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Enable Google Assistant on most Chromebooks

Andrew Allen
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Google Assistant is a huge part of the company’s current portfolio of services. So are Chromebooks. However, for now, the Pixelbook is the only Chromebook with access to Assistant on Chrome OS. Fortunately, the latest Google Canary builds show that a fix for other Chromebooks is around the corner.

What’s it do?

This tweak will allow for older Chromebooks other than the Google Pixelbook to have access to Google Assistant. We do offer a word of advice on the following instructions to always take in account that this requires two things we do not recommend for average users: manual enabling Chrome flags and updating to the Chrome Canary testing channel.

How to turn it on?

Again this is two-fold and we’ll start with changing your Chromebook to the Canary channel.

  • Hit the key combination of CTRL+ALT+T to enter the built-in command line for Chrome OS.
  • Type this command without the quotations: “live_in_a_coal_mine”.
  • Hit “y” for yes when prompted.
  • Once the command completes, open the Settings app.
  • Click hamburger menu in the top left and select “About Chrome OS”.
  • Click “Check for Updates”.
  • Chromebook will then update and ask you to restart.

Welcome to the dark side of Chrome OS and you should now be running the Canary builds.

Part Deuce

Now we are ready for the second step of this tutorial of enabling the Assistant flag in Chrome’s hidden menu.

  • Paste this URL into the browser address bar: chrome://flags/#enable-native-google-assistant
  • Change the setting to “Enabled”.
  • Restart your Chromebook.

You should now have Google Assistant on your Chromebook. Again, we don’t condone some of the steps here for a stable Chrome OS experience. We honestly don’t even know what’s powering this version of Assistant. The Pixelbook is running a modified version of the Android app, but enablement via the flags page suggests this option may be a web variant.

Verizon’s latest is the rugged Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2

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Verizon Wireless this week announced the availability of the Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2, a ruggedized smartphone aimed at construction and public safety workers.

Priced $444, or $18.50 per month for 24 months, the phone is housed in a hard rubber exterior and meets the mil-spec 810G rating. In other words, it can withstand drops, shock, vibration, radiation, extreme temperatures, sleet, rain, and high elevations.

Additionally, the DuraForce Pro 2 has an IP68 rating for protection against water; it can withstand submersion in up to five feet of water for up to 30 minutes. According to Kyocera, the phone can be used around harmful vapors without worry of sparking a fire.

SEE ALSO

Running Android 8.0 Oreo, the phone features a 5-inch HD (1920 x 1080) display protected by scratch-proof Sapphire Shield. Internally we find the DuraForce Pro 2 packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor with 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage. A microSD expansion card slot allows for up to 512GB worth of added space.

The rear has a 13-megapixel camera with wide 135-degree field of view, underwater mode, slow motion, and other options. Around front is a 5-megapixel sensor as well as powerful speakers that produce up to 106dB of sounds.

The DuraForce Pro 2 has four noise-cancelling mics to ensure that push-to-talk (PTT) calls, music, speakerphone, and other audio is well received. Rounding out the hardware is a programmable key for launching select apps as well as a 3,240mAh battery with fast and wireless charging capability. The fingerprint reader is located in the power button on the side of the phone.

The Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2 is only available online at Verizon’s website.

Turn older heaters or AC units into a smart home product with Sensibo Sky

Matt Adams
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The trend toward smart home products is a welcome one in my book. Here at AndroidGuys, we’ve reviewed a ton of products that make things a little easier, like Hunter fans, Deebot robot vacuums, and Nest x Yale smart locks. These products are all designed to be smart right out of the box.

But, if you’re not in the market for something new and just want to make your legacy products smart, there aren’t a ton of options. I had been on the lookout for a new AC system for my ductless master bedroom but man, those prices are staggering.

Then, I came across Sensibo Sky. After a quick chat with Sensibo’s team, I was able to secure a review unit to test out and I’ve been pleasantly surprised ever since.

First off, let’s talk a little bit more about Sensibo Sky actually is and what it’s supposed to do.

The Sky is a little box that picks up on infrared signals. This allows it to simulate those signals and control your AC or heating unit. We have a window AC unit in our bedroom that I tested it on and if you’d like to find out if your system works, you can check out the supported devices list here.

Sensibo also has a first-class app to make your life even easier. It comes in Android, iOS and web flavors and works cross-platform. It makes setting up your Sensibo Sky incredibly easy– I was up and going in less than five minutes.

The app allows you to control your heat or AC system right from your phone. You can set up geofencing areas so your unit kicks on as soon as you enter the area, schedules, and temperature alerts so if the temp drops or rises above a certain limit, it knows to kick on. All in all, the app is fantastic and one of the best parts of this experience.

But, just because there’s an app doesn’t mean you can’t keep using your remote if you’d like. We continued to use the remote at night so we didn’t have to stare at a bright phone screen or talk to Google Assistant at three in the morning when we wanted the air to kick back on.

Google Assistant, Alexa and IFTTT are all supported out of the box. I am in the habit of talking to Assistant to adjust our Nest thermostat anyway so this was pretty easy for me to pick up. If you’re new to this or have something else, Sensibo has you covered. The open API the company uses allows integration for other platforms like SmartThings. This allows users a ton of flexibility, no matter what platform they’re currently tied to.

Going back to the Sky itself, I am impressed by the device. It doesn’t have the most amazing build quality in the world, but it doesn’t need it. This is a set it and forget it device. The hard plastic is more than enough to get the job done. If you’re moving, take care of the Sky, but in everyday use, it’s completely fine. Although, I do wish I had the white version since all of my walls are white.

And why does that matter? Because you can mount the Sensibo Sky just about anywhere. On the back of the unit you’ll find some adhesive tape you can strip away to mount on the wall. There’s also a hook mount that allows it to set on a hook or nail coming out of your wall.

It receives power through the micro USB port at the bottom of the device. Normally I’d give a company crap for not using USB type C this long after its introduction, but it’s really not needed here. We all have micro USB cables laying around and Sensibo even includes on in the box. And, I really love that it takes cables like this instead of tying up a wall outlet with a big brick. I have a USB power strip next to my bed and can easily just plug right into that. It’s super convenient.

If there’s a negative here, it might be its price. The unit retails for $149 which isn’t a king’s ransom, but I feel is a little high. If you’re able to get it closer to that $100 mark, I feel it’s an instant buy. Luckily for you, Sensibo is running a Black Friday deal where you can pick it up for just $89. You can grab it from Sensibo’s website or Amazon.

Withings intros water-resistant Pulse HR with 20-day battery

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Withings is back. Fresh off of getting out from under the Nokia umbrella, the digital health company is getting back to basics. This week sees the brand adding the Pulse HR to its roster.

A successor to its first-ever tracker, the Withings Pulse, the Pulse HR features a heart rate monitor, connected GPS capabilities, and a 20-day battery.

In an age of smartwatches and wearables with large faces, the Pulse HR is a traditional fitness tracker. It’s a modern take on your early-gen activity trackers and features a black polycarbonate surface with stainless steel casing. The black silicon wristband can be exchange for a different color to complement style and personal preference.

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As far as features go, the Pulse HR offers time, date, heart rate, calories, progress towards goals, workout info, and phone notifications. There are more than 30 activities that can be tracked, including boxing, yoga and everything in between; more than 10 of them are automatically tracked.

Water resistant up to 50 meters, the wearable houses a connected GPS so you can pair to a phone and track pace, distance, and elevation. This is perfect for runs and bike rides, especially those that take place in the midst of a downpour.

In terms of phone notifications, the Pulse HR will alert wearers to calls, texts, emails, events, and an array of other apps. Paired via Bluetooth through the Health Mate app, the data can be connected to Google Fit, Apple Health, MyFitnessPal, and others.

The Pulse HR is available for pre-order now with shipments expected to start in early December. Pre-order yours for $129.95 on Amazon. Additional wristbands are slated to arrive in January.

OnePlus 6T vs Honor View10: Which affordable flagship wins?

Alexandra Arici
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If you’re on the market for a premium phone, there are multiple options available on the market right now and you don’t even have to spend all your savings.

Instead of buying a Samsung Galaxy S9 or Pixel 3, consider maybe getting an affordable flagship. You’ll still get your top-notch specs and premium design, but the price in this case is much more wallet-friendly.

Perhaps the most notable player in this niche is OnePlus. The company recently released a new model, the OnePlus 6T which comes with a new kind of fingerprint-based authentication technology, a different style of notch and Android 9 Pie out of the box.

It’s hard to argue with the appeal of the OnePlus 6T, but as expected the company did raise the price for the phone a little bit.

But what if your budget is below $550? Thankfully, you still have options. For example, Honor’s View10 continues to be available in the US and between November 23 and 26, customers will be able to get it with a big discount.

So which one of these two affordable top-end smartphones would be a better match for you? Continue reading below to get an idea.

Notch vs no notch

The Honor View10 is a phone on the classic side of things. Yeah, it has a trendy 18:9 aspect ratio, but it’s 5.99-inch IPS FHD+ display is notchless, unlike most phones launching today.

What’s more, there’s also an old-school candy-shaped physical home button/fingerprint sensor living underneath the display.

So if you hate the notch, the Honor View10 could be the answer to your prayers. We should also note that the phone has a nice and sturdy metal construction. Albeit it’s nothing out of the ordinary, as the recipe has been tried and tested before. You get the integrated metal body and frame designed with rounded corners and antenna lines following the edges. Flashbacks to the OnePlus 5T.

As for the OnePlus 6T, it is a lot more modern when it comes to design. It features a new type of notch on top of the 6.41-inch display, a tiny one that’s waterdrop-shaped. In contrast to the Honor View10, the OnePlus 6T has glass on the front, as well as on the rear. The chassis is built of aluminum, with a finish that perfectly complements the color of the back glass.

The OnePlus 6T is the first OnePlus phone that comes equipped with an in-display fingerprint sensor. The technology uses an optical sensor underneath the display that shines a green light in order to read your fingerprint in full detail. OnePlus claims the system can unlock your phone in 0.3 seconds.

The OnePlus 6T it’s not the first phone to take advantage of this kind of tech, but it’s certainly the first to become more widely available.

Performance and battery

OnePlus’ second flagship for 2018 takes comes equipped with the same Snapdragon 845 that fueled the OnePlus 6. You can either have it with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

As for the Honor View10, it’s based on a Kirin 970, which right can be considered a previous-gen flagship chip. The chipset currently fuels premium phones like the Huawei P20 and P20 Pro. But at IFA 2018, Huawei unveiled the next-gen Kirin 980, which can be found underneath the hood of the beastly Mate 20 series.

The Kirin 970 is the company’s first mobile chip featuring a neural processing unit (NPU), designed to perform the same AI computing tasks faster and use far less power in doing so.

Despite not being so new anymore, the Kirin 970 still does a great job at performing tasks, so you can be sure the Honor View10 will run without hiccups. Especially since it’s backed up by a hefty 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There’s also a possibility to expand further via the microSD card slot up to 256GB. The OnePlus 6T doesn’t have a microSD slot.

The Honor View10 is powered by a 3,750 mAh battery, while the OnePlus 6T has a 3,700 mAh one under the hood. With the capacity being very similar, we expect both phones to able to sustain a full day of use without much hassle. Although, the OnePlus 6T might perform a little better given the light OxygenOS on board.

Cameras

The OnePlus 6T does not bring any dramatic changes in the camera department. Although you do get a few new modes to take advantage of.

So you still get the dual 16MP+20MP camera of the OnePlus 6. But low light shots and HDR have been improved with the help of AI.

There’s a new Night Mode which soaks in plenty of light for improved shots in low-light conditions. Then, there’s HDR in auto mode where the camera can detect harsh lighting conditions and adjust colors, contrast and such. What’s more, OnePlus has also introduced Studio Lighting, a post-processing software that lets you modify brightness and tonality of faces when you shoot Portraits.

The OnePlus 6T also gets a 20MP selfie camera with portrait mode.

Moving on to the Honor View10, the phone benefits from the services of one 16MP RGB sensor paired with a monochrome 20MP one, that can take pretty great shots.

Honor has packed a series of AI shooting modes on board including scene detection, monochrome shooting, wide aperture mode shooting, and of course Portrait.

On the front, lives a 13MP selfie camera that won’t disappoint when it comes to taking self-portraits.

Software

The OnePlus 6T is among the few phones which launched with Android 9 Pie out of the box so far. Along with Google’s latest, comes the company’s own lightweight and highly customizable OxygenOS, which brings some new and yummy navigation gestures.

Other additions include the option to use the power button to call up the Google Assistant. What’s more, users can now change the phone’s entire theme, complete with icon packs and more.

As for the Honor 10View, it might have launched with Android 8.1 Oreo on board, but since then the phone received the Android 9 Pie update which brings Huawei’s EMUI 9.0 overlay with GPU Turbo 2.0, a travel assistant, a password vault and more.

Pricing and availability

The OnePlus 6T starts at $549.99 for the 6GB of RAM + 128GB of storage version.

The Honor View10 is currently available for $479.00 on Amazon, but between November 23 and 26, you’ll be able to get the phone for only $349.99.

Verdict

The OnePlus 6T is indeed the newer and more appealing option, but the Honor View10 is still a very good phone. And at this price, it’s certainly a bargain.

However, if you’re budget is a little bit bigger, the OnePlus 6T is truly the most affordable, top-notch Android phone you can get right now. It has the latest specs, design and comes with new in-display fingerprint technology. And now you can get it in Purple too!

Funcl kicks off Indiegogo campaign with dirt cheap wireless earbuds

AndroidGuys
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Since the debut of Apple’s Airpod wireless earbuds we’ve seen a number of audio brands stepping into the space. A few years ago the trend was to transition away from wired to Bluetooth. Today, it’s all about cutting out any and all cords.

As the number of players offering truly wireless earbuds grow, consumers reap the benefits. Selection grows, prices drop, and we all win. One company to keep an eye on, Funcl, has thrown its proverbial hat in the ring, kicking off a new Indiegogo campaign.

Launched on Indiegogo today, the Funcl W1 and AI are quality earbuds with affordable price tags. They’ll ship in December and will run $19 and $54, respectively, under the Indiegogo campaign. Actually, if you click here, you can get the Funcl AI for $49!

We’ve received a pair of each of these earbuds and have been using them off and on over the last few weeks. Thus far they’ve proven to be excellent options, particularly for their price.

When it comes to the W1, it’s truly crazy to fathom that you can get this sort of experience for less than a steak. The AI is no slouch, either, and provides us lightweight, quality sound with solid battery life.

The two earbuds share a number of features in common, including Bluetooth 5.0 technology, touch controls, automatic on/off, and IPX5 waterproof and sweat-proof coating.

The Funcl W1 has a 150ms optimized latency which is slower than what you’d get from other, pricier options. The AirPods and Bose SoundSport Free have 100ms, for example, while the Jaybird Run have 60ms reponse.

As far as battery goes, you’ll get 4.5 hours of playtime per charge. The carrying case that comes with the earbuds houses its own battery and can provide a total of 18 hours of listening.

The Funcl AI deliver 6.5 hours of playback on a charger with the carrying case packing a total of 24 hours. Moreover, the latency is much lower at 60ms and the earbuds also support the Qualcomm aptX audio format.

Get Yours!

With a full month to go on the Indiegogo campaign there’s definitely time to get in line for the Funcl earbuds. We wouldn’t blame you for signing up as you’d be joining more than 4,400 others who have already funded the project to the tune of 3X over and growing. Pick either model in black or white and get ready to ring in the new year with some extra money in your pocket.

Save with AndroidGuys

If you’ve got your eye on the Funcl AI, we’ve got your back. The folks at Funcl have given us a promo price which takes an extra five bucks off of the earbuds, putting them at just $49. All you have to do is click this link! Hurry, there are only 50 pairs available under the promotion.

Best slim cases for the Samsung Galaxy S9

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The Samsung Galaxy S9 is one of the most popular smartphones of the year, and for good reason. The handset is gorgeous, sleek, and packs hardware that goes toe-to-toe with the best of ’em. It’s a flagship experience through and through, representing the best of Samsung and Android.

If you count yourself among the lucky group of people who own one of these devices, you’ll want to protect here. We’ve gathered up a collection of our favorites in the category of best slim cases for the Samsung Galaxy S9.

BodyGuardz Ace Fly

Thin and flexible doesn’t necessarily mean you’re unprotected. This case offers up a transparent TPU material that wraps your phone without adding unnecessary thickness. The clear shell lets you show off that interesting and unique color of the phone. The Ace Fly is designed in a way that absorbs and dissipates impact from drops, helping to keep that screen from cracking. $35 at BodyGuardz

Caseology Skyfall

An almost-nonexistent yet stylish way to protect your phone, you’ll get a clear case with a colored bumper. Not just any random hue, though; these specifically complement the phone’s color. Further, the bumper gives your beloved handset a military grade level of protection while the scratch-resistant finish adds a hint of sparkly luster. $15 at Caseology

Diztronic Full Matte TPU

A soft matte case that doesn’t make your phone feel overly thick or cumbersome, you can pick it up in black, dark blue, red, and teal. Although it covers the buttons on the side, they still get a nice, tactile response that you feel. It won’t slip and slid and it’s just thick enough to keep your screen from touching the table. Flip the phone over and enjoy a quiet meal. $10 at Amazon

Bear Motion Premium Shockproof Impact Resistant Back Cover

Snap one of these shells on for a low-profile experience that provides a natural skin texture. Offered in a variety of colors, it’s an inexpensive way to keep the back of your phone safe from scratches. The microfiber lining is about as gentle of a way you can find to hug your handset. $8 at Amazon

MNML

Your phone has curves, so why hide it behind something utilitarian and boring? Forget that ugly stuff that says nothing about your personality and go with a sleek and sophisticated case. Choose from seven different colors that all complement the phone, no matter which one you chose. Smudge-free, fingerprint-free, worry-free. $15 at MNML

Case-Mate Barely There

When you really want to show off your favorite phone you don’t obscure it with a boring, black case — especially when your device is lilac colored! This is one of the best slim cases for the Samsung Galaxy S9  and is incredibly thin yet provides anti-scratch technology. True to its name, it’s barely noticeable; however, you’ll want that impact-resistant layer there when the phone butts up against a tough surface. $25 at Case-Mate

Caseco Skin Shield

Made from TPU material, this option can be had in one half dozen colors, including pink, purple, and turquoise. The matte finish ensures your phone doesn’t go sliding out of your hand when you fumble for a call. What’s more, the raised lip allows for placing the device on its face or backside without fear of scratching the camera or display. $20 at Caseco

Peel Super Thin

You don’t want to walk around with an advertisement for a phone maker, do you? Far too often we end up doing just that. Go this route and you end up with a semi-transparent case that lets your Samsung branding show through. Just 0.35mm thin, you’ll hardly know it’s there. Choose from three colors to best suit your tastes. $25 at Peel

Toast

Add a real wood layer of protection to your phone with almost zero impact on the footprint. With a variety of unique wood finishes to choose from, and options to add designs or text, you’ll never see the same case again. Peel and adhere it to your handset and rest easy knowing that scratches and nicks won’t stand a chance. Plus, it looks cool as hell. $34 at Toast

VRS Single Fit

Easy on, easy off. The slim protective case stands up to scrapes as good as any and the brushed design looks better than most. There’s not much to the case, but that’s exactly what you want here. The reinforced edges and TPU skin are all you need to handle life’s little accidents. It just so happens that this case looks sweet, too. $20 at VRS Design

Conclusion

Do you have a particular brand that you like for protecting your phones? Is it one of the companies listed here? When it comes to slim cases for the Samsung Galaxy S9, which do you prefer?

Best wireless chargers for the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

AndroidGuys
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The Galaxy S8 Plus is the bigger take on the 2017 flagship phone experience from Samsung and even today it’s among sexier devices on the market. It can still run with the best of ’em, and we love all of the nifty hardware. One feature we simply adore is wireless charging. Once you’ve used it, it’s hard to mess with cables ever again.

Here are some of the best Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus wireless chargers for home, work, and even on-the-go.

[vc_custom_heading text=”Standard Platter” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left|color:%23191919″ google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

These are the flat types of chargers you’ll find on desks and night stands; they often come in circular and rectangular shapes. Many of these offer variable output speeds so they’ll play nice with your friend’s iPhone, too.

[vc_custom_heading text=”Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charging Pad” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

A trusted name in the tech space for decades now, Belkin still delivers the goods. This charger pumps out up to 10-watts for your Sony and LG phones, and can optimize to 9W for Samsung. The LED indicator let you know how things are going while the rubber ring holds the handset in place. The cable is five feet long so you can plug into the out-of-the-way outlets. Purchase for $45 from Amazon or $60 from Belkin.

[vc_custom_heading text=”Samsung Fast Charge Wireless Charger Pad” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

When it comes to smartphone popularity it’s Samsung’s pie and the rest of the players share pieces of it. If you want official accessories, this is the charger you go with for Samsung devices.

It’s about 1.4x times faster than conventional wireless tech, has a circular strip of rubber to prevent your handset from sliding around, and a bright LED to indicate charging. Offered in Black, Navy, and White to match your favorite phone. $25 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”Yootech Wireless Charger” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

When you don’t need anything fancy and don’t want to spend a ton of money, you look for something like this. Compatible with all Qi-enabled phones, it works at 5W, 7.5W, and 10W charging standards. You’ll need to use your charging adapter and cable if you go with the high speed stuff, but you already have the one that came in your phone’s box. Sleep easy knowing that the green light turns off after a few seconds so your room doesn’t glow all night. $15 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”Dock Style” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left|color:%23191919″ google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

Prop your phone up at a convenient angle so you can quickly glance at your notifications. Ideal for your kitchen corner or end table in the family room.

[vc_custom_heading text=”Anker PowerWave Fast Wireless Charger Stand” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

As fast as you’ll need, plus some. We like this one for its 6-ft microUSB cable and 18-month warranty. Whether you need 5W, 7.5W, or 10W of juice, this wallet-friendly option brings the power. The twin charging coils make it so you can place your phone in landscape and portrait orientation without fumbling around for connection. Works through phone cases of 5mm, too! $30 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”TYLT VU Charger” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

The VU charger features three coils inside, so feel free to put your handset on the cradle in portrait or landscape mode know it will charge. The LED under the lip of the stand turns green to indicate that it’s charging.

The bright, plastic charger comes in is available in blue, yellow and red, or you can opt for black if you’re in the mood for something traditional. The soft-touch finish and distinctive design give this charger a look that’s really unique and that’s why we’ve added it to this list. $30 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”Corus 10W Fast Wireless Charger Stand” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

Simple, compact, and a tad bit stylish, this stand doesn’t take up much room on your desk. The dual coils mean it’s as convenient to set your phone upright as it is to flip it on its side for watching Netflix. You’ll have to use your own charging adapter if you want to use the Quick Charge 2.0 or Quick Charge 3.0 technology, but doing so means much less down time. $20 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”On-the-Go Charging” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left|color:%23191919″ google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

For true wireless convenience you want something that goes with you, right? Whether it’s a library, coffee shop, or in an airport terminal, these wireless chargers have built-in batteries that allow for power-ups everywhere.

[vc_custom_heading text=”RAVPower 10400mAh Fast Wireless Charging Pad” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

With a generous 10,400mAh worth of power, this charger can double or triple the time you use your smartphone. And, because time is always of the essence, the power bank offers up to 10W fast charging. Out for dinner with friends or loved ones? Let them plug in through the USB port and get some of that recharge action, too. $50 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”Fonesalesman QiStone+” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

Yo dawg, we heard you like wireless charging so we put wireless charging in a wireless charger. Seriously, you can top this portable unit off by placing it on another wireless charger.

The 4,000mAh internal battery ensures your night doesn’t end early because you have to get home. What’s more, it’s portable enough to toss in a bag or backpack so feel free to stay out and keep the party going. While everyone else fights over the car adapter you can sit in the backseat with your own power source. $50 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”mophie Powerstation Wireless External Battery Charger” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

From one of the first names in charging, this portable device delivers 6,040mAh of backup power. In other words, that’s 2-3 times that you don’t have to plug into the wall. Ideal for college students, frequent flying types, and people who simply hate dealing with cables. The four LED lights let you know how much you’ve got left in the tank while the two-year warranty tells you to sleep easy at night. $80 at mophie

[vc_custom_heading text=”Car Solutions” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left|color:%23191919″ google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

Why waste an opportunity to turn that daily commute into a convenient and flexible way of recharging? These are devices that hold your phone in place and provide a wireless charge.

[vc_custom_heading text=”Vansky 2-in-1 Wireless Car Charger” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

Suction this one to your dashboard or snap in the attachment and place it on your air vent for true convenience. With up to 10W of charging you’ll be sure to get the most efficient charge possible, even on short little trips to the grocery store. The clamp arm automatically locks your phone into place; touch the metal or press the button to release the device when you’re at your destination. $40 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”iOttie Easy One Touch Car Charger” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

Stick it to your dashboard or invert the head and mount it to your windshield. It’s your car, do what you want. The telescopic arm extends from around 5-inches out to 8.3-inches and pivots on a 225 degree arc so there’s no reason you can’t have your phone exactly where you want and how you want it. The plug itself has a USB port so you can share your power source with another rider. That’s twice as nice! $50 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”BESTHING Wireless Charger” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]

The gravity design makes dropping your phone into place about as easy at it gets. Simply set it down and watch as the arms come in to hug the handset into place. Prefer the air vent over the dashboard placement? No problem! We’re also fans of the large coil that connects to our battery; the smart technology allows for 5W, 7.5W, and 10W speeds. $33 at Amazon.

How to set up a Guest account on your Android phone

Alexandra Arici
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Most of us love to show off our new phones in front of our friends or family. But we’re a bit more reluctant when it comes to borrowing our gadgets.

After all, we all have messages, images or video who we don’t want other people to see. Once you hand over your phone to a friend or family member, who knows where their fingers might go!

Fortunately, there is a simple solution you can use to solve this problem. It’s called Guest Mode.

What is Guest Mode?

Guest Mode has been around ever since Android 5.0 and is a handy tool for keeping your personal info hidden when you have to share your device. Using this mode, a guest will be able to access all of the default apps, but won’t be able to see any other data.

Basically, you’ll be handing over a device that looks like it’s been restored to factory settings. And with a few taps, you’ll quickly be able to get your universe back.

How to set up a Guest account on your phone

The steps vary depending on which phone you own. For the purpose of this tutorial, we used a OnePlus 6.

  1. From the home screen, swipe down to unhide the notification panel and expand the menu.
  2. Tap on the subtle icon of a human head (look for it next to the pencil icon and gear icon).
  3. Simply tap on the Guest account option to switch to Guest Mode.
  4. Or you can tap the blue “Add user” button instead. This allows a secondary user to set up their own space on your device. The process is similar to the one when you’re setting up a new device. You’ll be asked to sign in with a Google account, add your fingerprint and such. However, the phone’s owner is allowed to uninstall any apps the secondary user might have installed or even remove the space.
  5. In both cases, switching to the secondary account will take a few seconds.

When your friend or family member is done, you can easily switch to your own account or simply delete the account. Here’s how.

How to switch back to the main account

  1. From the home screen, swipe down to unhide the notification panel and expand the menu.
  2. Tap on the subtle icon of a human head (look for it next to the pencil icon and gear icon).
  3. Tap on your account to switch over.

Had enough of your guest? Delete their account with a few simple steps.

How to delete a Guest/New account

  1. From the home screen, swipe down to unhide the notification panel and expand the menu.
  2. Tap on the subtle icon of a human head (look for it next to the pencil icon and gear icon).
  3. Tap on Settings at the bottom.
  4. Find the Guest account you want to delete.
  5. Tap the Gear Icon next to it.
  6. Tap Remove user.

Here in Settings, there are a few other options you can take a look at. For example, the OnePlus 6 allows you to Add users from the lock screen. Simply toggle the option on if you want to do that.

You also have the option to allow the Guest accounts to make phone calls and send SMS from your device.

Now if you own a Samsung phone, adding a Guest account might be a little bit different.

  1. From the home screen, swipe down to show the notification panel.
  2. Tap on the Gear icon to open Settings.
  3. Scroll down until you find Users & accounts
  4. Tap on Guest to create a new user.

While Guest Mode is a pretty useful thing to have, there’s nothing that could stop a curious friend from accessing your own Account if they wanted to.

Fortunately, some phones like the OnePlus 6 have additional privacy features like Hidden Space. On the Galaxy Note 9, it’s called Secure Folder.

Swipe left from the App drawer and you will have access to a personal space where you can add the apps you want to hide from view.

Yes indeed, not all phones have this option, but if yours does, you might as well take advantage of it. But even if you’re Android doesn’t offer such a tool, there are plenty of apps you can download from the Play Store that let you do just that. A good example is Gallery Vault.

Google Assistant gains new tricks and features ahead of holidays

AndroidGuys
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Google is adding a host of new features to its AI-powered Google Assistant, making the experience more interactive and smarter than ever. Aimed at improving the experience at home, it makes the Google Home, Home Mini, and Home Hub more compelling gift ideas as the holidays approach.

Family members will now be able to reply to broadcasts, making it more of a two-way conversation, of sorts. Until now, it has been a strictly one-way means of communication — a broadcast. Once rolled out, those who receive a broadcast can send a message back which is transcribed and arrives in the form of a notification.

Cooking a holiday dinner, or any meal for that matter, gets easier with recommended recipes on information cards. These will be populated based on previously searched recipes and will update regularly based on season and time of day. Users who find something interesting can favorite and more easily return to them later.

Alarms become more exciting and informative now with Google Assistant adding content around brands such as LEGO and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. These new alarms will include jokes, music, and other signature messages.

Read Along gets a punch-up with sound effects and music being added to select books. Moreover, Google Assistant can read any one of 25 family-friendly titles upon command.

Podcast listeners now have more control over playback with the ability to speed up a show. Simply say something like, “Hey Google, play at twice the speed” and your podcast will do that.

Rounding things out, Google brings routines to the clock app on your Android phones. After dismissing an alarm, for instance, Assistant can begin with a routine such as reading news, providing weather, or turning on pre-set lights. In a related note, Assistant can turn on “do not disturb” mode across all devices with a single command.

Google says these features will roll out slowly to Google Home speakers, smart displays, and Android phones over the coming weeks.

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