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Amazfit T-Rex Pro Smartwatch review

Jason England
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There’s no shortage of smartwatches to choose from these days, however, most tend to focus on classic or sporty designs. Fortunately, there are still a few outdoor rugged models on the market, such as the Amazfit T-Rex Pro that we were recently sent for review.

Design

The Amazfit T-Rex Pro features an oversized design with a look reminiscent of the rugged Casio watches loved by outdoor enthusiasts. The display is a 1.3-inch AMOLED with an always-on option allowing you to get a quick glimpse at the time, date, battery life, steps, and more. It also includes an ambient light sensor to ensure it can be seen clearly in any lighting condition.

The durable body of the Amazfit T-Rex Pro is military standard certified, passing 15 military-grade tests, including being able to withstand temps of up to 150F and down to -40F below. On top of being built durable, the T-Rex Pro also features 10 ATM water-resistance, meaning it can survive in depths of 100 meters.

User experience

Now that you know how tough the T-Rex Pro is, how well does it function? First off, you must have noticed the up, down, select, and back buttons on the watch. These do exactly what you’d think they’d do, control those functions on the watch. This makes it possible to use the T-Rex Pro regardless of how dirty, wet, or slimy your fingers are. It also makes it perfect in the cold when you’re wearing gloves.

No matter what the situation, you’ll be able to use your watch without having to touch the screen, and that really comes in handy when you’re trekking around outdoors and your hands are constantly covered in something. Using the touchscreen also works flawlessly, so when you’re back home you can still interact with it that way as well.

Besides offering a user-friendly way to use the watch during all your outdoor activities, the T-Rex Pro also comes with a ton of features. It has a built-in compass and barometer for when you’re out in the wild, plus it’s a full-blown fitness watch.

It tracks your steps, has over 100 sports modes, and can check your blood oxygen levels. Additionally, it has 24-hour monitoring of your heart rate and stress, while also tracking your sleep. While I found it could sometimes detect I was sleeping when I was awake, the step tracker was very accurate. Plus, you can manually adjust the sleeping time in the app if you find it made a mistake.

Even though the T-Rex Pro is a fantastic fitness watch, one area I found it came up short is with notifications. It will show notifications from your phone, if you set it up through the app, but you cannot dismiss notifications from your phone or interact with them.

That means no replying to messages, deleting emails, and sometimes you can’t even view the full message. So while you can view notifications, the experience is far from ideal. There’s also a limited number of watch faces to choose from, so you won’t have as many options as you do on some other wearables. I was able to find a couple that I like, but it’s just something to be aware of.

App

The Zepp app is used to change your watchface, view all of the stats the watch collects, and is used for the initial setup of the T-Rex Pro. I’m a big fan of how the Zepp app displays the information it collects and it works well.

However, the initial setup can be tedious having to dig through menus to enable everything. It all seems a little unorganized and there are a few grammar errors, but overall, I appreciate the insights it provides. Plus, once you get it set up you’ll mostly stay on the homepage where it provides all the accumulated data, and that’s where it excels.

Battery life

Amazfit rates the T-Rex Pro for up to 18 days of battery life. I’m sure this is technically possible, but if you want to turn on all the different health monitoring functions and use the always-on display, then you’re looking at something closer to five days. Regardless, that’s impressive for a smartwatch that does so much.

Final thoughts

The Amazfit T-Rex Pro is a durable smartwatch for the outdoorsman that helps fill a gap in the wearables market. It features a wealth of health tracking features, fantastic battery life, and convenient buttons to control the watch.

My biggest criticisms are that the app could use a little polish and I wish notification support was better. Although I suspect that last one is due to a limitation that Google has placed on third-party wearables. You can pick it up now from Amazon for $180.

Buy from Amazon Buy from Amazfit

Google officially announces the new Pixel Buds A-series for $99

Jason England
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After several months of being leaked, Google has officially announced the arrival of the Pixel Buds A-series. Similar to the A-series of phones Google makes–such as the Pixel 4a–the Pixel Buds A-Series is a mid-range offering with some of what makes the Pixel Buds 2 great, while at a more affordable price.

And by more affordable, we mean $99, because that’s the price of admission on the Pixel Buds A-Series. For that, you’ll get a pair of true wireless headphones with custom-designed 12mm dynamic drivers, that Google says delivers a “full, clear, and natural sound.” However, it knows some people prefer a bit more oomph from their music–such as myself–and for them, there is a Bass Boost option to bring out the low-end.

Comfort is paramount in a pair of earbuds, and according to Google, it has scanned thousands of ears to ensure the Pixel Buds A-Series “fit securely with a gentle seal.” Not only that, but just like previous Pixel Buds, these include a spatial vent to reduce pressure in the ear to prevent that stuffy feeling.

Besides the sound quality and comfort fit, the Pixel Buds A-Series also includes some smart features. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Google product without support for Assistant, and even better, you can activate it hands-free by simply saying, “Hey Google.” Then you can give commands to check the weather, change the volume, or even reply to messages.

Additionally, the Pixel Buds A-Series offers Adaptive Sound which will adjust the volume depending on your surroundings. For example, the volume would be lower inside of your quiet home, but jogging down the street would cause it to increase the volume to combat the sound of traffic. Plus, the Pixel Buds A-Series are IPx4 water-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about getting sweat on them during your jog.

Finally, the Pixel Buds A-Series feature real-time translation, just like its more expensive counterparts, in more than 40 different languages when using an Android 6.0+ phone.

When it comes to battery life, Google claims the Pixel Buds A-Series will last up to five hours on a charge and 24 hours with the charging case. They can also offer up to three hours of listening time after 15 minutes of charging.

The Pixel Buds A-Series are available for pre-order now in the U.S. and Canada in either Clearly White or Dark Olive. Orders should start arriving to customers by June 17, 2021.

 

Simple Mobile Buyer’s Guide

AndroidGuys
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Picking out the right wireless carrier isn’t all that difficult. After all, there are just a few names to choose from in the US, right? Hardly. For every one of the service providers you can name, we bet there are two others you don’t even know exist.

The Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) space is a crowded one and there’s plenty to consider. While they each have their own rate plans, terms, and features, they rely on the network infrastructure built by the bigger names.

Take, for instance, Simple Mobile.

Who is Simple Mobile?

Simple Mobile is an MVNO that offers GSM coverage from T-Mobile; however it may not fully offer the exact same network speed, availability, and coverage. This isn’t it exclusive to Simple Mobile as even T-Mobile’s own Metro brand sees the same experience.

As often is the case with many MVNO and prepaid carriers, there are no contracts with Simple Mobile.

What are Simple Mobile rate plans like?

When it comes to options, Simple Mobile has a number of 30-day plans available for customers. Prices range from as low as $25 per month up to $60 with varying amounts of high speed data.

Limited time promotions will sometimes see extra data or features like mobile hotspot added at no cost. The 5GB plan is priced just $20 per month for the first three months with automatic bill payment.

  • $25 per month for unlimited talk, text and 3GB of high speed data
  • $30 per month for unlimited talk, text and 5GB of high speed data
  • $40 per month for unlimited talk, text and 15GB of high speed data
  • $50 per month for unlimited talk, text and unlimited high speed data w/ 5GB hotspot, 480p video streaming
  • $60 per month for unlimited talk, text and unlimited high speed data w/ 15GB hotspot, 480p video streaming, 50GB cloud storage

Customers who sign up for automatic payment (Auto Reup) each month can save up to $5 per month on their plan.

What else should I know?

Simple Mobile customer can purchase add-on plans for extra data or international calling. Unused data does not roll over to the next month, but the international balance does.

There are other options and add-ons available to Simple Mobile customers, including global calling cards and extra data. Simple offers some modest international calling to 69 destinations and roaming.

Fine print and other details

It’s worth noting that most service plans include hotspot capabilities but it dips into the data allotment. The “Truly Unlimited” plan does get its own 10GB of data to share.

  • $5 – 2GB data add-on
  • $10 – 5GB data add-on
  • $20 – 10GB data add-on
  • $10 – Add-on International

Simple Mobile customers can earn rewards for referring others to its service, watching video clips, sharing on social media, and automatic bill payments. Credits can be used toward high-speed data or a free service plan. Get a friend to sign up for service and you’ll both get a month for free.

Any promos or discounts?

As of today there are a number of deals available through Simple Mobile, including a limited time Blowout Sale. A mix of instant discounts, price drops, last-chance buys, and promotions, it’s a great way to save money on purchases.

Can I use my own phone with Simple Mobile?

Customers can bring pretty much any unlocked GSM or T-Mobile phone to Simple Mobile. A $.99 SIM card can be purchased which fits all slots – nano, micro, or standard.

How is the phone selection at Simple Mobile?

Should you wish to purchase a phone from Simple you’ll find a range of devices from familiar brands like Samsung, Motorola, LG, and a few others.

The current crop of handsets isn’t overly attractive, but there are top-tier models like the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G or Galaxy Note 10 Plus.

The phones are priced outright as well as monthly, with financing options for 24-month and 15-month periods. There are also certified pre-owned models and reconditioned handsets, too.

T-Mobile is one of the biggest wireless network operators in the US, providing nearly 100 million subscribers with coverage. As you’d expect, it features quite an impressive handset selection, including models with 5G support. But what about other brands that use its network, such as Simple Mobile?

Simple Mobile, as is the case with other MVNOs, has its own rate plans, customer service, and phone selection. Here, we’ll dig into the Android devices offered at Simple Mobile.

We’ve gathered up a handful of the best phones you can purchase at Simple Mobile today. Although we do select one as the best overall (Editors’ Choice), the list below offers phones that work for a variety of user types.

For what it’s worth, the handset selection at Simple Mobile is fairly lean, skewing toward older models and refurbished phones. To that end, we always suggest buying an unlocked phone for use with a carrier. The options are plentiful in both directions and you’ll likely get something more powerful.

Samsung Galaxy S21

“The flagship Samsung experience for 2021 is not only powerful, but it’s gorgeous, too. It looks unlike any of its predecessors on the surface and we couldn’t be happier.

Internally, the phone is as about as powerful as they come, and should be more than sufficient for the needs of pretty much anyone. Whether you’re gaming, snapping ultra-wide photos, recording 4K video, or just hitting up your social media platforms, the Galaxy S21 is here for it.

Key features for the phone include a 6.2-inch AMOLED display, at least 128GB storage, and an all-day 4,000mAh battery. You’ve also got an amazing camera setup, 8GB RAM, a monster of a processor, and an improved in-display fingerprint reader.”

Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

The Biggest and Best

You can’t have a list of top phones without including the latest and greatest flagship. In this case, it’s the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. Sure, there are other versions of the S20 to consider but this reigns supreme. Outfitted with a large (6.9-inch) screen, lots of RAM (12GB), and an incredible camera experience, it’s a no-compromise device.

Powered by Android 10 with Samsung’s One UI, the phone is as powerful as it is sleek. Come for the 8K video recording, stay for the top-tier performance.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

LG Stylo 5 LTE

Big, practical, and (most importantly) affordable, the Stylo 5 LTE provides users with a large (6.2-inch) screen with stylus support. It’s perfect for scribbling notes, marking up documents, editing, and more.

Running Android 9 Pie, the phone is powered by a 1.8GHz octa-core processor with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. A microSD expansion card slot blows the door wide open for up to 2TB external media.

Wrapping things up, the LG handset has a 13-megapixel rear camera, front-facing 5-megapixel selfie camera, and a 3,500mAh battery with USB Type-C charging.

Buy the LG Stylo 5

Motorola Moto G6

We really like how Motorola handles its smartphones. For the past few years it has employed a stock version of Android, adding only the smallest of custom features. Moreover, they’re priced considerably lower than what a lot of bigger name brands charge.

Here, you get a big (5.7-inch) screen, a fairly modern build of Android, and respectable smattering of mid-range hardware. Details include an octa-core processor with 3GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, and a microSD card slot for external media.

Other things we appreciate? The dual rear cameras, lightning fast charging, and a water resistant coating. Tthat extra money left in our wallets is always nice, too.

Buy the Motorola Moto G6

Samsung Galaxy A50

Knowing that we already have a Samsung phone on this list, we have to add the Galaxy A50. Why? Because it’s a fraction of what the Galaxy S models cost, yet it still gives users all the features they find important.

The Galaxy A series in itself is very interesting to watch, however this is the one we like most. Present are a generous 6.4-inch display and a multi-camera (25 MP/8 MP/5MP) array on the rear, and a battery that rivals most phones. You know, the stuff we love.

Under the hood are an octa-core processor with 4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage, and a microSD expansion card slot for up to 512GB space. Rounding things out are a headphone jack, fingerprint reader, and USB Type C charging.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A50

Google will soon give apps one less way to track you on your phone

Jason England
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When you opt-in for personalized ads on your Android phone, Google creates an advertising ID which it uses to track you and make suggestions. However, did you know that advertising ID is also available to apps on your phone? Well, that’s all about to change.

Google recently updated its support page on the Play Console to inform developers that in the near future their apps will lose access to this advertising ID when a user opts out of personalized ads.

Starting in late 2021, when a user opts out of interest-based advertising or ads personalization, the advertising identifier will not be available. You will receive a string of zeros in place of the identifier.

As you can see, the change won’t be coming until late 2021–whenever that may be–but at least it’s coming. According to the article from XDA-Developers, a notice shared by a developer sheds some more light on the upcoming change. For starters, it will come via a phased rollout affecting apps on Android 12 first. Later, devices supporting Google Play will get the same treatment starting in early 2022.

This Google Play services phased rollout will affect apps running on Android 12 devices starting late 2021 and will expand to affect apps running on devices that support Google Play in early 2022. In July, we will provide more details and an alternate solution to support essential use cases such as analytics and fraud prevention.

While most users will be waiting till early 2022 for this feature, if you’d like to go ahead and opt-out of personalized ads right now, here’s how to do it. Open the settings menu on your phone, navigate to Google, select Ads, and toggle on Opt out of Ads Personalization.

This recent development is one of Google’s latest attempts to play catch up with Apple, as the Cupertino company pushes its privacy-first approach to smartphones. Google also announced back at I/O that the Play Store would be adding privacy info to apps similar to what Apple added to its App Store last year.

Paramount+ is discontinuing its $5.99 plan for a new cheaper one

Jason England
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Paramount+ is making some changes to its plans this month. Starting on June 7, 2021, it will discontinue the $5.99 per month Limited Commercials plan which included a live feed to your local CBS channel.

Instead, Paramount+ will introduce a new low-cost plan called Essential for $4.99 a month. The new Essential plan includes access to over 30,000 episodes and movies, including Paramount+ Originals, with limited commercial interruptions. It also includes live streaming of NFL games on CBS and UEFA Champions League, but will not include streaming your local CBS affiliate station.

  • Stream with limited commercial interruptions
  • Watch 30,000+ episodes and movies on demand
  • Access Paramount+ Originals and more exclusive programming
  • Stream NFL on CBS and Champions League live*
  • Get 24/7 national news with CBSN
  • NO LOCAL, LIVE CBS CHANNEL

If you are currently subscribed to the Limited Commercials plan there is no need to worry though. Paramount+ states you will not be forced onto the Essential plan and this change will not affect you. That is, unless you cancel your subscription and resubscribe, because the Limited Commercials plan will no longer be available, and you’ll have to choose between the Essential and Commercial Free plan.

Those of you who are not a fan of commercials or want to stream your local CBS station also still have the option of subscribing to the $9.99 per month Commercial Free plan from Paramount+. That plan includes even more perks like downloading shows to watch offline and access to more sports. However, it’s important to note that it’s not truly ad-free because ads will be shown during live TV and a few select shows.

  • Stream with no ads (except live TV & a few shows)
  • Watch 30,000+ episodes, movies & originals on demand
  • Access Paramount+ Originals and exclusive programming
  • Stream NFL on CBS, UEFA Champions League and additional top soccer leagues, plus even MORE sports like PGA golf and NCAA basketball
  • Get 24/7 local & national news with CBSN and CBS live
  • Download your shows to watch offline, anytime
  • INCLUDES YOUR LOCAL, LIVE CBS CHANNEL

If you’re looking to save some money, even on the new low-cost plan, then you can sign up for an annual subscription. This knocks the total price down to $49.99 for the Essential plan and $99.99 for the Commercial Free plan saving you around 16% off paying month to month.

Proscenic 3-in-1 Handheld S1 Vacuum review

Jason England
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Recently, we’ve had the opportunity to check out the M7 Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner and P11 Cordless Handheld Vacuum from Proscenic. While this duo does a great job of keeping your floors and most everything else clean in your home, there’s one other place that often needs tidying up – your car.

Fortunately, Proscenic has an answer for that as well with the compact 3-in-1 Handheld S1 vacuum, which the company was nice enough to send out for this review.

Key Features

  • Small and lightweight
  • 12,000 PA suction power
  • USB-C charging
  • H12 HEPA filter
  • Easy to empty dustbin

Keeping your car neat and tidy is just as important as keeping your house clean. The tiny but mighty Proscenic 3-in-1 Handheld S1 vacuum makes this incredibly convenient. Thanks to its powerful motor and small size it’s easy to maneuver around inside of your vehicle getting into all the nooks and crannies.

Plus, it comes with two different attachments that make it easy to transition from cleaning the seats to getting into the crevices for crumbs and dirt.

It even works great around the house, I found myself using it to clean up small messes in the kitchen or even my keyboard. My one word of warning would be to watch out for the gusts of air from the exhaust vents from the powerful motor. If you get too close it can easily send dust and debris flying into the air instead of sucking it up.

The Proscenic says the 3-in-1 Handheld S1 vacuum has a run time of 15-30 minutes, this is probably based on which level of suction you use. However, I’ve yet to have it die on me in the middle of cleaning. Most times I’d have the car cleaned out in under 10 minutes and the Proscenic S1 would be back on the charger.

Speaking of charging, it comes with a nice stand that holds the accessories and keeps it charged up. Even better, the Proscenic S1 has a separate USB-C port, which means you could even charge it up inside of your vehicle.

When it comes down to it, there’s not much to dislike about the Proscenic 3-in-1 Handheld S1 vacuum. It has powerful suction, good battery life, multiple charging options, it’s easy to empty, and it’s lightweight. You can’t really go wrong with this tiny vacuum.

Where to buy

You can purchase the Proscenic 3-in-1 Handheld S1 vacuum now from Amazon or Proscenic’s website for $100 or less.

Chrome OS 91 is rolling out with a better way to share files between your phone and Chromebook

Jason England
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Chrome OS 91 is rolling out now to supported Chromebooks and with this update, it’s gaining some of Android’s best features. The most notable being Nearby Share, a feature on Android which allows you to share files with others quickly and easily.

With Nearby Share making its debut in Chrome OS 91, you’ll now be able to share files between your Android phone and Chromebook or two Chromebooks with ease. Nearby Share makes use of Bluetooth LE, Bluetooth, WebRTC, and Wi-Fi to connect your two devices and exchange files even when not connected to the internet. Now, you’ll be able to share links, screenshots, photos, and more making this the closest we’ve gotten to Apple’s convenient AirDrop feature.

To use Nearby Share, update to Chrome OS 91, open up the settings menu, and search for Nearby Share. After you’ve enabled it, you’ll be able to swap files back and forth between your phone and Chromebook effortlessly.

Another big feature coming from Android phones to the Chromebook with this update are app badges. These are the little dots you’ll see on an app’s icon when you have a notification. This should make it much easier to see when you have a notification pending and which app it belongs to.

Now you’ll know whether it’s a new email pending or a useless game trying to get you to open the app back up with a quick glance. Of course, if you find badges distracting or irritating, you can turn them off by checking “Notifications” under “Quick Settings.”

Offline file support is also coming in the Chrome OS 91 update, except Google says it won’t roll out till the end of June. Once it starts popping up on your device, you’ll be able to select files in the Files app for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides and toggle on “Available offline” to enable editing them locally without an internet connection.

Finally, the latest update brings a host of new wallpapers and account images created by artist Leo Natsume. To explore these, open up the “Quick Settings” and navigate to Personalization. Alternatively, you can right-click on the desktop and select “Set wallpaper” or “Imaginary.”

LG Pay will be discontinued by the end of 2021

Jason England
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LG is set to officially shut down its mobile division this coming July 31, 2021. This comes after years of sales declining until the South Korean tech company finally decided to throw in the towel. LG’s presence will be missed, the company never shied away from taking risks with design and always showed a dedication to high-quality audio on its devices.

Something else that will be missed, although probably not by many, is LG Pay. However, fans of the contactless payment system will have a little more time to use it or transition to another service because it won’t go completely dark until November 1, 2021.

Leading up to that day are some important dates to note though. Beginning with June 1, 2021, when LG Pay will no longer allow you to purchase or add gift cards to your account. Next, on August 1, 2021, sign-ups for LG Pay will be discontinued, and current users will be unable to register additional cards, although they will still be able to continue using the service.

Finally, on November 1, 2021, LG Pay will close its doors for good and you’ll no longer be able to use the service. If you’re one of the few LG Pay users out there, be sure to back up any gift cards and loyalty cards you have in the app. You can find out more info about that on LG’s FAQ page, as well as how to unenroll early if you choose to do so.

Without LG Pay in the market, you’ll either have to make the switch to Samsung Pay, if you use a Samsung phone that supports it, or Google Pay. The benefits of Samsung Pay are that it uses MST technology on phones that support it and allows you to pay at most credit card terminals without using NFC. Google Pay, on the other hand, requires a special terminal that isn’t as widely supported, but it is available on almost every Android phone.

 

Homeschooling: Are your kids safe online?

AndroidGuys
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The rise of cybercrime leaves no one out of the line of fire, and the youngest members of our society are especially vulnerable. Since the kids are spending plenty of time online, it’s important to help them look after their safety; to do so, they need to have the right tools and understanding.

Today, we will be covering different types of threats your kids may encounter online and suggest the best approach to addressing them:

Posting Sensitive Information

Ironically, the greatest threat can emerge from the kids being themselves and not knowing any better than publishing information of private nature in a public space. For instance, they may reveal your address or post an overly revealing family photo that has no place outside of the album.

The solution is to have a conversation with them about what counts as personally identifiable information and what is better left private. Explain that the suitability of the content they send out depends on the recipient and help them make the distinction between public and private places as they relate to the internet.

Cyber Predators

One of the scariest thoughts a parent may encounter is having their offspring victimized by a sexual predator. These are the types of individuals who prey on their innocence and lack a better judgment to elicit a sexual advance or coerce them to upload inappropriate photos of themselves.

The lesson here is that it’s not a good idea to trust strangers, no matter how friendly they may act. You should often make an effort to talk to your kids about how their day-to-day life will pick up on any potential threats such as these (jump in and escalate matters as deemed necessary).

Phishing

If adults fall for phishing as often as they do, how can we expect our kids to fare any better in this regard? The answer is, we can’t. As such, little is preventing them from being victimized by clicking on a malicious link, attachment, or sharing sensitive information online.

Explain how not every link they find online can be trusted, not even the ones they receive from their friends (they might have been tricked into sharing them or malware posted them without their knowledge). Tell them to exercise their judgment and err on the side of caution when something seems off for whatever reason.

Malware

Much like phishing, minors can encounter various forms of malware online, whether by browsing for game hacks, visiting dubious-looking websites, or other means. This can be a huge problem if you’re using a shared family computer (in which case, a potential infection could compromise your files as well). In some cases, if you’ve noticed your computer is running slower than normal, this can be a huge sign, but in others, malware can slip under the radar.

Once again, the correct way to approach this is to talk to your children about clicking on links of unknown origin and minding what they download. On top of that, you should avoid granting administrator privileges to the account you’re using on your device and make sure it is protected with a strong combination of characters. After all, a secure password is much harder to crack.

Cyberstalking and Cyberbullying

In the times gone by, the schoolyard used to be the main playground for the bullies of this world. Now, as technology has matured, they have entered the digital space. As a result, your kid may be subjected to harassment online, whether it be from strangers or their peers.

The best way to approach this issue is by initiating an open dialogue with them. If the issue persists, consider installing tools designed for monitoring your kid’s online and mobile activities.

Scams

While certain adults will laugh upon seeing the infamous Nigerian prince scam for the millionth time and shrug it off, our youngest are much less experienced in this regard and may fall for it. As it goes without saying, any money sent to these scammers will never see the light of day again, so consider it lost. At the same time, scams can come in numerous forms (it could be something as trivial as free game hacks), and not even an adult can keep on top of them all.

This serves as a great training exercise that helps them sharpen and exercise their judgment. As an additional precaution, make sure all your credit cards are hidden or otherwise inaccessible to your kids.

Posting Content They May Regret

When someone is 13, that individual may think it’s cool or edgy to post certain things that are either vulgar, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate. The problem is, everything that’s posted on the internet is archived somewhere and it will never go away in its entirety, not even after deleting it. Things of this nature may come back to haunt your kid later in life when trying to land a new job or further their professional career in other ways.

Explain to them their views and opinions are very likely to change as they mature and grow older. Hence, they need to be careful not to stain their reputation by posting something they might regret later on.

Conclusion

The online space is somewhat of the wild west, and you’ll find everything ranging from completely innocent to the darkest and most tasteless things imaginable. Unless you plan on keeping your kids isolated from the rest of the world in a glass ball for the rest of their lives, you will need to take some time off your schedule and invest it into their education.

New YouTube feature let’s you play songs on repeat

Jason England
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Have you ever gotten a song stuck in your head and been compelled to listen to it on repeat for hours? I’m sure it’s a feeling we’re all familiar with, but sadly, one of the biggest music platforms on the planet lacked the simple ability to play the song over and over without manual intervention.

At least that used to be the case. Recently, YouTube began quietly rolling out a “Loop video” button in the YouTube app on mobile devices. It was first spotted by DroidMaze on May 22, 2021, but now it appears to be rolling out more widely with many users reporting to have seen the new option.

To check if you have it on your device, open a video in the YouTube app and tap on the three-dot menu in the top right corner. If the new feature is available for you then you’ll see the “Loop video” option between Quality and Captions in the resulting menu.

Then all you have to do is tap on it to enable it and give your finger a break while you listen to your new obsession on repeat. No longer will you be forced to tap on the replay button at the end of the video each and every time. However, when you open a new video the loop option will be disabled by default and you’ll need to enable it each time you want to use it.

It’s a small change, but still a major quality of life improvement. Not only will this allow you to listen to your new favorite song on repeat, but it would be perfect for those who use ASMR to fall asleep and don’t want to wake up to silence.

Desktop users don’t have to be envious of the “Loop video” feature though, the same option can be accessed on the web by right-clicking on the video while it’s playing. YouTube even puts it at the very top of the list making it even easier to enable.

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