Looks like they’re going all-in on AI, dubbing it “built for the Gemini era.” It’s expected to drop Aug. 13.
Don’t want to drop $1K on a new phone? Do this instead
It was a little anticlimactic when I went from the iPhone 14 Pro Max to the 15 Pro Max. Side-by-side, they look an awful lot like the same phone. The one thing that stood out was how shiny and clean the 15 looked.
You don’t have to shell out a lot of money — jump into the settings and use a little elbow grease to make your current phone sparkle.
Wipe it out
No kidding, one IT genius at Komando HQ wipes his phone once a year. It seems like a pain (and it is a bit), but it can keep yours running fast and smooth. Think about it — there’s so much less junk piled up if you clear it all out regularly.
Be sure to back your phone up first, then a factory reset makes it easy to on-board all your important info.
On iPhone:
- Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
- Select Erase All Content and Settings.
On Samsung:
- Open Settings > General management.
- Swipe to and tap Reset, then Factory data reset > Reset.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm, then tap Delete all.
On Google Pixel:
- Open Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).
- To erase all data from your phone’s internal storage, tap Erase all data.
Your texts are an inbox, too
Your phone has an expiration date – Here’s how to find it
Trying to squeeze every last drop of life out of your smartphone? It’s one thing to deal with a battery that doesn’t last a day and crashing apps to avoid spending a big chunk of change.
But using your phone past its end of life is risky business. So is clicking any link that comes your way. It’s a bummer hackers are weaving them into AI chatbot results.
🤓 Phone manuals still exist: They’re just digital now. Hit this link for Apple’s version. It’s trickier for Android since there are so many different phone manufacturers. Your best bet is to search for “[your phone model] + official manual.” I found the Google Pixel and Samsung S24 models for ya.
Rolling out on Android phones now: Google’s Gemini AI will work in more apps, write captions for social posts and photos, combine emojis (Apple did it first), and share QR codes. Pixel phones get exclusives like having Gemini save your info and updates to Pixel Screenshots … which Apple already has. You can also circle something on your Pixel to search for it. It’s pretty sweet.
How many more years can you get out of your phone?
Trying to squeeze every last drop of life out of your smartphone? I know many of you put up with crappy battery power and random glitches longer than you should to avoid costly upgrades.
But using your phone past its end of life is risky business. I did the work to figure out the lifespan of popular models, plus I’ll help you find out how old your phone is and if you’re still using a model you need to ditch. Why? Because I want to help you.
Upgrading your iPhone? 5 steps to take with your old phone before you sell it or give it away
There are lots of reasons you might want to sell your old phone. Perhaps you’ve upgraded early and still have a newer model phone worth a bit of money. Are you looking to switch from Android to iPhone? Tap or click here for a list of Androids you can trade in.
Lifesaving feature: Google Pixels now have satellite SOS just like iPhones, so you can text for help when there’s no cell coverage or Wi-Fi. To use it, dial 911 > Satellite SOS > Start and fill out a quick emergency questionnaire. Position your phone until it says Connected. You’ll get a text back when help is on the way.
📸 Go, go, Android camera: This works on many Android smartphone models, including the Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy. Double-tap the power button to launch the camera, then use either the volume-up or volume-down button to take a snap. Easy!
5 apps that make your pics better without Photoshop skills
We all used to have digital cameras to take photos of our adventures. Though, most shots weren’t of excellent quality unless you invested in an expensive camera and some lessons in using it.
When smartphones came around, the ability to take great pictures was available to everyone. Modern devices like iPhone 14 Pro and Google Pixel can take spectacular snaps. Even the most amateur photographer can take an excellent photo. Tap or click here for a pro trick to find any photo on your phone in seconds.
Check this list - Phones vulnerable to a new no-click hack
Researchers recently discovered that certain mobile phones suffer from a severe flaw where no user interaction is required to be hacked. These are called no-click hacks, and often the criminal only needs to know the target’s phone number.
Warning: Another reason you shouldn't send sensitive images (even if you crop them)
The internet is a big place, and sharing the wrong photo of yourself might land you in trouble. Some choose to crop identifying details out of intimate images, but the “Acropalypse” exploit within the Google Pixel ecosystem could render this precaution totally void.
Here are the best used phones for $100, $300 and $500
If upgrading to a new phone and not keeping your old one, you could be looking at a nice payday. Here are some tips to get the most bang for your buck for your old electronics.
Perhaps you need an upgrade but don’t want to shell out for a brand-new phone. No problem! There are excellent used phones out there to fit any budget. Here are some of the best for each price point.
Update your Android or anyone can use this trick to unlock it
Before facial recognition became a standard feature on many smartphones, the primary method for unlocking the home screen was a secret number combination or pattern. But the problem is that many people can easily forget their PIN, locking themselves out.
Tech how-to: How to automatically alert loved ones in an emergency
Uncertain times remind us that we’re not always as prepared as we need to be.
In the digital world, no one is ever truly ready for the reality of getting hacked. Tap or click to see if someone is really watching what you do or if you’re being paranoid.
Easily move from iPhone to Android with this new app
Apple and Android fans are as loyal as can be. Once you’ve chosen an operating system, most likely, you’ll stick with it for years. Since you are an Android fan, tap or click here for hidden features you should be using.
The world complains about these consoles, mobiles and laptops the most
They say the cream always rises to the top. On the opposite side, the scum sinks to the bottom. For every beloved Apple and Android product, there’s an equally-loathed item that users vent about on social media.
Electronics Hub wanted to see which devices people complain about the most. Its team created a complaint detection tool that analyzed thousands of tweets that mentioned popular tech products. They used Twitter because it’s usually the No. 1 place people go to when they want to scream into the social media void.
Update your Android now to fix a bug that blocks calling 911
(Updated Jan. 11, 2022 – Android has released its January security patch and it fixes the bug addressed in this article that was published last month. Update your OS immediately to take advantage of the patch.)
Having a mobile phone always with you is great when you need constant contact with friends and family. Even if they are halfway across the country, it is incredibly easy to message or make a call. Tap or click here for an Android update that makes it easier to chat with iPhone users.
Google Photos Locked Folder coming to more Android phones - How to set it up
Over a trillion photos are taken each year on smartphones. Every photo we take ends up stored in our phones — even when we wished they wouldn’t.
Your phone is probably loaded with memes, screenshots and other junk hiding the photos you actually care about. Tap or click here for steps to find and delete pesky duplicate photos.
Android update: New privacy feature, family reminders and more
The latest version of Android has been rolling out since October on Google Pixel phones and is now available for Samsung Galaxy devices.
Other users are still waiting for Android 12 to be available, bringing new security features such as a Privacy Dashboard. Tap or click here to check out new Android settings to protect your privacy.