About Taylor Kerns
Taylor was an amateur phone nerd for the better part of a decade prior to joining Android Police in 2018, where he's since authored more than a thousand articles about all things Android. Taylor serves as Gadgets Editor, and you'll see his byline on editorials, reviews, comparative buyer's guides, and technical explainers, as well as the occasional piece of breaking news. He's got soft spots for personal audio, wearable tech, smart lights, and mobile photography. There's a good chance he's carrying a Pixel phone right now. In his time away from AP, you'll probably catch Taylor hanging out with his two dogs, playing Xbox, or out shooting with his beloved Fuji X-T5. Send him memes and fan mail at taylor@androidpolice.com.
Latest Articles
Google Podcasts product manager Zack Reneau-Wedeen announced earlier this week that the service was rolling out new search functionality that displays individual episodes of podcasts in search results alongside full shows, and said he expected it to be available for all users by the end of the week. He seems on track to make good on that prediction, as the feature is now widely available.
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- In a post to its Wear OS community boards, Google has confirmed the shuttering of Hangouts for its wearable platform:
Hangouts as we know it has been slowly dying for years (sorry if this is how you're finding out). G Suite users are transitioning away from the classic Hangouts service this year, with individual users to follow soon after. Now there's another nail in Hangouts Classic's coffin: the app is no longer available on Wear OS.
You've made it halfway through another week. Congratulations! Reward yourself with some discount tech. Here you'll find savings on Android Police's fitness wearable of choice, the Fitbit Charge 3; the first-generation Echo Show; and an outdoor smart plug, among other things.
[Update: Continued Conversation arrives] Insignia's Google Assistant speakers now display the temperature at all times
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- We're getting word that a subsequent update enables Continued Conversation on Insignia speakers. The feature sees speakers listen for follow-up questions after delivering an answer; for example, after hearing the forecast for the day, you can ask "what about tomorrow?" without saying "hey, Google" again. It'll stop listening after a few seconds, or you can say "thank you" to end the exchange.
Insignia makes a couple of popular alarm clock-style smart speakers featuring the Google Assistant. Previously, when asked about the weather, the speakers would display the current temperature under the clock face. Now, though, they've been updated to display that information all the time.
The Galaxy S10 gets an even worse iFixit repairability score than the S9, now has a soldered charging port
As phones get more advanced and more densely packed with tech, their construction becomes less conducive to user serviceability. That continues to be true with Samsung's new Galaxy S10, which the prolific device disassemblers at iFixit have picked apart and given a score of 3 out of 10 for repairability.
Arlo's smart security cameras are a fan favorite, but they sure can get pricey. If you're looking to start your kit without taking out a second mortgage on the house you're trying to keep an eye on, here's a deal for ya: you can currently grab two Arlo Pro 2 1080p cameras plus the required base station for $338, nearly $50 off what Amazon's been charging lately.The cameras can be used indoors or out, and come with mounting hardware to hang them on walls (or trees). They can be plugged in or operated on battery power, and feature night vision and a 130-degree field of view. You can configure the cameras to send you alerts when sound or motion are detected, and recorded clips are stored online for up to seven days.
Uber Rewards was announced in November last year. The program grants points to Uber users for hailing rides or ordering food through Uber Eats, with perks increasing for higher dollar amounts spent. The program started rolling out in January, and Uber has announced that it's now available to all riders in the United States.
How was your weekend? Pretty good? Now that it's Monday, we've got a fresh batch of deals for you. The Roku Ultra is on sale, plus a couple of TP-Link smart home bundles, a projector from Anker, and then some.
Rakuten is known to run some killer deals from time to time, and the site is at it again. You can currently get 15 percent off any purchase, up to a maximum discount of $60.
Internet TV services are already a cost-effective alternative to traditional cable, and Sling is making its offering even more so for new customers. For a limited time, new subscribers get a 40 percent discount on their first three months of service.
Bank of America app picks up debit card limits, Bill Pay history, and Cash Rewards options
The Bank of America app has received what seems to be a relatively hefty update. As of version 8.1.0, customers are able to edit credit card reward categories, manage bill payment plans, and set daily limits for debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals. Handy if you're on a budget, or just trying to get your spending in check.
The workweek is half over, so why not treat yourself with some discounted gadgets? We've got good deals on a nice, big Chromebook, a high-quality budget Nokia phone, and a whole bunch of charging accessories you can use to keep 'em topped up.
HMD has been putting out some really great mid-range devices under the Nokia name. One such device is the Nokia 3.1 Plus. The international version launched last year starting at €159 — and as of today, it's got the latest version of Android in 9 Pie.
HTC has announced that its blockchain-focused Exodus 1 phone "is now expanding its reach to non-crypto natives who want to explore the new internet and the security and possibilities it brings." Translation: you can buy it with regular money.
Get a Moto Z3 Play with Power Pack Moto Mod for $350 ($150 off), Prime Exclusive version for $340
With many of its recent offerings, Motorola has had trouble striking a balance between value and price: the company is launching some good phones, but they're often too expensive to recommend. That makes them ripe for sales, though — and the Z3 Play is currently on sale for a substantial $150 off MSRP from a number of retailers.In his review, Ryan found that the screen, software, and cameras on the Z3 Play were all great, but its $500 price tag pit it against more appealing (and more powerful) alternatives from companies like OnePlus. Now, though, it's $349.99, which is a very fair price.
Google Play Movies & TV is offering some users 99¢ rentals on select films
Google Play Movies & TV is offering some users 99¢ rentals on select films
Like movies? How about cheap stuff? You might want to check your Play Store rewards, then, because Google Play is offering some users 99-cent rentals of certain titles, including recent popular flicks like A Star Is Born, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Crazy Rich Asians.
An act of open defiance stopped Google Maps Satellite view from being called 'Bird Mode'
On Google Maps, there are three map type options: Default; Terrain, which shows an approximation of the land's texture; and Satellite, which features real-life aerial imagery. In a series of tweets over the weekend, Maps co-creator Bret Taylor explained how the Maps team prevented Satellite view from shipping with a very silly name: Bird Mode.
Hey, it's Monday again (sorry). But there's good news! We've got a fresh crop of deals, including the return of a popular Philips Hue discount, some super cheap Bluetooth speakers, and more than $100 off the BlackBerry Key2.
Serial Box offers stories in digestible, serialized (get it? Serial Box?) chunks, with episodes available in both text and audio formats. The app has seen success on iOS, garnering an average user review of 4.6 stars — and the unique service is now available on Android.
Aukey's B80 Bluetooth earbuds feature USB-C charging and aptX, and they're just $51 ($29 off) right now
Aukey manages to cram a lot of features into its Bluetooth earbuds relative to their prices. The company's B80 earbuds — big brother to the impressive B60 — pack Bluetooth 5.0, aptX support, and USB-C charging. Those features are appealing at the headset's usual $80, and the current sale price of $51 makes the buds a steal.In addition to the aforementioned perks, the B80 are also IPX6 water resistant. There's not much more you could ask for in a bargain pair of athletic earbuds. A whopping 77 percent of Amazon reviewers have given them five out of five stars.