Most Popular Downloads & Messages for Android 2015
Android has gotten even sweeter this year. Marshmallow builds on the already awesome foundation Lollipop laid down a year earlier, plus we got two new Nexus phones and a few better apps. Here are our best Android posts this year.
The best little-known services for legal movie and TV streaming
It’s easy to forget about it, but besides Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, there are many more ways to stream movies and TV shows. Here are some of the best – sometimes free – legal alternatives.
The five best apps for scanning mobile documents
Scanning receipts, whiteboard notes, or envelope sketches while traveling can be a breeze. The best apps for the job take pictures, can recognize text, save scans in the cloud for future use on other devices, and more. This week we take a look at five of the best smartphone apps that get the job done.
How to make Waze the best navigation app
Waze has long been one of our favorite navigation apps , and while Google acquired Waze back in 2013 , the two still exist side-by-side. Google Maps is great, but with the right settings, Waze can be amazing, especially in high-traffic cities.
Best Chromecast Apps
Google rocked the home theater market with its Chromecast device. Since it made available to developers, the app market has been flooded with Google Cast support. Here are the most useful Chromecast apps.
How the new Google Photos makes your image library look awesome
Last week Google announced Google Photos , a new photo hosting service that combines the best of Google+ Photos with unlimited free storage for high-quality photos and HD videos. It doesn’t matter if you’re trying it for the first time or logging in to see what’s changed, here’s what’s new and how to get the most out of it.
Five myths about smartphone batteries explained
In just a few years, the batteries in our smartphones have changed a lot. This means that these old tips for extending battery life are no longer as true as they once were, but we still share them as if they were the gospel. Before ordering someone to turn off Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, let’s shed some light on these old myths.
Coolest Android Mashmallow Features That Google Haven’t Announced
Android Marshmallow has finally arrived. First announced at Google I / O , the company has already introduced a bunch of cool features . Here are some of the nice features that Google hasn’t announced.
Charge your phone twice as fast: fast charging explanations
If you bought your phone last year, it may have included a quick charger of some kind or offered as an accessory. Here’s how they work to charge your phone twice as fast as a regular charger.
How to choose the next Android phone: 2015 edition
Fun fact: There are roughly seven different Android phone models on the planet per person. While this statement is actually not true, it seems close. Since you’ve got things to do, here’s what matters when shopping for a new Android phone.
Every phone is updated to Android Marshmallow
Android Marshmallow is out today. Of course, for some phones, it can take months or years to get the update. We have collected all possible information about which devices will receive updates and when.
Lifehacker Pack for Android: our list of essential Android apps
In just a few years, Android has grown from a small Google project to the most ubiquitous mobile operating system on the planet. The app’s ecosystem has grown with it. In our annual Lifehacker Pack for Android, we’ve handpicked the best, most useful, and most important apps you’ll ever need on your phone.
Google can’t name things
Google announced YouTube Red yesterday. Google, blissfully unaware of what’s going on in incognito mode, apparently thought it was a good name for the service. This isn’t the first time Google has made an outrageous choice in naming things.
Facebook releases Facebook Lite, dramatically reducing app overhead
Android: One of the biggest complaints about the Facebook app is that it can take up too many resources, especially on older phones. This is probably why Facebook released Facebook Lite, an ultra-light version of its app aimed at emerging markets.
Flagship battle: Google Nexus 6P vs OnePlus 2
There are tons of Android flagships to choose from, but if you want your phone to be independent of mobile carriers and the phone to let you have complete control over your experience, you have two big choices: the Google Nexus 6P and OnePlus 2. Beyond the specs, what you should buy? This is how they compare after long term use.
How Google inbox changed the way I use email
Google polarized the Gmail crowd with the release of Inbox . For some, it was confusing and useless. However, for people like me, Inbox is a breath of fresh air. Here’s how it changed my workflow and why I think it’s worth giving it a try.
Google Settings is a very useful Android app that you probably ignored
Back in 2013, Google quietly added the Google Settings app to Android (not to be confused with the regular Android Settings app). It didn’t have a lot at first, but over the years it has added a ton of useful features, especially for those who care about privacy. If you haven’t checked it in a while, it’s worth taking another look.
Best comic reader app for Android
Reading comics, especially on tablets, is a delightful use of bright, vibrant touch screens . If you are an avid reader and want to bring your own files, Astonishing Comic Reader is a relative newbie with a ton of cool features.
All new Android Marshmallow features
Google today announced the developer preview of the latest Android release. As usual, this new version of Android M will be out later this year. However, those with certain Nexus devices can download the preview starting today. Here’s what’s in store for the next version of Android.
How to skip the line and manually update your Nexus device
Android updates take forever. While this is fine in most cases, it can be a problem when a terrible new security vulnerability is discovered . Whether you want to keep your phone secure or just can’t wait for new updates, here’s how to skip the queue and update your Nexus phone (and sometimes other devices) manually.
I paid to get rid of YouTube ads and now my life is better
Last month Google introduced YouTube Red , a paid tier for YouTube that removes ads, among other cool features. I have been using it since the very first day of its release. What I thought would reduce the discomfort actually changed my perception of the Internet and my enjoyment of it.
Debloater blocks, disables or removes malware on Android
Windows / OS X: If you need to remove malware from your Android phone, Debloater makes it easy to weed out all the junk and disable unnecessary apps. If you are rooted, you can even remove them completely.
Best Second Screen App for Android Tablets
The tablet itself can be a great productivity tool , but using it as a second screen for your computer makes it even better. For Android tablets, Splashtop is our favorite way to do it. It’s cheap, touch-sensitive, and uses Wi-Fi, so you can grab it and hit the road.
Worst performance kills Android apps – just what you’d expect
Some of the apps you use regularly are worse for your phone than others. AVG has done some analysis and has identified the most serious offenders. Unsurprisingly, things like Facebook, Spotify, Netflix, and Amazon top the charts.
The best Android app uninstaller
Installing apps on Android is easy. So easy that over time, you can end up with a ton you don’t need. Instead of tediously scrolling through each application to uninstall them one by one, we recommend Easy Uninstaller. This app allows you to uninstall multiple apps at once, sort them by size, and even delete unnecessary files.