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Help & How To

Amazon Alexa: Everything you need to know about the heart of the Echo

6 Comments
Posted by Phil Nickinson on 19 Aug 2017 10:00 am
You wouldn't have the Amazon Echo (or Echo Dot, or Echo Show, or whatever) without Amazon Alexa. Here's what you need to know about the two. Amazon Echo. Or Alexa. They're one and the same, really. That is, an Amazon Echo without Alexa really isn't any more than just a speaker. And Alexa without a speaker is just ... Well, nothing. Confused yet. I don't blame you. Let's explain the...

How to enable and use Instant Apps on Android

26 Comments
Posted by Daniel Bader on 18 Aug 2017 4:16 pm
Instant Apps make it easier to get things done on Android without downloading apps. Here's how. Instant Apps are a neat idea: instead of downloading an app from the Play Store that takes time, resources and, in many countries, expensive mobile data, it allows Android users running Marshmallow and above (and soon Lollipop, too) to "try before you buy." Since rolling out to all developers...

How to recover a lost MetroPCS password or PIN

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Posted by Adam Zeis on 18 Aug 2017 4:21 pm
Lost your MetroPCS password or PIN? You can get it back in just a few easy steps! Have a lost MetroPCS password or PIN issue? Not to worry! You can easily recover it a number of ways providing you have all of the account information available. Here's how to get it done!

Where to buy the Essential Phone

5 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 18 Aug 2017 1:45 pm
Where to buy the Essential Phone
It's hot, it's hyped, and it's now on sale. If you're looking for a high-end phone, it's hard to ignore the gravity of the Essential Phone right now. When a company run by Andy Rubin releases a phone, people take notice — and they'll also have to take out their wallet, because the Essential Phone is a cool $699. It's available in the U.S. and Canada, with a variety of retailer options and a...

How to set up a VPN on Android

4 Comments
Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 18 Aug 2017 11:01 am
Setting up a VPN on your phone is easier than you think. One of the easiest ways to protect yourself and your privacy while you are using the internet is with a VPN. Filtering traffic and tunneling through an anonymous service isn't something most people can set up themselves, and there are plenty of companies out there who want to do it for you. We've looked at a few of the services and their...

A parent's guide to managing their kid's social media presence

10 Comments
Posted by Russell Holly on 18 Aug 2017 8:00 am
Parent's Guide
If your child hasn't created an account on at least one social network by now, chances are the question has come up. Besides being easier to connect with entire groups of friends and classmates through these services, schools are becoming increasingly involved in sharing group accomplishments on social media for all of the parents to see at once. Combine that with the relatively recent...

How to use App Twin on the Huawei Mate 9

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Posted by Florence Ion on 18 Aug 2017 7:00 am
You can clone Facebook or WhatsApp to log in with two different accounts at the same time. Running a business from your smartphone? That's pretty cool, but I bet you feel like switching between personal and business accounts is kind of a pain in the butt. Fortunately, some Android devices offer the ability to make an "app twin," essentially emulating an existing app so that you can log in with...

How to use MetroPCS Wi-Fi Calling

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Posted by Adam Zeis on 17 Aug 2017 9:30 am
If your signal drops out, MetroPCS WiFi calling can save the day. Wi-Fi calling is nothing new — it's been around on various carriers for years. MetroPCS Wi-Fi calling — just like many others — lets you make phone calls or send texts even if you have no cellular signal. Typically when you're out of service, you're out of luck. However, with MetroPCS Wi-Fi calling, you can still get through as...

What do I need to jump from the Big Four to an alternative carrier?

41 Comments
Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 17 Aug 2017 7:00 am
Mint LTE
Making the change to an alternative carrier can save you money and give you better service, but you need to know a few things before you do it. When you port out your number and switch away from one of the Big Four to a carrier that might work better for you, nothing is hard. You either click a few buttons online and enter a few details or make a phone call from someone else's phone and a...

How to set up Google Home with multiple users

7 Comments
Posted by Jen Karner on 16 Aug 2017 3:10 pm
Google can differentiate between up to six Google accounts, making it easy for the whole house to use! Google Home works by recognizing your voice, letting you listen to music, add items to your shopping list and even check the day's news. With multi-user support, that goes a step further allowing up to six different accounts to link to a single Google Home. This means that every account can...

How to unlock a MetroPCS phone

1 Comment
Posted by Adam Zeis on 16 Aug 2017 6:00 am
Looking to unlock a MetroPCS phone? You've come to the right place! If you happen to have a MetroPCS phone that you want to use on a new carrier, often times you'll have to unlock it first. Unlocking simply means that your phone is "locked" to a carrier (in this case, MetroPCS) and needs to be "unlocked" before you can use it elsewhere. When you want to unlock a MetroPCS phone you have a few...

If you're buying The Lion King, make sure to connect Disney Movies Anywhere

40 Comments
Posted by Ara Wagoner on 15 Aug 2017 10:00 am
Most digital copies are a letdown. Disney's are not. We've all seen it: buy the movie before it's out on Blu-ray, and you don't get any special features, and your copy is stuck in one store forever. It sucks, right? WRONG! Disney has a digital system that makes buying the movie early an actually tempting thing to do, and it all has to do with connecting digital stores and awesome app...

What are Adaptive Icons and why do I want them?

13 Comments
Posted by Ara Wagoner on 14 Aug 2017 1:00 pm
Android icons have always been a mess. Adaptive icons want to fix that. Android is an open system, and it's a diverse system, especially when it comes to its apps and their icons. Some icons are lifted straight from the iOS versions of the same app. Some icons have unique and fun shapes. Some icons are completely flat, while others have deep drop shadows. Your app drawer on Android can look...

Mint SIM vs. Project Fi: Which is better for you?

Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 14 Aug 2017 7:00 am
It's Mint SIM vs. Project Fi in this head-to-head comparison. Mint SIM and Project Fi are "alternative carriers" or mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). They're not the Big Four (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile), but they lease coverage from those networks and resell it to you for less. Plans are often prepaid and fixed contracts are few and far between. Let's compare Mint SIM and...

How to find your lost Android phone

36 Comments
Posted by Marc Lagace on 13 Aug 2017 12:00 pm
How to track an Android phone
How do I track my Android phone? There are quite a few tools at your disposal. Worried about misplacing your phone or (worse yet) having it stolen? Ease your fears and set up a tracking system before your worst case scenario strikes. For best locating results, your phone should be connected to a Wi-Fi signal, but GPS and mobile networks will still manage to pinpoint a fairly accurate location...

How to change the APN on MetroPCS

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Posted by Adam Zeis on 11 Aug 2017 7:00 am
It's easy to change APN on MetroPCS if you're having issues. Here's how to do it! When bringing a third-party device to MetroPCS, it's not unusual to have to change the APN settings on your phone. The APN — or Access Point Name — is a gateway from your phone to the carrier that helps to make communications run smoothly. Many times you'll find that if you're having trouble sending or receiving...

Where to buy the Moto Z2 Force

30 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 10 Aug 2017 10:50 am
Moto Z2 Force
A new phone is only as good as how easy it is to buy. In the year since the original Moto Z launched, Motorola made big improvements to its launch strategy. Not only is the Moto Z2 Force available on most big U.S. carriers, but retailers like Best Buy and even Motorola.com are getting in on the fun. U.S. carriers Complete U.S. carrier support, you say? Absolutely, take your pick of the top...

Where can I buy a MetroPCS SIM card?

1 Comment
Posted by Adam Zeis on 10 Aug 2017 6:00 am
If you're looking to buy a MetroPCS SIM — not to worry — you have a few options. If you're in the market to buy a MetroPCS SIM card, you have a few options at your disposal. Of course, the easiest method is to just stop by a MetroPCS store and pick one up, but if that's not in your gameplay, here are some other options for you.

How to activate a MetroPCS phone

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Posted by Adam Zeis on 9 Aug 2017 1:58 pm
Want to activate a MetroPCS phone? You've come to the right place! So you've picked up a new phone and want to activate it on MetroPCS — but where do you start? The process isn't very hard and can be done fairly quickly. You'll have to install your SIM, pick a phone plan and call customer service to activate your MetroPCS phone. Here's how to do it!

Can I use a Google Pixel on MetroPCS?

1 Comment
Posted by Adam Zeis on 9 Aug 2017 1:59 pm
The short answer is yes — you can use a Google Pixel on MetroPCS While MetroPCS offers plenty of great Android phones, you may want to bring your own device that isn't offered by MetroPCS — including the Google Pixel or Pixel XL. Thankfully, you can use a Google Pixel on MetroPCS without a hitch!

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