Articles by Joe Maring

Sit down and get comfy — we’ve got a lot to talk about.

Google’s Pixel lineup has changed and evolved a lot since its inception in 2016, with 2019 giving us the Pixel 4 series. In some ways, the Pixel 4 and 4 XL stood out as two of the most interesting Pixels ever — introducing 90Hz displays, dual cameras, and more. As we all know by now, however, battery life troubles held the phones back from greatness.

It’s now 2020, and the Pixel 5 has officially been released. With Google’s next big Pixel here, what do you still need to know about the Pixel 4? Let’s take a look.

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Price & availability
Review
Specs
Comparisons
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Pixel 5

Now available

Google Pixel 5

$700 at Amazon
$700 at Best Buy
$699 at B&H

The latest Pixel has arrived

Google had a lot of interesting ideas with the Pixel 4, but there was just no way to ignore its poor battery life. The Pixel 5 is a lot less interesting by comparison, but in removing some of the Pixel 4’s more uniq…

Amazon’s early access gaming service does a lot right.

I think it’s safe to say that cloud gaming isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are three of the largest tech giants on the planet, and every one of them has invested ample resources into their own streaming efforts. Amazon is the most recent addition to the space, with its “Luna” platform being unveiled back in September.

At first glance, Luna appears to right all of the wrongs that Stadia encountered during its launch. It has a lower monthly price (at least for now), it’s available on much more hardware right out of the gate, and you get instant access to over 100 titles that you don’t have to pay extra for. To actually use the service, how does all of that hold up?

I’ve been using Luna for the past few days as part of the invite-only beta program, and while there certainly are areas that I’d like to see improved by the time it fully launches, it’s already off to a solid start.

Early access

A…

Get the most out of your new Pixel.

With the Pixel 5, Google’s tried something a bit different than it has in years past. Rather than attempting to create the most powerful and technically impressive phone on the market, the company instead focused on delivering a high-end smartphone at a competitive price. The end result is a smartphone that’s considerably cheaper than options from Samsung and Apple, and especially during this year, that’s something we’re happy to see.

Something that hasn’t changed with the Pixel 5, however, is its focus on delivering unique and helpful features not found on any other phone. No one makes smartphones the way Google does, and similar to past releases, the Pixel 5 has a few tricks up its sleeve that really add to the overall user experience.

If you’ve purchased the Pixel 5, here are a few tips and tricks to help you get the absolute most out of it.

Master the on-screen Google Assistant gesture

Ever since the Pixel 2, Google has offered its Activ…

Chatting with the AC forums.

Yesterday, October 29, Google finally launched the Pixel 5 a month after its initial unveiling. The phone is now shipping out to those that pre-ordered it, and taking a look through our AC forums, a few lucky members have already received theirs.

The Pixel 5 is a big departure from the Pixel 4 that came out before it, with Google abandoning the flagship race and instead focusing on delivering the best experience possible while keeping costs affordable. As we discovered in our full review of the phone, this new strategy paid off in spades.

As for what other people think about the Pixel 5, here’s what some of those early adopters have to say:

Scott337
10-29-2020 06:44 PM

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My wife’s Pixel 5 arrived today. Compared to my Pixel 4XL it does look tiny, even though it’s not really a lot smaller. It just looks so much smaller at first glance. Maybe that’s the problem? We …

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has a curved AMOLED display covered with Gorilla Glass 6, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need a great screen protector. Curved glass is inherently more vulnerable than flat, and the Note 20 Ultra’s massive screen leaves many opportunities for scratches and potential cracks. That’s why you should buy one of the best Note 20 Ultra screen protectors for your new, expensive phone.

The glass way

Venoro Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Staff Pick

Venoro is a name we often rely on for quality screen protectors for all major phone releases, and with the Note 20 Ultra, it’s showing up to the plate yet again. This single-screen protector is of the tempered glass variety, offering incredibly scratch resistance, a 99.99% transparency rating, and a super slim design at just 0.2mm thick.

$12 at Amazon

Combo

BAZO Soft Screen Protector (2-Pack)

If you’re looking to stretch your dollars a bit more, you can’t ignore this package from BAZO. It all sta…

You can get a lot of phone for a modest price these days, and to prove it, we’ve rounded up a list of the best Android phones under $300 for your consideration. Motorola has been a leading name in mid-range options for years, and that holds true with its excellent Moto G Power. For an extremely competitive price, you get capable specs with a big display and simple software that anyone can figure out. Plus, it has a massive battery and convenient USB-C charging.

Best Overall Android Phone under $300: Moto G Power

Motorola launched a few different Moto G phones for 2020, but the one that stands out as the best pick for most people is the Moto G Power. This is a phone that nails all the basics, has a very affordable price, and a cool trick up its sleeve — battery life.

A 5,000 mAh battery is crammed inside of the Moto G Power, meaning you can get between two and three days of use out of the phone before needing to charge it up. In a world where a lot of $1,000 flagships need to b…

Samsung has big shoes to fill in 2021.

2020 has seen the release of some truly impressive Android phones, one of the best being the Galaxy S20 from Samsung. The S20 set out to deliver on every front that it could, and for the most part, it succeeded with flying colors.

It’s now been a few months since the S20 came out, though, which means it’s time to start looking ahead. The smartphone industry moves at a rapid pace, and before you know it, it’ll be time for the Galaxy S21 (or S30, we’re not sure yet).

We’re using this article to round-up all of the latest S21/S30 rumors, reports, and leaks, so if you’re at all interested in learning about the phone, this is where you want to be.

Unmatched

Samsung Galaxy S20

$850 at Amazon
$850 at Best Buy
$1000 at Walmart

One of the best Android phones you can buy in 2020

We’re just as excited about the Galaxy S21 as you are, but if you need a phone right now, don’t feel like you have to wait months for it. The Galaxy S20 that’s curre…

It’s no Chromecast, but the Stream 4K has a lot to offer.

This year has proven to be a really fascinating year for cord-cutting. Peacock and HBO Max both hit the scene, major movies have forgone theaters entirely in favor of digital-only releases, and there’s been a revival for Android TV. Following 2019’s updates to the NVIDIA Shield TV family, this year has given us the Chromecast with Google TV and the TiVo Stream 4K.

The TiVo Stream 4K hasn’t gotten the same buzz or attention as the new Chromecast, and when you compare the two side-by-side, it’s a little confusing as to why that is. The Stream 4K has many of the same features that the Chromecast does, right down to content curation features that make it easier to find what you want to watch.

TiVo did a lot right with the Stream 4K, and while I don’t think it’s a better overall gadget compared to Chromecast, it’s absolutely worth considering depending on the kind of streaming you do.

TiVo Stream 4K review:

Price and availa…

The Android choice

Google Pixel 5

$700 at Amazon

Pros

OLED display is 90Hz
Cameras take incredible photos
Long-lasting battery
Compact and comfortable to hold
Lower price

Cons

Lackluster speakers
Only one storage option

Google’s Pixel phones have always been good, but the Pixel 5 is the first one that we’re happy to recommend to just about anyone. Its 90Hz OLED display looks great, the cameras are still among the best you can get, and battery life is (actually) reliable. It’s also one of the most affordable Pixel flagships we’ve ever seen, making it an enticing pickup if you want a high-end Android handset without spending a ton of cash.

Apple greatness

iPhone 12

From $799 at Apple

Pros

Gorgeous new design
OLED screen looks great
Fantastic cameras
MagSafe tech is really cool
Years of guaranteed updates

Cons

Display is only 60Hz
More expensive

The new iPhone 12 is more expensive than the iPhone 11 that came out before it, but it packs a ton of compelli…

If you want to get your hands on the best Android phone in 2020, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is for you. It’s a device that delivers all of the high-end specs and features you could ask for in a flagship smartphone, all while coming in at a lower price than a lot of its competition. That said, if you’re in the market for something more affordable, with different software, or a more unique design, there are plenty of other options to consider.

The best Android phones at a glance

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE — Best Overall: A fully-fledged flagship smartphone for less money than you’d expect.
OnePlus 8 Pro — Best Premium: Offers an even better design, higher-quality cameras, and faster wireless charging.
Google Pixel 4a — Best Value: If you like getting good bang-for-your-buck.
Moto G Power — Best on a Budget: All-around great Android experience for an even better price.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra — Best Ultra Premium: Ultra-premium features and specs with a price to match
Google P…