About Zach Laidlaw
Zach is an experienced writer, self-proclaimed tech addict, and hobbyist gamer. Throughout his career, he's worked for Samsung and Apple, giving him a broad view of the mobile tech landscape at large. To learn more, connect on Twitter @ztlaidlaw
Latest Articles
Fit a whole guitar rig in your pocket with Deplike, now just $27 ($12 off) (Sponsored)
Try it for free or save 30% with a Premium one-time purchase
Any guitarist, bassist, or string instrument aficionado knows how quickly they can drain their wallets on buying the latest amps and effects. But in the modern digital age, musicians no longer have to fork over thousands upon thousands of dollars to lock in their signature sound — it can all be done through a smartphone! Introducing Deplike, a robust guitar amp and effects emulation app for Android and iOS built to make guitar gear more affordable and accessible for everyone.
The LANQ PCDock adds biometric authentication and RGB lighting to any setup, backable now on Indiegogo (Sponsored)
You undoubtedly spend a lot of time at your computer these days. Whether you're constantly needing more peripheral ports, you wish there was an easier way to access all of your login information with biometric authentication, or you'd really like to have some RGB lighting for after-work gaming sessions, there's a solution that can do it all. Introducing the LANQ PCDock series of products, available to back now on Indiegogo.
Storm season is coming — be ready for it with the free Sunrise weather app (Sponsored)
Download for free or save when you upgrade to Sunrise Premium
It's March, which means Spring is basically here in the northern hemisphere. And along with the warmer weather will come the inevitable barrage of thunderstorms, tornados, and other weather threats. Luckily, it's easy to stay on top of the latest weather events this storm season with the Sunrise weather app, available to download for free on the Google Play store.
Did you know that a devastating 81% of all account breaches across the internet are due to weak password security? Even more alarming, an overwhelming 95% of all cybersecurity breaches are attributed to human error. One way that you can ensure you're not one of these statistics is to adopt an intelligent end-to-end password security solution like Keeper for up to 30% off.
Haptic experts share the buzz-worthy details on your phone’s most low-key vital feature (Q&A) (Sponsored)
By now, you know how important haptics are to the smartphone user experience, but there’s still more to the story. We recently had a virtual conversation with the team at Cirrus Logic to get a better understanding of the price constraints that come with premium haptics, what implementation challenges they face as smartphones evolve, and more. Here’s how it went.
Liven up your entertainment space with the Govee Flow Pro Wi-Fi TV Light Bars, now just $49 ($21 off) (Sponsored)
If TV backlights like the ones we showed off at the beginning of February aren't your thing, perhaps your living space, gaming room, or home theater could benefit from a different style of ambient lighting. Introducing the Govee Flow Pro Wi-Fi TV Light Bars, now just $49.49 (20.50 off).Like their back light cousins, the Flow Pro light bars are built around Govee's ColorSense technology. What this means is that the Flow Pro uses a camera mounted to the top or bottom edge of your TV so that it can capture the colors playing on your screen. That information is then relayed back to the light bars so that they can cast the same colors as the show or movie you're watching. The result is a beautiful tapestry of immersive colors that emit from the light bars and onto your wall, creating an ambient experience while you enjoy your content. The Flow Pro light bars include 12 different scene modes so that you can find the perfect lighting to match your viewing preferences, plus there's a music mode that lets the light bars pulse along with the music playing through your TV, making it great for karaoke night, enjoying rhythm-based video games, and more.
Done with LastPass? Pick up a two-year subscription to NordPass Premium for a massive 70% off (Sponsored)
But you only have until Thursday to cash in on this offer
Between all of your email addresses, social media accounts, online store logins, and more, having a secure password management app has become a basic necessity for anyone who spends time on the internet. Luckily, there isn't just one password manager to rule them all — there are a lot of great options out there, one of which is NordPass. As part of their End of Winter Sale, you can save up to 70% on a 2-year subscription to NordPass Premium, but you'll need to move fast.
Win one of 4 ANNKE NC400 NightChroma security cameras (Update: Winners)
Or buy one today and save up to 38% on your order
Outdoor security cameras are a great way to keep tabs on your property.... as long as there's ample lighting. Unfortunately, many cameras only perform well during the day, leaving plenty of wiggle room for intruders to infiltrate your home under the cover of darkness, but it doesn't have to be that way. This week, our friends at ANNKE are giving away four of their NC400 NightChroma security cameras, valued at $129.99 a piece.
Add some RGB accents to your setup with the Govee Immersion TV backlights for just $54 ($18 off) (Sponsored)
Android Police readers can save 25% with this exclusive code
Why just watch TV when you could become fully immersed in the viewing experience? Whether you're binging a beloved TV series, catching the latest direct-to-streaming blockbuster, or kicking back with your favorite video game, you can take whatever's playing on your screen and project its colors beyond the display. Make your TV sessions feel bigger and bolder than ever before with the Govee Immersion Wi-Fi TV backlight set, now only $53.99 ($18 off) with coupon code.
Rumbles matter: How premium haptics fuel immersive mobile gaming experiences (Sponsored)
The mobile gaming market has been growing at a rapid pace, fueling the emergence of dedicated gaming phones and more ambitious games. To help mobile titles feel closer to their console cousins, some developers have begun to lean on in-game haptic feedback. Here's a look at how premium haptics empower better mobile gaming experiences.
You wanted to know more about the Galaxy Buds Pro, and we have the answers here
Subscribe to the Android Police Newsletter to have free content like this delivered to your inbox every weekend
Every Sunday, we assemble the latest headlines, editorials, and exclusive content into the Android Police Newsletter and send it out to thousands of readers around the world. If you're not one of those readers, you might be missing out on the most important stories of the week, as well as content you'll only find in the newsletter, like the exclusive Galaxy Buds Pro Q&A you'll find below and our free wallpaper extravaganza. Here's all the important stuff featured in the Android Police Newsletter from January 24, 2021.
Ask us anything about the Galaxy S21, S21+, and S21 Ultra (Q&A)
Then subscribe to the Android Police Newsletter to see what we have to say
You may have heard that Samsung recently dropped its latest lineup of Galaxy smartphones dubbed the S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra. While some of these devices have just begun to ship ahead of schedule, our Editor in Chief David Ruddock has been testing them out for a week, and he's ready to answer your questions.
Ask us anything about the Galaxy Buds Pro (Q&A)
Then subscribe to the Android Police Newsletter to read our answers
Shortly after Samsung dropped a pair of Beans at Unpacked 2020, it became clear that these uniquely styled buds were good, but they had some serious shortcomings. This year, Samsung went back to the drawing board, adopting a more palatable design while also offering some serious audio enhancements. Our Editor in Chief David Ruddock has been using the Galaxy Buds Pro for a little over a week, and he's just about ready to spill the beans.
Building buzz: How smartphone haptics can make or break the user experience (Sponsored)
Not every vibration is created equally. Here's why they matter.
Your phone probably buzzes hundreds of times a day, relaying information with each tiny jolt. By now, you know how much force every vibration emits and what each length of buzz means, all without looking at your device — vital pieces of your smartphone's user experience. Today, we're talking about how haptic technology can impact the way you engage with your device, for better and for worse.
Spigen’s stellar Galaxy S21 case collection has landed (Sponsored)
These latest cases are out of this world
After weeks of hands-on photos, spec leaks, and other teasers, Samsung's new Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, S21 Ultra, and Galaxy Buds Pro are finally here! Before your shiny new phone or fancy pair of buds show up at your door, you're going to want to pick up some solid protection that's built to last. Introducing Spigen's latest case lineup, precision tailored to fit the new Samsung Galaxy S21 series and Galaxy Buds Pro.
The best USB-C PD chargers you can buy from AUKEY right now (Sponsored)
From 18W of compact power to a 90W multiple-port powerhouse, AUKEY makes it all
Our friends over at AUKEY are no strangers to making some of the most capable phone chargers in the biz, featuring technologies like gallium nitride (GaN) and USB Power Delivery (PD), all packed into portable, yet durable designs. As new phones, computers, and other exciting electronics will undoubtedly be delivered this holiday season, now's a great time to make sure you have the means to keep them powered up. These are the best USB-C PD chargers from AUKEY that you can buy right now.
Win a Roborock S5 Max smart vacuum (Update: Winner)
Or pick one up for as low as $439 ($161 off) with coupon
We've extensively covered Robroock's lineup of intelligent vacuums, from fresh deals to product launches and everything in between. Today, though, we have a very special offer just in time for the holidays. Roborock is giving away a brand new S5 Max robotic vacuum to one lucky Android Police reader. Here's everything you need to know.
How to get the most out of the free Kanbani task management app (Sponsored)
Harness the power of kanban to get more done throughout your day
Last week, we introduced you to Kanbani, a powerful kanban-based task management app designed for busy lifestyles. This week, we're diving deeper into how to use some of Kanbani's features, plus we'll be taking a look at what Kanbani's earliest supporters have to say about their experiences so far.
Banish robocalls and spammers for free with CallApp (Sponsored)
Get caller blocking, call recording, anti spoofing, and insightful call metrics for $0.
Despite the government's best attempts to rein in illegal robocalls and other telephone-related scams, such security threats have been an ongoing issue for anyone within reach of a phone. Luckily, developers like our friends behind CallApp have made it simple to identify and block these calls from reaching your device, all while offering a phone app experience you won't find in a stock application.
Take your productivity to new heights with Kanbani, a completely free task management app by PDApps (Sponsored)
No ads, no IAPs, and no data mining. Just a kanban-based app to help you crush your goals.
Your life is chock-full with things to do: work tasks, house chores, grocery lists, and more. Not only should you be using a powerful task manager to help you stay organized, but you also need one that will keep you on track so that you can continue to smash through your goals again and again. Introducing Kanbani, a freeware task manager built for the modern busy lifestyle.