That Google Assistant is driving you nuts when you accidentally long-press the home button or navigation handle on your Android smartphone?
Turn the dang thing OFF!
Just two quick settings to check and you never have to see it again...
Fix it fast: (more…)
On Samsung smartphones, you may have a new friend: the dreaded Now Brief button.
It's right near the fingerprint reader and deliberately placed so that when you try unlock your phone, OOPS!
You open Now Brief instead.
SIGH...
Here's how to turn it OFF!!
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These days, everyone needs a smartphone: online banking, 2FA codes, etc.
Most people choose an Android phone, mostly because that's what's available at a sane price range.
But what happens when your phone does something weird, and you need to fix it?
Not everyone is a born techie...
So, THIS is how to find and fix any setting in less than a minute on Android phones!
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Recent Android updates have borked the power button on your phone.
Instead of long-press giving you the power options, instead you see... AI!!
Oh for the love of...
How do you get your power button back? EASY! (more…)
Update August 2025: This article is outdated. See updated article: Read what you want without a VPN!!
These days, darn near everything is censored - for your protection, of course!
While you may be able to read whatever web sites you want from home, mobile operators are particularly fond of blocking certain sites.
This is obviously particularly annoying for those of us who like to choose what we read and, ya know, make up our own minds. We're not ALL brainless zombies.
While you could use a VPN, it's often a PITA to set them up and use them. The best ones are also paid...
Wouldn't it be nice if there was an easy, free option to view what you want? Turns out, there is!
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These days, streaming is all the rage.
Whether you have a smart TV, a streaming stick, Blu-Ray player, soundbar, or even some projectors, many of these gizmos come with Android TV built in.
Too many of them also only have WiFi - no Ethernet jack to be found! This is particularly irritating for those of us who want to go wired and avoid the Wireless Wonderland.
So, how to get Ethernet? Well, you just buy a USB-Ethernet adapter, right?
Yes - sort of...
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Ah, the eternal battle: iOS or Android?
These days, there's a big war going on where both sides are trying to prove that their mobile OS is the safest and most privacy-friendly.
So, which is it?
Join me for a deep dive into the wonderful world of smartphones...
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This one's a lot of fun!
You connect your Android phone or tablet with a USB cable to your PC. You expect to be able to browse the files on your phone, or transfer photos/video.
Nope! Nuttin'. Nada. ZILCH.
It worked before, so what happened? Better yet, how do you fix it?!
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I've been using dumbphones for awhile now, but I started to miss some smartphone features.
Then a friend of mine mentioned LineageOS again. I decided to take the plunge... And I'm glad I did!
It IS possible to have a relatively private smartphone without all the Googley madness - even in this day and age.
But it does take a bit of time, patience, and some technical know-how.
Note that I don't walk through the entire installation process here since it's particular to your specific phone...
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This one's a double header!
First, I quickly review the new Nokia 2720 Flip 4G dumbphone.
Then, I talk a bit more about exactly why dumbphones that run KaiOS are really NOT smartphones.
Did I mention that the 2720's HUGE buttons are an absolute joy to use?
Or that it's the first phone (of any kind) that I've had in years that actually fits in my pocket?
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