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Using Google Maps Offline [How-to]

AndroidGuys
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If you travel much or just like driving to new places, then you know this feeling: you’re trying to find someplace new to visit but your phone is pulling data as if it is stuck to a slow IV – drip, drip, byte by byte. All that is displayed on your phone is a brownish-gray background with a few squiggly lines here and there, some blue and some red. The display looks more like a close-up of a zombie’s translucent skin than a map.

There’s nothing worse than getting a few bars on your phone and not being able to navigate around or at the least see where there is an ATM or gas station nearby. Fortunately, with a little planning, you can avoid these annoying scenarios.

Google Maps is King

When it comes to maps, Google Maps is still king. Usage wise, Google Maps had, as of October of 2016, twice as many users as Apple Maps, with the caveat being that Google Maps can be used on Android and iOS, while Apple Maps is only available to iOS users.

Google Maps is also ahead of the competition in turns of map accuracy, trip time and usual routes are faster in Google Maps vs Waze and Apple Maps.

Add the ability to download and use Google Maps when offline and we have ourselves some real travel opportunities, data towers, and dead spots be damned.

Preparing Offline Google Maps

Preparing and using an offline map is really easy to do from within the Google Maps application. To download a map for offline use, perform the following:

  1. Preferably, be connected to Wi-Fi and open Google Maps (you can use your mobile data, but Google Maps will warn you of high data charges). See Figure 1.

    google maps
    Fig. 1 – Google Maps
  2. Search for the place you will be navigating in/to. In our case, we are planning a trip to Big Bear, CA, L.A.’s snow playground. Coverage isn’t always good up in the mountains, so this is a perfect offline map location. See Figure 2.

    screenshot_20161227-142137
    Fig. 2 – Search Google Maps
  3. Once your map is up, click on a nearby spot. Since we are interested in the whole Big Bear Lake area, we will click right on the red icon labeled Big Bear Lake. See Figure 3.

    screenshot_20161227-142200
    Fig. 3 – Big Bear Lake map
  4. You will be taken to an info screen that tells you a little about the place you are looking up. Additionally, you will get a glimpse of the local weather conditions, pictures, hotels, shops, restaurants and navigation options. You will even get a travel estimate to that spot based on your current location. See Figure 4.

    screenshot_20161227-142209
    Fig. 4
  5. To prepare your map for offline use, click on Download. If using mobile data, now is the time to connect to Wi-Fi. See Figure 5.

    gmaps-down
    Fig. 5
  6. Select the area you want to use offline. The bigger the area, the larger the data package you will need to download. See Figure 6.
gmaps-download
Fig. 6

That’s it! Your phone will now download the area map and be available when you are offline.

Using Offline Google Maps

Now comes the hard part, using your offline maps. Be prepared to perform the following:

  1. Open Google Maps. If you have location services enabled, it will pull up your current location.google maps (1)
  2. Here’s the hard part: use Google Maps.

It is that simple. If the area you are in does not have good data coverage, Google will use your offline map and show you it is using offline data by displaying a lightning bolt. See Figure 7.

gmaps-offline
Fig. 7

You can still navigate and zoom in on your map to see nearby places of interest and travel time estimates.

Things to Consider when Using Offline Google Maps

There are drawback to offline Google Maps. Here are some things missing from offline maps that are available in live Google Maps:

  1. Public transit routes are not available, even for cities that have this option like Los Angeles.
  2. Bike and walking routes are not available.
  3. Live traffic will not be employed.
  4. Travel estimates will not be as accurate.
  5. Routes can’t be modified (avoidance is not an option).

Conclusion

There are other tools available for offline maps. Some, like maps.me, allow you to download everything at once, while others offer city, state and country downloads. If you are a hunter or exploring areas off the grid, these maps may be a better option.

However, for most travel and tourist needs, Google Maps does a great job of showing you what is around you, how long it will take you to get there and now, you can even use these maps if you’re tapped out on data or just have a slow connection.

The Incipio Car Dock Moto Mod for the Moto Z, Moto Z Force, and Moto Z Play (Review)

Matt Adams
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One of my favorite features on smartphones in 2016 was the modular capabilities that Lenovo added onto the back of the Moto Z lineup. The Moto Z, Moto Z Force, and Moto Z Play all had pins on the back of the device that let you attach accessories like battery packs, camera modules, and projectors.

Incipio, who also makes the Offgrid Power Pack and three different back plates for the phones, recently came out with its Car Dock as well. The dock is intended to hook onto your vent to hold your phone upright at dashboard level. The clamp that attaches to the vent has a knob that allows you to adjust how tightly it grips it and the bolt on the back of the dock allows you to loosen it enough to turn the dock 360 degrees. I’m more of a landscape person so I appreciate the ability to have my phone sit like this while I’m using Android Auto.

incipio-car-dock-3My biggest concern before I received the Car Dock was how tightly it would hold onto the phone. Not tight enough and the phone would easily fall and too tight and you’d never be able to release it if you needed it quickly. Incipio really nailed this aspect because you can literally shake the dock and the phone won’t move, but the quick release levers on the back of the dock make it incredibly easy to release the phone and go. It’s a frustration free design. I don’t know it’ll hold up in cases of car crashes, but most bumps and shakes shouldn’t cause an issue.

incipio-car-dock-4One of the nicer aspects of the dock is that it leaves the bottom and sides of the device completely free. All of the buttons and ports are open, so you can easily charge your phone or use the 3.5mm headphone jack on the Moto Z Play while the phone sits in the dock.

incipio-car-dockWhen you place your Moto Z on the dock, Android Auto instantly starts. You can exit Android Auto, but the fact that it pops up immediately and is the main point of function is kind of annoying. I was interested in the dock because I often don’t have a good place for my phone in my car and I’d like a nice dock to keep it out of the way. I would like to use the full functionality of my phone at stop lights or if I pull over without having to detach my phone from the dock. It’s a minor annoyance but it certainly does turn me off from using it.

The build quality is pretty sturdy. Made out of hard plastic, the Incipio Car Dock is definitely made to last. Is it the most premium thing in the world? No, it isn’t but then again I don’t know if it would be affordable to anyone if Incipio made it out of higher quality materials. The dock already costs $64.99 on Incipio’s site and at Verizon, the only two places you can buy it right now.

incipio-car-dock-2I don’t personally think it’s worth that much, but if you are in the car a lot and are looking for an Android Auto solution, you may disagree with me. Incipio did well with the Car Dock and I’d count it as another successful Moto Mod, I just wish the price was a tad lower. I’d even venture to say that around $50 it would be pushing the upper limits of what I’d be willing to pay.

I’m hopeful for the future of Moto Mods, especially when bigger companies like Incipio are putting out multiple third-party accessories.

Cubed Rally World is Addictive Lane-Changing Fun! (review)

AndroidGuys
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A game recently released for both iOS and Android this past November is Cubed Rally screenshot_20161207-215556World by developer Jared Bailey (under the corporate name “Nocanwin”). It’s the latest in a series of games using the ‘cubed’ motif of simple 8-bit graphics drawn in a 3D layout. I’ve had the best time playing and sharing this game with friends and family, and I’d like to share it with you here.

Setup

Getting to the game is standard-issue; just download the game from the Play Store and open it up. Once in, you’re free to explore the game at your leisure. The title screen also serves as a ‘master menu’ screen, where you can choose your vehicle to race. As far as options, you only have a couple: turn the music on/off, buy additional coins (more on this soon), and link out to a premium ad-free version of the game (for $4.99).

Back to selecting your vehicle….while there is a plethora of vehicle types to choose from in a lineup-style on the title screen, you are only given a single simple car to start out with. So choose that one and off we go!

Gameplay

After selecting your vehicle, you transition to the race screen with your vehicle waiting screenshot_20161207-215858at the starting line. The race course is made of 5 parallel tracks, and your controls are a simple left and right button on their respective sides. After a quick countdown (“3, 2, 1, Go!”), your vehicle takes off at a constant speed along the course. There are multiple courses, and which one you find yourself on (street, water, sky, dirt, farm) is mainly dictated by the type of vehicle you are in (car, boat, helicopter, dune buggy, tractor, etc).

Each course is littered with both stationary and moving obstacles. Your job is simply to avoid these obstacles by tapping left and right to switch amongst the 5 lanes. The variety in the obstacles are a highlight of the game as they are relevant to the vehicle and course you are on and in how they attempt to end your race. Included in the lanes are multiple types of ramps/jumps to give you some added excitement. You can even add to your point total by drifting around corners (you can’t really control this, but everybody I had try the game on my phone commented on how they liked this).

screenshot_20161207-220217While maneuvering down the course, there are also some goodies you’ll want to try to pick up. The coins you’ll want to collect as they are how you acquire the other vehicles shown in the title screen (different vehicles have different prices). The blue icons add to your point total (my kiddos & I found some healthy competition in trying to best the current high screenshot_20161207-220015score).

The clock icons give you a very temporary “bullet-time” slo-mo visual of particularly tricky course areas upcoming. And there are gas tanks you want to grab because during your course run there is a fuel bar across the top of the screen that is constantly dwindling down. Without grabbing gas icons, you will run out before finishing your race.

The game is a great combo of simple and challenging. First-timers that I’ve had try this title have zero problem getting an immediate handle on it. But because one collision with an obstacle equals starting over at the start, it forces players to really focus and jump right back in once they screw up. And try as I might, I could not find someone who could get mad at this game. Even when trouble was had in getting through a particular course, it only caused a giggle and a “let me try that again”.

There really is no end to the game. The more vehicles you buy, and the more points youscreenshot_20161207-220311 score, the game just continually gets longer and even links multiple course types together into super-long courses. If you start by choosing a boat, it will only get you so far as at some point you’ll cross a faux-finish line and immediately switch to a randomly-selected different vehicle and respective course. Then another, and another. Good luck to your screenshot_20161207-220334patience level.

Visuals & Sound

The hallmark of the game is the ‘cubed’ motif mentioned earlier. It’s a simple but well-done 8-bit world, drawn in a 3D arrangement that isn’t commonly seen in mobile gaming. The colors are primary and really pop off the screen without being garish at all. The vehicles and courses are varied enough that they make you want to pursue and try them out. My kiddos quickly became obsessed with trying to collect all the vehicles they could!

The sound is simple 8-bit nirvana with all the electronics beeps and boops you can handle. Again, if it happens to be a little more than you can handle, you can always toggle this off in the title screen.

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Overall

Let me put it this way: Cubed Rally World has stayed on my phone longer than any other app or game I’ve reviewed in a while. And given my propensity to move through apps, that’s a pretty impressive statement. The game is very easy to access at the start, offers enough eye candy to be fun, and provides enough variables to keep you coming back.

Click here to download Cubed Rally World from the Play Store.

HTC Ocean Note is coming, here’s what to expect (according to leaks and rumors)

Alexandra Arici
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HTC skipped CES 2017 not because it had no new products to show, but because it had an independent event scheduled for January 12. Apparently the struggling company wants the whole spotlight on itself as it introduces a batch of new smartphones.

htc-for-u-eventAccording to leaks and rumors online, the most intriguing one is shaping out to be the HTC U Ultra (or better known as the HTC Ocean Note). The device is supposedly a phablet which will supposedly be packing a few interesting features. And in order to prepare you for the big event tomorrow, here’s a roundup of info bits centering the upcoming device.

Display

The rumor mill is split on this particular topic. Word on the street has been claiming alternatively that the HTC U Ultra will come bundling either a 6-inch display or 5.7-inch one. Well at least we can be sure HTC is going to unveil a phablet, right? If it’s going to be a huge 6-inch one or a 5.7-incher like the LG V20 it remains to be seen.

Speaking of the LG V20, according to a bunch of leaked images purportedly showcasing the HTC U Ultra, the new phone should come bundling a secondary display positioned at the top.

htc-ocean-note-secondary-displayThe additional screen should be used to display extra info, as well as quick settings that aren’t always in the foreground on Android phones, like it’s the case with the LG V20. So if you don’t like notifications popping all over existing content, you’ll be glad the HTC U Ultra offers this option.

Anyway, at least the rumor mill agrees on one thing, the phablet will take advantage of a QHD display which translates into 2,560 x 1,440-pixel resolution.

Internals

Initially it was revealed, the HTC U Ultra will take advantage of a brand new Snapdragon 835 processor which would have made the phablet the first handset to be announced with the chipset onboard.

htc-ocean-logoAlas, @evleaks denied this information saying the phone will most likely launch with the Snapdragon 821 under the hood. Not bad, but the Snapdragon 835 would have been even better.

The chipset should work in concert with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. During CES 2017, ASUS announced the ZenFone AR, the first handset to come with 8GB of RAM, so we expecting the HTC U Ultra to come with at least 6GB of RAM, but 4GB is surely more than enough.

Cameras

Again, at first it was believed the HT U Ultra will follow the dual camera trend and bundle an advanced 24MP+13MP setup for the main camera plus a 16MP selfie snapper (like the OnePlus 3T and Samsung Galaxy A7 and A5).

htc-ocean-note-variantsTurns out HTC hasn’t designed the Google Pixel for nothing. Apparently the 12MP main camera that makes the Pixel one of the best phones for photography right now is going to make it into the HTC U Ultra. However, the software will bear’s HTC mark so the results might be quite different.

OS

The HTC U Ultra should run Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box. It’s not the first Nougat phone for HTC, the HTC Bolt was also released running the latest version of Android out of the box.

Going back to the HTC U Ultra, the phone should come with the company’s new Sense Touch UI which will supposedly rely on gestures and touch for navigation.

Other specifications and feats

it has been speculated the HTC U Ultra might arrive without a physical home button, although this seems unlikely based on the latest batch of leaked pics. Like the HTC Bolt, the new device should arrive devoid of the 3.5mm headphone jack, so users won’t be able to use their older headphones without an adapter.

htc-u-ultra-physical-buttonThe phone is also rumored to come with a pretty big battery of 4,000 mAh variety. Last but not least the phone should be offered in four colors including Blue, Black, Pink and Rose Gold. Pricing specifications are still a mystery but don’t expect the device to be cheap.

Hopefully, this article gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect tomorrow, so you’ll be ready when the HTC U Ultra comes.

LeEco phones now available through Target’s website

Scott Webster
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LeEco and Target have partnered on a deal which sees the retail brand offering its unlocked smartphones. Available immediately, customers can purchase both the Pro3 and the S3 through Target’s website for $400 and $250, respectively.

The unlocked phones are equipped with support for GSM/LTE networks; they’ll work with carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket, and MetroPCS. Customers can purchase either device and pick the service provider of their choice.

leeco_at_targetLeEco, who recently made its official entry into the US, is looking to grow its presence. Although it has a sizable footprint in China, it faces increasingly stiff competition in the unlocked market stateside. The added online retail presence should be a good start for the company.

As is the case with other emerging handset makers, LeEco’s unlocked phones are priced lower than those from larger brand names. It seems that for every Samsung, there’s two other companies offering similar hardware at a fraction of the price.

Things will definitely heat up over the coming year as customers become more aware of what sort of phones they can get for their money. Moreover, as hardware has outpaced general consumer needs, we’re finding that people don’t need to keep up with the latest and greatest. A mid-range phone in 2017 should still best a top tier device from 2015.

Will many consumers peel away from tomorrow’s flagships in favor of yesterday’s version? Are they ready to trust unknown brands? How about you? Leave a comment below with your take on unlocked phones from emerging companies.

Verizon’s unlimited data plans get limited to 200GB

Alexandra Arici
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We heard last year that Verizon was sending out warnings to customers on its unlimited data plan who used an “extraordinary amount of data” alerting them they will no longer be able to enjoy the perks of unlimited service.

Back then, Verizon didn’t specify how much data customers were allowed to consume, but this week a report coming from Droid Life helps us clarify the issue. Apparently Verizon told employees that users on unlimited plans are allowed to use up to 200GB of data per month. Or else.

Now if you love streaming media all day long now you are faced with three choices:

  • Consume less
  • Move to another (limited) plan
  • Change carrier

For those willing to make the transition to another plan, Big Red suggests The (new) Verizon Plan which offers a bunch of options. The smallest package (S) offers unlimited talk and text plus 2GB of data for $35 a month.

new-verizon-planAnyway, you have to make the decision until February 16. If not, Verizon will make it for you by simply disconnecting your line(s).

Interestingly, some users report on Reddit having received Verizon’s warning although their data consumption is far from nearing the dreaded 200GB limit. At this point we don’t know why that is, but as information on the topic becomes available to us we’ll update you.

Verizon previously said it was notifying only a “small group of customers”, but it appears the warnings have reached more users.

The news about the new 200GB comes not long after Verizon’s latest move was revealed. The carrier is planning to raise its upgrade fee, which is charged when customers acquire a new phone. So now users will have to pay $30 instead of $20. Also you can say bye-bye to two-year contract renewals.

Battery life champ, the Moto Z Play just got a significant price cut

Matt Adams
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One of the most intriguing phones from 2016 is getting a big price cut. The Moto Z Play, which has the best battery life I’ve ever seen in a phone, just got a temporary $50 price cut. The phone drops from $449 to $399 until February 13. You can pick up the Moto Z Play at Motorola’s website, Amazon or Best Buy on sale right now.

The Moto Z Play is one of my favorite phones released last year. I feel like the phone was overlooked due to its processor (only a Snapdragon 625 instead of a Snapdragon 820), but it’s that processor that helps it get the excellent battery life that is one of the major selling points of the phone. A phone with great battery life normally gets around 5 hours of screen on time, the Moto Z Play got over 10 hours for me consistently.

It’s sad that we have to point out that a phone still has a 3.5mm headphone jack, but the Moto Z Play, unlike its brethren the Moto Z and Moto Z Force, does indeed feature the jack. It also has a microSD card slot, a 5.5″ 1080P display, and pins on the back of the device that allow you to place Moto Mods on it. These Moto Mods expand the functionality of the device and include battery packs that enable Qi charging, card docks, projectors, speakers and more.

If you’re interested in reading more about the Moto Z Play, check out our full review here.

The Two Year Upgrade: OnePlus One

Donovan Jeska
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The One was the debut phone of oddly-named manufacturer, OnePlus. It was marketed as an affordable phone that rivals the specifications of the high-end smartphones released by top manufacturers – it even came with the tagline of “Flagship Killer.” Aside from its name, the other strange thing about the One was its sales model – phones could only be purchased with an invite from OnePlus or someone that already had an invite. It was originally released in June of 2014, and the invite system was limited to contests and special sales days through 2015. In April of 2015, OnePlus announced that the One could be purchased without an invite – nearly a year after its release.

Chances are, if you owned a OnePlus One you probably have been keeping close tabs on the subsequent releases from the company – in case you’re still holding onto it, though, here’s a list of phones at various price points to replace that venerable beast.

Under $200: Huawei Honor 5X

I’ve sung the praises of Moto’s G series, but if you’re a OnePlus fan, you might be looking for something a bit more off the beaten path. That’s where the Huawei Honor 5X comes in. You might recognize  Huawei as the Chinese manufacturer of Google’s Nexus 6P, but in reality Huawei has been making quality, affordable handsets for a number of years now. The Honor 5X is no exception – at $189 (shipped!), it’s a steal. With an aluminum body, fingerprint sensor, expandable storage, and dual SIM slots, it’s got many features more commonly found in much more expensive phones, for a low, low price.

[graphiq id=”lm3F12yfW0l” title=”Huawei Honor 5X Key Facts” width=”600″ height=”725″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/lm3F12yfW0l” link=”http://smartphones.specout.com/l/4452/Huawei-Honor-5X” link_text=”SpecOut | Graphiq” ]

Under $400: ZTE Axon 7

Another lesser-known brand alternative to OnePlus, ZTE’s Axon 7 is a worthy replacement for your OnePlus One at just $400 – $50 more than the One. Dual stereo speakers, Snapdragon 820, 4gb RAM, 5.5″ AMOLED screen, 20mp back shooter, and a 3250mAh battery stacks it up nicely against even modern flagships, at half the price. It may not be the prettiest phone out there, but it’s a beast.

[graphiq id=”796B9Qssb3v” title=”ZTE Axon 7 Key Facts” width=”600″ height=”725″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/796B9Qssb3v” link=”http://smartphones.specout.com/l/7261/ZTE-Axon-7″ link_text=”SpecOut | Graphiq” ]

 

Under $600: OnePlus 3T

You knew this was coming. OnePlus has done it again with the 3T, this time without need for an invite. Protip – order it straight from OnePlus for $439. It’ll be cheaper than Amazon. Snapdragon 821, 6gb RAM, 128gb storage, Type-C USB, 3400mAH battery – be still, my beating heart.

Also; Never Settle.

[graphiq id=”dtFUohiiMVD” title=”OnePlus 3T Key Facts” width=”600″ height=”659″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/dtFUohiiMVD” link=”http://smartphones.specout.com/l/7125/OnePlus-3T” link_text=”SpecOut | Graphiq” ]

 

 

The HTC Ocean Note will probably bundle this Google Pixel feature

Alexandra Arici
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0

As expected, HTC has gracefully skipped CES 2017. The Taiwanese device maker is expected to host the “For U” media event tomorrow, during which we expect to see some new smartphones make an appearance into the wild.

One of them is probably the HTC Ocean Note (or HTC U Ultra) – a phablet that aims to wow even disheartened ex-Galaxy Note7 owners. According to a report coming out of Venture Beat, the HTC Ocean Note will indeed be quite impressive. For one, it will allegedly feature the same 12MP camera the Google Pixel and Pixel XL take advantage of.

htc-ocean-note-display-offThat’s pretty promising, especially since the Pixel and Pixel XL are known to have one of the best cameras currently available. We reported the same in our Pixel XL review.

However, the camera software will bear HTC’s distinctive touch, so the overall quality of the images might be a bit different (but hopefully, not too different).

htc-ocean-note-backApart from the camera, we’re told the HTC Ocean Note is going to bundle last year’s Snapdragon 821, not the new Snapdragon 835. Bummer, but HTC doesn’t seem to be keen on keeping up with the latest chipsets trends. After all the company launched the HTC Bolt in late 2016 with the previous-gen Snapdragon 810 inside of it.

htc-ocean-note-sim-slotWe mentioned before the HTC Ocean Note is going to be a phablet, so the device should rock a 5.7-inch QHD display (2560 x 1440-pixel resolution) plus a secondary display in the vein of LG V20. Many consider the small display on the LG V20 a gimmick, but it will be interesting to see HTC’s take on it.

htc-ocean-note-variantsOther rumored specs of the HTC Ocean Note include 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage, a big battery (possibly 4,000 mAh) and Android 7.0 Nougat. While we wait for the official announcement, check out these leaked images showcasing us the device.

htc-ocean-note-sideDuring the same event, HTC is also expected to unveil the HTC Alpine (HTC U Play) and HTC X10 mid-ranger. Stay tuned to find out more about HTC’s 2017 lineup.

These seven apps can help turn your old junk into money

AndroidGuys
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Look around the home or office and chances are you’ll find items sitting there collecting dust. Whether it’s an old lamp, hooded sweatshirt, or pair of shoes, there’s probably something you’re holding on to for no good reason.

Maybe you’re just hanging on with the idea that some day you’ll have a yard sale. Perhaps you just forgot you even had it in the basement. Whatever it is, you’ve probably got junk that needs to go away.

As you know, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Why bother throwing items out in the garbage when you might be able to make a few bucks on them instead? There are tons of Android apps and services designed to help you sell your old stuff.

We’ve gathered up seven of them which we think rise to the top. There may be a little crossover between some of the titles, but each offers an ecosystem worth exploring. Moreover, you’ll find that the apps offer unique features and layouts which make them appealing.

LetGo

letgo

Essentially like having a flea market on your handset, LetGo gives users the ability to search through all sorts of local deals. With tons of categories to pick through, the app lets you talk privately with buyers or sellers so you can haggle on the cost. Speaking of which, there’s no fee to list or sell; everything you earn is yours. Create an account with Facebook or email and get to selling immediately.

eBay
ebay_app

As if you’ve never heard of it, eBay is an online service that brings together buyers and sellers from all over the world. It’s perhaps the first name in buying and selling your stuff and it’s one of the most trusted names in the space. The mobile app has grown leaps and bounds over the years and now, more than ever, it’s a cinch to list products for sale directly from your phone.

OfferUp

offerup

Like having a virtual classified section in your hand, OfferUp pairs buyers and sellers together in a visually appealing manner. Whether you’re looking to unload that unused tablet or hoping to pick up an extra coat for the winter months, this app will help you find what want.

Once you’ve found a local item that interests you, reach out to the buyer and chat them up. Or, check their reputation to see if they’ve been fair and easy to work with.

Listing your stuff couldn’t be much easier. With tons of categories to choose from, you’ll be able to unload an entire room’s worth of unused items. Make sure you build your reputation and raise your profile so buyers know they’re dealing with a trusted person.

Carousell

carousellWith a selling system that promises to be as easy as posting an Instagram picture Carousell listings can be done in as little as 30 seconds. There are no fees associated with selling and the service does not take a commission off the top. Carousell Groups make it easy to buy and sell in interest groups, neighborhood groups, school groups and other trusted manners.

Choose up to four pictures for each item you plan to sell to help buyers get a food feel for what’s being offered. Once you’ve got it listed, share it with Facebook Pages, Groups, and other social media. Keep at it and you’ll earn verified badge to help boost credibility in the marketplace.

VarageSale

If you’re the type of person who doesn’t want to bother with shipping items out once they’re sold, you might want to try your hand at VarageSale. Designed as a local classified platform, it connects you with others in your immediate area. Members connect with Facebook so you’ll get real names, pictures, and reviews to consider before making a decision. Follow your favorite sellers or categories; rate your transactions and leave feedback for the next person.

Wallapop

wallapop

Although you can use Wallapop in pretty much any market, you’ll get the best results from one of the following cities: New York, Chicago, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Miami, Boston, Houston, Dallas, Austin, St. Louis, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. Fast, easy, and free to sell, listing is a simple as taking a picture and attaching a price. It’s like carrying around a tiny flea market in your pocket.

5miles

5miles

Another one that works great for those looking to buy and sell locally, 5miles keeps things confined to –wait for it– a five mile radius. Use GPS and zip code to look up thousands of items, send an offer via text, and chat with sellers. If you’re looking to buy, the app lets you list items for free; the service also lets you search for roommates, housing, freelance jobs, and more.

Conclusion

There’s no shortage of apps and services to choose from when it comes to unloading your old stuff. Given we’re in a new year here and your resolution is to save money or take a nice vacation, these apps are here to help. Have you had any experience with anything else along the way? Let us know in the comments which one you trust the most with your stuff.

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