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Everyone uses their phone, but for some of us, our phones are our lifeline because they allow us to respond to urgent business calls and emails. Thus, many of us obsessively maintain a full charge on our phone. However, our phones aren’t meant to be at 100% battery all day, and maintaining a maximum charge is detrimental to their long-term battery life. That’s why you need a charging cable that will prolong your battery health, and this $28 Charby Sense cable fits the bill.
The Charby Sense is a smart charging cable that can detect when your phone is at a full charge or not. Once you reach a full charge, the Charby Sense will automatically stop charging to prolong your phone’s battery life. Additionally, the Charby Sense acts as a quick charger when connected to your laptop; by using Qualcomm QC 3.0, you can charge your phone twice as fast with the click of a button, and the Charby Sense’s LED indicator will let you know when the quick charge is enabled. Finally, the Charby Sense features durable cable sleeving to ensure a longer lifespan than your standard rubber and plastic cables.
Believe it or not, keeping your phone fully charged is counterintuitive to its overall battery health, but the Charby Sense will help you maintain your phone's optimal battery life without impacting its longevity for just $28, or 28% off.
This has was a big week for mobility, especially the employment kind. Jony Ive is leaving Apple to start his own design studio next year, Latinx drama One Day at a Time is making the switch from "cancelled by Netflix" to "picked up on basic cable," a...This takes the 7 Pro down to a more reasonable price for our neighbors to the north.
Technology usually costs a little more up north, but the price differential between the US and Canadian versions of the OnePlus 7 Pro had been much higher than normal at launch, but thngs are getting more reasonable again. On OnePlus's Canadian store, the OnePlus 7 Pro has gotten a price cut:
If you already purchased a OnePlus 7 Pro in Canada, you might be eligible for a cashback. If you bought your OnePlus 7 Pro between 10am ET 5/17 and 12pm ET 6/28, check your email; you could be eligible for a cashback equal to today's price cuts.
If you hadn't pulled the trigger on a OnePlus 7 Pro yet, now might be a good time to reconsider now that the prices are more competitive.
Fast Share is up and working for a few users so far.
Android Beam is on its way out with Android Q, that is if you remember that was even still a thing. I maybe had it work twice in my 7 years with Android, so I'm not crying over its departure, but its replacement could be very interesting — or open up Android users to the shenanigans iPhone users have been subjected to for years with AirDrop.
The new system is called Fast Share, and the good folks at 9to5Google got it working on a Google Pixel 3 XL so that we all could see how it works in the wild. Fast Share appears in the Share menu — using the same icon Nearby does — and then opens up a full-screen menu for sending. You need to name your device the first time you use it, and then you can attempt to send it to other devices detected close to you. If you look at the device list in the second screenshot, this feature does not seem limited to Android phones, as an iPhone, Chromebook and smartwatch are listed as being nearby.
Once you select your recipient and send the file or photo, you'll get one last look at what you're sending and then a progress bar. Meanwhile on the recipient's phone, you'll get the chance to accept or reject the file based on the name of the device you're getting it from, with the ability to accept or reject straight from the notification shade if you're busy. If this works well, you'll likely end up using it with family members or close friends, which you can give "Preferred Visibility" so that their devices come up first when sending.
9to5 believed this new feature is tied to Google Play Services rather than Android Q, so be on the lookout for it on your own device. You'll be able to find it (if you have it) in Settings > Google > Fast Share. I don't see it on my devices yet, but I can only hope that once I do it'll make it easier to share photos during family trips or between my phone and Chromebook while working on how-tos.
Whether you're making an all-day road trip or just your normal half-hour commute, in the car is the perfect place to top up during your drive. After all, your phone should be stationary in a car mount for Android Auto or stowed away so you're not tempted to use it while driving. Car chargers come in many styles and shapes, but with the advent of USB-C Power Delivery charging, we have a widely used standard that can be used for charging a phone or even laptops off the same port. Here are the best chargers to replenish your battery on the road.
Staff pick
This charger features a 30W USB-C Power Delivery port that can charge your Chromebook decently or charge most phones at top speed, and a USB-A port with Anker's PowerIQ to charge everything else. It's safe to say this car charger will likely last longer than your current car.
If you have a phone with Qi wireless charging, having a Qi charger in your car is awesome since you don't have to hassle with wires every time you get in or out. iOttie's Qi charging mount is the most popular and reliable model around.
This charger has a large footprint and even larger capacity. The USB-C port here can charge at 45W — top speed for most Chromebooks and a good rate for Macbooks, too — and the USB-A port is Qualcomm QC 3.0. Charge it all and charge it all quickly.
Plugin, shut the cover, and forget this charger is there until you need its 18W USB-C port to recharge your phone in a hurry. This style is harder to extract, but that's because it's made to sit basically flush inside your car's charger port.
If your family uses Samsung phones, Qualcomm Quick Charge is the fast charging method you'll be relying on more than USB-C Power Delivery, and this affordable charger has not one but two QC 3.0 ports for you and your partner/friend/child/rideshare passenger to use.
The USB-C port charges at up to 27W, and the USB-A port charges at a respectable 5V/2.4A, making this charger powerful but still mostly compact. It's not as small as AUKEY's CC-Y12, but that means it's easier to pull out if you frequently swap vehicles.
USB-C Power Delivery is five kinds of awesome, with the best being that it can charge a wider variety of devices at a wider range of speeds. If you want to charge a laptop in your car — hey, it happens more often than you'd think — then you can go overboard with the Maxboost 63W Universal Car Charger and its 45W PD output, but if you'd rather stick with a more well-known brand, Anker's got you covered with the PowerDrive Speed+ 2 with its 30W PD output. Make sure you grab a good USB-C cable to use them with!
If your phone has Qi charging, you should really consider grabbing a Qi car charger. Not having to plug and unplug every single time you get in the car is nice, especially during an afternoon of errands. There are other Qi charging mounts out there, but iOttie's is available in three modes: a dash mount, a vent mount and a CD slot mount, so you can grab the type that's best for you. If you live in a warm locale, I definitely suggest the vent model so that your AC can help keep things cool in the summer since Qi charging tends to gather a little heat.
Lab-made embryos are one step closer to saving a virtually extinct species. Scientists have successfully transferred a test tube rhino embryo back into a female for the first time, implanting the creation into a southern white rhino in Poland. The...Here at AC, we continuously strive to be your best source for Android. Whether it be phones, tablets, smartwatches, or anything else in between, we're here to help you find, buy, and use the tech of your dreams.
It may not be the newest tablet in Samsung's lineup these days, but the Galaxy Tab S4 is still the most powerful. With longer battery life, included S Pen, iris scanning, and so much more, the Galaxy Tab S4 is ready for all your tasks — whether they're for work or play.
Can't afford the Tab S4 but still want a tablet that'll be able to keep up with you? The Galaxy Tab S5e is a great option. Despite the lower price tag, you still get an AMOLED display, lightweight design, and an identical software experience. That said, you miss out on the S Pen and more powerful internals.
With the Galaxy Tab S4 and S5e, you have two great tablet options depending on what you're in the market for. If you want an ultra-premium tablet with great internals, lots of expanded capabilities with an included S Pen, and the option to have on-device LTE, the Tab S4 brings a lot to the table. With that said, if you don't need an S Pen or LTE, you can save $250 and get the Galaxy Tab S5e. It offers a very similar experience, even more RAM, and supports more expandable storage at the expense of less battery life.
Specs-wise, the Galaxy Tab S4 and S5e have a lot in common. In fact, at first glance, you might be confused as to why anyone would spend an extra $250 for the S4 when the S5e matches it in so many ways.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of the Tab S4 is its included S Pen. The S Pen opens up an entire world of possibilities you won't find with the Galaxy Tab S5e, and for some people, it'll be reason enough to go for the S4 over it.
Some of the highlights of having the S Pen include being able to quickly create handwritten notes, draw/doodle, and simply having a more precise way to interact with the touchscreen. We all know how great the S Pen is on devices like the Galaxy Note 9, and with an even bigger canvas to work with on the Tab S4, it's that much better.
You also get the added benefit of a larger battery, which according to Samsung allows for up to 2 hours of additional use of video playback. Your milage will certainly vary depending on what you're using your tablet for, but as a general rule, expect to get a bit more time in between charges with the Tab S4.
Lastly, it's worth giving the Tab S4 some praise for its optional LTE model (available for Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T) which allows you to stay connected even when Wi-Fi isn't nearby, as well as a docking station accessory that can essentially turn it into a makeshift smart display.
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 9 Pie One UI |
Android 9 Pie One UI |
| Display | 10.5-inch Super AMOLED 2560 x 1600 |
10.5-inch Super AMOLED 2560 x 1600 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 |
| Storage | 64GB or 256GB Expandable up to 400GB |
64GB or 128GB Expandable up to 512GB |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB or 6GB |
| Rear Camera | 13MP | 13MP |
| Front Camera | 8MP | 8MP |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi Bluetooth 5.0 USB-C |
Wi-Fi Bluetooth 5.0 USB-C |
| Battery | 7,300 mAh | 7,040 mAh |
| Security | Iris scanning | Fingerprint sensor Face unlock |
| Colors | Black Grey |
Black Silver Gold |
Here's the thing though. If you don't need the S Pen, LTE, and are fine with slighty less battery endurance, the Galaxy Tab S5e is essentially the same tablet with a price tag that's $250 less.
Its Snapdragon 670 processor is just as snappy as the older 835 chipset in the S4, it's rocking the exact same Super AMOLED display, its camera combo is identical, and both tablets support Samsung DeX with an optional keyboard accessory to help you stay productive while on the go.
In fact, the Galaxy Tab S5e even has a few key advantages over the S4. In regards to its security, it uses a traditional fingerprint sensor and face unlock which a lot of people will likely prefer over the Tab S4's iris scanning system. You can also configure the S5e with 2GB of extra RAM, and while its maximum base storage is less than the Tab S4, it supports a larger amount of expandable storage with its microSD card.
Security authentication, such as fingerprint sensors and face unlock, is expected on just about every new device we buy these days. On the Galaxy Tab S4 and S5e, this is handled very differently between the two devices.
On the Galaxy Tab S4, you'll rely on Samsung's iris scanning technology to securely unlock the device and log you into all of your apps. It's a bit more convenient than a fingerprint sensor if you're already looking at the tablet, and while it isn't the fastest around, it is quite secure.
As for the Tab S5e, you'll rely primarly on the side-mounted fingerprint sensor for all of your authentication needs. However, for quickly unlocking the tablet, there's also a less-secure face unlock feature that you can use.
As with so many of these comparisons, the tablet you should buy ultimately comes down to your personal preferneces.
Both of these gadgets have a lot in common, but if you want the expanded capabilities of the S Pen, value having LTE connectivity, and want the best battery life possible, the Galaxy Tab S4 will be worth the extra money.
Then again, if you aren't too concerned with those features and just want a rock solid tablet for general day-to-day use, you might as well save yourself some cash and pick up the Galaxy Tab S5e.
A powerful tablet that's built to do anything.
With the Galaxy Tab S4, the only thing that limits what you can do with it is your imagination. Along with a premium design and powerful specs, it has a couple of big advantages over the Tab S5e thanks to its included S Pen, an optional LTE model, and can last longer in between charges thanks to bigger battery.
A similar experience for $250 less.
As great as the Tab S4 is, it's not the best fit for everyone. If you want to spend less money and get a very similar experience, the Tab S5e is the way to go. It has the same great AMOLED display, supports more RAM, and slimmer screen bezels while retaining a fingerprint sensor. If you don't need an S Pen or LTE, this might be the better choice.
If you decide to get the Galaxy Tab S4, you'll definitely want to also pick up its Book Cover Keyboard. It simultaneously protects the tablet while also giving you a fantastic typing experience.
Whether you buy the Tab S4 or S5e, this DeX Cable allows both to be plugged into a computer monitor to launch a Windows-like desktop experience for getting serious work done.
Should you find yourself needing more battery while on the go, this 32,000 battery pack from RAVPower provides a ton of extra juice in a relatively slim and compact package.
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The last-minute switcheroo with the Z2 Force is the last straw — I won't recommend a Motorola phone to anyone now.
If you're ever in the mood to think about a "how the mighty have fallen" story, you need to look no further than Motorola. The company used to be at the forefront of technology in everything digital, but buyouts, restructuring, and eventually becoming another OEM nameplate has left Motorola little more than a memory that old tech dudes like me will fondly look back with melancholy reflections of the good old days. If I sound bitter, it's because I am, just a little.
Motorola invented the cellphone and a lot of the parts that go inside one, too.
Where we are today with Motorola as an Android vendor has a particularly interesting story, too. The company was a pioneer of Android, releasing what many call Android's pivot point with the Motorola Droid/Milestone. While not a compelling device by today's standards, it was the first Android phone that fused state of the art specs and a massive marketing campaign to launch it into millions of pockets. Partnering with Verizon as an alternative to Apple's iPhone probably didn't hurt either.
As the Motorola name fell out of fashion — mostly because Samsung learned how to make amazing phones and work with carriers, too — the company fell on hard times and the hardware division was scooped up by Google itself. We enjoyed several years of phones built by people who knew how to make hardware and software for them, then Google decided to sell off the "phone" side of Motorola to Lenovo. By then, however, the company's phone business was little more than a name and a handful of design patents.
Lenovo is not a small fly-by-night company that has no clue when it comes to making top-notch electronics. The company acquired the rights to build ThinkPad laptops from IBM and has continued the success of the brand while also expanding it away from just very expensive machines designed for true road warriors. Many — myself included — had high hopes for Motorola under Lenovo's care. Most of those who held those hopes have been disappointed time and time again. Again, myself included.
Everyone has their own tipping point, and mine in regard to Motorola was when the company announced that the previously announced Android 9 update for the Moto Z2 Force would only apply to the Verizon version:
Delivering any Android upgrade is a complex process. For a variety of reasons, some US Moto Z2 Force models will not receive the Android 9 "Pie" update. The Moto Z2 Force model sold by Verizon will receive Pie as it is necessary to enable the 5G Moto Mod. We are committed to providing two years of Android security updates on all Moto Z2 force devices. While we always caution that our update plans may change, Motorola regrets any inconvenience or disappointment this may cause our loyal consumers.
It almost feels like Motorola is only going to update phones so it can make money selling 5G Moto Mods to Verizon, and as a customer, your experience means next to nothing.
The only way Z2 Force customers were ever going to see some critical security patches was with a Pie update.
The company has had a very poor record regarding updates since it was sold to Lenovo; both the big grand Android platform updates and the important but overlooked security patch updates. This compounds the whole issue, as the only realistic chance Z2 Force owners have to get those critically important updates they have missed is when they are bundled into the Android 9 release. These patches have no glitz or glamour associated, but they are the types of updates that keep you and your personal information safer. I've mentioned it before and I'll say it again: manufacturers owe us security patches on a regular basis if they expect us to owe them our allegiance.
If a company can't deliver in a timely manner, then it needs to deliver on a schedule it can adhere to. The important part is that it delivers at all, and since Motorola has decided not to do so I've decided to tell anyone who asks that they shouldn't buy a Motorola phone.
It puts all the live shows from your favorite services — and antennas — all in one place.
Prime Video might be Amazon's bread and butter when it comes to Fire TV, but the company finally has seen the light when it comes to live shows. The Fire TV OS is getting a tab dedicated to live TV, as announced by the company in a post on Medium.
The top-level section "brings together your live sports, news, and channels from select OTT services, streaming apps (e.g. PlayStation Vue), paid subscriptions, and over-the-air antennas into one consolidated view."
It's very much akin to the excellent (but absolutely underutilized) Live Channels app on Android TV. It'll consolidate live offerings from OTT streaming services like Philo and PlayStation Vue, as well as from over-the-air antennas and, of course, the Fire TV Recast DVR box.
The Live tab also will be populated with content from sports from such channels as HBO, Showtime, MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, PGA Tour Live and more — all of which happen to be channels to which you can subscribe directly as an Amazon Prime Video Channel.
You'll be able to customize the order of the channels in the dedicated rows by designating the most important ones as favorites, Amazon says.
Amazon says the new Live tab will be rolling out to Fire TV users in the United States over the next week or so.
The best way to use Fire TV
This little stick has all the features you want from Fire TV, including 4K resolution, Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio.
Plug in an over-the-air antenna and record live TV straight into your Amazon Fire TV Stick.
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Best answer: Yes. Most headsets these days can be used on multiple platforms including your phone. However, you may need to pick up an adapter to make it work.
So, you want to use your PS4 headset with your phone. No problem! Included with the PS4 Gold and Platinum Wireless Headset is a proprietary adapter you need for the headset to work. This is one drawback to the PS4 is that their wireless audio feels like an afterthought.
Usually, this little piece of technology would be plugged into a USB port on your PlayStation 4; without it, your licensed headset won't communicate with your PS4. The same concept works with your phone. Without this adapter, your headset cannot communicate with your phone, but by using a female USB to micro-USB cable you can plug the proprietary adapter into your phone, thus allowing you to use your Gold Wireless headset!
These converter cables are common and can be found for any phone, whether it needs female USB to USB type-C or your generation of iPhone plug. A solid converter without a cord can also be used, but these can be bulky and add an extra two inches onto the bottom of your phone once the adapter is plugged in.
If you are using a headset that isn't officially licensed by PlayStation, you would have had to set up a portable wireless transceiver on your PS4. Basically, this is the nonproprietary version of the adapter mentioned above, only this allows your PS4 to communicate with Bluetooth devices instead of the licensed headsets. Your phone should already be able to do this. No adapter necessary! Simply pair your headset to your phone's Bluetooth.
While many people are moving to wireless, the simplicity of a 3.5mm audio jack can be a breath of fresh air. If you are using a 3.5mm wired headset on your PS4, it really is as simple as plugging it into your phone instead... unless you happen to have one of those new phones without an audio jack. Luckily, there are converters that you can turn your lightning or micro USB port into an audio jack.
The moral of this story really seems to be, "Yes, with an adapter." The licensed headsets with proprietary adapters need another adapter for it to work but it will indeed work. Bluetooth wireless headsets don't need an adapter to work with your phone but you would need an adapter for it work with your PS4 in the first place. Even your wired headsets might need an adapter depending on the type of phone you have.
But no matter which setup you have, with the right adapters, yes your PS4 Headset can work with your phone. Adapters for all!
Clean design, clean sound
The new design of the PS4 Gold Headset cuts back on unnecessary features like foldable arms to make way for a more lightweight model that offers the same clean sound.
Yes, with an adapter
This handy little adapter cable lets you connect your PS4 licensed headsets to your phone. They also come in micro USB and lightning ports so you can connect no matter which phone you have.
