Articles by Hayato Huseman

By now, you’ve probably seen iOS users tweeting and posting about Clubhouse, an audio-based social network that, for the moment, is limited to iPhones only. No need to feel too left out, though. Twitter has developed its own version of the platform called Spaces, which integrates directly into the Twitter app you likely already have on your phone. The whole layout may seem a bit confusing at first, but it’s addictingly simple to use once you get the hang of it. Let’s take a look at how to use Twitter Spaces for Android.

How to use Twitter Spaces

Along with the Clubhouse service that inspired it, Twitter Spaces essentially acts at an interactive conference call that connects listeners with their friends, favorite creators, and public figures. So whether you’ve set out to pick up on small bits of insider secrets or you just want to have a casual group conversation, Spaces offers a quick and direct way to converse with others. These are the steps you need to take to use Twitter Spaces…

Smart doorbells and cameras are a great way to add a sense of security to your home and keep an extra eye on things, even when you’re away. But when accessed by the wrong person, cameras and doorbells can also be deeply troubling. Even though Ring makes some of the best security cameras and doorbells, you can never be too careful. You’ve probably read articles about online intruders hacking into people’s connected cameras and even using the two-way audio to terrorize residents on the other end. Far too often, the “hacker” simply takes advantage of a weak password. As a result, Ring began requiring users to enable two-factor authentication from February 2020 onward. So let’s not delay any further. We’ll show you how to enable two-factor authentication on your Ring account to fully secure your devices.

How to enable 2FA from your phone

Two-factor authentication is an absolute must these days, especially with something as private as a live camera feed. Enabling it from the Ring app on…

Everything you need, without the luxuries you don’t.

It’s easy to get drawn in by the allure of über-premium devices like the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but if there’s anything Samsung learned from last fall’s shockingly performant Galaxy S20 FE, it’s that for many users, the best Android phone isn’t necessarily the one with the highest price tag. That’s especially true now, as thousands across the U.S. are struggling to make ends meet. Dropping four figures on a phone is just not an

The Galaxy S21 felt like the right phone arriving at the right time. It launched $200 cheaper than last year’s S20, and with aggressive trade-in offers, it could (and still can) be had for much less. While it makes a few concessions in order to reach that lower price, the S21 still offers a fully-fledged flagship experience that I think most people will be perfectly happy with — but make no mistake, this isn’t just a smaller S21 Ultra by any means. And that’s okay.

Samsung Galaxy S21 review

Price an…

Mint Mobile is a prepaid carrier operating on T-Mobile’s network that sells its plans in multi-month bundles so you can save money. You can buy three, six, or 12 months at a time. Plans come in 4GB, 10GB, 15GB, or even unlimited and include 5G. If you decide to try out Mint Mobile, porting your number from another carrier is relatively simple and painless. Best of all, it’s free.

Products used in this guide

Unlimited calls, texts, and 4GB: Mint Mobile ($45 for three months at Mint Mobile)
Unlocked with LTE and 5G: Samsung Galaxy S20 5G ($1,000 at Best Buy)

Bring your number to Mint

Before starting the porting process, it’s important to note that your phone number must remain active on your previous carrier throughout the process. If you cancel your old service before moving to Mint, you likely won’t be able to recover your phone number — at least, not without going through a much more tedious process.

Once you’ve decided on a plan and received your Mint Mobile SIM card, star…

Car repairs can be costly (duh!), and the ominous glow of that check engine light could mean you have myriad issues that need immediate attention. However, it could also be a simple fix that you could do yourself. So why take it to the dealer or a mechanic without knowing what the problem is first? Some places will charge you substantially just for the scan. Instead, skip the headache and grab a home ODB2 scanner, download the app, and become your own second opinion. Here are some of the best OBD2 car readers for Android that you can get right now.

Best reviewed

BAFX Products Bluetooth scanner

Staff Pick

The BAFX Products 34t5 claims to work on all vehicles in the U.S. from 1996 or later — all you need is a third-party app and an Android phone or tablet.

$21 at Amazon

Best value

Panlong Bluetooth OBD2 car reader

Panlong’s OBD II scanner works with most post-1996 vehicles (sans some hybrids) and lets you read and clear trouble codes with real-time data readings.

$13 at …

Massive year-over-year improvements and a noteworthy new addition.

Update, September 2021: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review, long-term review

The Galaxy S series has been a staple of the Android ecosystem for over a decade now, but the Ultra line has only been around for a year. The Galaxy S20 Ultra was poised as the best Samsung phone money could buy, with a gargantuan screen and the company’s most versatile camera system ever — all at a record-high price of $1,400.

This year’s sequel brings the price back down to Earth while improving Samsung’s Space Zoom technology and serves as a launching point for Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 888 platform in the U.S. It’s a phone for enthusiasts and power users alike, correcting some of the shortcomings of its predecessor and bringing a lot of great new features to the mix — including one that may signal the end of another premium division of Samsung’s lineup.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review

Price and availabiility
Hardware and desi…

Smart lighting isn’t just limited to turning your bulbs on and off from your phone or changing their colors by asking Alexa. With the best smart light bulbs, you can even soup up your gaming rig with lights that follow the rhythm and beats of your games, turning your entire room into a living visualizer. These are some of the top smart lights for gaming to consider.

Bulbs for your lamps

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance – LED Smart Bulb

Staff Pick

If you don’t already have an elaborate smart lighting rig, why not start simple with a couple of bulbs? You can start with one, two, or however many Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance bulbs you want and connect directly to your phone via Bluetooth. No hub needed. Philips Hue partners with gaming brands like Razer so that your lights can match the changing colors of your Chroma-powered peripherals.

$100 at Amazon (3 Pack) $100 at Best Buy (3 Pack) $80 at Walmart (2 Pack)

Ambient glow

Philips Hue Bluetooth Smart Lightstrip

Ju…

The best Android phones are capable of just about anything these days, but that can be overwhelming or just downright unnecessary for some. Not everybody needs a high-end camera or a huge screen in their pocket at all times, and you certainly shouldn’t have to pay for features you’ll never use. So whether you’re longing for a more straightforward experience or just want the cheapest possible vessel for calls and texts, these are the best flip phones that should be on your radar.

Best overall

TracFone My Flip 2

Staff Pick

TracFone is well-known for its reasonably priced pre-paid phones, and the My Flip 2 is one of its more popular affordable options. For less than $20, you get a pocketable device that can do all the basics, plus it comes equipped with access to popular apps and services like WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Google Maps, and Google Assistant.

$20 at Amazon – $20 at Walmart

Best premium flip phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 – Android Cell Phone

The Samsung …

LIFX A19

Everyday bulb

$50 at Amazon
$49 at Best Buy

Pros

Provides omnidirectional lighting
Fits in most lamps and hanging fixtures
Voice compatible
550 billion color options and white temperature
Easy setup with Wi-Fi

Cons

Wider base may not fit narrow fixtures

If you’re replacing a traditional light bulb in a floor lamp or hanging lighting fixture, the A19 shape will be a better fit for you. The shape disperses light across a wider area than the more directional BR30, and the smaller size fits into more sockets.

LIFX BR30

Bulge reflector

$50 at Amazon
$50 at Best Buy

Pros

Great as a single ceiling light
Equally good for can lights
Indoor/outdoor use
Voice compatible
Easy setup with Wi-Fi

Cons

Wider top may not fit some fixtures

For ceiling lights, can lights, and outdoor floodlights, the BR30 is an ideal shape that casts light more directly than the A19. Designed to serve almost as a downlight, the BR30 can still easily light up an entire room with…

Sony’s WH-1000XM4 over-ear headphones are incredibly popular for travelers, and with good reason. They offer a near-perfect blend of great sound quality, battery life, and of course, active noise-canceling. Unfortunately, they’re expensive, but they’re far from your only option in this increasingly popular field. Whether you’re after better comfort or just don’t like the capacitive controls, some of these alternatives may be a better fit for you.

Best overall

Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700

Staff pick

Bose’s 700-series headphones go a step above the QC35s, with better sound quality and a much sleeker design that feels incredibly comfortable on your head. Of course, you still get excellent noise cancellation, USB-C, and even Alexa built in. Consider the Bose 700 your all-over upgrade pick.

$379 at Amazon $379 at Best Buy $379 at Walmart

Superior audio

B&O Beoplay HX

Bang & Olufsen delivers some of the best audio around, even with its Bluetooth headphones. The H…