It’s safe to say that many of us spend a lot of time on our phones.

Whether it is texting friends and family or mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, our phones are rarely very far from us.

This begs the question, how much time are we spending looking at Reddit, Instagram, and other apps that call our phones home?

It’s fairly easy to do this on an iPhone, but what about Android?

How to check app usage time on Android

If you want to know how much time you spend on apps like Facebook, Spotify, and Twitter on your Android phone, the answer depends on which handset you own.

If you have one of Google’s Pixel range, you can use the Digital Wellbeing app to see all the stats you want about app usage, notifications, and other on-device stats.

If you own any other Android, you’ll have to use one of the third-party apps that fill the same need.

On a Google Pixel device, it’s super easy to check your app usage stats:

1. Scroll down to Digital Wellbeing and tap on it
2. Open up the Settings app
3. You’ll then see an overview of your app usage stats. Tapping on any of the names gives you a more in-depth view of your usage of that app, including when you used it most during the day.
4. The Dashboard option shows information about Unlocks, Notifications, and App Usage. You can also set timers to limit your use of a particular app during the day.
5. If you scroll down to the bottom of the Digital Wellbeing page, you can toggle a switch to show the app in your app drawer. That’ll stop you from having to scroll through the Settings app every time you want to look at your stats

How to check app usage on other Android devices

If you don’t own a Pixel, it’s time to head over to the Google Play Store, where you can find several app usage tracking apps.

Here are some of our favorites:

Quality Time

Quality Time is one of the most-downloaded time trackers (over a million installs and counting), probably because of how well everything is laid out inside the app.

You’ve got a daily timeline that shows which apps you used each hour, with total time, daily usage overviews, and individual app overviews over a longer period.

You can also set daily usage alerts, custom profiles that ban certain apps when applied, and the Take a Break mode, where your smartphone turns into a dumbphone with calls only while set.

App Usage

App Usage is also a great option, and the most like the Digital Wellbeing app for Pixel devices, with some useful additions.

It also has a chronological timeline of app usage, a “per-category” view in case you spend too much time on social media.

In addition, a handy battery history tracking screen that shows battery drain overlaid on your app usage stats.

There’s also a handy widget for your home screen, so all the stats about your app usage are just a tap away.

Things to keep in mind

Due to Android system limitations, any method you use will only be able to track usage when apps are in the foreground.

So, make sure you keep this in mind as you try to get a handle on your tech habits

That means the app has to be in use with the screen on. That makes tracking how much time you spend listening to Spotify in the background impossible.

What apps do you use to track your smartphone activity? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post How to check how much time you spend on Android apps appeared first on KnowTechie.

Whether you’re simply looking for super-fast speeds or you’d like to share your data with other devices, connecting via an Ethernet cable can help.

Can I connect an ethernet cable to my phone?

Yes, but the question is, how can you do it?

Here, you’ll discover some of the best and easiest ways to connect Android devices to an ethernet connection.

Make sure you’ve got the right equipment

To connect your Android device to an ethernet connection, there are a few things you’re going to need.

It’s also worth noting that, as it stands, MAC users are unable to tether Android with USB, so the instructions here are purely for Windows users.

First and foremost, you will need an OTG to ethernet adapter. This is designed to plug into Android devices through their micro USB port.

It is important to state that not all OTG ethernet adapters are compatible with every best Android tablet.

So, you’re going to need to make sure to find one that’s compatible with your specific phone or tablet.

You can pick up quality ethernet cables and components from companies such as RS.

How to connect ethernet to mobile

Before connecting your device to the ethernet connection, you’ll need to turn your Wi-Fi off on the device.

If you’ve bought a compatible adapter, all you need to do is plug that into your Android device, then plug your ethernet cable into the Android ethernet adapter.

This should automatically work. If it doesn’t, try setting the phone into Airplane mode. Some devices require this depending on their ROM.

It really is as simple as that! Connecting a LAN cable to your mobile isn’t that hard at all. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that the ethernet cable you’ll need is ethernet to USB.

So, check to see that the ethernet cable you’re using does have a USB connection. If not, you’ll need to buy one.

Connecting ethernet on an Android phone is surprisingly easy

Once you’ve connected it, run a speed test to be sure you’re getting the best connection.

As you can see, connecting your Android phone or tablet to an ethernet connection is simple.

Provided you have the right equipment, it can be done in seconds, and you’ll soon be ready to download, share your data or upload files to your device.

Remember that it’s only possible to connect Android devices using Marshmallow or a later operating system.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations: 

• Cloudflare’s privacy-focused DNS service, 1.1.1.1., is coming to Android and iOS
• Google’s Android Dev Summit featured changes to app updates and support for foldable screens
• Google confirms (sort of) that Android’s dark mode saves battery life

The post How to connect your Android mobile device to Ethernet appeared first on KnowTechie.

Updating the Pixel Watch normally requires users to put the watch on its charger, connect it to WiFi, and wait for the battery life to increase to at least 50%.

Doing it this way means you’ll get the update when Google is ready. But you don’t have to wait for Google to decide when your watch needs to be updated.

Here’s how to force an update on your Pixel Watch or any other Android smartwatch running Wear OS 2 or Wear OS 3.

How to instantly update your Pixel Watch

Keep tapping for a few seconds. The watch screen will refresh, and you will see the update downloading. That will equip your Pixel Watch with the latest software update.

If you find you have any issues while updating, don’t panic. Holding the crown and the button next to it for 30-45 seconds will reboot the Pixel Watch. You can then try running the update again.

Again, this will work for any Android smartwatch running Wear OS 2 or Wear OS 3.

It’s interesting that Google has a hidden way to update Wear OS devices. Maybe Google should make this a less hidden feature and put an easily-found button on the update page.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Does Google’s Pixel Watch have Fitbit automatic workout tracking?
• Pixel 7 and 7 Pro owners get a free VPN from Google
• How to update your AirPods firmware
• Here’s how to update your Apple Watch

The post This hidden Pixel Watch trick instantly forces software updates appeared first on KnowTechie.

That report comes from antivirus vendor Dr. Web, who creates security software for PC and Android devices. This group of malware-containing apps pretends to be helpful software like optimizers.

Dr. Web says that the apps have been downloaded over two million times, with one having over a million installs. If you installed one of these apps — delete it ASAP.

Delete these Android apps

The first app, TubeBox, promises the user rewards for watching advertising. Once you got to the minimum withdrawal amount, however, the app would find ways to deny the user.

The only person making money from this app is the criminals that created it. Delete it immediately if you were one of the million users who downloaded it.

Another app. Fast Cleaner & Cooling Master, looked like an Android optimizing app. What it really did was install a trojan that served ads or could set up a proxy server on your device. Again, delete this.

Adware is on the rise

Dr. Web also says that apps called ‘Bluetooth device auto connect’, ‘Bluetooth & Wi-Fi & USB driver’, and ‘Volume, Music Equalizer’ contain adware. These three have been downloaded over a million times in total.

Google has removed them from the Play Store. That doesn’t remove them from your device, so if you have them installed, delete them immediately.

The security company also says that multiple loan app scams are also circulating. These all claim to have “a direct relationship with Russian banks and commodity companies.”

These all seem to be in Russian and hook users by claiming profitable investments or free stocks. Instead, they phish the user’s data for use later in other scams.

How to stay safe on your Android devices

Google’s Play Store has automated filters that catch the majority of malware. Not everything gets caught though, and cybercriminals have created more elaborate ways to avoid detection.

Even when Google’s filters fail, you can protect yourself. If an app promises rewards or lottery wins, it’s probably a scam at best.

Messaging apps are a common target, as they routinely ask for SMS access so the criminals can siphon off two-factor authentication codes. Stick to well-known developers and messaging apps.

Don’t install apps from sources outside the Play Store. That few dollars you save from a cracked version could mean losing large sums of money if it has malware to get your banking details.

And read the reviews for any new app. Skip the five-star reviews and see if phrases like “doesn’t work” or similar wording turn up. If so, the app is probably a scam or full of malware.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Google is finally issuing refunds for Stadia hardware purchases
• Pixel 7 and 7 Pro owners get a free VPN from Google
• How many ads are on Netflix’s ad-supported subscription tier?
• Get ready for more ads in the Apple App Store

The post Android users: remove these apps ASAP, they contain malware appeared first on KnowTechie.

Biometric methods, such as fingerprints and facial recognition, are convenient, helpful options for unlocking your phone.

But Smart Lock gives you additional ways to manage your device.

Smart Lock offers different ways to unlock your device without using a passcode. Here’s everything you need to know about your options.

What is Smart Lock on Android devices?

Enabling a lock screen security method is essential for keeping your data safe. Many smartphone owners use their devices in places they know to be safe, like at home.

That’s a lot of PIN code entries, biometric unlocking, or even hard-to-remember pattern unlocks.

Smart Lock reduces the number of times you have to unlock your phone or tablet by keeping your device unlocked.

Those include using on-body detection to keep your device unlocked after you’ve opened it, leaving it unlocked in trusted places like your home, or if it is connected to a trusted Bluetooth device.

Smart Lock used to also have options for voice match and trusted faces, but those are less secure and are in the process of being phased out.

How to unlock your Android phone with on-body detection

On-body detection in Smart Lock comes in clutch for runners or if you use your phone as a grocery list.

It will keep your device unlocked as long as it detects movement, so you can keep using it.

Once it detects you have stopped, your Android device will ask for your password again to open your lock screen.

Here’s how to use on-body detection to unlock your Android phone:

1. Go to Settings > Lock screen > Smart Lock and enter your PIN or password when prompted

2. Tap On-body detection

3. Switch on Use On-body detection and tap Continue

As the warning suggests, on-body detection keeps your device unlocked when it senses you’re moving.

If someone snatches your phone from you and keeps moving, they may retain access.

It will automatically lock if you drop your phone.

Unlock Android phone with Trusted Places

Trusted Places uses geolocation to keep your device unlocked in places you feel safe.

That could be your home, office, or any location you choose. You will need GPS to be enabled, so your battery will drain slightly faster.

Here’s how to use Trusted Places to unlock your Android phone:

You’ll see options to Delete, Rename, and Edit when you tap an already-added place.

The entry will appear automatically in the list if your home address is connected to Google Maps. You can enable this as a trusted place by tapping it and choosing Turn on this location.

Using this Smart Lock feature comes with obvious drawbacks. If someone in a trusted place picks up your phone, they’ll automatically have access to your data.

While they can’t physically take your device far from the authorized location, they could send your private information wherever they want.

How to unlock an Android phone with Trusted Devices

The trusted devices Smart Lock feature keeps your phone unlocked whenever it’s connected to a trusted Bluetooth product, such as a smartwatch, wireless speaker, or computer.

Here’s how to use Trusted Devices to unlock your Android phone:

1. Go to Settings > Lock screen > Smart Lock and enter your PIN or password when prompted

2. Tap Trusted devices

3. Switch Bluetooth on and tap Add trusted devices

4. Select a device from the list or tap Pair new device and complete the pairing process

5. Tap Add when prompted

Trusted Devices are an excellent option if you wear an Android Wear OS smartwatch daily. Your phone will still lock if it gets out of Bluetooth range, keeping you safe if you misplace it.

Unlock an Android phone with Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi unlocking is a less-secure solution, as anyone with the right motivation could spoof a wireless network and gain access to your device.

For this reason, Google doesn’t include the option in its operating system.

Some third-party solutions exist, but most apps only work with older versions of Android OS and produce unpredictable results.

Is Android Smart Lock safe?

Using Smart Lock is safer than having no protection, but enabling the feature comes with additional risks.

A motivated thief could use specific unlocking triggers, such as a trusted place, to gain access to your device and data.

When considering whether to enable Android Smart Lock, you should ask yourself: what’s more important, convenience or security?

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post How to use Android Smart Lock appeared first on KnowTechie.

Researchers found that nearly 100 apps contained adware, with a total of 13 million installs.

When these apps are enabled, the software abuses advertising networks to display out-of-context ads or, in some cases, invisible ads.

In turn, the user has no idea that their device is generating ad revenue for the bad actor posing as a developer.

The team reached out to Google and Apple, and these apps have been removed from their app stores.

That removal doesn’t mean they disappear off your devices, so it’s time to check your installed apps.

The report doesn’t say that these apps were stealing data. With this in mind, you should still delete them if you have them installed.

Delete these adware apps asap

Apple and Google have removed all of these apps from their app stores, but that doesn’t remove them from your devices.

So, time to get deleting if you know you have any of these installed.

NOTE: Any misspellings in this list are intentional, and how the report reads.

iOS

Some adware-containing apps got past the App Store’s usually solid checks.

Delete any of these apps if they’re installed on your device.

Android

Some of the Android apps in the report don’t include the app name, only the package name.

Those have a zero-install count, according to Google Play’s statistics. Check those out in the full report.

As you can see, there is a running theme of lotto scratchers and promises of other incentives for installing the apps.

Just a heads up, you can’t win real money on Apple’s App Store; the company’s policies forbid it.

On the other hand, Google Play has loosened its rules recently, but they are only allowed in specific countries with a valid gambling license.

There also seem to be a lot of puzzle games; presumably, these work as puzzles, and the longer you spend in the app, the longer the criminals have to commit ad fraud.

If you find any of these adware-containing apps on your device, it’s time to delete them.

Then, reboot your phone, clearing any cache and running memory.

Android users, you’ll want to enable Google Play Protect, which can remove apps like these automatically.

Apple doesn’t have any clear guidelines for Apple users looking to remove apps, but deleting them and rebooting your device should clear most malware apps.

We suggest sticking to more established developers when downloading new apps.

Also, just because something is in the charts in any respected App Store doesn’t mean they’re safe – these rankings get manipulated all the time.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• These Android apps are riddled with malware – delete them
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The post Delete these Android and iOS apps: they’re riddled with adware appeared first on KnowTechie.

We took one of the Dynamic Island clones out for a whirl, dynamicSpot by Jawomo. It floats at the top of your screen, simulating Apple’s Dynamic Island.

While it’s up there, it will link to your last notification, let you check the charging status, or control your currently playing music. A long press opens the onscreen popup, or a quick tap opens the app to change settings.

The app isn’t perfect, however. It doesn’t know where your camera cutout is, and in some cases (like ours), it couldn’t be offset enough to cover the left-side hole-punch camera on the OnePlus 9.

It also doesn’t know what’s on-screen, so the floating spot covers essential information in Android’s status bar. There are also some limitations when using the Accessibility features to draw over the rest of the screen.

This program doesn’t entirely cover everything that Apple’s Dynamic Island can do. It can’t watch timers, monitor file transfer progress, or provide directions from Google Maps.

But, it does show you the potential for the system. After our time playing with dynamicSpot, we better appreciate how well Dynamic Island covers the camera lens and Face ID sensors.

We also like the always-visible notification system. Normally, notifications disappear into the lock screen or the pull-down settings menu and can easily be forgotten.

Having them in a dedicated, always-there place to be tapped on and expanded is a game changer, especially for those with ADHD or other neurodivergencies. If it’s in view but unobtrusive, it doesn’t distract from other tasks while also being a subtle reminder.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post This app puts Apple’s Dynamic Island on your Android phone appeared first on KnowTechie.

Amazon says that the new Fire HD 8 is 30% faster than the previous model. It still charges via USB-C, with a five-hour charging time, and a 13-hour battery life. You also get 2GB of RAM, and either 32GB or 64GB of storage.

That’s not the only refreshed 8-inch tablet Amazon just announced. Keep reading below to learn more bout the HD 8 Plus and the HD 8 Kids tablets, as well.

Fire HD 8 Plus

The Fire HD 8 Plus is $129.99, with better specifications for the extra cash. You get faster charging, at three hours from zero to full. You also get wireless charging, but the tablet won’t charge quite as quickly.

The Plus model also has a more powerful processor than the base model. The last change is that you get a sharper camera, which as anyone who has used a base-level Fire tablet knows, is great news.

Fire HD 8 Kids and Fire HD 8 Kids Pro ($150)

Then there’s a duo of tablets for kids. Both cost $149.99 and come with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+ and a two-year warranty. Both also have a 30% faster Hexa-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage.

The Fire HD 8 Kids comes with a protective cover in various designs and can be purchased with 64GB of storage for $179.99. This is aimed at younger users and is set up to only draw from the Kids+ content.

There are also Disney versions, for $159.99, with either Mickey Mouse or Disney Princess cases.

The Fire HD 8 Kids Pro is set up for school-age kids, with access to the Amazon Appstore so kids can request apps they want to install from their parent or guardian.

All four tablets are available to preorder, with Amazon shipping them next month.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Amazon’s updated Fire tablets start at just $99 appeared first on KnowTechie.

These apps are particularly sneaky. Once installed, they change their name and app icon, so it’s harder to find and delete them. Bitdefender says many of them try to hide as the default Settings app.

The malware inside serves ads to you. Lots and lots of ads. Those ads come from untrusted sources, so they can give you even more malware. That’s worrying, but we’ll break down the ones you need to delete.

Delete these 35 Android apps

Here’s the full list, courtesy of Bitdefender (via Tom’s Guide), and the number of times they were downloaded. They might use a different icon or name on your device, so look for anything out of place.

Again, delete all and any of these apps ASAP. With hundreds of thousands of total downloads, these apps are on a bunch of devices so double-check yours.

Best practices for avoiding Android malware

Not every piece of Android malware gets caught by the Play Store filters. There are some things you can do to keep yourself safe, even when Google fails to do so.

Things like avoiding any messaging app that isn’t one of the well-known names. Seriously, especially any that get sent to you by someone in your contacts and any with a download link outside of the Play Store.

Messaging apps are particularly dangerous because they routinely ask for SMS access. This is bad because this is where your two-factor authentication codes get sent.

When installing a new app, take a second to consider if the permissions it asks for are appropriate for the type of app. Things like a PDF app asking for microphone access or SMS access. If anything feels odd, don’t grant the permissions and delete the app.

Reading the reviews for any unknown app is also a good idea. Look out for many one-star reviews or reviews that say “doesn’t work” or similar. Those are almost always scams of some kind.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post Android users: Delete these apps, they are stuffed with malware appeared first on KnowTechie.

In the never-ending battle for smartphone market supremacy, the updated system will be a direct competitor to Apple’s built-in iOS password manager.

The updated password manager will be a welcome addition for Android users. Cyber attacks have grown exponentially in the past two years.

Consequently, security has become a critical selling point for smartphone buyers.

How the updates will work

Google announced the product update on June 30th. It comes after many users reported problems managing their passwords between Chrome and Android.

Before the update, Android users had to save their passwords separately in Google Chrome and Android apps.

The update will unify and simplify password management between the OS and search engine.

Users can create a shortcut to Google’s password manager on their home screen, enabling easy access at all times. Adding passwords manually is now also possible.

Before, it was only possible after a Google prompt when you were typing a password or logging into a site for the first time. If you use multiple passwords for a single site, Google will group the passwords.

Like most other password managers, Google helps users by generating strong passwords. This feature will also be available on iOS if Google is set as the autofill provider.

Perhaps the most exciting feature in Google Password Manager is Password Checkup. This feature scans lists of known breached credentials.

If your password was compromised in a breach, Google will detect it and ask you to change your password. 

As part of the new update, Google will also start flagging weak and reused credentials.

With the ability to update weak credentials in a single tap, users can quickly move away from old and weak passwords. 

Google recently bolstered the encryption on its password manager, introducing on-device encryption. This method will replace standard encryption, which stored the decryption key on Google’s server.

If someone hacked into your account, they would’ve been able to see your password. With on-device encryption, the key will be stored on the device, making it inaccessible to anyone but the user.

You can enable on-device encryption by visiting passwords.google.com or through your device’s settings.

Are there any shortcomings?

Despite its many benefits, Google’s password manager does have several shortcomings, especially compared to some of the premium alternatives.

The most obvious one is that it’s only compatible with Google Chrome. You can’t save passwords on other popular browsers like Mozilla or Safari. On top of that, there’s no support for desktop software.

Another shortcoming is the inability to share passwords with others. This is a big disadvantage for organizations as they tend to share passwords among employees.

Last but not least, the Google Password Manager doesn’t use a dedicated encryption system found in premium alternatives.

Instead, it uses the device’s internal encryption system. This means it won’t do as well in preventing brute-force attacks, potentially leading to data loss.

All in all, Google’s Password Manager is an excellent tool considering its cost (it’s free).

However, individuals who want to maximize their security should probably go for a premium alternative that would allow them to save passwords across different platforms and browsers.

What the update means for global smartphone security

Despite efforts from tech giants like Google and Apple, smartphones are still a popular attack vector for hackers. The Chrome Password Manager update is a necessary step to put Android device security on par with iPhones.

Android users will have a much easier time implementing password best practices, significantly reducing security risks.

The password manager update, developed at Google’s Safety Engineering Center in Munich, is just one of a bunch of security updates that Google is working on to improve global web security.

In their blog post, Google mentioned they would soon introduce passkeys, a feature already available for iPhone users.

Passkeys utilize modern technologies like face and fingerprint scanning to replace passwords and make logging in easier and safer. Perhaps the next step is to look at the Google Play Store policies.

Unlike iPhones, Android phones allow users to install third-party apps, which have been the cause of several data breaches over the years.

Finding a balance between customizability and security can be difficult, but something must be done to prevent hackers from exploiting third-party app vulnerabilities.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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• Google Chrome users – update your browser ASAP

The post Chrome Password Manager will soon be able to sync with Android appeared first on KnowTechie.

That could be as simple as clearing your device’s app cache. But you’ll need to know where Android apps store data.

Once done, all the files your apps have added to storage are gone. Hopefully, that fixes the slowdown.

The app cache should make all your apps load faster in a perfect system. The reality is that many apps don’t use caching efficiently.

This has the result of making your device slower as it contains more data than needed.

It could even be an issue after updating an app if enough structural changes make the existing cache data obsolete.

So, how do you deal with this without factory resetting your device? Where does Android store its files Let’s find out.

So, where do Android apps store data?

Short answer: In the Data partition

Android takes a different take on storage compared to desktop operating systems.

When you install an app (either from the Google Play Store or a downloaded apk file), Android places that into the device’s app folder.

That’s /data/app/your_package_name for most apps. Some encrypted apps use /data/app-private/your_package_name.

This section of your device storage is also known as Shared Storage, as all your apps put their data here.

The thing is, giving apps access to the whole folder causes some issues. The first is that sometimes files generated stay in internal storage, even after uninstalling the app.

The second is that it’s a security risk, as any app on the device can access that folder.

Google fixed this in Android 11 with a thing called Scoped Storage. The biggest change is that apps should now have all their generated files inside their own app directory.

That means no more cluttering up the Shared Storage folder. Now the system knows which files were created by individual apps, so there won’t be leftover files after uninstalling.

READ MORE: Where is the Trash folder on Android devices?

It also hides the Android/data and Android/OBB folders from other apps. This is good for your data privacy, although it has stopped some third-party file management tools from being able to manage your data.

How to clear app cache on Android

We’ll walk you through the process if you are ready to clear out your Android cache.

Most users only need to clear the app cache by doing the following:

1. Open Settings

2. Then Storage > Apps

3. Then tapping on individual apps, then on Clear cache from the menu that opens

If your apps misbehave, such as crashing when opened, you might also need to clear the data files.

That’s on the same page where it says Clear Data. Doing this puts the app back into a freshly installed state.

That means it wipes all information on your device from that app. It also makes you sign in again if it’s an app that uses a login.

Only do this if you’re sure that you have backups of any important documents that the app has created.

What do you think? Have you ever had any issues with clearing your Android app cache? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post Where do Android apps store data? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Cellphones hold a significant amount of user data, so people need to understand how their information is collected, used, and stored. 

Apple and Google are constantly collecting data on their smartphone users. A recent study from Vanderbilt University found that an Android phone sends information to Google at a rate of 340 times per day, even if the phone is sitting idle.

Are there any smartphones that function properly and prioritize privacy? The recently released Murena One smartphone may be a viable option. Here’s how it may change the industry. 

The Murena One unveiled

Murena, a small tech company, recently announced a new smartphone called the Murena One. It’s a 4G LTE phone powered by the /e/OS Android Fork, an open-source, privacy-oriented Android operating system (OS).

This OS can “de-Google” an Android, which removes Google apps, Google Play, and Google Assistant, among other features or services from the device.

What sets the Murena One apart from other smartphones on the market is its level of data privacy. Here are a few examples:

• The Murena OS does not send personal data to remote servers without the user’s permission.
• Murena does not scan a user’s smartphone or data in their cloud storage space.
• Murena does not track a user’s location hundreds of times a day. 
• Murena does not track what apps a user downloads.

The Murena One costs around $369 and was launched in the U.S., Canada, Switzerland, Europe, and the U.K. The Murena One was out of stock in the U.S. when this was written.

Murena One specifications and features

The Murena One is a mid-range smartphone that’s more affordable than other leaders in the Here are some of its specifications:

• 6.5-inch IPS LCD screen with a 1,080 x 2,242 resolution
• MicroSD card for extra storage space
• MediaTek’s Helio P6 processor with 4 GB of RAM
• Four rear-facing cameras
• 25-megapixel punch-hole front-facing camera
• 4,500 mAh battery
• Side-mounted capacitive fingerprint scanner

The Murena One has several apps that work as alternatives to popular Google options.

For example, there’s a messaging app, contacts app, internet browser, music player, calendar, file storage system, notes app, and navigation app. Murena even plans to offer Elivia, a digital voice assistant comparable to Siri or Google Assistant. 

These Murena apps have cloud backends, which can boost security and privacy. It’s commonly known that cloud security is often better than other security solutions.

Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report analyzed more than 5,250 confirmed breaches, none of which were caused by a cloud service failure.

Leveraging cloud services is critical in the digital era, especially as cybercriminals become more sophisticated in their attack methods. 

Users can also download other apps from Murena’s App Lounge. Suppose you want to use Google Docs on your Murena One.

In that case, you can still download it because Android powers the phone’s OS. This would defeat the purpose of using a Murena One, but consumers may want this option, which could help boost sales. 

Will the Murena One succeed?

The Murena team spent the last few years trying to de-Google Android phones. According to Murena CEO Gael Duval, the goal was to create a product as good as Android software without surveillance and data privacy issues. 

However, it’s worth noting that other, bigger companies have tested the same waters as Murena.

For example, major telecommunications company Huawei got into serious trouble with the U.S. government due to its alleged shady business practices.

This led to a ban that prevented the company from working with other major tech players like Google, Intel, and Qualcomm.

It’s unclear if the Murena One will perform well in the smartphone market. However, it will be interesting to see if more consumers decide to try this brand and transition to a privacy-oriented smartphone.

Private smartphones in the digital era

More consumers are focusing on their data privacy, so the Murena One and other Murena smartphones could grow in popularity. Keep an eye out to see how it performs and decide if you’re willing to make the switch.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple is luring more and more people away from Android devices
• The best weather apps for Android
• How to use Android Smart Lock to automatically unlock your phone
• Android apps are pretty much useless on Windows 11

The post Privacy-focused Murena Android smartphone makes its debut appeared first on KnowTechie.

Samsung says that users in ten different countries, including the US, UK, Australia, and Japan are getting the ability to install the new voice assistant. Seven languages will be supported, including regional variations like US English and Australian English.

To get it, you’ll have to download a separate Assistant app, which will show up in the Google Play > My apps list. Once you’ve finished the setup, you won’t have to say any activation words to get Google Assistant to respond.

That’s cool and makes more sense for the type of quick answers you’ll want when using your smartwatch.

READ MORE: Galaxy Watch 5 release date – when is it coming?

The interesting thing to note here is that the Google Assistant UI in the video above isn’t the UI that Google showed off on the Pixel Watch teaser.

Digital Trends first noticed the discrepancy. It made them question if the experience on the Galaxy Watch 4 is “watered-down.”

Samsung owners will still have to wait for other Watch 4 features. These include a new Spotify integration for Assistant, and “even more of Google apps and services” being optimized for Galaxy Watches.

Is Google limiting things to make the Pixel Watch more attractive? Could Samsung have asked for a less-capable Assistant, so its own Bixby assistant looks better? To find out, we’ll have to wait for the Pixel Watch this fall.

The Assistant app for the Galaxy Watch 4 is rolling out now, so check your Google Play app list. You can also search for it on the Play Store that’s on your Watch 4.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Don’t expect the Pixel Watch to work with iPhone
• Google finally adds YouTube Music streaming to Wear OS watches
• Google drops Pixel 6a headphone jack after roasting Apple about it
• Samsung and Google partner up for better fitness tracking

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 finally gets Google Assistant appeared first on KnowTechie.

According to a new report from The Verge, Skiff’s ultimate goal is to develop an entire privacy-based workspace. Think something like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. Skill Mail pushes the company closer to that goal.

Additionally, Skiff Mail isn’t the first product that the company has delivered. Skiff Pages is the company’s answer to Google Docs. And it follows a lot of the same principles of privacy, end-to-end encryption, and web3 capabilities.

READ MORE: Gmail’s new look is now rolling out to more people

READ MORE: Microsoft’s new Outlook Lite Android app launches in late July

When it comes to Skiff Mail, there’s nothing special on the surface of the product. It’s available on macOS as well as Android or iOS devices. The design of the app is very similar to Gmail, with folders organized on the left and popout text on the right.

But where Skiff differs from Gmail is its focus on user privacy. Messages are end-to-end encrypted and the code for the entire platform is open-source.

Additionally, Skiff Mail features web3 capabilities, like the ability to sign up using a crypto wallet (the app currently supports MetaMask, with Brave Wallet support coming soon). You can also store your email data on Protocol Labs’ storage network IPFS.

READ MORE: Google is rolling out its new Gmail design to everyone

But getting users to move to a new email service will be a tough task for Skiff. Especially considering how Skiff Mail’s privacy features only work with other Skiff Mail domains or users. The company has its work cut out for it if it actually plans to take on Gmail in the email space.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Google and Samsung partner up for better fitness tracking
• Google Docs now lets you write Gmail messages with others
• The FBI’s email system sent out a bunch of bogus cybersecurity warnings after being hacked
• You can now make phone calls inside Gmail, because why the hell not

The post Skiff Mail takes on Gmail with a privacy-focused email platform appeared first on KnowTechie.

We also got a short teaser video about the upcoming device, and it’s sad news for iPhone owners. The Pixel Watch doesn’t look like it will be compatible with the iPhone.

The video mentions that the Pixel Watch will work with devices running Android 8.0 and later. That means no iOS or iPadOS devices will get to use Google’s latest smartwatch.

Honestly, is this really a surprise? The Apple Watch has never worked with any Android smartphone. Nobody even bats an eyelid when Apple locks things to its own devices.

Why shouldn’t Google do the same thing? Because Android is an open platform? That just means anyone can use Android’s platform and modify it. Apple could get the Apple Watch working on Android, but it really wants you to buy an iPhone to go with it.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, which is the only other device that runs Wear OS 3 currently, also doesn’t support the iPhone. That breaks the chain of Wear OS watches working on iOS that goes back to 2015.

I’ve used Android smartwatches on my iPhone before. It wasn’t a fun time. Notifications were spotty (if they worked at all), and fitness tracking metrics were inaccurate. I can’t blame Google for wanting the user experience on its Pixel Watch to be better than that.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Google drops Pixel 6a headphone jack after roasting Apple about it
• Google is working on a Pixel tablet that could release in 2023
• Pixel Buds Pro feature noise-canceling and cost $199
• Where is the ‘i’ icon on the Apple Watch and how do you use it?

The post Don’t expect the Pixel Watch to work with iPhone appeared first on KnowTechie.

Yes, two months. That shocking statistic comes from SellCell, a shopping comparison site for used phones, which did a deep dive into the state of flagship smartphone resales.

The Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G (128GB) is the worst performer of every recent flagship device. It loses 57.5-percent in “Good” condition and 53.8-percent in “Like New” condition. At that point, you better like that phone and plan to keep it until it dies.

READ MORE: Apple Exec: Early Galaxy phones were a ‘poor copy’ of the iPhone

The best-performing out of Samsung’s latest crop is the Galaxy S22 5G 256GB, which loses 39.9-percent of its value in “Like New” and 48.9-percent in “Good.”

That’s still terrible, for a phone that costs $849.99 MSRP. Still, did anyone actually pay MSRP, with all the deals Samsung continues to offer?

Their data also shows that the iPhone is always the best bet to keep value over time. The iPhone 13 range lost an average of 16.4-percent of its value in the two months after its launch.

The only iPhone model to lose value in month two? The iPhone 13 mini 128GB, probably due to fears that Apple is discontinuing the model this year.

It’s worse news for the Samsung Galaxy S22 range, as even the Pixel 6 range beats it for enduring value. Only barely though, with a Pixel 6 128GB losing 33.1-percent of its value in month 2 after launch.

READ MORE: Samsung is releasing a purple Galaxy S22 – here’s how to get it

Again, if you want to have value in your smartphone at resale time, the only choice is iPhone. For any other devices, you’ll want to take advantage of generous trade-in offers at mobile carriers.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Samsung will finally let you repair your own Galaxy smartphone
• Apple Music is forcing itself onto people’s iPhone docks
• Google Pixel Watch: news, rumors, price, features, and release date
• Apple is luring more and more people away from Android devices

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post The Samsung Galaxy S22 has terrible resale value appeared first on KnowTechie.

First reported by 9to5Google, the bug keeps the camera on in the background, which increases the drain on your battery.

It all has to do with the quick share feature inside the Google Messages app; which enables you to send photos to your friends. When you open it to pull a photo from the gallery, it also opens a live view of your camera for immediate sharing.

That live view is supposed to close when Google Messages isn’t on screen. The bug means that sometimes it stays open even if Messages is running as a background task. That leads to increased battery drain, and also heat, which is never good for your smartphone.

9to5Google figured out what was happening by diving into the new privacy indicators included in Android 12. Those show that Google Messages was actively using the camera, even when it wasn’t in view.

Closing the app completely stops the bug from happening, so we recommend doing that once you’ve sent your message.

You can also deny Google Messages from using the camera, by long-pressing on the Messages app, tapping the Info button, then tapping Permissions and denying the app access to the Camera.

You might not have to go through those preventative measures, however. Google told The Verge that the bug has been identified and fixed, and an update is rolling out now.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Google is putting an end to third-party call recording apps
• iPhone apps can still track you regardless of what Apple claims
• Google Pixel Watch: news, rumors, price, features, and release date
• Android apps are pretty much useless on Windows 11

The post A Google Messages glitch could be eating your battery appeared first on KnowTechie.

The policy goes into effect on May 11, which doesn’t give app developers much time to find another way to make their apps work.

The changes were first noticed by Redditor u/NLL-APPS, who noticed that the Accessibility API is being updated. Now it won’t be able to be used by any app to record calls.

READ MORE: Google halts updates for Korean app over third-party payments

Once the policy is in effect, only apps that come pre-installed on your phone or from Google will be able to record calls.

Google has been trying to restrict call recording for years; ever since Android 6 when it blocked access to call audio. In Android 10, it blocked the workaround, which was to record the audio from the microphone and the speaker separately.

Now it’s completely blocking recording from the microphone as well. The reason given was about the third-party recording of call audio without the other participant’s knowledge, which is illegal in some jurisdictions.

That’s a valid point, but it doesn’t address why the default dialer on some smartphones is able to.

We are not sure if third-party call recording apps that use the Accessibility API will stay in the Play Store. If call recording is a necessary business requirement for you, it’s time to explore other options.

One of those includes buying an iPhone, where you can record calls easily.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• This leak gives us a glimpse of Google’s upcoming Pixel Watch
• Android apps are pretty much useless on Windows 11
• Google launched its ‘Switch to Android’ app on iOS but with a twist
• iPhone apps can still track you regardless of what Apple claims

The post Google is putting an end to third-party call recording apps appeared first on KnowTechie.

The price of 4K projectors used to be astronomical, but these days there are multiple companies with more affordable options. One such is the $1,699 XGIMI Horizon Pro.

It’s XGIMI’s flagship LED projector, and it’s deserving of that title. Featuring 2,200 lumens of brightness and native 4K, it’s capable of color-accurate, beautiful images, and room-filling sound.

Weighing only 6.4 pounds, it’s portable, so you don’t have to keep it on a stand or on a table. I’ve been mostly using it on a camera tripod, but XGIMI has a range of optional stands.

This projector is definitely a big price to swallow for more casual viewers, but if you have been on the market for a high-quality projector that does a great job of replicating color and crispness, there’s a lot to love here.

Let’s dive in and find out why it’s so capable.

So, what’s the Horizon Pro 4K all about?

XGIMI’s first premium projector, the Horizon Pro, is a 4K DLP model with a sleek metal exterior. Running on Android TV 10.0, it’s got all of the streaming services you could want, with one exception – Netflix.

But that’s not really on XGIMI, more on Netflix’s burdensome licensing process. The only acceptable way I found to show Netflix on this projector was to plug in another streaming box, and it worked perfectly with both a Chromecast Ultra and an Apple TV.

There are multiple ‘hacky’ ways to get Netflix on this thing, but none of them give you a 4K image, which kind of defeats the point of having a 4K projector.

READ MORE: Review: XGIMI Elfin portable projector

It does support Disney+, Prime Video, Vudu, Movies Anywhere, and all of the other big streamers, so just know you’ll want to budget a little bit more cash to get a cheap 4K streaming stick if you want Netflix.

It’s got integrated AI which takes all the hard work out of the setup process. All I had to do was take it out of the box, point it at a wall, and turn it on.

The AI takes over at that point, deciding on the size of the screen, applying keystone correction, and even tweaking brightness to the environmental conditions. Taking less than 15 seconds, it’s really something to watch.

The Horizon Pro has a plethora of ports. For sound, you get S/PDIF optical out for going to an AV receiver or soundbar, a 3.5mm aux or headphone port, and one of the HDMI ports is ARC capable.

Additionally, you get two HDMI 2.0 ports, so you can have multiple streaming boxes plugged in or even a console. No HDMI 2.1 though, but maybe that’s okay because you’re limited to a 60Hz refresh rate.

Rounding up the ports are two USB-A ports, a 1gig ethernet port, and the laptop-style power socket. That last one uses a hefty power brick to keep the size and weight of the projector unit down.

The last good thing about the hardware? It comes with a pretty decent remote control. The metal casing keeps it cool to the touch, and the buttons are well laid-out.

It has a dedicated button for a menu consisting of the most used settings, and another one to redo the auto keystone correction, so that is really handy.

Other than that, it’s got volume controls, buttons for the usual Android navigation keys, and a button for Google Assistant. What it doesn’t have is any dedicated streaming service buttons or even any assignable spare buttons.

It also doesn’t have an inbuilt battery. XGIMI used a slightly fiddly battery tray on this remote, and it can be kind of tricky to reinsert. But, hopefully, a second version of the remote will include a rechargeable battery with USB-C, or a more solid battery insert.

So, how good is the Horizon Pro?

If I told you that the Horizon Pro was outperforming my 4K LED TV, would you believe me? Colors pop, bright sections of the screen are beautifully recreated, and darks are dark.

The only minor inconsistency is in dark gray areas, where the black level turns up a little high. Turning on dynamic contrast helped with this slightly.

Additionally, it outperforms once the sun goes down. My room doesn’t have blackout blinds up (yet, we only just moved in), so I can’t really use it until sundown. You can see the picture on the wall during the day, but it’s faint, as it has to compete with all of the light coming in from the three windows.

I’ve watched a mix of SDR and HDR content, and I much prefer Horizon Pro’s performance when watching in SDR.

I just didn’t find there was much of the extra pop to images that I expect from HDR content, but that might be partly because I was watching on an off-white wall, instead of an ambient-light-rejecting projector screen.

You can see the gray performance pretty well in this image, or should I say lack of it. The other thing this image shows well is how the keystone correction works.

Notice the large, slightly lit area on the wall around the actual video image? That’s how DLP projectors deal with keystone correction, having to project “black” pixels onto the wall around to create the straight video image.

Again, if I had a dedicated projector screen with black borders, this wouldn’t be as noticeable. It’s not really that noticeable when watching anyway, and the image above has been tweaked slightly so that it is more visible.

The dual 8W Harmon Kardon speakers in the XGIMI Horizon Pro are a pleasant surprise. They’re room-filling, and I’ve not had to increase the volume above maybe 15-percent on the slider to hear everything clearly.

That’s helped by the near-silent cooling fan in the projector, which I can only temporarily hear when I first power on the unit.

They do lack some oomph in the low-end, but then again so does any speaker of that size. But, that’s easily fixed by adding a soundbar, or wiring into any other speakers you might already own.

So, should I buy it?

$1,699 is a lot of cash to throw down for your home theater setup, even with the XGIMI Horizon Pro being considerably cheaper than the competition.

If your watching habits include only 4K content, this is the projector for you. It’s superbly crisp at 4K and will give you a great image wherever it’s placed in the room.

The two 8W Harman Kardon speakers are capable enough, with support for both Dolby and DTS. But, you can always add another audio system to the projector, via 3.5mm, S/PDIF optical, or even HDMI ARC.

The XGIMI Horizon Pro is available both directly from the company or you can snag it from Amazon.

If you can’t live without Netflix, the Viewsonic X10-4KE is around the same price and does support the popular streamer out of the box. I used my Apple TV connected via HDMI to stream Netflix content, but the XGMI also has Chromecast capability if I’d been using an Android phone.

For those movie fans that don’t want to spend as much, Epson’s EF-100 is under $1,000. It uses lasers for projection, with a maximum resolution of 1080p.

Gamers might prefer the $1,299 Optoma UHD35, with a 4.2ms response time at 1080p or 16ms at 4K, but it is a lamp-based projector. That means you have to deal with expensive-to-replace bulbs and noisy cooling fans.

Oh, and if you don’t think any of these projectors are good enough, get your wallet ready. Even the cheapest 4K projector recommendation from Wirecutter is $3000. Yeah, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: GravaStar Venus – a small Bluetooth speaker with big sound
• The Vamo L4200 mini projector is a budget-friendly option, but does it get the job done?
• Review: Withings Body Cardio smart scale – expensive, but is it worth it?
• The ROCCAT Kone XP is a versatile gaming mouse with tons of customization options

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more. A sample unit was provided for the purpose of this review, but that doesn’t affect the statements made within the review.

The post Review: XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector appeared first on KnowTechie.

Android users downloaded ‘Craftsart Cartoon Photo Tools’ over 100,000 times before Google took it off the Play Store.

Found by security researchers at Pradeo, the app has a nasty trojan dubbed ‘FaceStealer.’

The malware tricks you into putting your Facebook login details in, then sends those credentials to a Russian-based server. Yikes.

Your Facebook details aren’t the only thing it wants.

The app can also siphon credit card details, conversations, searches, or almost anything the attacker can take.

READ MORE: Android users: delete these apps – they could be stealing your money

Photo editing apps that cartoonize images are a hot category. Most apps let you use them before logging into an account, but not here.

READ MORE: Google launched its ‘Switch to Android’ app on iOS but with a twist

This credential-stealing malware won’t let you use the actual app without entering your Facebook details.

Why does it need your Facebook login?

BleepingComputer notes that “users have become numb to these login prompts.”

I mean, how many apps want you to use Facebook to log in? It’s an option for many, even if it’s not necessary.

READ MORE: Android users: Delete these apps – they’re harvesting your data

Their report also has some good tips for vetting unknown apps, which we’ll summarize, as all of these points should be considered when downloading apps from unknown developers.

First, check the app’s reviews. If it has a low score or reviews like “doesn’t function” or “totally fake,” it’s not worth downloading.

Next, check the developer’s name.

Here, it’s “Google Commerce Ltd” with a random Gmail address as the developer contact. This should be a red flag on its own.

If there’s a link to the developer’s page, visit it and see if things match the Google Play listing. Any mismatches should be another red flag.

Last, you can always try emailing the developer’s contacts.

Any email that bounces back is the final red flag. No active, trustworthy developer would have a dead email.

With that said, if you have the Craftsart Cartoon Photo Tools app installed on your device, we suggest removing it from your device.

Then, reset your Facebook password, and consider adding two-factor authentication if you don’t already. It never hurts.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Android 13: News, features, rumors, leaks, release date, and everything we know so far
• An Android app with 100 million downloads was pulled for spreading malware
• Google now lets you delete the last 15 mins of your search history
• Google Docs now lets you write Gmail messages with others

The post Android users: Avoid and delete this app – it’s stealing passwords appeared first on KnowTechie.