Articles by Chris Wedel

Telegram isn’t new, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t one of the best text messaging apps for Android available, and that’s thanks in large part to its growing list of features. Whether it’s to plan a party or to just catch up with some friends, group chats are an integral part of texting — so knowing how to create a group chat in Telegram is critical. Group chats can save time in planning and help keep that group of friends close to everyone in the same conversation. Let’s get to the steps for creating your group chats in Telegram and get on with chatting.

How to create group chats in Telegram

Open the Telegram app.
Either click on the three lines in the upper left corner or the pencil icon lower right corner.
Choose new group.

Select the contacts you want to be members of that group and tap the arrow at the bottom of the screen.
Here, you can add a photo or image and also a name to represent the group, tap on the checkmark to finish.

Just as an FYI, creating a group wi…

The Galaxy Watch is still one of the best Samsung smartwatches, even if it is getting along in years, and it deserves one of the best Samsung Galaxy watchbands. Not only to keep it secured to your wrist but also to help customize it to you. The watch allows you to choose from several watch faces to get the right look for the screen, but you can easily replace the strap using a standard 22mm watch band for the 46mm Galaxy Watch to make it even more you.

Meshes with everyone

Fullmosa stainless steel watch band

Staff Pick

Sometimes the feel of metal can be calming, being more stable than other material. If you need a band that you know is safe for you to use, then stainless steel is the ticket. This adjustable mesh-style band is super comfortable and looks great too.

$14 at Amazon

Totally metal

V-MORO 22mm Stainless Steel Strap

This strap from V-MORO is made of heavy-duty stainless steel, and it can go on in an instant with the built-in clasp. It’s available in black or silv…

Here’s how to get that information quickly.

In an update a couple of years ago, Wear OS picked up the ability to add widgets — called Tiles — and knowing how to customize Wear OS Tiles is a great way to quickly access the info you want. While the best Wear OS watches have access to some great apps for Wear OS, unfortunately, few of them can offer a Tile for your watch.

That may be changing soon, as Google is opening up Tiles to more third-party developers in the future. Even though there may not be many Tiles available on Wear OS watches right now, the ones that are accessible now are still useful. So, customizing the ones that are there can get you a helpful setup on your smartwatch and ready if more Tiles are released.

How to customize Wear OS Tiles using your smartwatch

You can change the order, remove, and add Tiles directly on your Wear OS watch — and here’s how.

Swipe from right to left to see the Tiles currently active on your watch.
Press and hold a Tile to enter …

From dance parties to photoshoots, the TickTalk 4 can do almost everything — minus one key feature.

When I reviewed the TickTalk 3 in November 2019, I liked the device and how much the company was improving the product, which is why I was excited about a TickTalk 4 review. The companion app has remained largely the same, however, there have been some new features added specifically for the new watch.

The TickTalk 4 now has more feature parity with other best smartwatches for kids. Though, with features like video calling, iHeartRadio Family, and dual-cameras, the TickTalk 4 can stand out in a field that is becoming increasingly crowded and competitive.

This watch differs from the other kid’s smartwatches by not trying to look like every other watch — adult versions included. The TickTalk 4 is both a significant change from the previous version of the watch and a continuation of what made that device so good. Here are my thoughts after my son and I spent the last few weeks with…

Google Assistant is a fantastic bit of technology that is baked into Android phones, and knowing how to use Google Assistant without unlocking your phone makes it even better. This means that even if your phone is in your pocket, so long as the microphone can hear you speaking to it, you’ll be able to set reminders, turn on smart lights, and so much more, without even touching your phone. A few settings have to be updated first before you can enable this, but we’ve got your back.

How to use Google Assistant without unlocking your phone

Before getting to the process of enabling you to use your Google Assistant while your phone is locked, you’ll need to set up Voice Match. Follow that guide — or ignore it If you already have this done — then move onto the rest of the steps.

On your phone, open the Google app or activate Google Assistant by saying “OK, Google or by swiping in from the lower right or left corner.
Now, tap on Snapshot, the icon that looks like a box with three lin…

While trying to find a pair of the best noise-canceling headphones is a bit easier, tracking down a pair of the best volume-limiting headphones to protect your ears from excessive loudness within your headphones is a bit more difficult. The PuroPro wireless headphones from Puro Sound Labs are excellent at keeping the max volume of your audio under the recommended 85 decibels. Listening to high-decibel sounds for extended periods can cause damage. So having a pair of headphones that can limit the max volume to a safe level is a great idea. Here are the best volume-limiting headphones that keep noise safely below 85 decibels so you can listen longer.

Best Overall: Puro Sound Labs PuroPro

These volume-limiting headphones from Puro Sound Labs are a great-looking pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones that come with active noise-canceling (ANC) as well as adjustable max volume levels. The PuroPro headphones have two levels of volume limitation with a maximum of 85 decibels, safe for lo…

Using one of the best ergonomic keyboards can relieve unnecessary strain on your wrists, shoulders, and posture caused by traditional keyboards. Using a proper keyboard can make even the best Chromebook better. When it comes to ergonomic keyboard styles, there is a number to choose from. Some offer a curved split design, whereas some have a flat with a slight wave to the keys. Here are the best when it comes to ergonomic keyboards.

Best wireless ergonomic keyboards

Silent, yet accurate

Logitech Ergo K860 Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard

Staff Pick

Where the Logitech K350 mentioned previously offers a small posture change to typing, the Ergo K860 has a wider split to the keys as well as an arch the overall board shape. Together with shallower scooped keys that have a quiet press to them, these features come together to offer a more serene typing experience. The wireless Ergo K860 is also part of the Logitech Unifying Receiver, so it uses the same adapter for your other compatible …

From time to time, it’s good to restart your smartwatch to keep it running fresh, so knowing how to reboot or factory reset a Wear OS watch is helpful. The memory inside these devices can get a bit bogged down sometimes with temporary files, and a restart can help get it all back to running in tip-top shape. Now and then, even some of the best Android smartwatches need a reboot, maybe so far as a factory reset to fix an issue. Regardless of the reason, here is how to reboot or reset your Wear OS watch.

How to reboot a Wear OS watch

Get to your watch settings by swiping down from the top of your screen.
Select the gear icon to access the settings menu.

The other way to access your watch settings is by pressing the watch’s side button and scrolling to settings in your apps list.

Once you have opened the settings, scroll down to the bottom and tap on System.

Here is where you will find the option to restart your Wear OS watch.
The next screen will confirm that you wish to resta…

One of the best parts of having a smartwatch is the ability to swap watch faces whenever you feel like it, so it’s a good idea to know how to change the watch face on Wear OS watches so when the mood strikes — you can. Many watches come with some watch faces built-in, or you can use one of the best Wear OS apps, Facer, and choose from hundreds more. However, no matter how many watch face choices you have matter if you can’t use them. So let’s get into the ways you can change the watch face on your Wear OS watch.

How to change your watch face on the Wear OS watch

With your Wear OS watch powered on, tap on the screen or press the side button to wake it up.
Press and hold on the watch face for a couple of seconds.

You’ll see the available choices to choose from on your watch by swiping left or right on the screen.
When you find a watch face you like, simply tap on it to activate it on your watch.

Regardless of whether you are using the TicWatch Pro 3 or any other Wear OS watch,…

Wristwatches and speakers aren’t commonly thought of together, but for a smartwatch, it’s really handy to have, and we’ve put together a list of all the Wear OS devices with a speaker for you. Not only does a speaker allow you to make and receive phone calls right on your wrist, but it can also be used when talking to the Google Assistant. Even some of the best Android watches may not have a speaker, but here are your best options if it’s a must-have feature for your wrist.

Latest and greatest

TicWatch Pro 3

Staff Pick

The TicWatch Pro 3 pulls all of the best parts from previous generations of TicWatch Pro watches and makes it all better. It’s slimmer than ever before, has an SpO2 sensor, and a reworked secondary display. Not to mentio, it’s the first watch to run the Snapdragon 4100, so using Google Assistant and hearing responses from the speaker are fast.

$300 at Amazon
$297 at Walmart
$300 at B&H

Be ready

TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE

TicWatch Pro 4G/LTE has a signa…