Articles by Joe Maring

Even though it was released a year ago, the Galaxy Note 10 is still a great Android phone with a stupidly fast processor, three rear cameras, and a gorgeous AMOLED display with virtually no bezel. It’s an incredibly thin phone, and as such, it’s perfectly complemented by a similarly thin case. If that’s what you’re after to protect your device so it can last you another year, here are our top picks!

Thin and colorful

Anccer Colorful Series

Staff pick

When it comes to thin cases, few do it as good as Anccer. The company’s Colorful Series line of cases is always a safe bet, with the 0.3mm thinness adding virtually no bulk to the Note 10 at all. We especially love how many colors are available, some of which have a unique gravel texture.

$7 at Amazon

Shockingly durable

Spigen Liquid Air Armor

Spigen makes a few great thin case options, one of which being the Liquid Air Armor. This slim profile looks and feels great on the Note 10, and the pattern on the back offers a u…

Whether you’re just beginning your weight loss journey or you’re deep into a workout regimen and want to start tracking your progress, a smart scale is an awesome way to keep your fitness goals in check. These scales connect to a corresponding app on your phone or tablet and show you detailed data that you wouldn’t get from an ordinary bathroom scale. Our favorite is the Eufy Smart Scale P1, which is easy to use, tracks 14 metrics, and can accommodate multiple users. No matter what features you desire, there’s a smart scale on this list for you.

Best Overall: Eufy Smart Scale P1

If you’re looking for the best combination of features, an attractive design, and a user-friendly app, you’ll love the Eufy Smart Scale P1. It can track up to 14 insightful metrics including body fat, BMI, muscle mass, and more. Got multiple users? No problem. This smart scale allows for up to 16 different users.

It’s compatible with popular apps, including Apple Health, Google Fit, and Fitbit. This is e…

It started as a small enthusiast brand back in 2014, but OnePlus has quickly exploded into a mainstream hit that’s responsible for making some of the best Android smartphones every year. If you know you want to buy a OnePlus phone but aren’t sure which model to get, we’ve got a quick list to help you decide which one is right for you!

Best of the best

OnePlus 8 Pro

Staff pick

With the OnePlus 8 Pro, OnePlus finally released a phone without holding back a single feature. All of the OnePlus essentials are here, such as a gorgeous 120Hz display, Snapdragon 865 processor, a huge 4,510 mAh battery, and up to 12GB of RAM. The 8 Pro has the best camera setup we’ve ever seen on a OnePlus device, in addition to 30W wireless charging and an official IP68 dust/water resistance rating.

From $899 at Amazon

Familiar formula

OnePlus 8

If you like what the OnePlus 8 Pro has to offer but just can’t justify its steep price, it’s worth considering the regular OnePlus 8 instead. The display …

A lot can change in seven years.

Techno-stalgia

Android Central

The first phones I loved
Android 10 vs. Android 4.4

Windows Central

Remembering Xbox 360
Best video games of the ’80s
Why Zune was great

All the way back in 2008, a little phone by the name of the T-Mobile G1 was released. As many of you probably know, it was the first publicly-available smartphone that was powered by Android.

The T-Mobile G1 shipped with Android 1.0, and over the years since then, Android has gone through countless updates that have tweaked and refined it to the point where we are now with Android 10 (and soon to be Android 11). The Android we have today is a far cry from past versions in some ways, and in others, a lot of that old DNA still holds true.

I wanted to get a better idea of just how much Android has changed over the past few years, so I went into my drawer of old phones, dug out my 2013 Moto X running Android 4.4.3, and compared it side-by-side with my Pixel 4 XL on Andr…

Let’s chat with the AC forums.

Yesterday was a big day for the Android community. Out of nowhere and with very little fanfare, Google launched the Android 11 Beta for everyone to download and try for themselves.

There’s a lot to unpack with the beta, including the likes of chat bubbles, revamped conversation notifications, smart home controls in the new power button interface, and much, much more.

Taking a gander through the AC forums, it looks like a lot of our members have already downloaded and installed the software.

bhatech
06-10-2020 12:55 PM

“

Didn’t try the developer previews, installing the public very today

https://developer.android.com/android11
Reply

TgeekB
06-10-2020 02:56 PM

“

I’ll sit back and watch. Thanks to all those making the jump!
Reply

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A look back at what Pie brought to the table.

Every year sees the release of a new Android version, and in 2018, we got Android 9 Pie.

Android Pie was a notable update for a few different reasons. Not only did it introduce things like gesture-based navigation and an upgraded UI, but it was also the last Android version to come with a tasty dessert name.

We may not talk about Android Pie a lot these days, but that doesn’t take away from its importance at all. Here’s everything you need to know about the software here in 2020!

Check out our Pie review
The Pie update cycle is over
Gestures were a big deal
Pie introduced a lot of features
Android 10 is now available
Don’t forget about Android 11

Pure Android

Google Pixel 4 XL

From $818 at Amazon
From $900 at Best Buy

Get the newest Android update ASAP

If you want to make sure you’re first-in-line for Android updates as they become available, the Pixel 4 XL is the phone for you. It’s currently running the latest build of An…

Stay connected, stay safe.

Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do while behind the wheel. It puts you and everyone else on the road at risk, and while it should go without saying, is obviously something we don’t condone.

That said, there are times when you need to stay connected even when in your car. Whether you’re following turn-by-turn navigation, making a hands-free phone call, or controlling your music while on a long road trip, having a device to do all of these things is a must.

Google is aware of that, and that’s why it created Android Auto. Android Auto is software that’s available on your phone and in your car, and it gives you a way to do all of the things mentioned above as safely as possible. Ready to learn more? Keep on reading!

Here are the basics
Android Auto is on your phone
It’s also in your car
The Assistant is here
There are a bunch of apps
A new phone UI is coming

Auto upgrade

Sony XAVAX3000

$300 at Best Buy

Elevate your A…

The spiritual successor to the OnePlus X is coming soon.

Leading up to the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro launch, the rumor mill was strongly suggesting that the two phones would be joined by a budget-focused OnePlus 8 Lite. As time went on, that name went to the wayside and it was starting to be referred to as the OnePlus Z. The product unveiling came and went, and there’s still no OnePlus 8 Lite/OnePlus Z in sight.

The phone is still coming, we just have to wait a little while longer before we can get our hands on it.

Based on what we know so far, the OnePlus Z should carry the same ideals of 2015’s OnePlus X. In other words, we’re expecting a phone with great build quality, good specs, and a super low price. Interested in learning more? Let’s dive in!

The phone looks great
It’s a successor to the OnePlus X
Mid-range specs should be present
Expect a competitive price
A July launch seems likely
Lest we forget the OnePlus 8

Nice balance

OnePlus 8

From $699 at Amazon
From $699 at On…

The Samsung Galaxy S20+ has everything you could want from a 2020 flagship. There’s a powerful Snapdragon 865 processor, multiple rear cameras, and a gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED display. That display is one of the main reasons to pick up the S20+, but if it happens to get scratched or shattered, the experience won’t be the same. Prevent that from happening by picking up a screen protector. Trust us; you want one.

Complete package

Caseology Film Screen Protector (2-Pack)

Staff Pick

After picking up the Galaxy S20+, chances are you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a screen protector. Thanks to Caseology, you don’t have to. This package gives you two protectors at a great price, in addition to an impressive feature-set. The protectors are crystal clear, scratch-resistant, compatible with the in-screen fingerprint sensor, and can self-heal themselves.

$11 at Amazon
$12 at eBay

Tour de force

Dome Glass Whitestone Screen Protector

We know that Dome Glass’s protector won’t …

A look back at one of 2018’s best phones.

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Ferris Bueller said it best back in 1986, and that sentiment applies perfectly to the Android landscape. It feels like new phones are coming out every single day, meaning your current phone is probably a lot older than you may think.

The Galaxy Note 9 was released back in August 2018, meaning it’s quickly approaching its second birthday. In regards to smartphones, that’s basically a lifetime. The Note 9 is no longer a hip and modern phone we actively recommend people buy, but if you still have the device yourself or are simply interested in learning more about it, that’s what this article is for. Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about the Galaxy Note 9 in 2020.

Looking back at the Note 9
Read and watch our reviews
One UI 2 is now available
Check out these tips and tricks
Need accessories? Look here
The Note 10 is the cur…