Jon Gilbert
Commerce and Features writer
Contributing since December, 2021
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509articles
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105News
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87Features
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67Lists
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221Guides
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17Reviews
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12Deals
About Jon Gilbert
Jon has been a writer at Android Police since 2021. He primarily writes how-to guides and round-ups, but occasionally covers news. His favorite Android device was the Pixel 2 XL, and he regards the three-month period where he owned an iPhone as a time of the utmost shame. Jon graduated with a History degree in 2018, but quickly realized his writing skills were better put to use writing about tech rather than essays. He started writing and editing for startups shortly after graduating, where he did everything from writing website copy to managing and editing for a group of writers. In his free time, you can find him fiddling with computers and spending his entire paycheck on vinyl records.
Latest Articles
8 simple Citymapper tips to get you out of traffic and on your way
Discover everything you can do in the Citymapper app
Citymapper is a powerful navigation app comparable to the best navigation apps for Android. It's only available in select cities, but it offers an astonishing amount of detail for navigating these cities, including up-to-date transport information, ride-share costs, maps, and more. It's easy to open the app, create a route, and use the app's most powerful features. We rounded up the best tips and tricks for using the Citymapper app. These help you navigate cities safely, quickly, and reliably. Citymapper is available on Android, iOS, and smartwatches, so grab one of our favorite budget smartwatches to navigate from your wrist.
How to improve your Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5's battery life
Make your Z Flip 5 last all day and more
When we tested the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5's battery life, we found it could last all day, but heavy use can force you to top up the phone during the day. The Galaxy Z Flip 5's charging speed is only 25W, so this isn't always a viable option. Carrying a portable power bank is one solution. You can also improve the Galaxy Z Flip 5's battery life by adjusting its settings and changing your habits.
Samsung Bixby: What it is and how to use it
Samsung's digital voice assistant is impressive, with deep system settings and third-party app integration
Bixby is Samsung's version of Google Assistant and Apple Siri voice assistants. It's available on most Samsung devices, including TVs, refrigerators, phones, and tablets. Don't confuse it with Galaxy AI, Samsung's generative AI technology found in the latest Samsung devices, such as the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
When you buy a new phone from AT&T Wireless, your eSIM or SIM card is set up and activated. However, when you switch to AT&T and bring your existing phone, you must activate your new SIM card before using your plan. This guide walks you through activating an eSIM and SIM card through AT&T. You can follow this guide whether you have an AT&T prepaid or postpaid plan from the carrier or a prepaid card from another retailer. These prepaid cards are a great way to save money alongside a budget Android phone.
Gamesir G8 Galileo controller review: Function and form
The perfect controller that slips over your phone for easy marathon gaming sessions
Many of our favorite Android gaming controllers make ergonomic sacrifices to take up as little space as possible for on-the-go gaming. The Gamesir G8 Galileo is the biggest controller we've reviewed yet, but all this mass is put to good use. After testing the controller for a few months, I can also say it would be the best snap-on controller I've reviewed, if not for one major flaw.
Google Maps vs. Citymapper: Which navigation app takes the win?
What's best for getting from A to B?
Citymapper might not be preinstalled on Android phones like Google Maps, but it's an excellent alternative to Google's flagship mapping app. It provides the information you need to navigate cities, from public transport to safe walking directions. While it shares many of Google Maps' best features, it's a unique application that may serve you better.
Android Auto apps can enhance your driving experience through music, navigation, or communication. Not all the best apps on the Play Store are available for your car. More are added daily alongside staples like Google Maps and Spotify. We collected the most helpful Android Auto apps on the Google Play Store. These apps are also available for your Android phone, and some are available for our favorite WearOS smartwatches, so you can continue using them after you leave your car.
If you have used an Android phone since 2014, you're already familiar with Google's Material Design, its high-quality design system for websites, Android and iOS apps, and operating systems. It covers shapes, 3D effects, animations, lighting and shadows, colors, typography, fonts, transitions, layouts, and more. It's most prominent on the best Google Pixel phones although Android phones from all manufacturers touch on it to some degree.
How to add transparency to an image in Google Slides
Tweak image transparency on a browser or on mobile
Google Slides is an easy tool for making presentations online through Google Chrome or offline with one of the best 2-in-1 Chromebooks for productivity. It's packed with tools and features like autoplaying presentations that can turn boring slides into eye-catching presentations, but some are not easily found.
Despite the PlayStation 5's popularity, you can't directly connect AirPods to the gaming console via Bluetooth. While this is inconvenient for everyone who relies on a pair of wireless earbuds or headphones, some simple workarounds let you connect your AirPods with your PS5. This guide shows you how to connect AirPods to your PS5 via Bluetooth. It works for any earbuds and headphones, including all the top wireless headphones. After syncing, you can use your AirPods to talk to other gamers via the PS5's voice chat. You can also play games on your iOS or Android device via the PS Remote Play app.
The 12 best and most useful Android widgets on the Google Play Store
Make your home screen more than just an app launcher
The best Android widgets range from productivity tools to detailed weather infographics. While Android phones ship with widgets for Google apps like Google Calendar and Drive, you'll find other useful and exciting widgets that complement the best Android apps. We rounded up our favorite widgets on the Google Play Store. These widgets are available for all Android devices, including Google Pixel phones and the latest Samsung Galaxy S24 lineup.
The OnePlus Open is one of the best foldable phones on the market, thanks to OnePlus' parent company, Oppo, fine-tuning the hardware outside the North American market. However, it's easy to get confused about what charger you'll need to reach the OnePlus Open's 67W charging speed.
How to use Google Translate to transcribe and translate voice to text
Translate conversations, speeches, and phrases
Google Translate has many useful features beyond text-to-text translation, one of which is voice-to-text translation. This handy tool can translate and transcribe audio files or live speech in the Google Translate app in seconds offline and online. Voice-to-text translation is available on the desktop and mobile versions of Google Translate. You can use the Android or iOS Google Translate app to access this feature, although thanks to their Tensor chips, only Pixel devices like the Google Pixel 8 Pro have the real-time translation tool, Live Translate.
Sharing your Wi-Fi password is a vital part of welcoming a guest, but don't direct them to the back of your router. There are easier ways to share your Wi-Fi password, even between iPhone and Android. Wi-Fi sharing between the two device families isn't as straightforward as sharing within their ecosystems, so we’ve created a step-by-step tutorial to make things a little easier.
Google Maps is preinstalled on most Android phones, but Waze is a popular alternative many use for directions. Despite Google owning both apps, they offer different approaches to navigation with unique features that can make one a better choice for your day-to-day traveling. We explain what makes each app unique and why one or the other might be better for your navigation needs. Waze is unavailable on WearOS. If you're considering jumping into the increasingly impressive world of Android smartwatches, stick with Google Maps.
How to find your Apple Watch's phone number on T-Mobile
Find your phone number in less than a minute
Some Apple Watches have two phone numbers. One number is identical to your iPhone number. The other is its phone number, which is used for billing purposes. Knowing both numbers is helpful when contacting T-Mobile's customer support regarding your mobile plan or when switching to a better-value plan.
Pixel Call Assist: Everything you need to know
Google's suite of calling features can make your life a whole lot easier
The Phone app by Google is preinstalled on millions of Android phones. The Phone app on Pixel devices offers Pixel Call Assist, which has calling features to filter out spammers, navigate automated menus, and more. While most of these features are exclusive to the latest Pixel phones like the Google Pixel 8, some can be used on other phones, including the best cheap Android phones.
Every new feature in Google's March 2024 Pixel Feature Drop
An ongoing changelog of Google's quarterly updates for its devices
Google's quarterly Pixel Feature Drops add new features for Pixel devices, including wearables like the Google Pixel Watch 2. These features are initially exclusive to Pixel devices but occasionally reach other Android devices.
Best tablets for students in 2024
Work hard (or hardly work) with these excellent tablets for school or college
Choosing the best student tablet requires carefully compromising between affordability and performance. The tablet shouldn't break the bank but should have good battery life, productivity features, and streaming service and game support (for when it's time to relax). Productivity features are essential when picking a tablet for students, but these aren't universal across devices. Some offer E Ink displays, perfect for note-taking, while others support keyboards and styluses for staying on top of coursework and projects.
Kobo Elipsa 2E review: A niche but near-perfect e-reader
This is the perfect e-reader... for the right person
We've reviewed plenty of Kobo's e-readers in the past, and the Kobo Elipsa 2E is the biggest and most versatile yet. Combining a 10.3-inch screen with competent note-taking tools, the Elipsa 2E is a powerful device that ticks all the boxes for a top-of-the-line e-reader.