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How to use Google Photos as wallpaper on a Chromebook
It's time to replace your boring old wallpaper
Wallpapers make a surprising difference to your user experience and set the tone of your device. Whether you opt for a picture of your loved ones, an abstract design, your favorite band, or a scenic landscape, your choice of wallpaper can impact your mood. So, if you feel like you've outgrown your old desktop background, it might be time for a wallpaper refresh.
What is firmware?
Firmware helps manage all our electronics. Here's how it works, why it's different from software, and more
Along with the standbys "hardware" and "software," the digital world has long used a third description called "firmware." While firmware has been around for several years, it's not always clear to the average user what it refers to or how it differs from previous definitions for software.
How to set up Moto Gestures
Unlock the full potential of your Motorola phone by setting up Moto Gestures
Over the years, Motorola has consistently prioritized user-friendly features and tools that enhance the user experience. A shining example is Moto Gestures, a unique set of actions that allow users to access built-in features and tools more conveniently. Sometimes, without even touching actual physical buttons.
How to access Chromebook's Clipboard Manager
Quickly access recently copied items on your Chromebook
Chromebooks are quickly becoming a popular alternative to Windows laptops, PCs, and MacBooks. Whether for your home, school, or work, you can buy one of the best Chromebooks that suits your needs at affordable prices.
One of the biggest and most noticeable changes in Android 14 is the ability to customize your lock screen. This lets you make some small but fundamental changes to your lock screen that can improve its usability and aesthetics.
How to change ringtone on an Android phone
You don't need to check your phone when someone else's rings
You might be tired of hearing the same ringtone you've had for years since you last budgeted for a new Android phone. Most people don't realize you can change the default ringtone and assign a custom tune for your listed contacts. It's a handy feature when separating urgent work calls from personal ones. But that involves learning how to experiment with new ringtones while replacing the selected default. This short guide teaches you how to change your ringtone or load any custom tune from your phone's file manager.
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Chromebooks are more than enough to handle most people's computer needs. Even with its firm reliance on the Google Chrome web browser, you can do much more with the Files app and some solid Android apps. You're never stuck within the scope of a web browser. Whether you need to access files on your inbuilt storage or an external drive, this guide explains how to open files on ChromeOS.
5 Android 14 settings you'll want to change immediately
From your lock screen to new gestures, you need to change these five things after upgrading your smartphone
Android 14 is out now, and while a ton of new features are included in the latest version of the OS, we identified a few you should check out first. These will make the most significant difference to your Android 14 experience, which is substantially larger than Android 13.
How to share your location on Android
Your loved ones won't have to worry about where you are anymore
If your friends plan to meet up with you at a new hole-in-the-wall restaurant, they'll appreciate getting help with directions. But some spots can be tucked away at an obscure location, making them hard to find. Or maybe you're parked away from the building and can't find a suitable landmark for reference. While maps can help with navigation, sharing your real-time location is more accurate.
ChromeOS has come a long way from being a glorified web browser to a full-fledged operating system that's packed with great features. Chromebooks come in all shapes and sizes, including some great 2-in-1 laptops, which means there's a Chromebook for everyone. If you're interested in a Chromebook but aren't sure if you want to take the leap and buy one, install ChromeOS on a flash drive and try it on a computer you own.
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Chromebooks run Chrome OS, a web-focused platform built around Google's cloud apps (Chrome, Gmail, and Docs, just to name a few). But the best Chromebooks can do almost everything your regular Windows laptop can, including running Microsoft's productivity suite. The only difference is that on a laptop, Microsoft Office (or Microsoft 365, as it's now called) opens as a dedicated app, while on a Chromebook, you use it in a web browser.
What is Nearby Unlock and how is it different from Smart Lock?
Learn how the new Nearby Unlock feature differs from Android Smart Lock!!
Modern Android smartphones offer biometric security features, like fingerprint and face unlock, to provide an instantaneous and seamless unlocking experience. However, every once in a while, your smartphone asks you to enter your password, and it can be frustrating.
How much RAM does your Chromebook need?
The days when 4GB RAM was more than sufficient are long gone
Chromebooks are capable machines, and the best Chromebooks can be used for browsing, watching videos, and editing documents. You can also use Android and desktop apps via Linux. Its lightweight ChromeOS operating system makes Chromebooks power-efficient. These computers don't need powerful processors and RAM in double-digits.
How to easily install the Android 14 QPR Beta on your Pixel
The Android 14 QPR Beta program is in full swing, here's how to become part of it
The Android 14 Beta Program is over. In its place, Google has already started testing Android 14 QPR1, the upcoming big update to Android 14 that will come to all the best phones in December 2023. It offers a ton of fun and interesting features already, no matter if you have the Pixel 7 Pro or another Google device. If you're curious to give it a try on your Pixel device before it launches, there is an easy way to install the pre-release version of Android 14 QPR 1 on your phone that feels almost like getting a regular system update.
How to sync your OneDrive files on your Chromebook
Google and Microsoft have teamed up to add OneDrive to your Chromebook's Files app
Chromebooks may have a reputation as not offering a full desktop OS. Still, Google's operating system has matured in recent years, with tons of great ChromeOS features and tricks to get the most out of your favorite Chromebook. For a long time, ChromeOS and Microsoft Office didn't get along as well as they could have. While you can easily access your Google Drive in the ChromeOS Files app, the same can't be said about Microsoft OneDrive. That's changing, so let's dive into how you can set up OneDrive to sync with your Chromebook's Files app.
How to manage your camera and mic permissions on your Android phone
Allow or deny app permissions with a few simple taps
Once again you've downloaded a new app on your trusty Android phone, but every time you open that app, it sends notification that states you must turn on camera and microphone permissions in the settings. Essentially, some apps don't function without enabling these (required) permissions. So you're stuck toggling on these permissions anyway. However, thanks to the continuous privacy and security updates from Android OS, you can now at least control how often and when it can be used. Other times, you may prefer to visit the permissions manager to rescind permissions from data-hungry apps. Either way, we recommend learning how to access the permission manager from the Privacy Dashboard. To help get you started, we will teach you how to manage your camera and mic permissions on any dependable Android phone.
Over time, you might notice that your phone feels sluggish and apps take longer to load. Many users try to free up storage on their phones by clearing their app cache. Meanwhile, others believe that you should let the Android operating system deal with it. So, what should you do? Does clearing your cache even do anything?
How to change app icons on Android
Customize your Android phone's home screen by changing the app icons
Customization has always been Android's key strength, from using a custom launcher to changing your device's font and theme settings. Google has continued to build upon this concept, with Android becoming more user-friendly after every major release. These days, you have better control over your device experience than in the past.
How to record audio from Android apps
It's easier than you might think, as long as the app allows you to record audio
Recording external sounds is easy on Android if you use one of our favorite recording apps, and since Android 10, recording internal sounds is straightforward. We walk you through the entire process so that you can record audio from your apps. These apps work on any Android device. Some even work on Chromebooks, so you can record audio from your laptop with the same app you use on your phone.
How to block ads on your Android phone or tablet
Keep those annoying ads away from your Android device
Unwanted ads can be annoying, distracting, and sometimes malicious. Abusive ads can slow even the best Android phones, drain your battery, and compromise privacy. Advertisements usually appear on a web page, but ads can be seen in pop-ups, notifications, and Android wallpaper if an abusive app is installed. Some rogue ads are annoying and automatically start playing video or audio clips in the background. In this guide, we show the different solutions you can use to get rid of these bad ads on your Android phone or tablet.