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  • The Best No-Contract Phone Providers

    The Best No-Contract Phone Providers

    You’ve got an awesome smartphone with a great display and slick new features? You probably don’t want to just use it as a tiny tablet, so you’re going to need a phone provider. Contracts aren’t for everyone: some people just want phone service and don’t want to be bound by contractual obligations. Which phone providers do we recommend? Read on!

    Cricket Wireless

    Using AT&T’s network coverage, Cricket Wireless offers a very affordable $35 (after autopay discount) plan that sports 5GB of data. Cricket’s data speeds cap at 8 Mbps, sadly, which makes them more of a budget consideration than a main provider, but they made the list since they offer some of the best data amounts per dollar. Cricket has the added benefit of rolling taxes and fees into this final price, helping alleviate “sticker shock” when the bill comes.

    Boost Mobile

    Boost makes the list thanks to its low price, same as Cricket. For $35 per month, you get 3GB of data on Sprint’s network. Sadly, this also means that you’ll experience some slowdown as Sprint’s network isn’t terribly speedy. On the bright side, like MetroPCS and Cricket, the monthly taxes and fees in this plan are rolled into the final bill price.

    AT&T

    AT&T offers a $40 with 8GB of data with no contract. This is a great pick for those who want to use loads of data and don’t mind the slightly lower coverage of AT&T’s network. The $40 price point is after enrolling in autopay, so consider that when shopping for plans. AT&T’s network works in Canada and Mexico, too, which allows for traveling users to stay tuned in to their internet and friends. This is our favorite plan for data, with great bang for your buck in terms of gigabytes!

    MetroPCS

    MetroPCS uses its parent company, T-Mobile, for its network, which means their prepaid plan sports better coverage than AT&T’s. For $40 you get 5GB of data, which is still a lot, and is definitely worth considering if you want better network coverage. Additionally, this plan allows for streaming from tons of music apps and websites without counting against your data allotment, which is certainly enticing for all you audiophiles out there! MetroPCS, like Boost and Cricket, includes taxes and fees in the final price. MetroPCS is our favorite plan for those who don’t need as much data, or plan on using audio services for the bulk of their data.


  • Stop Cleaning Your Phone with the Wrong Materials: Tech Tips

    Stop Cleaning Your Phone with the Wrong Materials: Tech Tips

    When your phone gets dirty, you might be tempted to clean it with your shirt or your jeans. However, you should seriously avoid cleaning your phone without the proper materials and solutions. Cleaning your phone the right way will help it last longer and look better!

    Here are the items you should stop using to clean your phone, and what you should use instead.

    Stop Cleaning Your Phone with These Items

    Rubbing Alcohol, Makeup Remover, Window Cleaner

    Window cleaners like Windex and the like have harsh chemicals that can harm your phone screen. The same goes for rubbing alcohol, handwipes and any other chemicals that you might use for cleaning.

    Many newer phones have a protective coating that resists scratches, so using such cleaners could even hasten the wear on such a coating. Avoid any abrasive cleaners when cleaning your phone. The coating is a critical part of how your phone screen stays clear and free of scratches, so treat it gently.

    Paper Towel

    Paper towels are flimsy and thin and can shred easily. This can just result in your phone getting even messier. Also, remember that paper fibers can even scratch up your phone if you’re rough or hasty with them. Don’t use these on your new phone.

    Compressed Air

    Compressed air is bad for phones. The internal mechanisms and ports of your phone are all quite fragile, and blowing harsh, fast-moving compressed air into them can cause damage. Most phone manufacturers warn specifically against using compressed air to clean their products.

    Use a Microfiber Cloth

    To err on the side of caution, just use a simple microfiber cloth to clean your phone. There’s little chance to cause any damage to the delicate electronics or coating if you stick to a microfiber cloth. In the case of extreme amounts of grease or dirt, you can use a bit of distilled water to dampen the cloth. Never spray water directly onto your phone’s screen, though.

  • Android: The Story of the Biggest Mobile Operating System

    Android: The Story of the Biggest Mobile Operating System

    When Apple unveiled the iPhone in 2007, it started the smartphone revolution. It’s hard for some people to remember a time before smartphones, in fact.

    However, for those who kept up with technology back in the late 2000s, it was like watching history unfold before one’s eyes.

    Shortly after the introduction of the iPhone, Google purchased Android, Inc., a company hard at work on their own mobile operating system.

    The Android system would function as a platform-agnostic OS for use by any third-party phone manufacturer. The rest, as they say, is history…

    The Story of Android

    Beginnings

    Android Inc. began work on the Android OS in 2005, a full two years before their acquisition by Google. When Apple up-ended the mobile phone market with the iPhone in 2007, Google moved quickly to get their slice of the pie. They snatched up Android, Inc. and unfurled plans to license the OS for third-party phone manufacturers.

    In this way, Android is not dissimilar from Microsoft’s Windows operating system. Much like Windows, Android can be used on third-party hardware, is more “open,” and competes directly with a proprietary Apple system.

    Hardware

    The very first commercially-available Android device was the HTC Dream, released in September 2008. This began the long-lasting association between HTC and Android, as HTC’s flagship phones defined the Android platform for years.

    However, HTC’s dominance in the field would wane eventually. In recent years, HTC has been eclipsed by Samsung’s Galaxy line of phones. Likewise, Google’s own Nexus line of devices has since given way to the Google Pixel lineup. Countless other devices have used the Android OS, from Motorola to Huawei, and the platform runs nearly unopposed in the Chinese smartphone market.

    Today

    In the modern era, Android supports 2 billion users, making it the largest mobile OS in the world by a wide margin. This is due to a few factors. For one thing, it has no meaningful competition outside of Apple’s iPhone line of products. While some competitors, like Windows Phone, have appeared, they’ve largely been unable to make a dent in Android.

    While iPhone’s Apple OS is a solid and user-friendly mobile OS, its biggest limitation is also its biggest strength. It’s closed-off and appears only on Apple devices. Android, on the other hand, is an open OS that can appear on pretty much any manufacturer’s phones. This gives it reach that Apple’s OS simply can’t have, as only so many iPhones will be sold.

    The future today seems to be quite bright for the Android OS. As it stands, it seems unlikely any other mobile OS could overtake the dominant Android. Even Apple, with their highly successful iPhone, isn’t in any danger of being overtaken by a new competitor. Time will tell, however, what new permutations the Android OS takes as phone change and evolve with new technology.

  • Best Android Phones of 2019

    Best Android Phones of 2019

    Android is a fantastic platform for mobile phones, and many users prefer Google’s operating system over other phone OS’s. However, Android is on so many phones that it’s hard to tell which is the best choice for you. Today we’re going to break down some of the best Android phones available on the market right now.

    Best Android Phones of 2019

    Samsung Galaxy S9

    While the Galaxy S10 is out, the S9 remains an excellent choice for those looking for a stellar Android phone. The price point is right, as you can often find the S9 for less than $600, while the S10 is $1,000 at the lowest.

    The nearly bezel-free display, the fast processor and the excellent AMOLED screen all make this a killer phone. When it comes to Android, it’s hard to beat Samsung’s flagship phones. The Korean phone manufacturer really knows what it’s doing.

    Huawei Mate 20 Pro

    This phone is a bit hard to find in the US, but you can snag it off of Amazon for $900. It’s easily the best Huawei phone ever made, and one of the best Android phones. The huge QHD screen, the blazing fast processor and the great battery life all add up to make this one well-worth the price.

    Huawei might not be a name you know well. That’s because they’re a Chinese phone manufacturer that doesn’t market to the US or sell phones here. That doesn’t mean this is a bad phone, though. In fact, the Mate 20 Pro sports some of the best cameras on an Android phone, in addition to 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage.

    Google Pixel 3

    Google’s own Pixel range of phones is also stellar. When you made the operating system, it’s not hard to make the phone, as it turns out. This goes double for the newest incarnation of the Pixel. It’s a beast. Sporting a huge, gorgeous display and a smooth design that would make anyone jealous, it’s easy to see why people love this phone.

    Coming in at $700, it’s on the high side, but this is a luxury phone. When it comes to the bright colors, fast processing and killer functionality, you’ll be glad you went with Google’s flagship phone. It’s hard to beat how good this phone is at its price point, unless your name is Huawei.

  • The Best No-Contract Phone Providers

    The Best No-Contract Phone Providers

    You’ve got an awesome smartphone with a great display and slick new features? You probably don’t want to just use it as a tiny tablet, so you’re going to need a phone provider. Contracts aren’t for everyone: some people just want phone service and don’t want to be bound by contractual obligations. Which phone providers do we recommend? Read on!

    Cricket Wireless

    Using AT&T’s network coverage, Cricket Wireless offers a very affordable $35 (after autopay discount) plan that sports 5GB of data. Cricket’s data speeds cap at 8 Mbps, sadly, which makes them more of a budget consideration than a main provider, but they made the list since they offer some of the best data amounts per dollar. Cricket has the added benefit of rolling taxes and fees into this final price, helping alleviate “sticker shock” when the bill comes.

    Boost Mobile

    Boost makes the list thanks to its low price, same as Cricket. For $35 per month, you get 3GB of data on Sprint’s network. Sadly, this also means that you’ll experience some slowdown as Sprint’s network isn’t terribly speedy. On the bright side, like MetroPCS and Cricket, the monthly taxes and fees in this plan are rolled into the final bill price.

    AT&T

    AT&T offers a $40 with 8GB of data with no contract. This is a great pick for those who want to use loads of data and don’t mind the slightly lower coverage of AT&T’s network. The $40 price point is after enrolling in autopay, so consider that when shopping for plans. AT&T’s network works in Canada and Mexico, too, which allows for traveling users to stay tuned in to their internet and friends. This is our favorite plan for data, with great bang for your buck in terms of gigabytes!

    MetroPCS

    MetroPCS uses its parent company, T-Mobile, for its network, which means their prepaid plan sports better coverage than AT&T’s. For $40 you get 5GB of data, which is still a lot, and is definitely worth considering if you want better network coverage. Additionally, this plan allows for streaming from tons of music apps and websites without counting against your data allotment, which is certainly enticing for all you audiophiles out there! MetroPCS, like Boost and Cricket, includes taxes and fees in the final price. MetroPCS is our favorite plan for those who don’t need as much data, or plan on using audio services for the bulk of their data.