Android
Best Account Security Methods
Here Are the Best Account Security Methods, According to Google – By David Murphy, Email, Twitter, Posts, lifehacker.com
Everywhere you turn, someone is handing out advice about account security and privacy. And while it never hurts to be reminded about all the ways you can protect your critical data, have you topped to wonder whether any of the various security measures you’re taking are actually effective?
WebAuthn Web Authentication with YubiKey 5 – By Todd A. Jacobs, www.linuxjournal.com
A look at the recently released YubiKey 5 hardware authenticator series and how web authentication with the new WebAuthn API leverages devices like the YubiKey for painless website registration and strong user authentication.
Google data shows 2-factor authentication blocks 100% of automated bot hacks – By Napier Lopez, thenextweb.com
Two-factor authentication is annoying. Getting flustered because you have to find your phone and tap on a prompt every time you log into your accounts from a new device is peak first-world problems. But if you ever had any doubt whether it really made you that much safer, Google has the data to dispel that uncertainty.
How to use Windows 10’s Your Phone experience
How to use Windows 10's Your Phone experience – By Mark Hachman, www.pcworld.com
Microsoft’s Your Phone app bridges the gap between your Windows 10 PC and a smartphone, allowing quick interactions with images shot with your phone’s camera and the ability to send and receive texts right from your PC. Having tried, and abandoned, using the phone as your PC with Continuum, Microsoft apparently settled upon an assistant role via the Your Phone app. Eventually, Microsoft hopes that Your Phone will evolve into something even bigger, so it’s worth checking out.
Google Tools and Apps
8 Useful Google Tools and Apps You May Have Overlooked – By Megan Ellis, www.makeuseof.com
Google’s ecosystem of services has exponentially ballooned over the years. Whether it’s the smart home market, mobile, entertainment, or the web, Google has managed to attain a dominant position in a wide range of sectors.
Why Android Users Need Windows 10’s “Your Phone” App
Why Android Users Need Windows 10’s “Your Phone” App – By Josh Hendrickson, www.howtogeek.com
Windows 10’s Your Phone app links your phone and PC. It works best for Android users, letting you text from your PC and wirelessly transfer photos back and forth. Notification sync and screen mirroring features are on the way, too.
Android Messages for Web
If you're not using Android Messages for Web to text by now, you're doing it wrong – By Shelby Brown, www.cnet.com
Nothing is more irritating than swapping back and forth between your computer and phone while trying to work and text someone. It's hard to stay in a good workflow and, depending on what else you need your phone for, your battery suffers. For years, Android phone users had no choice but to use other messaging apps if they wanted to chat with friends from their desktops. But if you didn't know, you can use Android Messages on your desktop browser to type. Google calls this Messages for Web.
– Never Lose Access to LastPass with Account Recovery on Mobile
Never Lose Access to LastPass with Account Recovery on Mobile – By Amber Steel, blog.lastpass.com
LastPass takes away the burden of remembering passwords – and getting locked out of your accounts. But what if you forget your LastPass master password? It’s the one password you still need to remember. Because of our zero-knowledge security model, LastPass never knows your master password and therefore can’t reset it for you. So, what do you do if you’ve forgotten it?
How to Not Get Locked Out With Two-Factor Authentication
SecurityWatch: How to Not Get Locked Out With Two-Factor Authentication – By Max Eddy, www.pcmag.com
Security tools often create a certain amount of anxiety. What happens if I lose my password? Or if my antivirus deletes my stuff? The advent of two-factor authentication has created a new twist on a familiar anxiety: what happens if I can't use my second factor and get locked out of my account?
Two-factor authentication explained: How to choose the right level of security for every account – By Michael Simon, www.pcworld.com
If you aren’t already protecting your most personal accounts with two-factor or two-step authentication, you should be. An extra line of defense that’s tougher than the strongest password, 2FA is extremely important to blocking hacks and attacks on your personal data. If you don’t quite understand what it is, we’ve broken it all down for you.
Your Android phone can now be a security key for your Google account
Your Android phone can now be a security key for your Google account – By Alex Wagner, www.phonedog.com
Two-factor authentication helps to secure your online accounts by adding a second step to the login process. Today Google is making it easier for Android users to add 2FA to their account.
Android 7.0+ Phones Can Now Double as Google Security Keys – by krebsonsecurity.com
Google this week made it easier for Android users to enable strong 2-factor authentication (2FA) when logging into Google’s various services. The company announced that all phones running Android 7.0 and higher can now be used as Security Keys, an additional authentication layer that helps thwart phishing sites and password theft.
Drive smarter and safer with Android Auto
Drive smarter and safer with these Android Auto tips – By Derek Walter, www.greenbot.com
Most of the infotainment systems that come with cars are terrible. Voice recognition feels like it’s from the 1980s, and the navigation scheme would fail most usability tests.
– How to Turn Any Android Smartphone into a Google Pixel
How to Turn Any Android Smartphone into a Google Pixel – By Brendan Hesse, lifehacker.com
Android’s flexibility means manufacturers can build their own versions of the OS to suit their hardware, but there’s an elegance to the stock Android experience found on Google’s devices—one that other Android smartphones can’t match.
Google Smart Lock: Guide
Google Smart Lock: The complete guide By Jr Raphael, www.computerworld.com
Think fast: How many times a day do you pick up your phone to look at something? Unless you live in the tundra or have far more self-control than most, the answer probably falls somewhere between "quite a few" and "more than any sane person could count." Assuming you keep your device properly secured, that means you're doing an awful lot of unlocking — be it with your face, your fingerprint, or the code you tap or swipe onto your screen.
10 Important Android Settings You Should Know
10 Important Android Settings You Should Know! By Thiojoe, youtube.com VIDEO
Android is an extremely popular mobile OS, and I actually think most of you use it. So here are some important settings that you should know about if you don't already. They aren't hidden settings, so don't be surprised if you do know some. They aren't settings you should necessarily change, because most of these come down to preference.
– Android Settings You Should Change Now!
13 Android Settings You Should Change Now! by ThioJoe youtube.com VIDEO
Those default settings are no good! Here's what to change… — Android has a lot of default settings that might be OK for most people, but there are some that really everyone should change. These might be settings related to privacy, security, or just plain convenience.
Handy hidden shortcuts for Gboard on Android
13 handy hidden shortcuts for Gboard on Android By Jr Raphael, www.computerworld.com
I've been thinking a lot about thumbs lately.
Why, you might wonder? Simple: Whenever I watch unsuspecting strangers use their phones in public (it's not as creepy as it sounds, I swear), I can't help but notice how many people rely solely on their thumbs for on-screen typing.
Transfer Contacts to a New Android Phone
How to Transfer Contacts to a New Android Phone By Tom Westrick, www.howtogeek.com
Android gives you a few options for transferring your contacts to a new device. By default, everything should be synced when you set up a new device, but even if sync is disabled, it’s easy to move your contacts over.
Chromebook cheat sheet: How to get started
Chromebook cheat sheet: How to get started By Jr Raphael, www.computerworld.com
The beauty of Chrome OS today is its versatility: The operating system supports a huge range of applications in a variety of different formats — web apps, progressive web apps, native Chrome apps, Android apps, and even Linux apps (gracious!).
7 Android accessibility features
7 Android accessibility features that'll enhance any phone By Jr Raphael, www.computerworld.com
Accessibility in our age of mobile technology is a pretty incredible thing. I mean, think about it: These powerful little computers we carry around in our pockets have the potential to open up all sorts of futuristic possibilities for folks with issues like impaired hearing or limited vision. And in the grand scheme of things, such possibilities are far more transformative than any random phone feature we use to organize our lives or save ourselves a few seconds here and there.
Android Pie: 30 advanced tips and tricks
Android Pie: 30 advanced tips and tricks By Jr Raphael, www.computerworld.com
Mmm…who doesn't love a nice hearty helping of pie?
Whether we're talking apple, blueberry, or the Android 9 variety, there's plenty of reason to get excited about pie (or Pie, as the case may be). And while I can't provide much in the way of advice regarding the edible sort, I can give you plenty of useful tips about Google's Android 9 Pie software.
How to use Google Maps offline on Android
How to use Google Maps offline on Android By Justin Duino, 9to5google.com
Whether you’re going on vacation overseas or just want to be able to navigate around town without draining your data plan, you can download different areas within Google Maps to use while offline. Here’s how.
How to use your Google Maps offline By Contact, www.androidauthority.com
Google Maps is one of the most popular and reliable mapping/navigation services, but it’s not without its faults. One of the main complaints is that it works best with a solid data connection, something we don’t always have outside the city. Thankfully, it’s possible to take Google Maps offline, but this great feature is rendered useless without some proactive procedures.
Android Pie 9.0: 3 settings to change right away
Android Pie 9.0: 3 settings to change right away By Jason Cipriani, www.cnet.com
Google's Android Pie 9.0 operating system has slowly made its way to more devices than the Pixel ($350 at Amazon) line since its release. With an improved Do Not Disturb feature, gesture navigation and smart recommendations, Android Pie has a lot to like.
5 obscure Android features you need to start using By Ryan Whitwam, www.pcworld.com
If you’ve been using Android for more than a few generations, it can be easy to forget just how far we’ve come. Google has added a ton of useful features to Android, and some of the best don’t get as much attention as they deserve. But we can fix that. Here are the five most underappreciated features hiding in the latest versions of Android.
Tips to Change your Password – LastPass
5 Tips to Change your Password By Leah Bachmann, blog.lastpass.com
Even though weak, reused and compromised passwords are the cause behind many breaches, people continue to display pretty risky password behavior. In fact, we’ve found that 91% of people know that using the same password for multiple accounts is a security risk, but 59% admitted that they do it anyway.
Using LastPass on iOS: Tricks you Might have Missed By Leah Bachmann, blog.lastpass.com
You want your phone with you everywhere. Don’t you feel the same way about your passwords? With the LastPass iOS and Android apps you have access to all your passwords wherever you go.
Using LastPass on Android: Tricks you Might have Missed By Leah Bachmann, blog.lastpass.com
We carry our phones with us everywhere, so it’s important our favorite apps are available on-the-go. LastPass offers a great app for both Android and iOS users that lets you access all your passwords and other essential information wherever you need it.
Password Fatigue and LastPass By Joe Siegrist, blog.lastpass.com
John Kelly of the Washington Post had an amusing article today about how much trouble it is to create a new password every 90 days: So Many Passwords, So Little Time By John Kelly
Google Maps for Android will now let you set arrival and departure times
Google Maps for Android will now let you set arrival and departure times – By Alex Wagner, www.phonedog.com
Google Maps users have long been able to choose their arrival and departure times when setting up navigation on the web, but that feature is only just now arriving on mobile.
Can Anyone Really Track My Phone’s Precise Location?
Can Anyone Really Track My Phone’s Precise Location? – By Chris Hoffman, www.howtogeek.com
Lewis Tse Pui Lung/Shutterstock.com.Photo by: Lewis Tse Pui Lung/Shutterstock.com
It’s the year 2019, and everyone willingly carries a tracking device in their pockets. People can have their precise locations tracked in real time by the government, advertising companies, and even rogue bounty hunters. It sounds like dystopian fiction—but it’s a reality.
– Use Your Android Phone as a Flashlight
How to Use Your Android Phone as a Flashlight – By Cameron Summerson, www.howtogeek.com
It’s dark and you need to be able to see. It’s fine—whip out your trusty Android phone and put the camera flash to work as a flashlight. Here’s how to do it.
How to Take the Best Photos with Your Android Phone
How to Take the Best Photos with Your Android Phone – By Florence Ion, lifehacker.com
It’s that time of year again when you’re working your smartphone overtime attempting to keep up with all of the memories of holiday parties, family gatherings, and pets you’ve wrangled into festive attire. If you’re working with any of the latest Android phones, including the Google Pixel 3 or Samsung Note9, then one of the best cameras on the market is already in your pocket.
5 best remote desktop apps for Android!
5 best remote desktop apps for Android! – By Contact, www.androidauthority.com
Remote access to a desktop is one of the most niche power-user features out there. However, it is perfectly doable on an Android device. There are two basic ways to do it. Users can remote into their Android device from a computer. We covered that functionality in our best screen mirroring apps for Android list. This list focuses more on accessing your desktop computer from your Android device. There are a bunch of apps that boast remote access as a feature. However, only some of them are actually good. Here are the best remote desktop apps for Android!
Google Smart Lock: The complete guide
Google Smart Lock: The complete guide – By Jr Raphael, www.computerworld.com
Think fast: How many times a day do you pick up your phone to look at something? Unless you live in the tundra or have far more self-control than most, the answer probably falls somewhere between "quite a few" and "more than any sane person could count." Assuming you keep your device properly secured, that means you're doing an awful lot of unlocking — be it with your face, your fingerprint, or the code you tap or swipe onto your screen.
How to Remotely Troubleshoot PC’s
How to Remotely Troubleshoot a Friend’s Windows PC Without Any Extra Software – By Chris Hoffman, www.howtogeek.com
Windows offers a few built-in tools for performing remote assistance over the Internet. These tools allow you to take remote control of another person’s computer so you can help them troubleshoot it while you’re on the phone with them. They work similarly to Remote Desktop, but are available on all editions of Windows and are easy to set up.
How to Avoid Fingerprint Scams in Apps
How to Avoid Fingerprint Scams in Apps – By David Murphy, lifehacker.com
It’s great when an app allows you to add extra security—a fingerprint scan or a depth map of your face, for example—to access its contents. In case someone ever gets their hands on your unlocked device (or figures out your PIN), it’ll be trickier for them to access critical apps, like your banking apps, if they don’t have your finger or face nearby.
Best Phones for Google Fi in 2018
Best Phones for Google Fi in 2018 – By Hayato Huseman, www.androidcentral.com
For just $20/month for unlimited calls/texts and $10 per GB of data you use (any data past 6GB is free), Google Fi is one of the most compelling MVNOs around — especially when you factor in its excellent roaming support, nationwide coverage, and Bill Protection feature that credits back whatever data you don't use. Fi works on almost any unlocked phone these days, but certain features work better on some phones than others — these are the ones that will give you the best Fi experience.
Google Fi (aka Project Fi): The complete FAQ – By Jr Raphael, www.computerworld.com
Google Fi may sound like some weird sort of initiation ritual ("Whoa, what happened to Rick? I heard he got Googlefied!") — but if you can get past its silly-sounding name, the recently rebranded wireless service can both save you money and step up your smartphone security situation.
Android Power User Features
The best Android power user features you may have forgotten about By Corbin Davenport, www.androidpolice.com
Android has now been around for over a decade, and every single update has brought new features. Some functionality is unknown to the vast majority of smartphone owners, either because the options aren't well-advertised, or because their uses are limited.
In this post, we've compiled some of the best power user features that Android has to offer.
Google app with a dark mode
Here’s every Google app with a dark mode, and how to enable it By Ben Schoon, 9to5google.com
For years now, the Android community has cried out for dark themes in applications and the system throughout, all while Google continued to slap more and more white themes basically everywhere. Slowly but surely, though, we’ve been seeing more Google dark mode apps on various platforms. Here’s every Google dark mode app available today.
The Best Grammar Checkers For Every Type Of Writing
The Best Grammar Checkers For Every Type Of Writing by Jennifer Allen @jenjeahaly
We all want to write better and more effectively. It’s easy to become both paranoid and complacent over one’s writing style. Fortunately, there are plenty of online services that help by checking your grammar. We’ve looked at some of the best grammar checkers out there.
Android Pie’s lockdown mode
What you need to know about Android Pie’s lockdown mode By Contact, www.androidauthority.com
Hidden away amongst all the interface enhancements and feature additions in Android Pie is an all-new feature that has somewhat slipped under the radar for many users. Lockdown mode is a new security-focused addition that is going to be of particular use to anyone who is worried about protecting their private data in situations where their smartphone might not be in their possession.
Hidden features for Google Maps on Android
9 handy hidden features for Google Maps on Android By Jr Raphael, www.computerworld.com
Who doesn't love Google Maps? The native Android app helps those of us with oatmeal for brains find our way anywhere, without having to fire any neurons or exercise any synapses. It even helps us find places to pick up tasty cuisine — like, uh, oatmeal (yum!).
Google using lock screen passwords to encrypt Android Cloud backups
Google using lock screen passwords to encrypt Android Cloud backups By Lisa Vaas, nakedsecurity.sophos.com
Google’s got your back when it comes to your backups, it says – and it’s even promising to keep its own peepers off the goods.
Google Advanced Protection Program
Google Advanced Protection Program by landing.google.com
What is phishing?
Phishing is a common technique that can be used to trick you into giving away your username, password, 2-Step Verification code, or other personal information. Phishing attacks can happen through a variety of channels, including email, telephone, text message, or in apps.How does Advanced Protection defend against phishing?
Advanced Protection requires you to use a physical Security Key.
-Best Android Phones Under $300
The Best Android Phones Under $300 by reviewgeek.com Michael Crider
One of the nicest things about the Android platform is that phones come in all sizes and price ranges. We’ve selected the best phones under the $300 mark for American shoppers.
With a price range under three C-notes, you won’t get the latest processors or a long list of extra features. But these phones have access to Google’s Play Store.
How to Make Android as Secure as Possible
How to Make Android as Secure as Possible by howtogeek.com
Mobile security is a big deal, probably now more than ever. Most of us live on our phones, with financial information, calendar appointments, family photos, and more stored on our devices. Here’s how to keep your Android phone secure.
– 5 best password managers for Android
The 5 best password managers for Android by androidpolice.com
Our accounts hold invaluable information about us — about our work, our finances, and our social lives. Keeping that information safe from prying eyes is paramount, and to do that, we need solid passwords. Assuming you're a typical person living in the modern age, you probably have accounts and passwords for about a million websites and services, and it can be hard to keep them all straight. Password managers take the onus of remembering dozens and dozens of (hopefully) unique strings of characters off our stupid brains, and once you've used one, it's hard to imagine going without.
– Turn your face into a sticker for Gboard
Google wants you to turn your face into a sticker for Gboard by trustedreviews.com
The trouble with emoji is that very few of us look like the caricatures we punctuate our instant messages with. If you’ve been itching for a more personalised experience, Google is rolling out an answer right now in new versions of its own Gboard keyboard for Android and iOS.
Google PhotoScan, Glare-Free Way to Capture Photos
Google PhotoScan– The Glare-Free Way to Capture Old Photos by dottotech
Looking for a great photo scanning app for your phone? A way where you can easily scan precious photographs without a dedicated scanner?
How to Juggle Multiple Google Calendars
How to Juggle Multiple Google Calendars by howtogeek.com
If you only have one Google account, managing your calendar is pretty simple. But once you bring your work account, shared family calendars, and even specialty calendars into the mix, keeping things organized becomes more challenging.
How to Set Up Google Family to Share Your Google Services by howtogeek.com
If you pay for a book on Google Play Books, your significant other should be able to read it, too. The same goes for movies, music, and even apps or games—if you make a purchase, everyone in the family should be able to enjoy it. Thanks to Google Family, they can.
Google Datally adds new modes
Google Datally adds emergency bank and bedtime mode by androidandme.com
Mobile data limits are tricky creatures. Plans vary wildly in how they handle data limits and it can be confusing for users. It’s particularly bothersome when you hit your data limit and are left stranded with no or slow data. To help users, Google released Datally, an app that helps you better manage and conserve your data. Today, Datally is gaining two new features: emergency bank and bedtime mode.
Google’s New Gmail Features
Gmail’s biggest redesign is now live by theverge.com
The world’s most popular email service is getting a big overhaul today. Google is making official the changes we saw leaked earlier this month, with email snoozing, nudging, and confidential mode making their debut alongside a substantial visual redesign for Gmail on the web. The new Gmail begins a global phased rollout today, which is to say that it won’t be available to every one of Gmail’s 1.4 billion users right away, and the first to get it will be invited to opt in rather than being able to just turn it on themselves.
Google’s New Gmail Features and How Best to Use Them by tech.co
This year, Gmail’s 1.4 billion users are getting their first major upgrade since 2011. From a game-changing “snooze email” function to the exciting option to make sent messages “self-destruct”, we run through the key features of the new Gmail upgrade.
How to Find Contacts in the New Gmail by howtogeek.com
The new Gmail started rolling out last week, and it’s awesome. But many people are asking the same question: where did Contacts go?
The previous version of Gmail, now called “Classic Gmail,” had a drop-down at the top-left for quick access to Contacts and Tasks.
Google will force you to switch to the new Gmail whether you want it or not — here's when you'll get it by businessinsider.com
Google recently announced a massive update to its popular email platform. So far, it's given personal account holders and company admins (who run company's G Suite accounts) the choice to leave their Gmail inboxes as-is, or to opt into the new Gmail, which comes with a new look and a lot of new features. If they don't enjoy the experience, users and admins are welcome to opt back out.
That's no longer going to be the case in a matter of months, as Google announced
How to undo the Gmail update – and what features you'll miss if you do by independent.co.uk
The new Gmail update features a snooze email function, a fresh design and a 'confidential mode' that protects outgoing emails.
However hundreds of Gmail users took to social media to complain about Google's new design. Fortunately for them, there is a way to switch it back to the old version, but only for a limited time.
Apple Pay Now Accepted at Costco Warehouses
Apple Pay Now Accepted at All Costco Warehouses in United States by macrumors.com
Apple Pay is now accepted at all Costco warehouses in the United States, at in-store checkouts, according to the company. Costco has been equipping its warehouses with contactless payment terminals over the past several months, and as of this week, it has activated contactless payments at all of its 750 locations
Gmail for Android allows you to undo sending an email
Latest Gmail for Android update allows you to undo sending an email by androidandme.com
The desktop version of Gmail is able to undo sending an email. The feature delayed the actual sending of the email for a short time so you can hit undo if you made a mistake or wrote something stupid. But the feature has not been available on Android until now.
Protect Yourself Against a SIM Swap Attack
How to Protect Yourself Against a SIM Swap Attack by wired.com
A spate of hacked Instagram accounts. A $220 million lawsuit against AT&T. A bustling underground crime ring. They all have roots in an old problem that has lately found new urgency: SIM card swaps, a scam in which hackers steal your mobile identity—and use it to upend your life.
– Grammarly, an online grammar checking too
Grammarly Review: Is Grammarly Worth All The Hype? by bloggingocean.com
Do you make a lot of grammatical and punctuation errors? Don't worry; you are not the only one to face this problem.
Grammarly, an online grammar checking tool, claims to make writing a lot easier by proofreading your content in real time as you type. Off late, it is gaining a lot of popularity and is being used and recommended by many people.
Grammarly – Advanced grammar and spell checker for iPad and Mac by michaelkummer.com
Grammarly is an advanced grammar and spell checker for iOS and the Mac. It helps me to write better copy at work and in my capacity as a blogger. If you write as much as I do, I would highly recommend to check it out.
Find your recently uploaded pics on Google Photos, even if they date back many years
How to find your recently uploaded pics on Google Photos, even if they date back many years by androidpolice.com
I love Google Photos and I keep recommending it left and right to anyone I know. But Photos isn't perfect and there's still a lot that the service could do to improve the user experience. For example, the ability to order photos in different ways is missing — you get reverse chronological and that's it. If you're only backing up recent images as you take them, that's not an issue, but if you're uploading older photos, it becomes near impossible to find those images and edit, share, or make albums of them. You might scroll and scroll, try to search for the date if you remember it, and sometimes nothing works. There is one little trick though.