It’s long been rumored that Samsung’s next Galaxy Watch 4 would make the switch to Wear OS after seven years of running its own in-house Tizen OS. In fact, the latest rumors pointed to the Galaxy Watch 4 using a Tizen skin over Wear OS.
Now, we know there’s much more to it than that. Today, at Google I/O 2021, Google announced that it has been working in partnership with Samsung to bring the best of Wear OS and Tizen together for the biggest upgrade to the platform yet, promising faster performance and longer battery life.
Google is now promising faster animations, a smoother user interface, and apps launching up to 30% faster on the latest chipsets.
While to improve battery life they had to dig deep and optimize the lower layers of the operating system utilizing low-power hardware cores to optimize continuous heart rate and sleep monitoring. All of which should spell battery life savings allowing you to make it through a full day and overnight with juice to spare.
As for the Galaxy Watch 4 running a custom Tizen skin, it does appear Google is opening up the platform to custom UIs for the first time saying, “This isn’t just for Google and Samsung. All device makers will be able to add a customized user experience on top of the platform, and developers will be able to use the Android tools they already know and love to build for one platform and ecosystem.”
On top of everything else, by having one unified platform going forward, app developers won’t have to split focus. Instead, they can focus directly on a single platform making it easier to develop and maintain apps. Google says you can expect more tiles on the way from apps such as Calm, Sleep Cycle, and Flo.
Additionally, redesigned and improved versions of Google Maps and Google Assistant are in the works for Wear OS. Then there’s the long-awaited YouTube Music app coming later this year with the ability to download songs to your watch for subscribers, along with Google Pay snagging a UI refresh and support for 26 new countries.
And have you forgotten about Google’s Fitbit acquisition? Because it appears they are finally doing something with it, promising the best of Fitbit with features like health tracking throughout the day and on-wrist goal celebrations.
Last but not least, Google has also been working on some usability enhancements mentioning a new way to swap between apps on the watch. This will come in the form of a double-press of the button on the side of the watch, which will take you back to the last app you were using. For example, if you’re tracking your run with an app, you’ll be able to double-press on the button to swap over to your music app to change tracks before doing the same action again to return to the app tracking your run. It’s a small thing, but also a huge improvement.
All in all, it appears the biggest thing to happen to Wear OS is on the horizon, and it couldn’t come soon enough. Google has neglected the platform for years now and it has been in dire need of a refresh. As a huge wearables fan myself, I couldn’t be more excited about all these changes.
Panasonic may not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of Android tablets, but it just released one named the Toughbook S1. You may remember the Toughbook brand from years past when Panasonic used to produce a line of rugged laptops.
Now, Panasonic has taken that same know-how and has created an ultra-tough 7-inch Android tablet that works with a stylus, fingers, or gloves for enterprise use. It features a Qualcomm SDM660 chipset, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, a 13MP rear camera, and runs Android 10 out of the box.
There is also LTE and GPS availability to make sure you stay connected no matter where your job takes you and NFC built-in as well. For workers in warehouses, manufacturing, and more–an optional barcode scanner that works in landscape or portrait orientations is available along with an additional USB-A port add-on.
On top of that, the Panasonic Toughbook S1 is built to MIL-STD-810H standards, able to withstand drops of up to 5 feet on concrete and it’s IP65/67 water and dust resistant. Plus, it is also rated to work in temperatures as low as -4°F and in heat up to 122°F.
Additionally, it includes a 5580mAh warm swap battery. This means, besides having good battery life, you’ll also be able to swap out the battery during long shifts or in the field instead of having to wait for it to charge back up.
Essentially, the Panasonic Toughbook S1 is made to take a lick and keep on ticking, and operate in some of the most extreme conditions. That’s why it doesn’t come cheap, the Toughbook S1 starts at $2,499 and it’s available for purchase now.
Verizon is the largest wireless network providers in the US, serving nearly 120 million subscribers. While most readers are familiar with the tier-one player, it also offers its own prepaid service, too.
Here, we gather up a handful of the best phones you can purchase at Verizon Prepaid today. This isn’t a list of the best overall with the top-notch performance. Rather, our list aims to speak to specific users.
Already one of our favorite phones of the year, the Pixel 4a tick all the right boxes and is priced to move, too. It’s everything you need in a modern phone with none of the expensive extras.
Here, you get a 5.8-inch display, plenty of memory (6GB) and storage (128GB), and a generous fast charging battery. Powered by the latest and greatest version of Android, you’ll have hard time finding a better camera experience.
It might not be the newest kid on the block, but we don’t think you’d even notice. Phones don’t come much more big or beautiful — or practical.
Key features here include a 6.3-inch FHD+ display, an excellent multi-camera array, and all-day 3500mAh battery. Then there’s the digital style S Pen and all of the great functions that come with it.
If you’re starting out with a smartphone for the first time, you have no idea as to what you truly need. Why drop hundreds of dollars on something only to find out it’s more than you want or use?
Priced about as cheap as it gets, the TCL SIGNA is your way of dipping your toes into the pool without risk of buyer’s guilt. It runs Android 10 when plenty of more expensive phones do not, and has a decent smattering of hardware.
When you’re looking for a big-screen experience with a digital stylus you don’t have to default to that other more well-known handset. Indeed, the LG Stylo 6 is just as good for most people’s needs and it’s less than half of the price.
For your money you get a large 6.8-inch display, an octa-core processor with decent storage and memory, and a battery that goes well beyond a day. Toss in the triple camera array and Android 10 and you’ve got one heck of a device — and money in your pocket.
There is never a shortage of selection when it comes to buying a phone. Regardless of need or budget, there’s always something to consider. If you’re in the market to upgrade to one of the latest phones, or make a switch to a different brand, you might be wondering what to do with your old one.
An important factor in your decision might be how much you can get for your current device. It’s a lot easier to drop a ton of cash on a new flagship if you know your old handset is still worth a few hundred bucks, right?
The difference between a quick and painless sale and a long, drawn out process could come down to a few simple details. In this guide, we’ll give you tips on how to maximize what you can get for your device.
Prepare your device
Before you even consider listing your device, there are a couple of steps you need to take. These will protect yourself and ensure that your buyer is getting the best device possible.
Although super simple, these steps can make a large difference for both you and your buyer.
Backup your data
Whether it’s pictures, text messages, call logs, downloads, and documents, nobody wants to lose their data.
Recent versions of Android allow users to easily backup and restore data automatically, but I still prefer some third-party applications that let me be more actively involved in the backup and restoration process. If I’m doing it, I know it got done.
The first app I suggest is SMS Backup and Restore. It’s not the prettiest, but it does allow you to backup and restore all of your SMS conversations and call logs. It also gives you the option to include MMS messages and emojis or special characters.
Additionally, if you only care about a few specific conversations, it will allow you to select the conversations you want to keep instead of every single one.
I love that it can upload the backup to Google Drive or Dropbox so I can log in on my new device, download the file and restore my conversations with the app.
I have Google Photos setup to automatically backup my pictures and videos on my phone, but I also make sure to open it up and watch it sync one more time before I move over to a new device.
Once you wipe your device, there is no chance to get those pictures back if you haven’t backed them up, so better safe than sorry.
My last step to back up my data is to open up Solid Explorer and just look around at the file system and folders in my device. I don’t often make widgets with Zooper Widget Pro but I have been known to once in a while so when I do, grabbing those files is important.
Also, a quick glance at my downloads folder will remind me if there’s anything important that I need to move over to my new device. An upload to Google Drive later and I’m almost ready to wipe my device.
SIM unlock the device
If you’ve purchased your device from a carrier, unlocking your device can bring you a higher price when you sell it used. You have a couple options for SIM unlocking and both are very easy.
First off, if your phone is paid off and has been on your account for a few months, your carrier should permanently SIM unlock your device for you. To do this on Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T, give customer support a call and request an unlock code. T-Mobile has an app that’s pre-installed on your device that will automate the process.
If you aren’t able to obtain an unlock code from your carrier, you can purchase one from a third-party site. Be careful here as not all of these outlets are reputable or operate within the regulations set by local lawmakers.
I suggest checking out what the price difference between locked and unlocked devices are on Swappa before you pull the trigger.
Factory Reset
Now that you’ve pulled all your data off the device and you’ve SIM unlocked it, it’s time to factory reset the device.
In almost all devices, you can find the factory reset in the Settings application near the bottom of the list. Some phones will include an application solely designed to let you factory reset your device.
Factory resetting your device is incredibly important for your sale. You don’t want to send your device off with your data still on it to some random person. Additionally, they won’t be able to wipe that device without the password to your Google account.
I suggest that you factory reset your device and run it through the setup process without entering any email addresses or personal information. If you do this, you know that the phone successfully wiped your information, and that there are no locks on the device.
Your customer can easily factory reset and go through the setup process once the phone arrives for them.
Spruce up your device
Ew
Aesthetics are important. No one wants to buy a gross phone, so make sure you clean the outside before you take your pictures.
Grab a Microfiber cloth and wipe off the display and rear of the device and make sure you take the time to clean out things like the earpiece and any gaps in the body.
Additionally, a tempered glass screen protector might help get you more for your device, but if it’s cracked or chipped at the edges, take it off so people can see that beautiful, scratch-free display.
Take great pictures
Pictures are one of the most important parts of selling your device. A good set of pictures will do all the selling for you.
Be sure your pictures are well lit and taken so that potential buyers can see any and all scratches on the screen, back of the body, or any physical wear.
Put yourself in the shoes of your potential buyers — what would you want to see? If you’re spending money on something, you want to know every square inch of that device, so try to show it to buyers.
It’s important to also gather all the accessories for a family shot. These can include any cases, cables, wall adapters, boxes, screen protectors, or anything else you’re planning to package with the phone.
Conclusion
I’m a technology addict so I go through plenty of devices. These steps have never steered me wrong and I hope they help you out a little too. The thing I try to remember at all times is to be honest about the device.
You’re trying to get the most money you can for your device, but if it arrives and the buyer isn’t happy, you’re going to have a headache on your hand.
If you have any more suggestions of apps to help back up data before selling a device, tips for selling or shipping your device, please post down in the comments section!
I’m sure you’re no stranger to Google Maps, the app has become synonymous with getting around these days. Whether you’re planning a trip to visit your friends and family, looking for a new restaurant, or simply on your way to work–you’re most likely using Google Maps. And there’s a good reason for that, it just keeps adding more useful features.
Today, at Google I/O 2021, five new features for Google Maps were revealed to make getting around even easier, starting with safer routes.
Safer Routes
Did you know that hard braking leads to more accidents? According to research out of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, driving routes that include more areas with hard deceleration can lead to more car wrecks.
This is why Google Maps will soon be able to detect routes with the least likelihood of hard-braking using machine learning–and if the ETA is the same or has a minimal difference–it will suggest those directions automatically. So, not only will you arrive on time, but you’ll also arrive safely.
Live View Enhancements
Live View with Augmented Reality is one of the coolest features Google Maps has, and it’s about to get even better. By accessing Live View directly from the map, you’ll be able to see details about the shops and restaurants around you, such as how busy they are or recent reviews with photos.
Live View is also getting new helpful street signs while you’re navigating on the road to ensure you always know where you are, especially at complex intersections. It will also be able to tell you where you are in relation to places such as a hotel when you’re traveling. No more getting lost while on vacation, yay!
Detailed Street Maps
Google launched detailed street maps last August in London, New York, and San Francisco to give a better understanding of your surroundings. With the use of Google’s AI and detailed maps, it can help you navigate by showing where sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian islands are while also showing the road to scale.
Now, Google plans to expand detailed street maps to 50 more cities by the end of the year, including Berlin, São Paulo, Seattle, and Singapore.
Live Busyness
During the pandemic, the live busyness feature on Google Maps has really taken off. It has helped people avoid crowded areas and each day over 80 million people check live busyness information. Now, Google is expanding it so that you can check the “busyness” of entire areas. Using this information, you should be able to avoid traffic jams and crowds or see where the hottest places are around the city and go check them out.
Tailored Maps
Staring at a map and seeing the sheer number of locations and pins can be overwhelming, to say the least. So what if your map was smarter and was able to surface relevant places to you when you checked it? That’s what Google plans to do by tailoring Google Maps to you.
For example, say you open Google Maps first thing in the morning, then it would highlight places like coffee shops nearby. However, check it in the evening, and it’ll help surface some restaurants in your area, or viewing it on the weekend might reveal tourist attractions.
Expect to see all these features rolling out globally on Android and iOS in the coming months.
Google on Tuesday offered up its first official glimpse at how Android 12 will look as well as some of its core features. Whereas the last few versions of Android were mostly behind-the-scenes updates with minor noticeable details, the forthcoming release provides the biggest consumer-facing changes since in years.
The most obvious update is the “Material You” design language which is an evolved approach to the Material Design that was ushered in back in 2014. If Material Design was based largely around shades of Google’s blue color palette, Material You is based on the user and can be tailored around any color.
But it’s not just about colors, as Material You features a suite of customization features, line widths, animations, and more. In fact, it can take colors from a photo or wallpaper image to create a balanced and personalized appearance.
Using what we call color extraction, you choose your wallpaper, and the system automatically determines which colors are dominant, which ones are complementary and which ones just look great. It then applies those colors across the entire OS: the notification shade, the lock screen, the volume controls, new widgets and much more.
Google
Material You is expected to launch on Google Pixel phones later this year; it will also come to all Google apps in time.
The notification shade and Quick Settings also see a pretty significant change with more intuitive notifications, cleaner indicators, and new shortcuts. Users will have Quick Settings for Google Pay, Google Home controls, and more. Among other things, a long press of the power button can trigger Google Assistant, make a phone call, or open apps.
The lock screen is also more dynamic and generally playful with animations, the clock, and notifications changing based on interaction and settings. Last, and certainly not least, Android 12 brings about a number of new widgets for the home screen.
In addition to the UI experience, Google also revealed several new security and privacy features for platforms, including Android. A new Locked Folder protects selected photos and videos by adding another layer of security. Set to launch with Pixel phones, it allows for a passcode-protected space where the media can reside without showing up in Google Photos or other apps and devices.
Google Search sees an update which gives users a new option that can immediately delete the last 15 minutes of search activity. Also, Google Password Manager adds a new option to import passwords from other password managers as well as more proactive and helpful ways of managing passwords.
The Privacy Dashboard provides simplified insight and control of app permissions and settings as well as what data is being accessed. This includes how often your permissions and features are being used by which apps. Should one want to take action, it lets users revoke permissions directly from the dashboard.
As we see with every version of Android, Google promises performance improvements under the hood which make the entire operating system faster. A beta version of Android 12 is immediately available for phones from nearly one dozen manufacturers.
There’s no getting around it, passwords are a real pain, but they are also essential for staying secure online. However, coming up with a complex password for every site and service–as well as staying on top of when one of your passwords has been breached–has never been more difficult.
That’s why many of us are guilty of reusing the same password across multiple sites. Even with a password manager, it’s often too much to keep up with. Thankfully, Google is looking to relieve some of the pain points of password management with a new feature in Chrome.
If you use the Chrome browser, you’ve probably already seen pop-ups notifying you of compromised passwords, but now, Google is taking it a step further. From now on, Google Chrome will be able to help you change your leaked or breached passwords with a single tap.
It all starts whenever you check your passwords in Chrome, or it detects a password that could be compromised which will prompt the “Change password button.” Next, after you tap the button, Chrome will forward you to the website and assist you through the entire process of changing your password to a more secure one.
Google does note that this only works on “supported sites” and it’s difficult to tell which sites those include since there is no official list. However, even if the site isn’t supported, Chrome can still help you create a strong password.
This feature builds on Google’s Duplex on the Web technology, which it has used in the past to help you make dinner reservations or buy movie tickets on the web. Duplex helps automate and simplify arduous tasks which often require a lot of tedious repetitive actions. You know, the kind that typically dissuades you from doing something just thinking of all the hoops you’ll have to jump through.
The automated password feature is rolling out beginning in the U.S., with more sites and countries becoming available in the future. It will be available gradually to Chrome users on Android, but Google hasn’t mentioned when it may be seen on Chromebooks or Windows machines.
Samsung may not have been the first manufacturer to introduce a foldable phone, but I’m sure its the first brand that comes to mind when you think of foldables. Thanks to the success of its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series, Samsung has become synonymous with foldable phones.
Now, the tech juggernaut is sharing some of its metrics and reasons for success. For starters, in an internal consumer survey, 96% of Galaxy Z Fold 2 users say they are satisfied with their purchase. On top of that, 9 out of 10 of them say they would purchase a foldable phone again.
The biggest reason customers purchased the Galaxy Z Fold 2 won’t surprise you I’m sure, it was due to the larger tablet-sized display–which they use for video calls, reading ebooks, playing games, and dealing with work emails and documents.
Galaxy Z Flip customers, on the other hand, cite the phone’s sleek fashionable look, being able to have a full-sized smartphone that folds up to fit in their hand, and the iconic nostalgic design as the reasons for purchasing.
Samsung has seen a lot of success thanks to its foldable smartphones, with three out of every four foldables shipped worldwide last year belonging to the Galaxy lineup. Research shows that’s not slowing down any time soon, with half of U.S. consumers saying they are interested in buying a foldable phone as their next device.
Finally, one of the biggest reasons for Samsung’s success in the foldables market is by making it more accessible to get your hands on one. It does this by lowering the price of the devices by offering a referral program and providing foldable customers with access to its rewards program Z Premier.
However, the Buy and Try program is probably one of the biggest reasons Samsung’s foldable smartphones are so popular. With this program, customers get an extended 100 day trial of the devices, and after experiencing them, they are less likely to give them up.
Practically anyone and everyone in the US is familiar with the top-tier wireless service providers. Ask around and most folks can think of Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint — they’re the so-called “Big Four”.
For every one of the major network operators listed above there are a number of other players in the space. Some service providers license infrastructure to Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) and include the likes of Metro, Boost Mobile, and Cricket Wireless.
Select carriers offer their own prepaid services with different rate plans, phone selection, and support. Let’s take a look at one of them in particular: Verizon Prepaid.
About
Verizon Prepaid operates in the United States using the same network as the tier-one brand and, for the most part, provides nearly identical coverage. One key difference is that prepaid customers may face roaming fees in select areas.
There are no credit checks required for service and there are no activation fees at the time of subscription.
Rate Plans
Verizon Prepaid rate plans are no-contract, meaning you can go month-to-month with no long-term agreement or cancellation fees. Moreover, it does not charge for going over your allotted data; you receive “throttled” 2G speeds on data for the remainder of the bill cycle.
$40/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with 5GB of high-speed data
$50/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with 15GB high-speed data
$65/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with unlimited high-speed data
$75/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with unlimited high-speed data 5G Ultra Wideband Mobile Hotspot
Subscribers can sign up for Auto Pay, or automatic bill payment, and save $5 per month on each of the three plans.
Loyalty Discount
Verizon Prepaid gives its subscribers a discount for staying with the brand. Customers save $5 per month on a line of service after three months; a $10 monthly savings is offered after nine months.
Here’s how the same three plans break down after nine months of online payment and with automatic bill payment.
$25/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with 5GB of high-speed data
$35/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with 15GB high-speed data
$50/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with unlimited high-speed data
$60/month: Unlimited Talk and Text with unlimited high-speed data 5G Ultra Wideband Mobile Hotspot
Customers interested in family plans or multiple lines can do so. It’s possible to mix and match based off of individual needs.
Other Verizon Prepaid Features and Offerings
Verizon Prepaid provides a handful of extras to its customers, including international calling and the ability to use allotted data overseas.
Handset Selection
Verizon Prepaid has a number of prepaid phone options, including those from familiar names from brands like Google, Samsung, and Motorola.
For those looking to save money there are also a handful devices which are certified pre-owned, meaning they come with their own guarantee/warranty.
If you’re in the market for a new phone under Verizon, be sure to check out our regularly updated guide on which devices are the best.
Bring Your Own Device
You can often use your current phone to Verizon Prepaid, especially if it was previously paired with the standard Verizon service. Head to Verizon Prepaid’s website to check whether your specific model is supported.
Also, we’re seeing a growing trend of unlocked phones with support for Verizon and its Prepaid bands. Examples include the various Motorola E and G series as well as those from Blu, Alcatel, TCL, and Samsung.
Back in December 2020, Amazon opened up pre-orders for its Alexa-powered smart glasses dubbed the Echo Frames. Since that time, it has been listening to customer feedback and looking for ways to improve the prescription-ready glasses.
With these being released just in time for summer, you’ll be happy to know the lightweight Echo Frames come with an IPX4 water resistance rating, able to withstand splashes of water and sweat. Now, you’ll be all ready to hang out by the pool or go on hikes this summer taking Alexa to assist you wherever you go.
Next up are the Echo Frames with blue-light filtering lenses set to ship on June 9, 2021. As the name suggests, these special lenses will help filter out the blue light from computer screens, TV, phones, and tablets. If you’re someone who works from home or just enjoys long gaming sessions, then these lenses could be just what you’re looking for.
If you’re wondering why you’d want a pair of Echo Frames to begin with, there are plenty of reasons. For starters, you get access to the power of Alexa anytime anywhere. That means you can control your smart home, ask for directions, search the web, and even broadcast to your other Alexa-enabled devices.
Additionally, Echo Frames can be used to make calls with friends thanks to the speakers built into the glasses, and it can even read your notifications to you.
Listening to your favorite podcast or checking out an audiobook has also never been easier with Auto Volume Control that adjusts the media volume based on your environment. So it doesn’t matter if you’re in a noisy cafe or relaxing in silence at home, the Echo Frames will ensure you won’t miss a thing.
The original Echo Frames are also still available with a starting price of $249.99 offering multiple different options for the style of frame. While the newest Echo Frames with polarized or blue-light filtering lenses only come with classic black frames and start at $269.99.
