How to check battery health on your Android phone
Phone running out of juice too soon? Check your battery health
Phone running out of juice too soon? Check your battery health
From the Pixel 7 to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, this might be the next big thing in mobile photography
Ever since the first camera was put in a mobile phone, manufacturers have been in a perpetual arms race to include the best camera system on their devices. This has been great for consumers when almost every phone available today can take decent photos (especially compared to the 1MP cameras we had in the early days). The cutting edge of mobile photography mostly lies on the computational side of things, but one hardware advance, in particular, is changing what we can do with our smartphone camera and how we use it: the periscope camera. Let's explore what this camera is all about.
Using an iPhone with low storage is never a good idea
When you stream a lot of podcasts on your iPhone or iPad, they may consume considerable space on your device. The default Podcasts app on iPhone auto-downloads five episodes of your followed podcasts and fills up the device storage in no time. Before you run into errors due to low storage warnings, use the tricks below to free gigs of iPhone space by deleting podcasts.
The Google Pixel 8 is among the best camera-centric smartphones. While the phone might not pack the best camera hardware, its excellent image processing compensates for this. Google's latest Pixels can do more than click photos of your friends and families. You can use them to get close to your subject and capture stunning macro shots. This is made possible by the Macro Focus feature on these phones. Follow this guide to learn more about Macro Focus and how to use it on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro.
Passkeys are replacing long and complex passwords, and these tips will help you avoid problems and enjoy the benefits of easier logins
Passkeys simplify security with biometric logins, so you don't have to put as much effort into creating, saving, and recovering passwords. You can also bypass warnings about weak passwords and demands for more characters, including a capital letter, a number, and a symbol.
Taking group photos is a challenge. Despite careful preparation, unexpected movements, closed eyes, or poorly timed blinks can ruin a group photo. To avoid this, you go trigger-happy on the shutter button, taking multiple shots of the group, hoping to get that perfect picture. Even then, you may not get the desired result, with at least one person who blinked or looked away at the wrong time.
Don't let this mid-range friend cause you trouble
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is a cheaper alternative to the Galaxy S23. This is mostly good news, but it means the Fan Edition of Samsung's flagship has the same issues (plus a couple extra!).
We all know the routine with passwords. You either type them in or use a password manager because they are too complicated. Passwords are annoying to deal with, and they are the weakest point in the security chain when protecting your online accounts. Frequent data breaches put your passwords at risk at any given moment. Whether you have a budget Android phone or a top-of-the-line one, passwords are a problem. Enpass makes it easy to create and manage passkeys on your device, and we show you how in the guide below.
An active Data Saver mode may result in streaming glitches and slow web-browsing speeds
The Android operating system has a built-in Data Saver mode to apply breaks on cellular data usage in the background. It's a handy trick to avoid excessive data charges on your carrier plan, but some may not find it useful. Several carriers offer unlimited monthly data plans, and Android's Data Saver mode may not be useful for their subscribers. Use the steps below to deactivate Data Saver mode on your top-budget Android phone if you are among them.
Apple's Savings account is intriguing and has great numbers: Here's what you need and how to set it up
Apple offered customers a savings account earlier this year. This option remains active and is an easy way to contribute to savings if you struggle to make savings deposits. Apple doesn't manage this account. It's a Goldman Sachs account that's tied to your Apple Card. There are no minimum balance requirements, and the annual account yield can vary. The yield started at 4.15%, which is one of the best savings account yields in the country.
Missing a mouse or trackpad? Here's how to set up your Android phone as a mouse in minutes
Android users have been wondering if their compact phone could act as a wireless mouse in a pinch for over a decade. The moment our smartphones got slim enough to fit inside our pockets, people started wondering if they could take the spot of a Bluetooth mouse and save some room, as well as some cash, when on the go. It can also solve a crisis like a laptop trackpad suddenly shutting down.
We all take photos and videos or download PDFs that we want to share with our other devices or those around us. Usually, you'd send an email or a text to share those items, but there's a better way. Google's AirDrop-like Nearby Share feature allows you to send any type of file to other people or your other devices cleanly and seamlessly. This works great for sharing items between phones but is better if you want to share an item with one of our favorite Chromebooks. This guide shows you everything you need to know about Nearby Share and how to use it with your Chromebook.
Never forget that song you heard ever again
Now Playing is one of the best Pixel-exclusive features. It can automatically identify any song playing in your environment and display the title and artist on your lock screen. It's the perfect way to identify any song quickly.
These handy shortcuts can make your life easier
Your phone's home screen may not be something you think much about after you set it, but it's a core part of your overall user experience. The Google Pixel 8, along with other recent Pixel handsets, offers exclusive features you won't find on other Android phones or tablets. If you're upgrading to a Pixel from a different Android brand, you may not be aware of some home screen shortcuts on your phone. The Settings app, for example, provides a shortcut widget that gives you quick one-tap access to the numerous system settings.
The best Samsung phones offer a multi-day battery life, captivating cameras, and solid software features. But they also come with several pre-installed apps, which may take up the storage on your phone and make it harder to get to the apps you use. However, Samsung makes it easy to delete most unwanted apps for a clutter-free experience.
People won't even know the difference ... at first glance
Each of the recent major Android updates has provided greater customizability, showing that Google is committed to keeping Android versatile. The most dramatic, feature-heavy update was Android 12, which started rolling out in late 2021. Although the previous versions offered more personalization options than iOS, Android 12 was the first update that let users alter what felt like every aesthetic element, right down to the app icon colors on the home screen. And, with Android 14 available on top-end Google Pixel devices and winging its way to a phone near you, we continue to see additional design and usability options.
Who needs a smartwatch when you have a smartphone?
Being healthy is a constant goal of many people, but it's often easier said than done. Whether you're trying to eat better, be more active, or have another goal, everyone is striving for something. One common agreed-upon way to be healthier is to walk more, but there's no easy way to track it. There are some great fitness trackers, but they cost money and are not the best step-tracking solution for everyone. Most people have a smartphone in their pocket, which is a free way to track your steps and build a new habit. This guide discusses how to use your Android phone to track your steps.
Learn how Samsung's Vision Booster works. It's a new feature that makes screens easier to see in bright light
Have you ever tried to see your phone screen in bright sunlight? It can feel like you're looking into a mirror because the sun's glare often outshines the screen. Samsung, a leading display manufacturer, has created a solution.Vision Booster is Samsung's innovative approach to enhance screen visibility and color quality in high-brightness scenarios. But how does Vision Booster work? Which Samsung Galaxy devices support this technology? Here's everything you need to know.
Don't leave your Gmail messages behind when you switch from an Android to an iPhone
Unlike the top budget Android phones, Google's apps and services aren't preinstalled on an iPhone or iPad. Google offers apps on the App Store, and its services work fine with the default iOS apps. You can easily access your Gmail messages, contacts, tasks, and more on your iPhone. As for checking your emails, you can use the default Mail app or set up your Google account in the Gmail app on your iPhone.
Android phones have a handy feature that allows you to share your cellular connection with other devices, turning any phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot. In many situations, this can be a lifesaver. If you own a 5G Chromebook, like the Acer Chromebook Spin 714, or a 5G tablet, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, getting online isn't a problem. But for many other devices requiring the internet, you need a secure connection to a Wi-Fi source or be plugged in directly.
Using a password manager makes this easier
If you're like most people, you probably kept the random password on the bottom of your home router. While that random password is pretty safe, it's probably pretty hard to remember. If you already have your login details on your Android phone or tablet, there's no need dust off and flip over your gateway.