All posts tagged: android

Google’s 5-million Android settlement: How to claim your money

Google’s $135-million Android settlement: How to claim your money

Published by skeptic

Have you used an Android phone in the past nine years? Then Google might have to give you up to $100 later this year. That’s because the company reached a preliminary $135 million settlement (without admitting wrongdoing) in a class-action lawsuit called Taylor v. Google LLC, per CNET. The suit alleged that Google used Android users’ paid cellular data to transfer information to Google without their permission. Now, users who may have had their data misused can sign up for payments on the official settlement website. The settlement could include up to 100 million Android mobile users in the United States. If you think you qualify, check the email associated with your Android mobile account for the settlement notice. Mashable Light Speed Not sure if you’re eligible? Here are the criteria: You have to be a real human in the United States You have to have used an Android phone with cellular data at any point between Nov. 12, 2017 and now You can’t be a member of Csupo v. Google LLC, a similar class-action …

The Best MagSafe Accessories (for Android, Too!): Chargers, Wallets, and More

The Best MagSafe Accessories (for Android, Too!): Chargers, Wallets, and More

Published by skeptic

Other Good MagSafe Accessories The accessories below aren’t as great as the top picks in this guide, but they’re still good options if you’re looking for more MagSafe gadgets. Belkin iPhone Mount With MagSafe. Photograph: Julian Chokkattu Belkin iPhone Mount With MagSafe: Using Apple’s Continuity Camera feature, you can wirelessly use your iPhone as a webcam for a MacBook. It supports various video calling apps too, from FaceTime to Zoom. This circular silicone puck magnetically sticks to the back of your iPhone and can be used as a phone grip or kickstand, but you need to keep your screen close to a 90-degree angle, or else the weight of the iPhone will drag the screen back or forward. There’s also a mount for external displays, in case you want one for your home desk setup. STM Goods MagPod Smarter Phone Stand: I’ve been carrying this mini tripod from STM Goods all over my apartment. When I’m not using it to see notifications at a glance at my desk, I’ll place it on my kitchen counter …

Nothing Phone (4a) Pro Review: A Close Second

Nothing Phone (4a) Pro Review: A Close Second

Published by skeptic

Battery life has been more than adequate. The 5,080-mAh cell easily lasts me a full day, and that’s with more than seven hours of screen-on time. I recently broke my leg, so I’m usually sitting in one place and on my phone. I often end up with 20 percent left by 9 pm or so, and the Phone (4a) Pro has managed to handle hours of watching Instagram Reels without issue (don’t judge). It recharges fairly quickly, though I still think Nothing should have added wireless charging as an alternate way to juice up; the Pixel 10a supports it. Initially, when I set up the phone, it didn’t connect to my eSIM. I had to manually turn on eSIM functionality after setting it up, and was then able to connect it to my carrier, Google Fi. Thankfully, I haven’t had any connectivity problems since. The phone should work on all major carriers in the US, though you may have to do some extra legwork if you’re on AT&T or Verizon (and their subsequent MVNOs) to …

iPhone Loyalty Hits 96.4% as Android Users Four Times More Likely to Switch

iPhone Loyalty Hits 96.4% as Android Users Four Times More Likely to Switch

Published by skeptic

Customers are more loyal to Apple than ever, according to a smartphone loyalty survey conducted by phone trade-in site SellCell. 96.4% of customers surveyed said they planned to stick with an iPhone for their next upgrade, and 3.6% said they would choose a different brand. That’s up from 91.9% in SellCell’s 2021 survey and 90.5% in 2019. Android users were less loyal to their brand, and are almost 4x more likely to switch than iPhone users. 86.4% of people surveyed said they would stick with an Android device, while 13.6% said they planned to switch. Of the 3.6% of iPhone users who said they would move to another platform, 69.7% said they would choose a Samsung smartphone, and 20.2% said they would choose a Google smartphone. While most Android users said they would switch to a Samsung or Google device, 26.8% said they would choose an iPhone over an Android smartphone. Most iPhone users said they would stick with an iPhone because they prefer Apple (60.8%), while 17.4% said they were invested in the Apple …

This minimal Android launcher just added the one thing it was missing — your personal touch

This minimal Android launcher just added the one thing it was missing — your personal touch

Published by skeptic

Summary Niagara Launcher’s latest update adds a new Theme Studio for deeper customization. You can create your own theme and share it with the community, or browse from themes created by other users. Theme Studio is available in Niagara Pro, which costs $13.99 per year. Niagara Launcher is one of the most interesting Android launchers around, with a minimal style that totally changes how you interact with your phone. On April 16, the launcher got even more interesting with the addition of the Theme Studio, a feature that lets you create your own themes and share them with other users. Related A custom launcher gave my Android tablet the desktop feel it was missing Turning any Android tablet into a Windows 11 clone. What’s new with Niagara themes? Deep customization Back in November, Niagara released what it called the Artistic Update. This update brought a curated collection of themes that users could choose from, and the results really spiced up the launcher’s look and feel. However, the developers found that this collection was still too …

Best Google Maps Mods for Android and Iphone in 2026

Best Google Maps Mods for Android and Iphone in 2026

Published by skeptic

  Google Maps is a highly capable navigation tool, but with the right modifications, you can unlock even greater functionality. These enhancements address common challenges, improve usability, and introduce features that make navigation more efficient and enjoyable. Whether you’re an Android or iPhone user, these seven mods can elevate your experience and help you get the most out of Google Maps. The video below from HowToMen gives us more details on the awesome mods for Google Maps. 1. Seamless Cross-Platform Link Sharing Sharing navigation links between Google Maps and Apple Maps can be frustrating due to compatibility issues. Fortunately, tools like Geos Share (Android) and Opener (iPhone) provide a solution to this problem. Geos Share: Converts Apple Maps links into Google Maps-compatible links, making it easier to share directions across platforms. Opener: Allows iPhone users to open Google Maps links directly in Apple Maps. This app is available for a one-time fee of $2. These tools ensure a smooth experience when sharing directions, eliminating the hassle of switching between apps and improving collaboration with others. …

I found a way to roll back buggy Google Services updates on Android – in just a few clicks

I found a way to roll back buggy Google Services updates on Android – in just a few clicks

Published by skeptic

Jack Wallen/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET’s key takeaways If a Google Services update is causing problems, there’s a quick fix With the tap of a button, you can roll back certain updates. Use this carefully, and it could get you out of a jam. Over the past decade, there have been a handful of occasions when an Android update wreaked havoc on my phone. Once, it was so bad that I had to do a factory reset and start over. Not ideal. There have also been situations where an update didn’t cause catastrophic problems, but did give me a headache or two. For example, a Google Play Services update led to the inability to install apps. That issue wasn’t resolved until Google pushed an update to the service. Also: How to use Google Messages’ new Trash feature to recover deleted texts The good news is that there’s a somewhat hidden section in Android where you can roll back updates for nearly any Google service. For example, if Android WebView …

I replaced these 4 popular Android apps with much better, lesser-known ones

I replaced these 4 popular Android apps with much better, lesser-known ones

Published by skeptic

For the longest time on Android, I have relied on the Play Store to get my apps. Little did I realize at the beginning that the app recommendations were based on brand recognition, not the app’s actual quality. As a result, my Android smartphones were filled with so-called popular apps from the Play Store. While these apps worked okay, they never quite lived up to expectations. Fortunately, however, I got out of this popularity fever, and my productivity and privacy are thankful for that. These days, several lesser-known Android apps have replaced the most popular ones for me, and I am happy to recommend every one of them. Here are, however, the five best non-popular Android apps I can vouch for. Related 5 open-source Android apps that put Google’s defaults to shame These alternatives to Google’s default on Android are feature-rich and privacy-focused Ente Photos replaced Google Photos It does everything Google Photos does, minus the privacy compromise. Google Photos is undoubtedly the most popular app for managing and backing up photos on Android. Because …

4 Android apps I keep on a spare phone to turn it into a useful home gadget

4 Android apps I keep on a spare phone to turn it into a useful home gadget

Published by skeptic

There’s a drawer, bin, or shelf in your home with the old tech products you rarely use but can’t justify throwing away. If you’re anything like me, it might include a handful of spare Android phones. They come in handy if a flagship phone is lost or breaks, giving you a backup until your primary device is repaired or replaced. However, if you wait to make use of your spare Android phone until a need arises, it could rot away in a junk drawer forever. That’s why I proactively put my extra Android devices to use as a smart home helper. With a few free apps, you can turn your Android phone into a smart home controller, home security camera, media server player, or digital toolbox. It quickly becomes an indispensable companion that can be mounted at your bedside table or on your desk, replacing a dedicated smart screen. This is how I did it — and how you can too. Related 5 things my old Android phone does better than any dedicated gadget Dedicated …

This Android shortcut saves me hours every week, and almost nobody knows it exists

This Android shortcut saves me hours every week, and almost nobody knows it exists

Published by skeptic

I’ve spent 15 years writing about mobile operating systems. Yet I still get that “eureka” moment when I find a toggle I’ve ignored for three hardware cycles. It’s usually tucked away in a sub-menu with a boring name like “Gestures.” I scroll past it a dozen times before finally tapping it and wondering how I ever lived without it. Quick Tap was exactly like that for me. I enabled it on a whim, fully expecting to forget about it within a week. Instead, it became one of the first things I set up on my Pixel 9 Pro XL. I’ve done the same on every Pixel I’ve tested since then, including older ones. Most Android users I know have never heard of it. Some have carried a Pixel for years and still haven’t stumbled across it. That’s the thing about Android: it hides its best stuff just far enough off the beaten path that most people never find it. Here’s what I reach for every day, and a few others worth turning on while you’re …