Google on Tuesday announced a half dozen features set to arrive on Android in the coming weeks and months. A blog post on Google’s website details the forthcoming additions, each of which is different from the others.
Some will make things more safe and secure, others will enhance the experience in vehicles, and others will simply make life easier.
Password Checkup helps you keep your passwords safe and secure by notifying you if your credentials have been compromised.
Messages will now allow you to plan messages in advance with schedule send, so you can figure out what to say and when.
Talkback introduces new gestures, menus, settings, and more.
Assistant lock screen cards allow you to set timers, send texts, and play music hands-free without unlocking your phone.
Google Maps dark mode saves battery and makes things easier on your eyes.
Android Auto updates include custom wallpapers, voice-activated games for passengers, launcher shortcuts and a privacy screen.
While most of the features are more or less add-ons to the overall mobile experience, the Password Checkup is perhaps the biggest of the bunch. If anything, it’s the most critical improvement.
When users enter a password into an app using Autofill with Google, it will check the credentials against a list of known compromised passwords. Should your password have been stolen and posted online, you’ll get an alert and help for changing it.
Equally helpful for those who rely on it, Talkback gets smarter and makes Android even more accessible with the newest version. Working closely with the blind and low vision communities, Google has added highly requested features including “more intuitive gestures, a unified menu, a new reading control menu and more.”
Assistant will work better for users even phones are locked or across the room with at-a-glance cards that can be read from afar. To get the take advantage of this option, users will turn on Lock Screen Personal Results in Assistant setting and say, “Hey Google ” to send text messages and make calls.
Q-Games, who first introduced its PixelJunk Racers to the PS3 back in 2007, is back with a new title. This time, however, it is headed for a different platform. Indeed, its PixelJunk Raiders is coming to Google Stadia.
PixelJunk Raiders arrives on Stadia on March 1 for $20 as an exclusive title; however, it is free if you’re a Stadia Pro subscriber. This is the first PixelJunk title to be offered through Stadia games.
The action-adventure roguelike includes procedurally generated landscapes and State Share functionality, the new platform feature that transforms gameplay captures into a chance to try a playable slice of the game.
Players will work their way across dangerous landscapes, taking on mysterious aliens wreaking havoc on Planet Tantal. Moreover, players will scavenge procedurally-generated environments, meaning each session features unique settlements, canyons, and other terrain. There will be incentive to come back and invest your resources and upgrade weapons, unlock new skins, and more.
There are three other titles coming to Stadia in March, including another exclusive game.
PAC-MAN Mega Tunnel Battle – Stadia exclusive, largest PAC-MAN experience ever with 64 players
Reigns – Medieval strategy game that challenges players’ deductive reasoning
AVICII Invector – Launching March 1 into Stadia Pro, players mix their way across a universe of light and sound
Are you the proud owner of a Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphone? Congratulations, you’ve got one hell of a device — one of the best of the year. Now, let’s make sure that gorgeous phone doesn’t get scratched or broken, alright?
What follows are some of the best cases you’ll find for the Samsung Galaxy S21. The collection isn’t everything available, of course, but it is a pretty diverse selection. We like these brands and models and think you will, too.
Blu Element 2-in-1 Folio
Blu Element 2-in-1 Folio
Feel free to leave the wallet behind as this folio style allows for multiple credit cards and cash. It’s durable, stylish, and practical stuff and we love it. And best of all, it allows for easily attaching and removing the phone. Thanks, magnets! As low as $35.
Case-Mate Soap Bubble
Case-Mate Soap Bubble
Don’t be fooled by the flashy colors; this case has MicroPel antimicrobial protection. That means it’s as practical as it is stylish. And in today’s climate, that cleanliness is of utmost importance. As low as $40.
Vena vCommute
Vena vCommute
A terrific option for those who wish to leave the wallet or clutch behind, this case has a hidden card slot for IDs, credit cards, or transit cards. Designed with drops in mind, it can take a tumble up to 26 times from four feet. The built-in metal flap works great with magnetic car mounts and can also double as a kickstand. As low as $50.
ESR Metal Kickstand
ESR Metal Kickstand
Soft and flexible, this case provides protection against bumps without adding unwanted thickness. The highlight, however, lets you prop your handset up in both portrait and landscape orientation so you can film Tik Tok videos or watch YouTube clips. As low as $19.
Totallee
Totallee
When all you need is one ultra-thin layer of protection for your phone and don’t want to advertise any brands, this is the one you grab. As light as they come, these cases come with a two-year warranty. As low as $39.
Gear4 Crystal Palace
Gear4 Crystal Palace
When you have a phone with a gorgeous coat of paint, the last thing you wanna do is hide it under a boring case. This one is as clear as it comes and is slim, too, but it’s also tough. It’s equipped to handle drops up to four meters (13 feet), and will fights of germs. As low as $40.
Tech 21 EvoCheck Smokey/Black
Tech 21 EvoCheck Smokey/Black
Sturdy and strong yet not overly bulky, this case will safeguard against drops up to 12 feet. With just the right bit of thickness along the edges, you’ll appreciate the added lip around the camera. The accent design looks cool regardless of which color phone you have. As low as $40.
Incipio Grip
Incipio Grip
Having a phone case that handles drops is nice, but we don’t really want to worry about that do we? This case has multidirectional grip along the edges so your handset doesn’t go tumbling out of hand. But, unless it’s falling more than 14 feet you shouldn’t stress. Oh, and there’s a lifetime guarantee behind it all. As low as $40.
Survivor Strong
Survivor Strong
Minimal in design, there’s more going on here than meets the eye. Two layers of protection help keep your phone safe to big drops while it stays thin enough for wireless charging and zero interference in 5G connectivity. As low as $30.
Otterbox Defender
Otterbox Defender
One of the first names in true phone protection, this case keeps your beloved handset tucked away nice and snug. It’s built to handle crazy amounts of drops, is backed by a lifetime warranty, and comes with a holster belt clip that doubles as a kick-stand. As low as $65.
SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro
SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro
This dual layer rugged case features a built-in kickstand that doubles as a ring holder. Oh, and it has a rotating holster, too. With a 20ft drop test rating it ensures no matter where you use this phone its accessible and protected. As low as $27.
Poetic Revolution
Poetic Revolution
With full 360-degree protection, this case has a sturdy back panel with a polycarbonate lip that houses a built-in screen protector. It’s a little on the bigger side, and it’s a tad tough to remove, but that just signals peace of mind to us. We’ve tried our to beat these cases up and they just don’t seem to budge. Bonus points for the built-in kickstand on the rear. As low as $19.
Spigen Liquid Air
Spigen Liquid Air
Constructed from a shock-absorbing TPU material, this thin case is tougher than it looks. Its patterned design is not only cool looking but it also makes it easier to hold your phone. As low as $20.
Speck Presidio2 Grip
Speck Presidio2 Grip
Soft to the touch, the case protects your phone from drops as high as 13 feet. It’s almost like having an airbag for your device. The textured grip makes it easy to hold your phone with one hand, even for taking pictures. As low as $45.
Samsung on Monday made a new commitment to provide Android OS and security updates for its Galaxy phones and other devices for a number of years after their initial release.
Specifically, Samsung promises support for at least three generations of Android upgrades on its devices. For instance, the Galaxy S20 series, which launched with Android 10 in 2020, will see three OS upgrades, starting with Android 11. According to Samsung, it will be among the first Galaxy devices to see that version of Android.
It’s not just flagship lines of phones that Samsung is backing, either. Indeed, it is also throwing the same support behind other models including the Galaxy A series, Galaxy Tab tablets, and foldable phones.
“As people hold onto their devices for longer, we are working to bring secure protection and exciting new features to the devices already in their hands. By supporting up to three generations of Android OS upgrade, we are extending the lifecycle of our Galaxy products and making a promise that we will provide a simple and secure mobile experience that takes advantage of the latest innovations as soon as they are available.”
Janghyun Yoon, Senior Vice President and Head of Software Platform Team, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics
As of today the list of eligible devices includes the following:
Galaxy S series: Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, S20 Ultra, S20+ 5G, S20+, S20 5G, S20 in addition to S10 5G, S10+, S10, S10e, S10 Lite and upcoming S series devices
Galaxy Note series: Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G, Note20 Ultra, Note20 5G, Note20, Note10+ 5G, Note10+, Note10 5G, Note10, Note10 Lite and upcoming Note series devices
Galaxy Foldable devices: Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, Z Fold2, Z Flip 5G, Z Flip, Fold 5G, Fold and upcoming Z series devices
Galaxy A series: Galaxy A71 5G, A71, A51 5G, A51, A90 5G and select upcoming A series devices
Tablets: Galaxy Tab S7+ 5G, Tab S7+, Tab S7 5G3, Tab S7, Tab S6 5G4, Tab S6, Tab S6 Lite and upcoming Tab S series devices
T-Mobile on Monday introduced a new “Magenta MAX” premium plan which offers truly unlimited “premium” data. That is to say, users get full-speed 4G and 5G with no restrictions.
The Magenta MAX plan, which replaces the Magenta Plus plan effective February 24, is offered to both consumer and small business accounts. For the money, subscribers get unlimited talk, text, and “premium” data. And rather than throttling your usage at a set amount of usage, you’ll get all-you-can-use, with up to 40GB for mobile hotpsot.
Magenta MAX also comes with other features found in T-Mobile’s plans, including “Netflix on Us”, T-Mobile Tuesdays, free texting and data in 210 countries, Scam Shield Premium protection, and more.
Magenta MAX is the same as the Magenta Plus plan it replaces, which is $85 per month for a single line with AutoPay discount. A two-line plan brings the price down to $70 per line; three lines are $57 each; four lines are $50 a piece.
T-Mobile is also boosting its core Magenta plan by doubling the Premium Data from 50GB to 100GB per month. Additionally, it is punching the mobile hotspot data up from 3GB to 5GB per month.
Verizon might be the largest wireless service provider in the United States, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only one that uses its towers. Indeed, there are other brands and services which pay for access to Verizon’s network.
Each of these mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) offers its own rate plans, phone selection, billing, and customer service. These companies simply rely on Verizon for cellular coverage.
If you have Verizon and want to switch providers, you may want to hold on to your device. After all, you paid for it and aren’t ready to give it up. Or, maybe you just love the coverage.
We’ve gathered up some of the cheapest rate plans you can find for the various carriers that use Verizon’s network. This isn’t every option available, but rather a list of the ones we like best.
As the only rate plan offered at this carrier, $40 per month gives subscribers unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data. Also included is access to Verizon 5G and unlimited mobile hotspot capabilities with speeds up to 5Mbps. The phone selection isn’t huge, but it’s getting better all the time.
The Party Pay option is a fun way of grouping multiple lines together. Everyone gets their own account and prices drop based on the number of users. How cool is that?
For a limited time you can get your first month for only $25.
For $50 per month subscribers can have unlimited talk and text with 3GB of data. If you tend to use WiFi for much of your data consumption, this may be a good option. Also includes unlimited calls to Canada and Mexico. Oh, and feel good knowing that a portion of your bill goes to nonprofits.
Designed with senior citizens in mind, this rate plan gives customers unlimited talk and text and it comes with a health and safety package with 5Star Service for emergency situations.
Among the cheapest rate plans you’ll find with “unlimited” data, this $20 option gives subscribers 2GB of high speed access. Hit the threshold and speeds are slowed to 2G for the rest of the month, but that might not matter to its target users. Also comes with unlimited talk and text.
Pick up unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of high speed data for the price of a steak dinner. Of course, you can have more data after hitting the threshold, but it’s slowed to 2G for the rest of the billing cycle. Save a buck on your plan each month by signing up for automatic refills.
Unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of 4G LTE data is yours for just $35 per month. Enroll in automatic bill payment and you can get it for just $33.20. Also cool, the plan now includes mobile hotspot, too
The new TracFone plans are much more appealing all around, but especially for those who like data. Now, for just $30 per month you get unlimited talk, text, and 3GB high-speed data. Not only that, but you also get to carry unused data over for as long as you stay an active subscriber. Get your first two months for just $25 each.
This no-contract plan includes unlimited talk and text, plus unlimited data at “fast” speeds, or up to 5Mbps. For an extra five bucks per month users can get a much quicker (200+ Mbps) data connection while another $5 adds 10GB worth of mobile hotspot. Not too shabby for $50.
Nice and simple, this all-inclusive plan gives users unlimited calls, texting, and 4G LTE. Oh, and it also includes personal hotspots and even allows for 5G where available. The only major caveat here is that it requires a post-pay subscription to a residential Xfinity Internet service first. If you’re a bundler, you’ll love this one.
When you think about wireless headphones what comes to mind? Today it’s easy to picture premium products with excellent battery life and great audio. This wasn’t always the case.
It was not that long ago that the idea of wireless audio brought to mind crackly audio, poor connections, and a generally average experience. Bitrates were poor, sound was generally flat and hollow, and even delivered in mono.
Thanks to True Wireless Stereo (TWS) and the advances of codecs, it’s now commonplace to have a robust audio experience on a wireless connection. And it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.
EOZ is a relatively newer manufacturer who walks a fine line, balancing affordability with excellent hardware. It first launched the EOC Arc ANC Headphones through Kickstarter, finding success with more than $160,000 in backing.
We’ve had a pair of these wireless headphones in the office for a few weeks now, putting them through the paces. Here are our thoughts on the EOZ Arc wireless headphones.
Design
The first thing we noticed about about these headphones is that they look much more expensive than they are at just $110. Constructed from aluminum, stainless steel, and “vegan leather”, they’re solid and sophisticated looking, with a very modern design.
The EOZ Arc are very soft to wear and feel quite comfortable against the head. They’re over-the-ear so that means you’ll get a nice seal with your head. We found them to be enjoyable to wear for short bursts and even on the occasional multi-hour listening. The padding did seem to “smoosh” over long bouts of listening but it bounces back to its original shape fairly quick.
There are three buttons on the left ear (power, volume up, volume down) which serve multiple purposes. Double-tapping them can skip tracks, for instance. Additionally, you can use them to take calls or activate your digital assistant. Also present here is a USB Type-C charging port.
The right ear cup has a 3.5mm headphone jack in the even you want to plug in directly for a wired experience. Here you’ll also locate the active noise cancelling (ANC) toggle.
Performance
The EOZ Arc pair over Bluetooth 5.0 and provide support for the SBC, AAC, and aptX codecs. This means you’ll get a more consistent connection, easier pairing, and longer range for listening away from your audio source. The codecs allow you to better enjoy your music, getting a more accurate sound.
Battery life is rated at up to 24 hours but we found that to be an ambitious claim. Even factoring in that these numbers are usually based on 50% volume level, we ended up short of that the first few times we’ve used them.
Fortunately, we live in a world where charging our products is not a hassle or burden. And when you think about charging headphones once a three or four days just to be safe, it’s not bothersome. Our guess, though, is that you’ll get maybe 18 hours of audio. Charging, for its part, takes maybe two hours maximum to fully replenish.
Switching over to the wired connection is a fine way to extend the battery life or fill in when the headphones may have died. Doing that, however, removes all of the functions like ANC and volume. Everything is then controlled by the music source.
The Arc headphones have 40mm drivers which results in a rich, deep bass. It’s not overly present though; the soundstage is fairly wide, representing the highs and mids quite well.
Most of what you hear in music is often captured in the middle and that is strong here. That said, the bass punches through when called for while the cymbals and high-hats accent and punctuate.
We might have liked it if the headphones folded into themselves or became just a little more compact. Fortunately, they do come with a carrying case to keep them protected. Just something to keep in mind if you plan to pack them in a suitcase or backpack.
Standout Features
Premium design made from stainless steel and aluminum
ANC to fully immerse yourself in music
Lightweight earpads made from vegan/protein leather and high density, adaptive memory foam
Bluetooth 5.0 with dual-microphone for clear calls
Multiple codec support
Bottom Line
We were pretty impressed with the EOZ Arc headphones. Audio quality was better than expected at this price and the build quality was a welcome surprise. Battery life claims aren’t that accurate, but we don’t mind having to charge them once or twice a week.
Tax season might only come around once a year but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be thinking about your finances at other times of the year. Managing your money isn’t necessarily easy but that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. It’s also something you can get better at doing.
Plenty of people turn to professionals for income taxes and managing their money. And what tools do those pros use? More often than not, businesses, startups, freelancers, and corporations use QuickBooks.
We get it – you’ve heard of Quickbooks for years but you’ve never checked it out. Maybe you’re intimidated by how robust and powerful it is. It’s understandable. QuickBooks is incredible with its budgeting, income tracking, loans and credit card tools, and so much more.
If you’re in the dark when it comes to QuickBooks, don’t sweat it, because the Complete QuickBooks Desktop 2021 Certification Bundle is tailor-made for people just like you.
With ten courses and 230+ lessons, this training bundle will show you everything you need to know about mastering QuickBooks. You’ll get everything from the basic processes and tools all the way through to advanced functions for business professionals.
Navigation, Forms & Reports
Create New Company File & Enter Two Months of Data
Bank Reconciliations
Adjusting Entries & Reversing Entries
Budgeting
Bank Feeds
Using Account Numbers
Invoice & Form Customization
Class Tracking Feature & Its Applications
Memorizing Transactions
Sign up for this Complete QuickBooks Desktop 2021 Certification Bundle now for just $34.99. Each course is valued around $200 a piece with the full package worth around $2,000. Head to the AG Deals Store today and grab it all for pennies on the dollar.
Buying a new flagship phone or first-of-its-kind from a big-name brand is expensive. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra could cost you upwards of $1,200 or more if you’re not trading something in. Want a folding phone? Open that wallet up wide.
Having the latest and greatest is nice, but truth be told, most users can get away with a phone that’s one or two generations behind. They’re plenty powerful enough and often cost a fraction of the price of something brand new.
Buying a good used phone is an excellent way to save money and yet still end up with a device that’s better than your current one.
The decision to purchase is not just about price; here are some factors to ensure you get the most out of your new phone. Follow these steps and you’ll have a device and experience that you love.
When to buy
The best time to buy a used phone is just after its successor arrives. This is when the early adopters dump their handset as they look to pick up the newest and fanciest model.
In most cases phones are sold in an annual cycle, but it could vary by a month or so. The Samsung Galaxy S line is often introduced in the spring while its stylus-centric Galaxy Note sibling arrives in the fall.
If you can time your purchase around the release of a key phone, it could give you something that’s not all that old.
Research the price
If you have a particular phone in mind, do a little bit of homework. Find out what others are selling the phone for and get a feel for its price.
Browse places like Swappa, eBay, Glyde, Gazelle, and Amazon and you’ll get an understanding of what the current value is for a phone. If you’re checking eBay, look for items sold (not just listed) as that’s more indicative.
Swappa provides a marketplace dedicated to buying and selling used phones.
Pay particular attention to specifications like the memory and storage. Many phones do not come with one storage capacity.
Understand the phone
It doesn’t matter how good a price is for something if it doesn’t work. The most important factor in purchasing a new handset is ensuring that it will work with your current, or prospective carrier. Note whether it is locked to a particular service provider or if it’s unlocked.
If you’re using AT&T, T-Mobile, or one of their respective brands, you should be fine with an unlocked phone. Verizon subscribers need to pay closer attention to make sure it’s either universally unlocked, or can be paired to its network.
Software
When possible, try to avoid older phones that run software that’s a couple of generations behind. You might find the experience lacking and slow. More importantly, this could mean the phone may no longer receive security updates and patches.
Battery life
Does your new phone have a removable battery? If not, consider that the battery life might not be as good as it was when the device was new. Should the phone be two years old, you could be looking at less than desirable battery life. Or, you might have to rely on an external power supply more often.
What else is offered?
Are you just buying a phone or are you getting other items with it? The original charger, for instance, could add a little bit of value. Many Android phones offer fast charging and come with a compatible charger.
Does your prospective phone have a screen protector on it? Is there a protective case or two thrown in the bundle? These might save you a few bucks down the road or at least buy you some time.
If your seller has the original box, that’s also a good indication that you aren’t dealing with a stolen phone.
Condition is key
What are you willing to tolerate? Are you okay with a few scrapes and scratches? Do you mind a dent or two? The more you’re content to overlook, the lower the price goes.
On the other hand, don’t bother with phones with chips and cracks in the glass unless you know what you’re up against. It might be $100-$200 to completely replace the glass. At that rate you may as well look for something that has its screen.
If you’re buying from a friend or co-worker, you probably have a sense for how the phone has been treated. A stranger on the internet? Proceed with caution and make sure you’re protected with a good return policy.
Know your rights
If you’re buying a phone from Swappa, eBay, or an online retailer, get a sense for your return policy. What happens if the phone you’re sent doesn’t match up to the description? Can you get your money back?
Most physical damage is easy to spot as soon as you receive your phone, but it can take some time to identify malfunctioning hardware or problematic software.
Make a note of the final day you’re allowed to return your phone and exercise the option if you need to.
Look your phone over
You’ve pulled the trigger and made the purchase. Congratulations, you have a new (to you) phone!
As soon as you get your phone, start evaluating it. Look it over, check for the imperfections that were, or were not, called out in the sale. Is there anything here that surprises you?
Check for water damage. On older phones, or those with removable batteries, you can look for a red stripe on the battery. If it’s blurred and shows evidence of water, that could pose problems in the long run. Newer models can show water damage through the nano-SIM card slot.
If you find that the phone is not what you expected, move quickly to contact the buyer. The sooner you deal with any problems, or at least call attention to them, the better your chances of a positive resolution.
Audio apps are a great way to kill time while on mobile devices. Podcasts are the new media consumption platform that is thriving in the digital age and everyone is jumping on board this train. Audials Play offers a new app for listening, but it’s more than just a podcasting app.
Remember radio?
Radio used to be king for listening to audio while on the go. It’s honestly the progression that led to podcasts. But with more and more people using their smartphones, radio has fallen by the wayside a bit. Audials has implemented internet radio within the app and it’s a welcome addition.
From Audials Play, you can access over 36,000 local radio stations around the United States. Want to drop in on international channels? That’s there too. Audials has 100,000 stations that can be sorted by region, state, or genre.
What makes it different from what your car antenna picks up? Well, since these stations are being streamed, Audials offers the great ability to record shows and songs. This makes the app a unique hybrid of traditional broadcast radio and on-demand content like podcasts.
Podcasts are the new wave
Radio is cool and all, but let’s be honest, podcasts are addicting for a reason. The on-demand audio files can be enjoyed whenever and wherever your schedule allows. Audial knows this as well and has implemented podcasts into the Play app.
Audials Play utilizes this in a familiar fashion. You can search or browse podcasts to find your preferred streams. Once you’ve found your favorite show, you can stream it on-demand or download the episodes for true offline listening.
You can also “follow” your best shows by adding them to the Audial’s Style menu. Style is basically your favorites pinned to the podcast landing page. This allows you easy access to those handfuls of shows you always want to be updated quickly without searching the app each time.
Web sync
Another good thing about Audials Play is the sync. Once you create a login, you can pick up where you left off on the web or desktop apps. This allows users to have a robust option for listening playback regardless of platform or device.
Busy UI
My only complaint about the Audials Play app would be the interface. It’s a little overwhelming. While it’s nice that it offers so many ways and stations to listen to great audio content, navigating this UI is challenging at times.
The way to subscribe to podcasts to the Style and that terminology is so different from other podcasting apps is disjointed as well. It took me several minutes to even figure it out. This makes for a very unintuitive interaction.
My first thought was it simply wasn’t possible and I then discovered a long-press on the show would give me the pop-up menu. Even then, I still had to guess and assume that “add to Style” was what I was looking for to add to Favorites.
Conclusion
Despite these few pitfalls, Audials Play is an interesting app for those that enjoy the spoken word content. With both traditional broadcast radio via the web and podcasts, you have a massive selection that just isn’t possible in most other podcasting apps.
Add this to you can treat the local stations much like podcasts with downloads and subscribing, and Audials really has a truly unique app worth the download on Android. You can snag the app from the Play Store now for free.
