Everything Else
News: The Best Black Friday 2019 Deals on Headphones for Your Smartphone
Black Friday is upon us. Whether you prefer to duke it out in stores or calmly shop online, there's no doubt you'll find great deals on the items you're looking for this holiday season. It's the perfect time of year to buy something expensive, like a good pair of AirPods, Beats, or Bose, at a much more opportune price.
News: All the Best Black Friday 2019 Deals on Smartphone Accessories
The holidays are here. From the week of Thanksgiving until the end of the year, retailers will be offering massive discounts on your favorite items. So if you're looking for smartphone accessories, this is the time to buy. From Walmart to Best Buy, there are deals everywhere on a host of items.
News: Apple AirPods Deals for Black Friday Going on Right Now & Coming Up
I've just recently hopped on the AirPods bandwagon, and I can't see myself ever going back to the wired EarPods that Apple includes with every iPhone. The only issue is that I paid full price, but you don't have to with 2019's Black Friday deals, some of which are happening right now.
Gift Guide: Must-Have Smartphone Accessories for Gaming
Smartphone gaming continues to improve with ever sharper displays and raw processing power to deliver console-quality graphics right in the palm of your hands. Nonetheless, you still stand to improve the gaming experience on any phone by adding the right accessories to the mix.
Gift Guide: Keep Your Friends & Family Productive with These Essential Smartphone Gifts
Christmas is just one week before Jan. 1. That means a lot of New Year's resolutions filled with promises to better ourselves with increased productivity, focus, and work ethics — but getting started can be challenging. Give the people in your life a leg up this holiday season with these smartphone gifts to keep them on-task in 2020.
Gift Guide: Must-Have Phone Accessories for Music Lovers & Audiophiles
With MP3 players all but dead, phones are now the dominant portable music devices. While smartphones have gotten better at this task over the years, they do have some glaring limitations when it comes to music. On the bright side, we can use these limitations to help find the perfect gifts for the audiophiles in our lives.
News: Google Pixel 4 vs. iPhone 11 Pro — All the Key Specs Compared
With Google's new Pixel 4, we now have another device in the pool of phones designed for normal-sized hands. The other major player in this segment is as big as it gets — metaphorically. Apple's iPhone 11 Pro is the small phone to beat, but can Google be the one to dethrone it?
Apple vs. Samsung: The Battle of the Big Phones — Galaxy Note 10+ vs. iPhone 11 Pro Max
Another year, another battle between Samsung and Apple. We recently saw what Samsung is bringing to the table this year with the release of the Galaxy Note 10+, and now it's Apple's turn. For those who want a truly large device, Apple is offering the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Let's see how they match up.
Apple vs. Samsung: iPhone 11 Pro vs. Galaxy Note 10 — Full Spec Comparison
Samsung decided to shake things up this year. In the past, the Galaxy Note series was one large phone. This year, it's two phones: the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+. So for the first time in a long time, we can compare the latest standard iPhone, the 11 Pro, to a Galaxy Note device.
Spec Comparison: iPhone 11 vs. Galaxy S10e vs. OnePlus 7 Pro vs. ZenFone 6 vs. Axon 10 Pro
iPhones with Face ID all retail for at least $999, which many still believe is just too much for a smartphone. But that's okay, because Apple just introduced the iPhone 11 for roughly $700. It's not necessarily the best value, though, because the iPhone 11 already has some stiff competition in this price range.
News: The Best Gaming Phone Out There Is Also the Cheapest & You've Probably Never Heard of It
In our comparison of the best gaming phones in 2019, the winner actually surprised us. A phone that most people don't know about from a brand you probably haven't heard of ended up as the clear winner. But how? Well, it ticked so many flagship boxes despite its midrange price tag.
News: Axon 10 Pro — ZTE Is Back in the US with a Formidable Challenger to the OnePlus 7 Pro
After months of back and forth, ZTE is finally making their return to the United States. The last phone the Chinese company released here was the Axon 7 Pro, a low priced flagship phone that competed well against the OnePlus 3 and 3T at the time. Its successor is the Axon 10 Pro, which adopts the same strategy.
News: Hoax or No Hoax, Here's How Instagram Can Use Your Photos & Videos
You may have recently seen a plethora of Instagram users, including celebrities and politicians, sharing a screenshot declaring that the platform will implement a new "rule" where it would own and could use your photos and videos however it wishes. The screenshots are part of an internet hoax, one that's been around in one way or another since 2012, but what can Instagram actually do with your media?
Galaxy Note 10 vs. iPhone XS: Comparing the Newest 'Small' Models from Samsung & Apple
For the first time in a while, the battle between Samsung and Apple is really interesting. Unlike previous years where the choice for smaller hands was limited to the Galaxy S series, this year, there's an option for Galaxy Note users. Both sides of the aisle have their best options in years with minimal sacrifices.
Samsung vs. Apple: Galaxy Note 10+ vs iPhone XS Max
Every fall, we can expect a few things: leaves changing colors, cooler temperatures, and Samsung and Apple releasing new phones that fanboys and fangirls will argue about until the following year. This year, Samsung is mixing it up, releasing two phones in the Galaxy Note series. Let's see how the larger phones compare.
Coming Soon: Choose Your Own AR Backdrops for Instagram Stories
Remember Photo Booth on Mac and iOS? It still exists, but there was a of time where everyone was using it. And why not? It was so cool to take photos with any background imaginable. Underwater? Check. On the moon? Of course. Now, Instagram wants to bring back the fun by introducing AR backgrounds for stories.
ASUS ROG Phone II: The Gaming Phone for Everyone
Since the Razer Phone's announcement in 2017, we've seen a new subgroup of phones emerge. Gaming phones are now a thing, leading to companies like ASUS creating phones that are thoroughly optimized for the mobile gaming experience. And with their second iteration, they perfected it.
Best Music Streaming Services: Spotify vs. Apple vs. Pandora vs. Tidal vs. Deezer vs. Amazon
Trying to figure out which music streaming service to subscribe to can be a difficult task when the playing field is so crowded. Each has its benefits, as well as downsides, so finding the right one for your needs and wants can take a lot of overwhelming research. But we've done all the research for you to help you find the best music subscription your money can buy.
News: The Smartphones of Austin's Underground Musicians
Smartphone technology has become as ubiquitous as automobiles. In Austin, Texas, a city that is widely known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," smartphones have been embraced by the music community not just as a way to document and promote, but to create music.
News: GarageBand Changed How My Autistic Son Interacts with the World
My autistic son loves music. One afternoon, when he was nine, I downloaded GarageBand to his iPhone to help with the boredom of a long wait at a doctor's office. Instead of pacing or escalating into a meltdown, he spent the entire hour and a half practicing, learning, and composing. When we finally left that day, the rest of us exhausted and irritated, he shared his first composition with a big smile.
News: The Best Smartphone Deals on Amazon Prime Day 2019 — Save Big on Samsung, Google, LG, Motorola & Nokia
Amazon Prime Day is nearly here, but that doesn't mean the deals are a mystery. Sure, most of Amazon's best sales and discounts won't be announced until Prime Day itself, but we already know some awesome smartphone deals thanks to a handful of early sneak-peeks.
Our 3G Tower Is Broken: The Trials & Tribulations of Staying Connected on a 3-Month Bike Trip Across Central Asia
Silence spreads over these mountains like nothing I've ever felt. If I didn't have Moby blasting in my earphones, there'd probably be no other sounds around. Well, except for someone, Phil probably, murmuring in a nearby tent just low enough to make his words indiscernible.
News: Turn a Vacation into a Treasure Hunt with Just Your Phone
It feels strange to be walking through an open field in a small village in the English countryside. There's no one else around — just the four of us: me, my husband, my 12-year-old son, and my adult niece. The day is spectacular, particularly for England. The sun is shining, and the temperature is in the low '70s.
Vacationing for the 'Gram: How Instagram Is Changing Hotels & Restaurants
I noticed the neon yellow sign at the new location of Pho Bar in Chinatown right away. The sweeping cursive yellow letters spell out "Crazy Rich Broth"; the same phrase printed on the back of servers' shirts. It's the kind of minimalist but colorful design feature that is especially popular on Instagram at the moment — shots of patrons in front of a glowing sign.
News: Comparing the Best International Data Plans from All Major US Carriers
Traveling abroad can be a hassle. Between the flight, hotels, food, and the languages barriers, it can be a lot to manage. There's one tool you have that can help with all of this — your smartphone. Fortunately, nowadays, you don't have to change your carrier to continue using your phone.
News: Here's How Much Money Samsung Will Give You for Trading in Your Current Phone for an S10
Great news if you're looking to upgrade to either the S10e, S10, or S10+. Samsung has a trade-in program that's offering potentially massive discounts of up to $550 if you preorder one of their flagships right now — but only for certain phones.
News: Samsung, Not Apple, Makes the Best Social Media Phones (& We Can Prove It)
We recently set out to find the best phones for people whose primary usage revolves around social media apps like Facebook and Instagram. Samsung, Apple, and Google were the three brands that made our top five, and while the latter only had one finalist, the two bigger OEMs had a pair of phones each. What struck us, however, was that Samsung's phones edged out Apple's not once, but twice.
News: One of the Best Android File Managers Is Finally on the Play Store
When we reviewed the best file managers on Android, MiXplorer easily topped our list with its abundance of features, including tabbed browsing, support for up to 19 different cloud services, file and folder encryption, and much more. The only major complaint we had was the fact it couldn't be installed from the Play Store, but now, that is no longer the case.
News: The True Cost of Streaming Cable (It's Not as Cheap as You Think)
With YouTube TV and DirecTV Now starting at $40/month, and others like Sling TV offering an eye-catching $25/month plan, streaming cable services may sound like a great way to cut costs while cutting the cord. But when you look at all the factors, the price you pay may very well end up being just as high as your traditional cable bill — if not more.
News: Thinking of Ditching MoviePass? Directly Compare Movie Ticket Subscriptions with This Chart
It's no secret that MoviePass is a shell of the service it once was. The primary $9.95/month plan for three movies each month is inconsistent and can change drastically depending on your location. Thankfully, MoviePass isn't the only movie ticket subscription service available. We've compared all the best plans on the market to help you find the one that's right for you.
News: Cinemark Movie Club Is a Great Subscription for Occasional Filmgoers & Popcorn Addicts
Cinemark may not be as big as AMC Theatres, but it also has a subscription if you want cheaper access to movie tickets. There aren't as many theaters, but if there's no AMC around you, there will likely be a Cinemark to save the day. But is the price of its Movie Club plan worth it?
News: Sinemia (RIP) Was a Better & More Reliable Movie Ticket Subscription Than MoviePass
On April 26, 2019, Sinemia posted a note on its website stating it has ceased all operations in the United States. It's not known if it continues to work in other countries or if US users will be getting any refunds, particularly, for annual subscribers.
News: Ditch MoviePass for Stubs A-List if You Live Near An AMC
AMC Theatres was never a fan of MoviePass and even predicted its unsustainability. After the struggling MoviePass turned off diehard fans with too many new restrictions to combat its cash problems, AMC stepped in to save the day with its AMC Stubs A-List subscription for cheaper movie tickets.
News: MoviePass Works Great for Limited Users, Everyone Else Should Seek Another Filmgoing Subscription
MoviePass was once the best subscription service on the market for getting cheap movie tickets. For the price and the number of films you could see and save money on, it was unbeatable, but recent changes to the service have made it less enticing. While it still works well for some users, others may have to rely on other options. Personally, I'm leaning toward the latter.
News: Here's How Much Money You Could Save by Switching to Google Fi
In case you hadn't heard, Google is now a legit cell service provider. Google Fi has its pluses and minuses, but the biggest upside is in the pricing. Depending on how much data you typically use, there's a good chance you could save a lot of money without sacrificing coverage by switching to Fi.
Gift Guide: Must-Have Phone Accessories for Photographers
With smartphone cameras and software getting better and better every year, more and more users are getting passionate about photography. So when you're shopping for a gift to get someone, if they have a smartphone, chances are they'll more than appreciate some tools and accessories for taking better photos with their pocket friend — and we've got some gear ideas they'll love.
News: All Reigns Games on Sale, Gearing Up for 'Game of Thrones' Launch Next Week
Do price tags on mobile games give you pause? We get it. With so many freemium games out there, it's tough to justify spending three or four dollars on a game for your iPhone or Android device. That's why you wait for moments like this one, as both "Reigns" and "Reigns: Her Majesty" are aggressively on sale.
iPhone XR vs LG G7 ThinQ: Same Price, Same Screen Size, but Vastly Different Overall
With the new iPhones coming out, many see the current mobile market as just another epic battle between Samsung and Apple. But let's not forget there are many other phones that run Android. And when you start to sift through the specs, one stands out as a competitive alternative to the iPhone XR, the LG G7 ThinQ.
News: iPhone XS Max vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 9: The Best of the Best
The ongoing war between Apple and Samsung fans will rage on once again. With the release of the iPhone XS Max, Apple has presented a stronger adversary for the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, released earlier. Both stack up well against each other, providing two of the best experiences on their respective operating systems.
News: iPhone XS vs. Samsung Galaxy S9: The Battle of the Small Giants
Until next March, the iPhone XS and Samsung Galaxy S9 will be the only phones considered by many. Whether you're an Apple fan wanting to see how your new phone stacks up against the competition or a buyer on the fence, here's how the latest flagships from the two biggest brands compare.