Hagop Kavafian
Contributing since January, 2019
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About Hagop Kavafian
Hagop is a tech-savvy guy, who's also into traveling, fitness, biking, food, and planes. He's heptalingual and has lived in 5 different countries, but has decided to settle in Paris for the time being.
Latest Articles
How to factory reset Google Nest smart speakers and displays
Even our speakers deserve a fresh start
Google's Nest line includes some of the best smart speakers with user-friendly controls and seamless integration with other devices. With Google Assistant, controlling your smart home and connecting with your Android phone is a breeze. The Nest or Google Home speakers and displays may occasionally require a reset to their original settings. A factory restart can be helpful for fixing glitches, erasing personal information, or switching Wi-Fi networks. This guide walks you through the steps to factory reset Google Nest smart speakers and displays.
I replaced my Philips Hue lights with a cheaper alternative and I'm hooked
Govee provides brilliant quality and connectivity without breaking the bank
When it comes to smart lights, Philips Hue is probably the first name that springs to mind. Its products are high-quality and popular, but too expensive for a lot of shoppers. This is where Govee comes in. I had the opportunity to try a wide variety of Govee lighting gear in my home for a few weeks, and not only have I found Govee’s ecosystem up to par with what I expect from the likes of Philips, I might even actually prefer it. While Govee did provide AP with product samples to test, I’ve also bought some of my own, and I intend to keep building out the kit as time goes on. Here's why.
Ring Battery Doorbell Pro review: Fancy features, dated design
It boasts radar to track people's footsteps, and can keep an eye on packages for you, too
Ring is one of the market leaders when it comes to smart doorbells, with a wide range of products like the Battery Doorbell Plus, offering plenty of features at an affordable price, or the Doorbell Elite, which comes with all the bells and whistles at the expense of a complex wiring process.
Sonos speakers, like the Move 2 and Era 300, are some of the most popular options for smart speakers. They offer excellent audio quality and simplify the creation of multiroom audio experiences. They may run into issues that can be resolved by performing a factory reset. While this removes your settings and requires you to set up your speaker from scratch, it often solves common issues by removing existing setup glitches.
DreameBot X30 Ultra robovac review: Just shy of touchless cleaning
High-tech and automated cleaning at a high price
In the competitive world of robot vacuums, the DreameBot X30 Ultra manages to stand out. Featuring advancements in mop cleaning and a self-cleaning base station for a touchless experience, its dock washes mops with hot water, and the robot can extend them to clean baseboards. A unique feature allows mop pad detachment in the dock, together with a new self-cleaning mechanism. The X30 Ultra isn't cheap, but with good cleaning efficiency and a wealth of features, it does a pretty good job justifying its high price.
How to change your home address on Google Maps
It'll be handy when you need directions home after a night out
If you recently changed residences, update your home address in Google Maps. You'll find the shortest and most traffic-free routes to and from your home and locate restaurants, attractions, and local businesses in the area. Changing your residences in Google Maps is easy, whether you own a budget Android phone or a top-end device.
If you're looking for smart lights but are mindful of your budget, consider WiZ Connected, Philips Hue's cousin. Both brands belong to Signify and offer excellent build quality and ease of use. WiZ Connected smart lights use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and don't require a hub to get online. They're set up using the WiZ app on Android and iPhone. These lights are perfect for automating a smart home ecosystem while being budget-conscious.
How to share your location on Android
Your loved ones won't have to worry about where you are anymore
Have you ever felt like your friends are lost in the sauce trying to find that new, hidden gem of a restaurant? Maps are great, but sometimes they don't cut it, especially if you're parked far away or nothing's familiar. That's where sharing your real-time location comes in handy. It guides your friends to you like a digital compass.
Over the past decade, robot vacuum cleaners have gone from conceptual to essential. These clever devices make it simple to keep your floors clean, with scheduled programs that run with minimal human interaction. The marketplace is now filled with various models that work similarly to the original Roomba robot vacuum but boast specs and features that make them easy to integrate with smart home assistants such as Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, Google Assistant, and more. You can even link them to smart speakers for voice control.
Protecting your digital privacy could be as simple as deleting your Google Search history. We Google almost everything and sometimes forget what should be kept private. Google stores all your search activities on your Google account, allowing you to quickly manage and delete them on your pocket-friendly Android phone and other devices. Whether you forgot to use Incognito mode or want to clear out old data, deleting your Google Search history is straightforward. We explain the process in this article.
Amazon Echo Hub review: A smart display for smart homes
The ultimate hub to control all your smart home devices
Smart speakers are a great way to control smart home devices like lights, locks, and thermostats, allowing you to operate them hands-free and naturally. Smart displays build on that convenience, allowing you to view visual content, see information at a glance, and interact by touch — none of which is possible with speakers.
How to hide personal photos on your Android or iOS device
It’s in your best interest to protect sensitive media
Sharing photos and videos with your co-workers, boss, and family is fun. But there may be images you'd rather keep private. There are multiple ways to make photos and videos private, no matter which phone you use. From a budget Android phone using the new Android 14 OS to a premium iPhone Pro, you can safeguard photos in a few quick steps so that prying eyes don't fall on them. Here are all the ways to do it, from using your phone's included apps to a few third-party methods.
How to sync Samsung Health data with Google Fit
Samsung Health and Google Fit can talk to each other
Samsung smartwatches are some of the best Wear OS timepieces. They feature excellent hardware, a customizable design, and an intuitive user experience. The latest model, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, is packed with sensors to track your physical activity and health metrics, which it can sync with your phone and Samsung Health. There isn't a built-in option to export this data to Google Fit, which can connect with many external providers to act as a hub for your fitness and health data.
How to set up and use Bedtime mode on your Android phone
Use Bedtime mode effectively to reduce distractions and get better sleep
Tossing and turning at night? Can't resist that late-night phone scroll? Turn on Bedtime mode. It's available on many Android phones, including the most affordable handsets, and is known as Sleep mode on Samsung phones.
SwitchBot Smart Lock review: Affordable and reliable home security
This smart lock is cheap, seamless to install, and easy to use
The SwitchBot Smart Lock is one of the more affordable smart locks on the market, offering enhanced door security at a reasonable price. Indeed, at only $100, it’s a very affordable product, while offering plenty of features. It aims to cater to a broad range of doors with its adaptable design. It’s meant to fit over the thumb-turn of existing locks, great for rental properties where lock replacement isn't feasible, or for people who don’t want to fiddle with their existing lock. If you can get past the bulky design, it's a great option.
WhatsApp is among the most popular messaging apps, especially for texting friends abroad. The app works on iPhone and Android, as well as on Mac, PC, and web browsers, making it compatible with Chromebooks. you can send images, videos, files, and polls, either individually or in group conversations. It's also packed with features ranging from voice and video calls to disappearing messages.
How to turn off or restart your Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
Don't try the buttons, there's a menu for it
With its Galaxy Watch lineup, Samsung makes some of the best Wear OS smartwatches on the market. They're customizable, responsive, and reliable products. The most recent models, starting with the Galaxy Watch 4 and including the newest Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, run Wear OS with a custom interface.
How to pair and use AirPods on your Android phone
Yep, you can use AirPods with your Android phone, but there are plenty of compromises you should know about
When it comes to wireless earbuds, Apple is one of the most popular brands, thanks to its AirPods lineup. These buds are designed with ease of use in mind. They work seamlessly with Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs. AirPods make perfect sense if you use these daily, as they offer an intuitive user experience and good audio quality.
Phones and tablets aren't the best tools for reading articles online. Many flagships use OLED displays, which may cause eye strain when used for too long. A better alternative is a high-quality e-reader built with E Ink technology, which illuminates its display using ambient light.
How to set up and use Samsung DeX on your Galaxy phone or tablet
Turning your phone into an actual computer is easy
As smartphones become more advanced, carrying a laptop for your daily needs is unnecessary. These pocket-sized supercomputers can handle most of our day-to-day tasks in a few clicks, from ordering at a restaurant to promoting a business on social media. However, smartphone screens aren't the best for complex tasks. Having a desktop screen is more feasible for viewing.