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1 month ago | 
androidpolice.com | Prarthana Gopal
Even the best smart devices need regular security updates to function efficiently and safely. Without these updates, your devices might become vulnerable to hackers and face performance issues. However, it can be hard to tell when smart home devices are due for a security update. Watch for these seven warning signs to keep your smart tech running smoothly and securely.
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1 month ago | 
androidpolice.com | Prarthana Gopal
Turning off app notifications on my phone made me less distracted and more focused. I was more productive and calmer without the social media updates, news alerts, and random pings that came up on my Samsung phone. Of all the productivity hacks I tried, turning off notifications was the first one that made a difference. If these interruptions divert your attention, disabling notifications on your phone can help.
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1 month ago | 
androidpolice.com | Prarthana Gopal
Google Photos offers a simple way to store and share photos from your smartphone. If you own a flagship or budget Android phone, it's easy to back up your photos automatically to the platform. The built-in features, from easy searchability to Gemini integration, make it convenient to use. If you're looking for a privacy-focused option, storage flexibility, or alternatives, several reliable platforms are worth considering.
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1 month ago | 
androidpolice.com | Prarthana Gopal
Modern phones, whether it’s a budget Android device or the latest flagship, have batteries that can last through the day. Still, you might occasionally find that your phone’s charge drains faster than expected. The culprit isn’t always a bad battery. In many cases, it might be the web apps you use. While many people are aware of battery-intensive Android apps, they overlook web apps running via their browsers. These apps can consume a lot of battery by running in the background and auto-refreshing.
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1 month ago | 
androidpolice.com | Prarthana Gopal
Your phone holds important data. You need to back up these files so that you don't lose everything because of a software crash or the loss or theft of your device. Whether you have the latest big-screen flagship device or a budget Android phone, performing a data backup is simple. Still, it's easy to make mistakes and lose access to important files. Here are 10 common mistakes to avoid when backing up data on your Android device.
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2 months ago | 
androidpolice.com | Prarthana Gopal
Cell phone plans can get expensive, especially if you opt for a plan from one of the big carriers, like AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. Unlimited plans from these carriers can cost hundreds of dollars, especially if you pair a plan with a flagship big-screen phone. But it doesn't have to be this way. Your phone bill could shrink with a wireless plan from an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). Although cheaper, these plans offer solid coverage.
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2 months ago | 
androidpolice.com | Prarthana Gopal
We share a lot of information with our family, friends, and co-workers via messaging apps installed on our Android phones. While not all of our messages contain sensitive information, many are private. Most communication apps have built-in security standards to keep this data from leaking. Still, not all apps offer the same functionality or security. That's why you should take steps to improve the security of your favorite messaging app, whether it's WhatsApp, Signal, or Google Messages.
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2 months ago | 
androidpolice.com | Prarthana Gopal
In the not-so-distant past, spam, while annoying, was easy to spot. Riddled with typos and glaring grammatical mistakes, you could easily tell them apart from legit emails. Fast-forward to today, and generative AI makes it possible to craft persuasive spam messages that are hard to distinguish from the real thing. Because AI tools are accessible to anyone with a basic smartphone, it's never been easier to flood inboxes with convincing emails.
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2 months ago | 
androidpolice.com | Prarthana Gopal
Cell phone plans are an essential part of our lives, so it's not easy to cut the cost entirely from your budget. However, there are things you can do to get the coverage and features you need without overpaying for a plan. From switching to a prepaid plan to delaying a phone upgrade, there are ways to reduce the burden on your wallet. We explore eight such options below. 8 Analyze your plan Carriers offer several plans, including postpaid and prepaid options.
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2 months ago | 
androidpolice.com | Prarthana Gopal
Gboard is one of the most popular keyboards and is the default option on most flagship and budget Android phones. While it's easy to use and performs reasonably well, it can feel basic compared to other keyboard apps. If you're looking for a change, Microsoft's SwiftKey keyboard, which integrates with Copilot, is a solid option. The keyboard offers several nifty features that go beyond typing.
