credit cards, and cash. Fortunately, a smart tag is a modern solution to monitor and locate your precious wallet. Smart tags come in various form factors, but a slim card-style design is most optimal for wallets. Here are the top options for the best wallet trackers to help you get started.
Best Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra screen protectors in 2024
It would be a shame to damage the S24 Ultra's beautiful new display - these quality screen protectors can help
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra arguably has one of the best displays on a smartphone. It's big, bright, and vibrant. Such a gorgeous display deserves to be preserved for as long as possible. While Samsung includes a Corning Gorilla Armor covering for help, you need a screen protector for peace of mind.
The Razer Edge is an unusual gaming handheld that essentially combines a small Android tablet with a clip-on controller. As a result, you can play the best Android games and use cloud gaming services while enjoying regular apps.
Let's face it; even if you have one of the best Android phones with a huge battery, sometimes you'll need extra help to get you through an exceptionally busy day. Whether that's on a road trip where you're snapping a ton of photos or just one of those days when you've found yourself immersed in an addictive Android game, having the right battery pack can ensure that you're not left helplessly wandering with a dead phone.
Ever-increasing efficiency, performance, and software optimization make today's best Chromebooks more versatile than ever before. And while they all have touchpads and most have touchscreens, a dependable mouse is one of the most useful accessories to pair with any laptop. And not only can you spend anywhere from $10 to $100, you can choose from typical two-button affairs, stationary trackballs, advanced models packed with novel features, and vertical mice that minimize wrist pain.
Best Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic cases in 2024
Dress up your Galaxy Watch 6 Classic with the best protection
If you’ve ever worn a wristwatch, you likely never considered putting a case on it. You just wore it as is, hoping day in and day out that nothing would crack its glass. Things changed quite a bit when companies like Samsung started producing smartwatches or feature-rich alternatives to the analog timekeepers of yesteryear. Today, if you’re sporting a Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, a case is a necessity to keep your top-rated all-in-one wristpiece safe from daily use.
Amazon’s Fire tablets are excellent for everyday tasks such as browsing the web, streaming videos, and reading e-books, making them a good option for people wanting an affordable slate. Besides the essentials, the Fire tablets have Alexa integration to control your smart home and provide quick access to a capable voice assistant.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a minor upgrade over the S23 Ultra, but that hasn't stopped it from becoming one of the best Android phones around. The switch to a titanium frame and Gorilla Armor glass undoubtedly makes the S24 Ultra more durable, but metal still scratches and scuffs, and glass still cracks.
Tile Pro vs. Apple AirTag: Which is the better smart tracker for you?
It’s a face-off between two of the best smart trackers
If you're in the market for a smart tracker, the Tile Pro and the Apple AirTag have probably come across as two of the best options in your search results. These Bluetooth devices are among the top contenders because they are backed by impressive tag networks and can easily monitor your keys, luggage, purse, car, and other valuables. Despite their reliability and similar functionality, some key differences can make one more suitable than the other. So, which of the two smart tags is a better choice for you? Let’s find out.
Best Google Pixel 7a wireless chargers in 2024
No more fiddling with the USB cables with these fantastic wireless chargers
Google's Pixel 7a is a remarkably powerful budget Android phone; it packs in the same Tensor G2 chip as the pricier Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, outdone only by Google's more recently released Pixel 8 lineup. In addition to the sophisticated AI and computational photography features the Pixel phones have become famous for, you're also getting a 90Hz full-HD OLED display, a great camera system, and some fun new colors.
Tile Pro vs. Tile Mate: Which smart tracker should you buy?
Replaceable battery or a smaller tracker?
The Tile Pro and the Tile Mate are two of the best smart trackers backed by one of the biggest tag networks, ensuring important items are easy to find if they're lost. They are also platform-agnostic and can work with Android and iOS devices, so they're suitable for pretty much everyone. But as the Mate and Pro differ in Bluetooth range, design, and pricing, which is better for you? Let’s find out.
Best Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra cases in 2024
Your super-sized Samsung deserves a great case, whether it's super-sized, thin, or anywhere in between
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra may be a couple of generations old, but it’s still as capable as some of the best Android phones, with a beautiful display, a powerful processor, and a helpful S Pen stylus. So whether you are looking for a new case for your old phone or something to protect your brand-new purchase, there is a wide selection of cases on the market.
Steam Deck is a versatile handheld gaming console that has come a long way since its release over two years ago. It packs powerful hardware for its size and can play most popular AAA titles. Moreover, with its OLED version, you even get a beautiful and vibrant display.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is one of the best compact smartphones this year. It has a lot to like, from a bright LTPO OLED display to a promise of seven years of OS upgrades. But like its predecessor, it’s still a glass sandwich. While the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 adds some durability to the design, it’s mostly good for minor scratch and dent protection. So, a case is a crucial investment if you need peace of mind.