All Posts by Jerry Hildenbrand | Android Central

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All Posts by Jerry Hildenbrand

YouTube now redirects searches for extremist videos to curated anti-terrorism playlists

11 Comments
Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 20 Jul 2017 7:13 pm
YouTube
The Redirect Method is a new active stance against online extremism. Starting today, YouTube will return results for curated anti-terrorist playlists when someone searches for hateful content. The details, from Tubefilter: The new feature, dubbed The Redirect Method, is part of a four-prong strategy announced by Google last month to quash extremist ideologies across its platforms. The...

Project Fi vs. Sprint: Which should you buy?

15 Comments
Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 20 Jul 2017 10:30 am
It's Sprint vs. Project Fi in this head-to-head comparison. Sprint and Project Fi are both network providers, but have very different strategies and sets of operations. Sprint is a company that owns its own equipment and everything required to build a nationwide LTE network in the U.S., complete with voice calls and messaging service. Project Fi is an alternative carrier, or MVNO (Mobile Virtual...

There's been a lot of work on Bluetooth in Android O, but we haven't seen it yet

22 Comments
Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 19 Jul 2017 4:24 pm
Tricks learned writing the software for the Pixel can hopefully make Bluetooth faster, stronger, and better. In their Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) session today, the Google team takes on Bluetooth. Specifically, if Android O can make it suck less. The team is aware of all the Bluetooth errors and inconsistencies evident on many Android phones and have used a trick they learned while writing the...

Android team explains how Project Treble will (and won't) improve Android

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Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 19 Jul 2017 3:59 pm
Googlers confirm most of what we knew (and had guessed) about Project Treble. Members of the Android engineering team at Google are participating in a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) today. Find a list of the team members participating here. One of the questions was about Project Treble and was wondering if thinking it could fix Android fragmentation was too optimistic. The response from the...

Most Secure Android Phone

Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 19 Jul 2017 2:00 pm
Google Pixel
Best overall Best for typing Best for simplicity Best overall Google Pixel See at Google See at Verizon The Google Pixel is the most secure Android phone you can buy, and one of the most secure phones of any available today. Without disabling any security protections, the Pixel and Pixel XL are updated to keep you protected against known public security exploits and remote installations...

Best HDR-capable TVs under $500

29 Comments
Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 19 Jul 2017 11:00 am
HDR video needs the right display, and you can get a great one for under $500. HDR can make a dramatic difference in how things on your TV look when you're watching, and since more and more HDR content is being produced and released, your next TV should support it. Paired with a Chromecast Ultra, you can have your own theatre experience right in your home. That doesn't mean you have to break...

Android is an open road, not a dead end

27 Comments
Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 18 Jul 2017 9:00 am
Android is what you see and touch, not the tech behind it. A recent article at OSNews called "Android is a dead end" brings up some good points to think about. While I think the conclusion is wrong, it does touch some important changes that are likely going to happen with Android. At least the phone OS version of Android. You should take a moment and read through it, if for nothing else than a...

Tips and tricks for comparing wireless plans and finding the perfect plan

9 Comments
Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 17 Jul 2017 1:00 pm
Here's how to make sure you have the right service plan for your phone, at the right price. We all want phone service that works just right each and every time we need it. And of course, we don't want to overpay for it, either. That's a tough find, but you can get close and find a plan that's good for you with a little legwork. Don't worry, it's easy legwork! The perfect plan The perfect...

Sit back and forget about Russia in this weekend's comment thread!

47 Comments
Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 15 Jul 2017 12:00 pm
Let's take a break from the drama. Even tech websites can't escape the trap that is politics. We know every time we write an article about something tech-related and political, the proverbial stuff will hit the fan. Especially any opinion pieces. That's not going to change how we feel about telling you important things you need to know, but it's usually just not fun. That's why it's called work...

Sprint head Masayoshi Son said to have talked to Warren Buffett and John Malone about potential deals

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Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 14 Jul 2017 3:41 pm
Possible Berkshire Hathaway deal worth $10 billion according to insiders. Sprint chairman Masayoshi Son held separate talks with Warren Buffett and Liberty Broadband chair John Malone at a recent CEO conference in Idaho, according to the Wall Street Journal. Son has been very proactive about exploring the options for Sprint, and we've seen talks of a renewed interest in a merger with T-Mobile...

Which phone accessories do you use every day? [Roundtable]

43 Comments
Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 14 Jul 2017 12:00 pm
These are the things we need every day. Gadgets nerds love accessories almost as much as the gadgets they are used with, and we're no exception. Really. You should see our Amazon order history. But some of the accessories we use get a little more attention than the others and we really don't want to go without them. Check out the phone accessories we rely on. Ara Wagoner I am a recent...

The Secret To Saving Money On Cellphones and Service

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Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 14 Jul 2017 8:00 am
You can save money on your phone and plan if you do a bit of homework before you buy. It's never fun to pay more than you need to. And that includes your phone and plan you use with it. Like most things, you can find a balance where you pay for what you actually use and need rather than pay what someone else thinks you need. That's the real secret to saving money on your phone and the service...

Samsung Chromebook Plus vs. Pro: The Differences and Which Should you Buy?

32 Comments
Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 13 Jul 2017 2:00 pm
Samsung's 2017 Chromebook lineup offers something for everyone with two equally great models. Samsung introduced a pair of great Chromebooks with the unveiling of the Pro and the Plus. In addition of the Chrome OS features we've been using like built-in security and the best web browsing experience you can get anywhere, Samsung and Google have introduced pressure sensitive drawing using a...

AT&T offering 2 months of prepaid phone service for free starting July 14

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Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 12 Jul 2017 5:45 pm
GoPhone is now AT&T PREPAID and you can get two months of service for free. We like prepaid service because of the flexibility and freedom it offers, usually for a lower price than you will find for a postpaid plan. When a company throws in freebies, we really love it. AT&T has a new promo starting July 14 where you can get two months of prepaid service if you keep using it....

Google introduces new desktop app to back up all your photos

26 Comments
Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 12 Jul 2017 5:29 pm
Never lose a photo again with this new desktop app from Google. Google Photos is one of the best online services any company has built. You can save any and every photo or video from your phone to Google's online servers and access them from anywhere else with an internet connection. It's a perfect way for keeping those pics somewhere they won't be lost or deleted. Today, it just got easier for...

Google is using deep learning and data analysis to curate the Play Store

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Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 12 Jul 2017 4:33 pm
Machine learning plays a big part in how apps are monitored in the Play Store. Google has released some details from the Security and Privacy team about how Google Play is being curated, and machine learning plays a big part. Google has two basic goals for applications in the Play Store: safety and exposure. The Security and Privacy team wants to weed out apps with malware, but they're also...

Should I run a VPN on my Android phone?

74 Comments
Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 11 Jul 2017 2:00 pm
If you want or need to use a VPN, the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to using one on your phone, too. With recent news of privacy-eroding deregulation and the ever-present threat of online data theft, VPNs are in the news more than ever. While the merits of which one is the best and why is a hot subject, little attention is paid to the obvious question — should I use one on my phone? We'...

The HTC Vive is a life-changing product for people with mobility issues

Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 11 Jul 2017 10:01 am
The HTC Vive lets you see the world when you're unable to go out and be there. When I first heard about products like the HTC Vive becoming real things you could actually buy, some of my first thoughts were about using one to virtually visit the places and see the sights I'd otherwise be unable to. Mobility issues and white water rafting through the Grand Canyon don't mix very well, for...

Top 10 Chromebook tips and tricks

Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 10 Jul 2017 10:01 am
ASUS Chromebook lid
If you love Chromebooks like we do you'll want to see these tips and tricks to make the most of them. Millions of people are using Chromebooks, but despite their simple and "for everyone" nature not every powerful feature is easy to access. Every Chromebook (or Chromebox) is a powerful tool that's just waiting to be used to its full potential, and once you know a few tricks you'll feel like...

Everything you need to know about the T-Mobile ONE unlimited plan

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Posted by Jerry Hildenbrand on 10 Jul 2017 9:30 am
A complete breakdown of T-Mobile's ONE plan and everything else you can get when you sign up for service from Big Magenta. In the United States, there are a lot of companies that can get you and your phone online, but most people use one of the four biggest: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon. Choosing between them can be difficult. Your first priority should be what service works best in...

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