Joe Fedewa, How-To Geek Journalist Profile

Articles

The Pebble Smartwatch Is What Smartwatches Should Have Been

4 days ago | howtogeek.com | Joe Fedewa

Before the days of tiny wrist computers trying to do everything your phone can do, there was Pebble. It was a very different experience from smartwatches today, and I can’t help but wish that the philosophy of Pebble watches had been more popular. Always-on Display Without the Trade-Offs One of the biggest things Pebble got right was the display. Instead of power-hungry, vibrant OLEDs that demand attention and drain your battery in a day, Pebble used e-paper.
One UI 8 Beta (Android 16) Could Arrive for Samsung Phones This Month

5 days ago | howtogeek.com | Joe Fedewa

Get ready, Samsung Galaxy users. The next big update for your phone might be closer than you think. According to a report, Samsung will be kicking off the One UI 8 beta program (based on Android 16) sooner than anticipated. Back in March, reports indicated that Samsung had started internal testing of One UI 8. This put Samsung a couple of months ahead of the schedule they’d followed with One UI 7.
Google’s Massive Android Redesign Looks Great, But Who Will See It?

6 days ago | howtogeek.com | Joe Fedewa

Google got a bit ahead of itself and accidentally published a blog post about the massive upcoming Android redesign. It looks fresh, modern, and playful—perfect for the current design trends. But there's a big problem: will enough people actually get to see it? "Material 3 Expressive" was supposed to be announced at Google I/O this month, but the blog post that has since been pulled gave us an early look.
Every Phone I’ve Owned Since 2010, Ranked

1 week ago | howtogeek.com | Joe Fedewa

If you're a techie like me, you've probably had a lot of phones over the years. Each one is a little snapshot of a specific time in your life. But some phones stand above the rest, and I've gone through my personal archives to find which one is at the top. Now, as a long-time phone reviewer, my definition of a phone I "owned" is a bit different. Not every phone on this list was purchased with my own money.
The OnePlus Watch 3 Is Proof That Smartwatch Battery Life Doesn’t Have to Suck

1 week ago | howtogeek.com | Joe Fedewa

The OnePlus Watch 3 boasts a rotating crown button, a vibrant AMOLED display, and a unique design. Running on Wear OS, the OnePlus Watch 3 offers a smooth performance and a responsive software experience. The OnePlus Watch 3 excels in battery life, lasting three to five days, making it ideal for those who prioritize long-lasting battery power. The OnePlus Watch 3 has arrived, and as usual, the company made some bold claims.
Today Is the Day: Skype Is Officially Shutting Down for Good

1 week ago | howtogeek.com | Joe Fedewa

Skype officially shuts down on May 5, 2025. Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion. Users can switch to Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, WhatsApp, or Telegram for communication. Well, today's the day. After all these years, Skype is finally shutting down. That familiar blue icon and bubbly ringtone are going dark, leaving some people looking for a new destination for their video calls and chats. Skype is officially saying goodbye today, May 5, 2025.
First Look at Google’s Unfinished DeX-Like Desktop Mode for Android

1 week ago | howtogeek.com | Joe Fedewa

Google is developing a new desktop interface called "Desktop View" for Android phones. "Desktop View" will include features like a persistent taskbar and freeform, resizable windows. While still a work in progress, the new desktop mode shows Google's progress towards offering a PC-like multitasking experience. For years, if you’ve wanted to plug your Android phone into a monitor and get something that felt remotely like a desktop, your only option has essentially been Samsung DeX.
Boox Made a Color E-Ink Monitor for Some Reason

2 weeks ago | howtogeek.com | Joe Fedewa

Color e-ink displays offer eye comfort but lack vibrancy, unimpressive for color-sensitive work. Boox Mira Pro Color's slow refresh rate and pricing cast doubt on its practicality as a primary monitor. Despite limitations, Boox secondary monitor has potential for less demanding tasks and unique niche uses. Color e-ink on a desktop monitor? Depending on who you are, it may sound ridiculous or very appealing, especially if your eyes have had enough of the usual screen glare.
Eve Joins the Growing List of “Works With Home Assistant” Smart Home Devices

2 weeks ago | howtogeek.com | Joe Fedewa

Eve devices now integrate with Home Assistant via Matter, ensuring direct communication for seamless control. Matter enables communication with devices via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Thread, certifying the compatibility of Eve smart home products. Eve, along with Reolink, joins the "Works with Home Assistant" program, emphasizing privacy and control in smart home setups. The popular open-source smart home platform, Home Assistant, just gained another integration.
Spotify Finally Lets You Turn Off an Annoying Feature for Good

2 weeks ago | howtogeek.com | Joe Fedewa

Shuffling the order of songs may seem like a simple concept, but it's something that people have strong feelings about. A couple of years ago, Spotify tried to change things up with a new way to shuffle–and now you can turn it off. "Smart Shuffle" was introduced in 2023 as a way to mix up playlists even further. The idea is that you get two different types of shuffling to choose from.