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Showing posts from June, 2020

How to See All the Pictures You've Taken with an Interactive Heat Map in Google Photos

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Google Photos is one of the most useful apps for storing, sorting, searching, and sharing all of the photos and videos you capture on your smartphone — but if you travel, it just got a lot more useful. After a recent redesign, Google has reorganized the app's existing features and added a neat new one called Map View. The most-requested new feature from user feedback, Map View lets you explore your visual history of photos and photos via a heat map. Here's how to access it. Don't Miss: 8 Ways Google Lens Can Help You Be More Productive Step 1: Update Google Photos You're looking for... more http://dlvr.it/RZhQhc

6 Ways to Try Google's Next-Gen AR Experience on Android Right Now

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While Apple and Samsung have started integrating depth sensors into the iPad Pro and Galaxy smartphones, more advanced AR experiences are arriving for standard smartphone cameras on Android devices. Earlier this month, Niantic began rolling out updates for Pokémon GO that add more realistic AR encounters with pocket monsters for select Android devices before expanding to iOS. Now, Google has updated its Depth API for ARCore to bring occlusion, or the ability for AR objects to blend into their physical environments, to Android apps. And there are already six apps available now where you can... more http://dlvr.it/RZRh4z

Apple Added 8 Key Android Features to iOS 14 & It's a Big Deal if You're on the Fence About iPhones

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The smartphone market is stagnating. Without hordes of new users rolling in every year, the best way to boost profits nowadays is to poach customers from the competition. That's exactly what Apple appears to be doing with iOS 14. As a longtime Android user, I'm genuinely intrigued by the iPhone's newest update. It's finally bringing a handful of features whose absence was always a dealbreaker preventing me from even considering iOS. If the shoe were on the other foot, this one would be a lot like Android getting iMessage. Don't Miss: All 180+ New Features & Changes in iOS 14 for iPhones 1... more http://dlvr.it/RZRgzZ

4 Tips to Improve YouTube Music Recommendations — Make 'Discover' & 'Your Mix' So Much Better

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Now that the transfer tool for migrating your Google Play Music library to YouTube Music is rolling out, more fans of the former, which will meet its end in 2020, are giving its replacement a try. New converts will find three newer features front and center. Your Mix, Discover Mix, and New Release Mix were added to the app last December to give listeners some quick, personalized playlists to jump into at a minute's notice. On Your Phone? Open These Instructions in Split-Screen View Your Mix is also what plays if you ask a Google Assistant to "play some music" and YouTube Music is your... more http://dlvr.it/RZF1NH

How to Share Your Smartphone's Screen in Google Meet

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Now that Google Meet is free for anyone with a Gmail address, you can expect to see invites from Google's service alongside Zoom calls. Meet is a very streamlined take on video conferencing that manages to provide all of the prerequisites that you'd need to host a video meeting. However, some features are not as straightforward, and screen sharing through the mobile app is one of them. Don't Miss: How to Use Your Favorite Snapchat AR Lenses on Google Meet, Zoom, Skype, & Other Video Conferencing Apps Step 1: Install Google Meet It is possible to join a Meet video call without the app, as... more http://dlvr.it/RZDhg2

There's a Hidden Notification History Widget on Your Android

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Have you ever accidentally dismissed an important notification? Realized you didn't mean to delete an alert after hitting "Clear all?" Instead of pulling out your hair, know you can see the alert again — at least, a portion of it. There's been a hidden feature in Android since 4.1 Jelly Bean that lets you see all recently-received notifications on your device. To access it, long-press an empty portion of the home screen, then choose "Widgets." Long press the "Settings shortcut" widget and drag it to the home screen, where a page will appear with several options. Select "Notification Log."... more http://dlvr.it/RZ7vlC

How to Get Dark Mode in Google Photos

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Dark mode is everywhere. Both Android 10 and iOS 13 added the feature natively, and many of your favorite apps now include the option. So far, Google has been on a mission to add it to all of its apps, and Google Photos is no exception. As with all of Google's compatible apps, the "dark" is more of gray background instead of pure black. However, even with a gray color, you still get the battery-saving benefits of the dark theme. For now, Google hasn't included a toggle within the app, so unlike Android Messages and Google Phone, it isn't as straightforward. But in a few steps, you can enjoy... more http://dlvr.it/RZ1cnm

Always-Updated List of Rumored & Confirmed Features Coming to One UI 3.0

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Android's next major update has arrived, which means the countdown to One UI 3.0 is officially on. Samsung dramatically improved their upgrade cycle, getting most of all of their recent flagships in under five months, so don't expect to wait long before the Android 11-based update hits your phone. Below, we listed all of the changes that will likely arrive to Galaxy users. Samsung has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to feature selection, so it already has some Android 11 features — we've omitted those from this list. Instead, this is the stuff you should actually care about. And... more http://dlvr.it/RYzs3X

How to Remove the Screen Recording Indicator (Red Dot) From Android 11's Status Bar

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After teasing the feature in Android 10, Google finally added proper native screen recording to Android 11. But when you start a capture, you'll see a small red indicator in your status bar as long as recording is ongoing, which can really distract from your video. Thankfully, it can be removed with a little ingenuity. When initiating a screen recording in stock Android 11 (or stock-like skins), a countdown will appear on the right side of the status bar. Upon reaching zero, a red dot will appear, indicating your screen is currently being recorded. Thankfully, there's an app that can remove... more http://dlvr.it/RYzs0b

How to Install TWRP Recovery on Your Pixel 4 or 4 XL

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It took a while, but the premiere custom recovery for Android is now available for Google's Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, so it's finally open season on root mods. TWRP custom recovery allows you to install Magisk and get root access in a few taps, and it can even save you from the occasional bootloop with NANDroid backups. Ever since Android 10 launched in 2019, TWRP support has been pretty scarce for most devices, even for the Pixel 4 — until now. Don't Miss: How to Root Android 11 with Magisk — No TWRP Required Senior XDA developer bigbiff is heading up the TWRP development for the Pixel 4, so... more http://dlvr.it/RYwZ8m

19 Messenger Tips for Mastering Video Chats & Group Video Calls

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Facebook Messenger is a messaging app first, but of its more than 1.3 billion monthly users, 32 percent use its video chat feature at least once every month. While it may seem pretty straightforward to video call with family and friends on Messenger, there are many tips and tricks that can help enhance your experience. We'll cover some of the basics for starting a video chat in Messenger and using its in-call features, such as taking a screenshot, adding filters, playing games, customizing hardware preferences, and utilizing group video talks. And while Messenger Rooms is a recent addition to... more http://dlvr.it/RYwCbL

How To Root Android 11 Using Magisk

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Thanks to Magisk, you don't have to lose root when updating to Android 11. The popular systemless rooting tool already achieved superuser access on Google's latest OS, even before the official beta. It's currently in its experimental stages so the process is trickier than usual, but it does work. Unfortunately, due to changes in Android 10, we'll have to wait a while for an official TWRP custom recovery. This makes flashing Magisk more challenging, and it also means you're more vulnerable if a soft brick (or bootloop) occurs, so be careful. On Your Phone? Open These Instructions in... more http://dlvr.it/RYs7xs

5 Ways to Communicate Safely on Your Smartphone — Keep Police & Big Data Out of Your Conversations

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It is well documented that what you say and do online is tracked. Yes, private organizations do their best to protect your data from hackers, but those protections don't extend to themselves, advertisers, and law enforcement. Whether you are a journalist, a protestor, or a high-ranking official, there are times when communication must be conducted with a high degree of certainty that the information will not be accessible by unauthorized parties. While there is no way to guarantee a 100% secure line, there are things you can do to improve it greatly. Tip 1. Use an Encrypted Messanger If... more http://dlvr.it/RYmwX7

How to Add Predictive App Shortcuts to Your Pixel's Home Screen Dock

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For Android 11, Google is doubling down on the handy App Suggestions feature that debuted in Android 10's app drawer by expanding it to the home screen dock. In addition to making its way to the home screen, App Suggestions is getting a few customization options as well. Here's how to take advantage of these new quality of life improvements. Don't Miss: How to Turn Your Pixel into a Dead Man's Switch That Texts Your Emergency Contacts if You Don't Arrive in Time Step 1: Get Your Software in Order You'll need to be on Android 11 to access this new feature. For now, this means either... more http://dlvr.it/RYm2MF

How to Get Your Favorite Local Business into Pokemon GO

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A side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is that small businesses are suffering from forced closures and social distancing, but game developer Niantic has a solution. In addition to donating proceeds from Pokémon GO Fest ticket sales (at least $5 million) to fund projects from African-American game developers and AR creators and to support US non-profits in community rebuilding efforts, developer Niantic has come up with a way to use its game to help promote small businesses. Here's how you can support your favorite local shop through Pokémon GO. Don't Miss: How to Join in the First-Ever... more http://dlvr.it/RYhGbD

How to Join in the First-Ever Virtual Pokémon GO Fest

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With the global COVID-19 pandemic preventing Pokémon GO players from venturing into the real world, developer Niantic has adapted the game for trainers to play in a socially-distanced manner. Likewise, with the annual Pokémon GO Fest, typically an exclusive gathering of players taking places in a select few cities, Niantic is taking the opportunity to put a virtual spin on the festival and expand it to a worldwide event spanning two days on July 25–26. Here's how you can take part the virtual event. Pokémon GO Fest 2020 won't look anything like this.. Don't Miss: Pokémon GO Gaining More... more http://dlvr.it/RYhGSq

How to Make a Panic Button That Deletes All Your Google History in Seconds

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We all know Google keeps a history of everything we do on our phones unless we say otherwise. However, you might not realize just how detailed it is until you check it for yourself — even the actions you do in each app are tracked by default. Even if you aren't trying to hide your browsing history from anyone, it's sometimes a healthy idea to get a clean start no matter the real reason. To begin, go to Google's "My Activity" page for your Google account by tapping the link below. Visit Google's "My Activity" Main Page It should open automatically in the Google Chrome browser, which is the... more http://dlvr.it/RYXLTf

How to Communicate Offline — No Wi-Fi, Cell Reception, or Mobile Data Needed

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Almost 20% of the US population (about 60 million Americans) live in rural areas where mobile reception is weak or nonexistent. In times of crisis, these Americans can't rely on the internet to communicate with loved ones or receive new information. This is why being able to interact offline is so important. Even if you live in a more urban area, networks get congested or go down. A simple protest can cripple a system if thousands of people, each with a phone, are crowding a single area. In those situations, you need a way to send messages that doesn't rely on Wi-Fi or mobile networks. Step... more http://dlvr.it/RYX02w

How to Remove the Smart Home Toggles from Android 11's Power Menu

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Android 11 has a new power menu. When you long-press the power button to shut down or restart your device, you'll see the usual buttons in addition to payment cards and a set of toggles for any smart home devices you've added to Google Home. It's a cool feature, but it does make the menu pretty cluttered. While the smart home toggles do make it easier for us to control our many devices, reducing their management to a few touches can (and will) lead to accidentally presses. The toggles also make the power menu crowded, especially if you multiple smart devices such as lights and speakers... more http://dlvr.it/RYWX3x

Should You Install Android 11 Beta? Here Are All the Major Problems

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Android 11 is available as a simple beta install for Pixel devices right now. Just visit Google's beta signup page, make sure you're signed in with the same account used on your Pixel, then opt into the program. You'll get an OTA update that will put you on Android 11 in no time. But is it ready to be a daily driver? The short answer is yes. Overall, it's a very polished OS version already. The essential functions are all fully operational — phone calls, camera shots, notifications, cell reception, and so on. But there are a few problems that, depending on how you use your phone, could be... more http://dlvr.it/RYSC3B

Android 11 Changelog — Full List of Every New Feature

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Android's newest major update is here. While this latest update is codenamed "R," we already know its real name: Android 11. This year's update came rather early, shocking the world when Developer Preview 1 appeared on Feb. 19, 2020. But even though it's ahead of schedule, it's still packed with new features. Listed below are all the changes we've found so far in Android 11. Whenever we find new features and changes, and as more developer previews and beta versions are released, we will update this list with the new info so it always gives you a clear idea of what to expect when the stable... more http://dlvr.it/RYNwLB

There's a Faster Way to Check for System Updates on Your Pixel

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Prompt and frequent system updates are a big part of the Pixel's identity — we're even getting quarterly feature drops now. But not all devices receive these all-important updates at the same time because of Google's staged rollout system. If you want the update right away, there's a way to manually check without having to dig around in Settings every time. Open your app drawer and locate the "Settings" app, then long-press the icon to reveal a new set of options. Tap the widgets icon in the upper right (three squares and a diamond), then long-press and drag the "Settings" widget icon onto... more http://dlvr.it/RYJlJw

How to Add an Audio Equalizer to Your Galaxy's Volume Panel

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One of the coolest things about Android is the ability to tweak things to your liking. When it comes to Galaxy phones, Samsung is no stranger to adding extra customizations. Want to add an equalizer to your volume panel? Samsung has an app specifically for that — no joke. Open the Galaxy Store app from your app drawer and do a search for "SoundAssistant" or tap the link below from your phone. Once you've found the app, go ahead and install it onto your device. Galaxy Store Link: SoundAssistant (free) Side note, most SoundAssistant guides on the internet will have you install Good Lock first... more http://dlvr.it/RYFNHx

Android 11 Changelog — An Always-Updated List of New Features

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Android's newest major update is here. While this latest update is codenamed "R," we already know its real name: Android 11. This year's update came rather early, shocking the world when Developer Preview 1 appeared on Feb. 19, 2020. But even though it's ahead of schedule, it's still packed with new features. Listed below are all the changes we've found so far in Android 11. Whenever we find new features and changes, and as more developer previews and beta versions are released, we will update this list with the new info so it always gives you a clear idea of what to expect when the stable... more http://dlvr.it/RYDRWw

Always-Updated List of Carriers That Support RCS Universal Profile

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In November 2016, the RCS Universal Profile (Rich Communications Services) was introduced. The technology takes text messaging to the 21st century, emulating many of the features found in IM apps like WhatsApp and iMessage, but working through your phone number like regular SMS or MMS. The only thing is, your carrier needs to support RCS-UP to use the feature. Thankfully, the list is growing. Another major hurdle with the adoption of RCS Universal Profile stems from the "Universal Profile" part. Before Google purchased Jibe and spearheaded the GSMA's standardization of a set of features that... more http://dlvr.it/RY4B4k

Show Your Support for Social Causes with AR Lenses from Snapchat, Instagram & More

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For the average consumer, augmented reality is a fun way of dressing up photos and videos for social media. However, AR is also gaining momentum as a medium for storytelling, particularly in sharing powerful messages. In light of the protests stemming from the death of George Floyd, AR can serve as a means for showing support for the civil rights reform. In addition, with June being Pride Month, AR can also help you display solidarity for LGBTQ+ rights. Here are a few ways you can insert AR in support of social justice. Don't Miss: Try Out Instagram's Wild New AR Effects That Dance to the... more http://dlvr.it/RY4B3x

How to Download HBO Max Movies & TV Shows in the Highest Quality on Your Phone

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Whether you're binging "Friends," "Game of Thrones," or Harry Potter movies, if you want to watch HBO Max downloads in the highest quality possible, you can't just use the default settings. Without doing the legwork, the TV shows and films you download onto your iPhone or Android phone will be lower quality than the full HD version you can have. So, why aren't high-quality downloads on HBO Max the default? While there's no official reason, it probably has to do with the download time and file size. HBO likely assumes most users want faster downloads that jointly save on precious internal... more http://dlvr.it/RY0v8D

5 Major Privacy Concerns with 5G

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For all the benefits 5G brings to cellular data, it isn't without weaknesses, the biggest being privacy. Yes, the latest standard comes with breakneck downloads speeds up to 4.3 Gbps, but at what cost? Like with all things on the internet, 5G devices open opportunities for both good and bad actors. This is not to say 5G isn't more secure than its predecessor. Analysis from multiple universties has revealed that data protection improved over 4G LTE and other older standards. However, 5G significantly widens the accessibility of the internet. With more devices being able to use the web... more http://dlvr.it/RY0TtW

Everything You Should Do Before Posting Protest Photos & Videos on Social Media

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As protests surge in the wake of George Floyd's murder by a Minneapolis police officer, powerful photographs and videos from the demonstrations have gripped the world, putting our nation's very real and very justifiable widespread civil unrest out into the digital world. Unfortunately, these pictures could put you or others in danger if precautions aren't taken before uploading them online. At the protests, we take and share media to show the world that police brutality and systemic racism still exist. While Gil Scott-Heron's poetic song proposes that "the revolution will not be televised,"... more http://dlvr.it/RY0TrS

Every 5G Phone That Works on AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon in the US — An Always-Updated List

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You will likely have a 5G-capable phone within two years. Each carrier is working hard to improve its coverage for the next standard in mobile networks, and though the technology is fairly new and only a handful of phones support it right now, this will change very soon. Currently, only certain Android phones support 5G — no iPhones, even if it says "5G" in the status bar. However, the industry fully expects the next iPhone (iPhone 12 or whatever it will be called) to include 5G modems for the first time. When that occurs, expect 5G phones to flood the market. Jump to a Section: LG |... more http://dlvr.it/RXwkk3

Everything You Need to Know About 5G — Answers to the Most Common Questions

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We are now in the age of 5G. Carriers worldwide are upgrading their networks to the newest standard for mobile, which will dramatically improve your phone experience. How? By giving it download speeds and latency that surpass Wi-Fi. But before you upgrade, there are few things you should know first. With 5G, your mobile devices will now have access to gigabit internet speeds. With downloads now blazing fast on mobile, new possibilities are opened up for inventions. Autonomous cars, more IoT devices, and smart cities are just some of the things in the works, with many more that haven't been... more http://dlvr.it/RXsQZK

Every 5G Phone That Works in the US — An Always-Updated List

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You will likely have a 5G-capable phone within two years. Each carrier is working hard to improve its coverage for the next standard in mobile networks, and though the technology is fairly new and only a handful of phones support it right now, this will change very soon. Currently, only certain Android phones support 5G — no iPhones, even if it says "5G" in the status bar. However, the industry fully expects the next iPhone (iPhone 12 or whatever it will be called) to include 5G modems for the first time. When that occurs, expect 5G phones to flood the market. Jump to a Section: LG |... more http://dlvr.it/RXsQYX

Always-Updated List of True 5G Phones — mmWave, Mid-Band & Low-Band (5G NR)

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You will likely have a 5G-capable phone within two years. Each carrier is working hard to improve its coverage for the next standard in mobile networks, and though the technology is fairly new and only a handful of phones support it right now, this will change very soon. Currently, only certain Android phones support 5G — no iPhones, even if it says "5G" in the status bar. However, the industry fully expects the next iPhone (iPhone 12 or whatever it will be called) to include 5G modems for the first time. When that occurs, expect 5G phones to flood the market. Jump to a Section: LG |... more http://dlvr.it/RXp587

Wipe & Obfuscate Identifying Information in Your Protest Photos for More Anonymous Sharing

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Every single photo you take carries with it a considerable amount of seemingly "invisible" yet important information known as metadata. Although metadata is usually helpful to sort your photographs by location and date, that same information could potentially be used against you, especially if the pictures are taken during a precarious situation. The protests that happened across the country over the killing of George Floyd by police officers have been fraught with pain and anger. Peaceful demonstrations in the streets turned violent as rioters and looters hijacked them, and smartphones were... more http://dlvr.it/RXnmrF

How to Keep Law Enforcement Out of Your Android Device

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With protests springing up across America, there's a chance you may have your first interaction with law enforcement. Many demonstrators will have their phones in-hand to film the action, which, sadly, could prompt an officer to demand the device and any self-incriminating data it may contain. Before this happens, you should know there are tools at your disposal to protect your data in such situations. These tips mostly involve tightening up settings within Android, but there's also a third-party app that can help. Once you've implemented these tips, you can derail law enforcement's effort by... more http://dlvr.it/RXnmlb