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I used an iPhone for two weeks and I’m going back to an Android phone

Jason England
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Recently, Android Police alum David Ruddock wrote an article about how he made the switch to an iPhone. Not too long after, Rita from the same outlet also wrote about how Apple makes it extremely tempting to switch to its ecosystem.

I can admit that Apple does have a compelling lineup of products. I use an iPad Pro because there simply isn’t a better tablet out there. The new ARM-based MacBooks are also killing it with performance and battery life. Plus, as a home theater geek, the new Apple TV has my interest piqued with its new remote and the ability to automatically calibrate your picture settings using an iPhone.

After not using an iPhone in nearly a decade, I decided to pick one up on a whim a couple of weeks ago. After seeing a deal I couldn’t resist, I grabbed the three-year-old iPhone XR.

I preface this because I fully understand that I cannot judge it as a brand new flagship phone or base it on hardware merits. Instead, I’m simply judging it by iOS and how it functions for my personal needs.

Seeing how Apple is famous for its update policies, even this older iPhone runs the latest version of iOS; the experience should be very similar to a current iPhone, just slightly slower.

I’ll start things out on a positive note about all the things I enjoy about using the iPhone.

What I like about the iPhone

Updates

First and foremost is the software support. Despite this being a three-year-old phone, it is running the latest version of iOS. And later this year when iOS 15 is released the iPhone XR will also be eligible for this update.

In fact, going by Apple’s track record, this iPhone XR will be seeing more updates for years to come. When iOS 15 launches later this year, support goes back as far as the iPhone 6S which was launched in 2015.

In comparison, the oldest phone to receive the next Android 12 update will be the Pixel 3 from 2018 and that will be the last update the phone sees.

Furthermore, when an update is released, all supported iPhones get it on day one. That’s a far cry from what we see on Android where Pixel smartphones and maybe a couple of others get the update the first day. If you’re a Samsung user like me, then the wait will be at least another three months, if you’re lucky.

Privacy

Beyond updates, iOS is also more protective of your privacy. It gives you one simple switch to flip to disable apps from tracking your activity. Plus, there is an overview in the App Store for each app, something Google is currently in the process of copying.

However, no matter what privacy features Google copies or implements, it will always fall short of Apple. That’s because Google is in the business of collecting data and serving ads while Apple is not.

Face ID

While I’ve been aware of Face ID for years, this is the first time I’ve ever experienced it myself. I must admit, it is an impressive piece of technology, and I was truly surprised at all the various angles it worked from. Whether I was holding it down by my waist or holding it askew, it just worked, and quickly. Since I wear a hat most of the time I thought that might throw it off, but no such luck.

Although, as impressive as Face ID is, I was not as amazed as I was the first time I went from entering a PIN to a fingerprint sensor. The jump between those two technologies was life-changing. While I could never go back to a phone without a fingerprint sensor, switching back to a smartphone without Face ID was no big deal. It’s certainly something I can live without and I won’t miss Face ID no matter how nifty the technology is.

Picture-in-Picture

On the iPhone just about every video app I use has PiP support, which is great when I just need to check an email real quick or reply to a message. I don’t have to leave the now playing video or stop it. This was really nice to have while streaming Hulu, Disney+, and Netflix.

On Android, you can still do something similar with split-screen view with these apps, but that’s far more cumbersome to set up when all you need is to jump back and forth between an app for five seconds.

Battery life

While using the iPhone XR I easily got two days off the charger with my normal usage. This is far better than I’ve gotten with most Android phones or my current Android phone. Of course, it comes at the cost of a worse display on the iPhone XR, but there’s no denying that Apple hardware and software have always worked well together helping to provide fantastic battery life.

Now that I’m done gushing about all the things the iPhone does well. Let’s get on with why I’ll be returning to my Android phone. To sum it up, freedom and usability.

What I don’t like about the iPhone

Home screen woes

Regardless of Apple’s stellar update record, even on the latest version of iOS, I found myself missing the freedom and control I get on an Android phone.

For starters, the home screen on an iPhone is still a mess. Despite allowing users to hide icons, introducing a poor excuse for an app drawer, and adding widgets iOS still comes up short.

I’m so used to having the layout of my home screen icons exactly where I want them and within reach on these large displays, something iOS doesn’t make possible. Icons are always placed at the top or under a widget, and it can only be placed in a 4×7 grid with no real customization for spacing or placement.

Another home screen annoyance is the inability to swipe down to pull down the notification tray on the home screen. Many launchers on Android offer this and it makes it much easier to access your list of notifications and quick toggles without requiring the one hand shuffle or a second hand to reach all the way to the top and pull it down.

Notification panel, quick toggles, and status bar

While we’re on the topic of the notification panel, it’s also segregated into two sections. One shows the quick toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, volume controls, etc. if you swipe down from the right corner. While if you swipe down to the left of that you’ll see your notifications.

It took a while to get used to this and I just don’t see the need to separate the two. I much prefer the way Android has them combined and gives you one hub to manage everything with a swipe down.

Looking to the top of the screen is the almost nonexistent status bar thanks to the massive notch from Face ID. I’ve always hated notches, and delayed purchasing a new phone until they shrank to the smaller more acceptable cut out for front-facing cameras.

The size of this notch is so ridiculous that it might as well be a top bezel. It cuts into videos and games, and just looks plain awful. Plus, there’s not even any space to add the battery percentage, and I hate not being able to see the exact number, requiring me to guess the exact percentage.

Galaxy S20 FE with hole punch

Back to the status icons though, or the lack of them. In iOS, your only reminder of pending notifications are dots on app icons, which you may have hidden, or accessing the notification panel.

I so miss the notifications icons in the status bar on Android. They were always a quick reminder of messages or emails I had pending to look at. Without this subtle reminder, I often forgot there were messages that I hadn’t replied to yet.

Mismanaged notifications

Even worse, is how iOS mismanages notifications. Swiping it to the left only removes them from the notification panel but leaves the dot on the app icon.

Say you set off your security camera and get a notification, you don’t need to look at this, you know you set it off. Try swiping that away from the notification panel to be done with it and yet the dot remains on the app’s icon on the home screen driving you nuts. Meaning you have to physically open the app to clear it, even though you swiped it away on the notification panel already.

This was a daily occurrence that caused me a lot of frustration and it’s only one of the ways iOS mismanages notifications. Another example is when I’d have a stack of 3-4 messages from one person in the notification panel, swiping to open the messaging app would only dismiss that one notification while leaving the rest.

It didn’t matter that I had read all the messages in the app itself, or that I had replied, the notifications remained in the panel and that annoying dot remained on the app icon on the home screen.

In short, notifications on iOS are a mess and I don’t see how anyone can be productive using this buggy system that’s not user-friendly at all.

Task switcher

Over the years, Android has evolved to copy the task switcher in iOS. I didn’t like it when Android made this shift and I’m so grateful for Good Lock on Samsung phones for allowing me to change it.

I find side-scrolling inefficient and the large app previews add really no benefit. However, at least when Android copied it they made some improvements by placing app suggestions down at the bottom.

Keyboard

I tried the default iOS keyboard for about an hour but I quickly became annoyed with its lack of functionality. Using Gboard on Android I’m so used to being able to long-press on buttons to bring up numbers and symbols while typing. This makes it much more efficient and it wasn’t long before I swapped to Gboard.

Unfortunately, this didn’t completely correct the problem. While this gave me quick access to numbers and some commonly used symbols, it wasn’t the full experience I’m used to on Android and was just another aggravating annoyance I had to live with daily on iOS.

Settings

Whether you want to change settings for your browser, the camera app, or anything else–they are all grouped together under the settings menu in iOS. This is another cumbersome way I found iOS unfriendly to use.

I would constantly be in an app searching for the settings menu to make a simple change only to realize I had to back out of the app and open the main settings menu, search for the app in the list, and then finally make the change, only to then have to swap back to the app I wanted to use in the first place.

Conclusion

In the end, I don’t think the iPhone is a bad smartphone, it’s just not for me. The things I don’t like about iOS far outweigh the things I do like, and Android gives me the freedom and customization I need to make my phone work for me.

The iOS experience is more or less me trying to find a way to work around its idiosyncrasies. That doesn’t mean Android is perfect or that iOS doesn’t do anything better. When it comes to tablets, I use an iPad Pro because it’s simply the better device.

Smartphones are a very personal object and it’s difficult to make a device that’s one size fits all when we all have different needs and use cases. My needs just happen to not fit into the iOS box.

Using an Android smartphone gives me a wealth of options and allows me to pick the hardware and software skin that best suits me. As the old Google commercial says, “Be together. Not the same.”

Beat the summer heat with these cool deals on apps, software, and gadgets

AG Deals Team
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July is drawing to a close, the temperatures are rising across the US, and summer is in full swing. We’re not quite ready to look ahead to the back-to-school season, but we’re always on the prowl for a good deal.

We’ve collected a handful of products, apps, services, and other items from the AG Deals Store. It’s a very small fraction of what’s available there so, if you’ve never had a chance to check it out, we encourage you to do so.

What follows are a random assortment of some of the coolest things offered today.

Crave Curve Mini 5W Bluetooth Speaker

Any activity becomes better with a little music. Do exactly that with Crave Curve Mini! Featuring all the powerful perks of Crave Curve in a 3″ Bluetooth speaker.

A truly portable device made for friends and family, this small yet powerful Bluetooth speaker provides up to 10 hours of playback so you can listen at home, work and on the go without ever having to slow down for a charge. This makes it ideal for every outdoor journey!

This innovative Bluetooth portable speaker provides gorgeous clarity and deep, thumping bass with a wide range thanks to dual sound drivers. More than music, Curve features a built-in microphone for answering calls. $35

DIY Coding Kit for Ages 9 to 12

The Coding Kit is designed for children ages 9-13 and is accessible for both beginners and advanced coders. Through hands-on playful learning, kids’ intrinsic curiosity drives the learning process. As children develop their coding skills, they can continue to use the kit to build on their projects. $65.99

  • Everything a child needs to give a head start to coding is in the kit
  • Free Twinner – STEAM and Robotics mobile app is also available for download for easy guidance
  • Sample projects will encourage children to develop & design
  • Using the manual, children can start building, playing & coding as fast as possible
  • The modules are produced to be LEGO compatible so that they can be easily designed & played
  • Reveal the creative power at your fingertips through coding
  • Jumpstart coding and bring your creations to life

Flux Original Scientific Toy + Magnet Shield Bundle

Imagine a device that can truly surprise people around you. Show your friends the unusual anti-gravity effect Feel Flux provides and they won’t believe their eyes, guaranteed! There are no batteries, no electronics, just a solid piece of metal and a super-strong magnet ball — the simplicity of it makes it even more magical. The slowly descending ball makes for an oddly satisfying experience that people find very relaxing. $119.99

  • Relies on a rarely know magnetic principle called Lenz’s law
  • Displays amazingly unusual anti-gravity effect
  • No batteries, no electronics; just a solid piece of metal & super-strong magnet ball
  • All-in-one conversation starter, stress reliever, & fidget toy
  • Suede leather cover seamlessly blends into the surface of the metal & complete with a special desk stand

GhostVolt Encryption Software: Lifetime Subscription

GhostVolt was started with the simple goal of making robust, secure, and easy-to-use tools for security-minded people like you. This powerful software has all the features you need to protect your personal files with enterprise-level encryption. It lets you encrypt any document on your computer, securely share files, integrate to OneDrive, create secure notes, and more.

GhostVolt uses 256-bit AES encryption to secure your data on your computer or home network. It’s easy to use too! It’s built to work like your usual file explorer so you’ll already know how to use it. $29.99

Unlocked Google Pixel 3A XL (Refurbished)

The Google Pixel 3A XL Smartphone offers everything you need to capture the in-between moments by recording life better, editing easily, and sharing more often.

It features a 12.2MP dual-pixel main camera with phase detection autofocus, so you can capture photos and shoot videos in great detail, even in the dark. It runs on an Octa-core CPU, letting you multitask without your phone slowing down. This phone also comes ready and unlocked, so you can pop in your preferred sim and use it right away.

It also comes with 64GB storage, a 6″ fullscreen display, Wi-Fi connectivity, and more features. With a 3,700mAh battery, you can enjoy this sleek phone for up to 30 hours. $199.95

Ocushield Anti-Blue Light Screen Protector for Samsung S8/S9

Blue light is everywhere. It’s in sunlight. But it’s especially common in digital devices: iPhones, laptops, tablets…all those gizmos. Blue light penetrates your retinas, giving your brain a cue that it’s time to wake up and seize the day. But extended exposure to blue light can have a significant impact on our wellbeing – headaches, eye irritation and fatigue are all common symptoms of blue light exposure. $29.99

Rootd Anxiety & Meditation App

Rootd is your “anxiety and panic attack relief in your pocket.” It is a female-founded and created mobile app that blends engaging modern design, therapist-approved exercises, and on-demand accessibility to help users during all stages of managing panic attacks and anxiety.

Rootd provides relief from the debilitating effects of panic attacks and anxiety. This support is available in users’ pockets anytime, anywhere – including in moments when other valuable resources such as counseling are not. Rootd helps users feel brave enough to return to school or work, depend less on their partners, feel less isolated, and reclaim the amazing potential in their lives. $25.99

ZTE launches Axon 30 with improved under-display camera and 120hz screen in China

Jason England
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ZTE made waves last year when it released the Axon 20 5G, the first phone to feature a front-facing camera hidden beneath the display. Unfortunately, the camera quality left a lot to be desired, however, this year ZTE is back with a brand-new Axon sporting another under-display camera.

Today, the brand launched its latest flagship, the ZTE Axon 30 with an improved hidden front-facing camera. This time around ZTE promises the camera will be even more invisible behind the display along with offering better image quality. ZTE has accomplished this by using a special pixel matrix, an independent display chip, a larger light-sensitive pixel camera, and more.

Whether or not all these new technologies will make a great leap in image quality remains to be seen, but it’s clear that under-display cameras are the future and ZTE has the jump on everyone else.

As for the display that the camera will be hidden beneath, this year ZTE has gone with a 6.92-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel with a 20:5.9 cinema-grade screen ratio. ZTE also marks a new milestone by upping the refresh rate to 120Hz making the Axon 30 the first phone with an under-display camera with this refresh rate.

To go along with the new cinema-grade aspect ratio, the Axon 30 also packs DTS:X Ultra immersive 3D audio technology for the perfect movie viewing experience.

You’ll also be able to shoot your own blockbusters thanks to the quad-camera array on the back featuring a 64MP main shooter, a 120-degree wide-angle camera, a 3cm macro camera, and a depth-of-field camera. Additionally, ZTE provides plenty of ways to get the most out of your videos with 3D Lut filters, dual-way video stabilization, and effects such as Hitchcock zoom and pull focus effects.

Under the hood, the Axon 30 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870G and up to 12GB of RAM. The Axon 30 also supports memory fusion technology which is capable of converting 8GB of storage space into RAM when needed.

Finally, the Axon 30 will pack a 4,200mAh battery with support for 55W fast charging to keep you powered up and on the go.

ZTE will begin selling the Axon 30 on August 3, 2021, in China starting at $338 for the model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There will also be a $476 version featuring 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, as well as an 8GB with 128GB model for $384 and an 8GB with 256GB of storage model for $430.

Global sales of the Axon 30 are expected to begin in September and perhaps that means we’ll see it here in the states as well later this year.

Nothing ear (1) goes official with ANC and wireless charging

Jason England
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OnePlus has lost some of its mojo over the past couple of years, and while they still make a good phone, the company is no longer the plucky upstart it used to be. Part of the reason could be the loss of co-founder Carl Pei who left the never settle brand to start his own company Nothing.

Borrowing tactics from his former company Pei’s Nothing has already spent weeks teasing and spreading hype for its first product launch. However, today is the day, Nothing has finally launched its first product and it’s a pair of ANC true wireless earbuds for $99.

In a market already cluttered with competition, the Nothing ear (1) stands out with its translucent design and reasonable $99 price tag. Sure, you can find cheaper true wireless buds out there but the Nothing ear (1) boasts active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.2, wireless charging, and up to 34 hours of playtime with the case. Although, the buds are only rated for up to 5.7 hours of continuous playback without ANC or four hours with ANC on.

When it comes to audio quality, the Nothing ear (1) features 11.6mm drivers with sound by Teenage Engineering and has support for the SBC and AAC audio codecs. There’s also an Android and iOS app that will allow you to customize the EQ to your liking, as well as adjust settings for gestures or find your earbuds.

Furthermore, the Nothing ear (1) will include transparency mode, a premium feature we see on more expensive earphones, that makes it easier to have a conversation without removing the buds.

Now that you know all about Nothing’s first product, here’s when you can get your hands on it. Starting July 31, 2021, a limited number will be available for purchase. Then, on August 17, 2021, sales will open to the public and everyone will be able to snag the ear (1) for $99 from nothing.tech.

The most effective method to really focus on your eyes

AndroidGuys
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How frequently do we stop to think about our eyes and the additional consideration and consideration that they need to keep us seeing ideally for quite a long time to come? At any point heard the colloquialism “counteraction is superior to the fix?” This is valid on account of eye care. 

To pre-battle disease, you ought to never share makeup or eye drops with any other individual; never contact the tip of eye drops bottle with either your finger or your eye; and wash your hands to forestall contacting or scouring your eyes with grimy or microbes tainted hands. 

Keep in mind: conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, can be brought about by an infection, microorganisms, a hypersensitive response, a synthetic, or an aggravation (something that gets in the eye) and can without much of a stretch be passed from one individual to another – even by shaking their hand. 

With the present accentuation on sitting in front of the TV, your eyes are getting worn out more frequently and all the more rapidly. At the point when you feel like your eyes have had enough, calm tired eyes by dunking cotton cushions into chilled milk and spot on shut eyes for 10 – 15 minutes, while totally loose. On the off chance that it’s an insane day in the workplace, eliminate your contact focal points or remedy glasses for something like five minutes while you power your eyes to zero in on something besides your PC screen (or some other screen). You ought to likewise attempt to compel your eyes to flicker as frequently as you can to forestall dry eyes. 

In the event that you wear reaches, you ought to never wear them for extended time frames, being longer than 12 hours, and never lay down with them in. From time to time, go 24 hours without your contacts and wear glasses all things being equal. On the off chance that you think you have an eye injury quit wearing contact focal points until you see an eye expert to forestall further harm or disease to your eyes. 

At the point when you buy glasses online, wear either shades or eyeglasses with an appropriate sun-defensive covering to secure you against UV beams. On the off chance that you wear remedy focal points, help your eyes out and furthermore request a couple of solution shades to guarantee your overall eye care. In case you’re not persuaded, consider that wearing shades while in the sun can assist with shielding your eyes from waterfalls and macular degeneration. Moreover, in case you’re a smoker, macular degeneration ought to be an adequate motivation to get you to stop as studies have likewise discovered smokers to be at a higher danger of fostering this illness. 

A yearly excursion to your optometrist or eye specialist is significant to guarantee that your eyeglasses remedy hasn’t changed and to test you for various conceivable eye conditions. On the off chance that you have a prior infection like diabetes or rheumatoid joint pain; or inherited apprehensions of glaucoma or waterfalls, then, at that point this visit is considerably more important. 

In the event that you need to get the full impact of your eye care endeavors, when you discover that your solution has changed, purchase glasses outlines with the reasonable focal points as before long your registration as could be expected. In case you’re stressed over the expense, hope to purchase excellent markdown eyeglasses on the web and exploit the reserve funds that are accessible there.

Save 25% on this 7-Port USB charging station

AG Deals Team
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How often do you find yourself fussing with your chargers, swapping from one device to another? Live with a spouse or children? We imagine that some of your wall outlets are precious commodities.

Many of the things we own require regular or semi-regular charging. And if we’re being honest, we own a lot of things. Between phones, tablets, wearables, earbuds, gaming, and other things, we could really use a hand in the area of charging.

The ChargeHub X7 Signature, available in the AG Deals Store for as low as $45 right now, is your 7-in-1 charging solution. Simply plug it into the wall, place it in a common or convenient area, and enjoy the seven USB ports.

With a six foot cable it’s perfect to plug in behind a night stand or an office desk. No more fighting over cables because your device is at a lower battery percentage than someone else.

ChargeHub X7 Signature Features

  • Patented SmartSpeed Technology provides the fastest possible charge for 7 USB devices simultaneously
  • Single power supply eliminates excess cables & numerous plugs, outlets and power strips to maintain a neat and organized space
  • Exclusive color & pattern brings style to your electronics
  • Underwent stringent testing for standard product quality & safety compliance

Order Yours!

Available in black and white color options, the ChargeHub X7 Signature typically retails for about $60; however, enter coupon code LIMITLESS25 at checkout and you can save 25%, getting yours for just $45. Hurry, the deal won’t last forever!

Buying a Used Phone 2021: The Dos & Don’ts

AndroidGuys
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Technology has advanced by leaps and bounds over the past decade, leaving us with the ability to take advantage of various cell phone features. Whenever the newest mobile model releases, there is always a crowd of interested buyers vying to get their hands on one. Opinions differ on whether this is the best method of obtaining a phone, as there is always the option of buying a used phone instead. We will be going over some common do’s and don’ts when it comes to buying a used phone in 2021. 

Advantages

Cost is the primary advantage when it comes to buying a second-hand phone. Cell phones depreciate as soon as someone purchases them, and they will lose about 15% of their value by the second year. If the owner wants to sell at any point, this will allow you to buy the phone from them for less than the original cost. 

Another advantage of a used phone is that you may be looking for a particular style or model that is no longer in production. By shopping second-hand, you will have your choice of available models, as people are constantly upgrading. 

Disadvantages

While shopping for a used phone, keep in mind that you will not be receiving a warranty along with it. This should not be a problem. Just be sure to handle it carefully so that it remains in pristine condition. 

If the seller is unfamiliar to you, you should take extra precautions to ensure that they are trustworthy. You do not want to be in the situation where they have sold you a faulty or stolen phone. If you can, you might want to consider conducting a background check on the seller before you close the deal. This will give you a brief glimpse into their history to see if they have a record for possession of stolen goods or other crimes.   

Do: Inspect the Product

When you meet up with the seller, do not simply exchange money for goods and then leave. You should spend some time examining the phone and making sure there is no physical damage that was not described to you. If there are noticeable dents, this might be an indication that an internal function might not work anymore. 

If the phone is off when you get it, power it back on before paying the seller. You want to check that the touchscreen works and apps open as intended.  

Don’t: Neglect the Camera

There are so many different ways for cell phone cameras to get damaged. This often happens when the owner allows the phone to drop. Even one drop can cause irreparable damage to sensitive components. The camera may have lost its focus, the lens might have scratches or warps, or the sensor could be malfunctioning. Before you complete the deal, snap a few sample photos with the camera. This will give you an idea if it is usable or not. 

Do: Ask for the Original Packaging

When a seller has the original bill and/packaging that the phone came in, this can give you more reassurance that they take care of their belongings. As well, having the box will give you the IMEI number. This is important because it will let you know if the phone got stolen or lost by its original owner, as the IMEI number would get flagged. You can use a free tool to input the IMEI number and check if a flag appears or not. 

On the other hand, if the seller does not have any of the original packaging, this is an opportunity for you to barter with them even more. Ask them if they will lower the price since you will not be receiving the complete package.  

Don’t: Buy a Used Phone from Abroad

One thing you should avoid doing is purchasing a phone that originally came from a different country. This is because it can be difficult to reach a representative for help if your phone needs repairs or if you have questions about the product. Some sellers may lie to you about the phone’s origins. To find out the truth, you can check the phone’s IMEI number if you have it available to you. 

Do: Try to Find a Trusted Source

It can be difficult to find a trusted friend who happens to be selling their phone when you want to buy it. However, this does not mean that you should jump on any sketchy deal that you come across out of desperation. Try using legitimate refurbishing websites, as these companies tend to be more reliable to work with. The prices are likely to be a little higher when using sources like these, but it is better than finding yourself to be the victim of a scam. 

Don’t: Buy an Unsupported Phone

Be careful if you are seeking a particular older model of cell phone, as it may no longer receive security updates. Most Android manufacturers will only offer security upgrades for their products from the last few years. Apple products tend to stay supported for longer than Android’s average. Before you make your purchase, do some research about whether the model is still supported and for how much longer. Having an unsupported phone will mean that all the personal data on your phone, including photos, is vulnerable to attacks from hackers.   

Do: Read the Fine Print

This point is especially true when you agree to purchase a used phone from a refurbishing website. You will need to read every word to ensure that you know exactly what it is that you are getting. There may be phrases in the description that indicate there is an essential part of the phone that does not function. Or, the ad might be for only the phone cable or other accessories. By clicking too quickly, you might end up spending a lot of money on something that you did not want or need. 

Final Thoughts

Buying a used phone is a great endeavor, as it reduces the environmental impact as well as saves you money. At the same time, you should always remain vigilant when making such a purchase. Avoid the scammers and shop in the right places, and you will be able to find a perfectly workable second-hand cell phone. 

Here’s a massive discount for award-winning video downloader and converter vDownloader

AG Deals Team
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As pervasive and fast as wireless data is, and given the fact that Wi-Fi seems to be omnipresent, there still comes a time where you won’t have an online connection. Car rides through the hills and mountains, airplane trips, and commutes through the subway are just three common examples of situations where data might not be available.

It’s often during these times of disconnect where we might want to turn to a movie, YouTube video, or other source for catching up. The problem of course is that you cannot watch your favorite YouTube channel or Vimeo videos without a connection. Or can you?

Award-winning software vDownloader, on sale for just $30 in the AG Deals Store today, is software tht lets you download videos from a variety of sources to watch on your Android or iPhone.

Not only does it let you download in 4K and 8K resolution, it also allows you to customize which parts of a video you want. Moreover, it can sync your clips to Dropbox or Google Drive so you can pull them down from anywhere. This way you can grab a few for offline viewing whenever you’re ready.

vDownloader Features

  • Download from YouTube, Vimeo, Flicker, Twitch, or any of the 10,000+ video hosting sites
  • Enter a playlist or channel URL & download them all in one go
  • Download videos in 4K & 8K ultra high definition
  • Choose which part(s) of a video you want to download
  • Custom resolution, frame rate, audio & video bitrates, codecs, audio volume normalization, and more
  • Add a watermark
  • Schedule downloads & conversions
  • Follow YouTube channels or keywords & automatically download new videos
  • Sync videos to your Android or iPhone using a cloud storage folder such as Dropbox or Google Drive
  • Discover that hard-to-find video by searching through DailyMotion, Vimeo & YouTube at the same time
  • Download any video you’ve previously watched/downloaded with the Rewind feature
  • Select your preferred & alternate subtitle language
  • Unblock YouTube regional filters with a proxy

Get Started Today!

Available for both Windows and Mac platforms, vDownloader normally carries a retail price of $129 for a lifetime license. AndroidGuys readers can save 76% on the software right now, getting the full suite for just $30.

 

Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam Front and Rear Camera review

Jason England
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These days, most of us have a security camera for our homes because it’s an effective way to keep an eye on things and protect where we live. While we may spend the majority of our time at home, there’s another place where we also spend much of our time — our vehicle.

Having a camera there is just as important. On the road you are subject to other people far more often, and if you get into an accident, being found at fault can be a pricey affair. That’s why having a dash camera is helpful.

Fortunately, our friends over at Nextbase were kind enough to send out its top-of-the-line 622GW front and rear dash cams for us to share with you.

Key Features

  • 4K 30fps video recording
  • Slow-motion
  • Night vision and extreme weather mode
  • Alexa support

Installation

Installing the Nextbase 622GW went smoothly. Inside of the box you’re provided with all the mounts that are required. You have the option of mounting the front-facing camera by either using the 3M sticky mount or the suction cup. The 622GW connects to these mounts via a proprietary magnetic connector on the front of the camera body.

This magnetic connection is extremely strong, the few times I removed it from the mount required some strenuous pulling on my part. Basically, know that once it is in place the camera isn’t going to fall off of the mount.

I went the suction cup route with my install since it would allow me to reposition the camera as much as I liked. Ultimately, I stuck it up behind the rear-view mirror to keep it out of the way.

Installing it so high up meant running the power cable to the cigarette lighter and the cable for the rear camera around the top of the car and down the weather seals of the door. I had to run the cable through the glove compartment but it did not require any additional hardware or tape, It’s not pretty, but it works and we rarely open that anyways.

For installing the rear-facing camera I had to use the 3M mount and the cable from the front-facing camera was plenty long enough to run semi-hidden through the weather seals of the front and back doors. You could also run it through the top roof panel if you’re so inclined but I didn’t feel like disassembling it at the time.

Once you have both cameras installed, you can easily adjust the viewing angle of the 622GW. In my case, I used the live view in the app to make things even easier.

Cabin Camera

Besides the front and rear cameras that come bundled together, Nextbase also sent along the cabin camera. I didn’t spend much time with this installed because there is only one port on the main dash cam to add an additional camera. That means choosing between the rearview or the cabin camera.

I went with the rearview camera as I found it more important; there is also an option to buy the cabin camera if you prefer that.

It’s a great way for parents to get a glimpse of what’s going on in the backseat but it won’t give you a good view out the rear of your vehicle.

Recording

The Nextbase 622GW is a premium dash cam featuring up to 4K 30fps recording with a sharp clear image. This high resolution makes it easier for you to zoom in for details, such as checking the license plate of other drivers. There is even image stabilization to help make details even clearer.

Furthermore, the enhanced night vision and extreme weather modes will ensure that even if you’re caught in a storm or driving late at night, you’ll be able to make out your surroundings in the video.

In my experience, I found this perfect for reading plates directly in front of me when stopped but it can be more challenging if on the move or if the car is in the lane next to you.

Besides recording in 4K, the Nextbase 622GW also includes 1440p (60fps), 1080p (120fps), and slow-motion modes capture for the front-facing camera. The rear-facing camera is limited to only 1080p though; be aware that it’ll be lower resolution with no slow motion.

Rear view sample image

Just a note on the microSD card – the Nextbase 622GW requires a card that can sustain write speeds of 60MB/s. For this review, I was sent one of Nextbase’s own U3 microSD cards which provides ultra-fast write speeds. I was able to keep up with saving 4K video from the front camera and 1080p from the rear.

Smart Features

Along with recording footage at UHD and HD resolutions, the Nextbase 622GW comes with some smart features such as what3words to help pinpoint your location even when you’re offline. It also has support for Alexa which allows you to do a host of actions such as snapping photos, starting/stopping recording, turning the display on/off, and more.

Apps

The Nextbase 622GW uses two different apps, one is for your phone and the other is for your computer. Most of the time you’ll probably use the phone app to view videos and change the settings on the camera.

I found it much easier to navigate and set the camera up by using the app. The camera does have a large 3-inch touchscreen if you prefer to use that, but because the camera was located behind my rear-view mirror it was much easier to use the app.

Within the app, you’ll also be able to set up what3words, Alexa, enable parking mode, reverse camera view, and extreme weather modes. Additionally, you can control the resolution of your recordings and whether or not it will imprint your speed, GPS location, use image stabilization, and set your video recording length.

There is also a way to see a live feed from the cameras or review footage, but only if you have it recording at lower resolutions. In my case, since I was using 4K I had to turn on the dual recording mode, otherwise, you can only view the 4K files via your PC.

The PC app gives you an entire dashboard view when reviewing and editing footage taken with the camera. You’ll be able to see your GPS location and a view on the map showing what road you’re on and your route. There is also a section to show your speed, average speed, and distance traveled in the clip.

Most importantly, there is a zoom button and you can adjust the brightness making sure you get a clear view of important information like license plate numbers.

Cropped video frame with license plate censored

Overall, I was very impressed with both apps, especially the PC app for reviewing footage. My only complaint was having to manually add clips from the SD card to the app because of how long it took for them to parse.

Final Thoughts

The Nextbase 622GW is not a cheap camera, the set featuring the front and rear-view cameras retails for $500 on Amazon. However, for that price, you get a sharp picture, smart features, and a pair of good apps to go along with the cameras.

There are certainly cheaper alternatives out there, but I had no major complaints with the Nextbase 622GW and besides the price, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

At the time of writing, the package is even selling for a lower than usual $420 price on Amazon, which makes it even more appealing to pick up with a discount. Alternatively, you can purchase only the front-facing Nextbase 622GW dash cam on sale for $319 from the Nextbase website.

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