Android Police

Conor Cawley-

Conor Cawley

About Conor Cawley

Conor has been staunchly in favor of Android since graduating to a smartphone from his hot pink Motorola RAZR. In fact, he'll gladly ruin a friendly dinner in service of lambasting Apple devices to those that use them, which he admits is one of his worst personality traits. After being talked out of sports writing by someone working for ESPN Chicago ("it's the same thing every year, it's like purgatory"), Conor decided that the ever-evolving world of tech would be a much more interesting topic to focus on. Now, more than half a decade later, he covers everything from new devices and big conferences to small startups and business trends. In addition to freelancing for Android Police, Conor is the Lead Writer for Tech.co, a tech publication focused on helping small businesses grow and succeed. He's worked with the likes of Forbes, WeWork, General Assembly, Chase Bank, Tech in Motion, and SXSW, among others, through Tech.co in service of making tech a bit more accessible. Conor also can't properly pronounce the word "colloquially," but honestly, who can?

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How to find your Wi-Fi password on your Android phone or tablet

Using a password manager makes this easier

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If you're like most people, you probably kept the random password on the bottom of your home router.While that random password is pretty safe, it's not so easy to remember. If you already have your login details on your Android phone or tablet, there's no need dust off and flip over your gateway.

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How to find your lost Android phone or tablet

It's worth a shot before buying a new device

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Our phones are part of our daily lives, given they help us keep in touch with people, manage our schedules, make payments, listen to music, work, store photos and videos, and more. For these reasons, it only makes sense that losing your phone can be a nightmare, especially if it's not backed up, which would mean losing all of your data.

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Google Wallet not working? Here are a few quick fixes

Trouble with the tap? Here's how you can fix your payment problems

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Contactless payments offer a fast and easy way to check out at a store and take away the hassle of interacting with a PIN pad. With mobile payments, you don't need to bring your physical wallet with you, as your handset replaces it and lets you pay using the cards you use on a daily basis.

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Samsung XCover6 Pro review: Not bad for a rugged smartphone

This rugged phone doesn't skimp on functionality to give you the protection you need

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Samsung is known for its ability to branch out and develop smartphones for anyone and everyone. Whether you’re looking for a big battery, a beautiful display, or a stylus built into the body, Samsung has a smartphone for you. And when it comes to the XCover6 Pro, the company has done it again with a mid-tier, rugged smartphone that won’t look like you’re smuggling a bag of popcorn in your pocket on your way to work. And let's just say, you won't need a rugged Samsung case to protect this smartphone.

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Best Google Assistant smart speakers in 2023

If Google Assistant is the way, these speakers are your best bet

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If you prefer to call upon Google Assistant when asking about the weather or getting directions (or have it on your phone), you need a solid, smart speaker that can natively support that virtual assistant. After all, Google Assistant is compatible with more devices than Siri, more socially adept than Alexa, and generally better than Bixby.

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How to view your Pixel portrait photos with bokeh off

Google Camera doesn't save two versions automatically anymore

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Google Pixel smartphones take amazing pictures thanks to an excellent camera array and a powerful chipset. The Google Pixel 7, for example, has a 50-megapixel main camera, while the Pixel 7 Pro has the same, along with a 48-megapixel telephoto sensor. While that may not match up to the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, it has the added benefit of being powered by the Google Tensor G2 chipset, which adds to the overall quality of the pictures you take.

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The best Philips Hue smart lights & bulbs for 2023

Brighten up your life with the best of the best smart light brand

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With reliable bulbs, comprehensive feature sets, and compatibility with virtually every smart home system, Philips Hue has established itself as the go-to choice among high-end smart lighting brands. More than just a standard smart light bulb, Philips Hue offers bulbs in every size, shape, and style you can imagine. However, while they're easy to use and can do great things on their own, Philips Hue bulbs require a separate Hue Bridge to use more advanced features like scenes and away-from-home control.

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Google Home: Our everything guide to Google's smart home platform

Google Home is essential for your smart home setup and makes your day a little simpler

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You may have associated Google Home with speakers before, but that's no longer the case. Since Google discontinued them in 2019, Home is now a smart management platform. It's the app you need to turn off the lights if you forgot to do so before a trip, among other features. You can connect speakers, Chromecasts, and cameras in different areas of your house, and control them from your favorite Android phones and tablets.

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Best Android projectors in 2023

Go big and ditch the screen with these Android-powered projectors

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TVs have gotten pretty big over the years, but sometimes that isn't enough. An in-home projector is your best friend when you want that movie-going experience without the overpriced snacks and fart-filled seats. You can set them up in your basement, your living room, or even in the backyard, as long as you've got enough brightness to enjoy those darker episodes (looking at you, Battle of Winterfell).

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How to send a secure email in Gmail

The last thing you want is someone reading your emails

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Gmail is an excellent email tool that is used by millions. Its intuitive interface and plentiful integrations with other Google services make communicating between friends, family, and coworkers much easier. However, Gmail remains an imperfect solution when it comes to security, which means you might be interested in sending a secure email through the service.

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Best smart LED lights that support Google Assistant

Hey Google, let's light this candle

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Smart lights are great, but using an app to turn on your living room can be a bit of a hassle. We'd argue it's easier to just hit the switch on the wall rather than unlocking your smartphone and pressing a button. Luckily, smart lights can always receive voice commands from a companion like Google Assistant, allowing you to brighten up your home with a simple, "Hey Google, turn on the lights."

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How to set up a Philips Hue Sync Box

If you want your smart lights to match your TV, you're going to need to know how to get this device set up right

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So you've decided to take your entertainment system to the next level with smart lighting accompaniments. Immersive sound is one thing, but the Philips Hue Sync Box creates an immersive lighting experience when watching TV or playing games on your TV. It enables your smart lights to color-match what you're watching by setting up entertainment areas in the Philips Hue app. It works with everything from the standard Phillips Hue smart bulbs to a full-on gradient light bar, allowing you to customize your entertainment area in a way that will elicit some serious "oohs" and "aahs" from everyone you invite over.

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How to reset a Philips Hue smart bulb

Sometimes you just need to see the light and start over

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Technology has done a lot for humanity, but it has flaws. In those moments of frustration with tech, an all-powerful troubleshooting practice often does the trick. Have you tried turning it off and then on again? This method stands up to the most puzzling of issues. If your Philips Hue smart lights act up, start with this tried-and-true tactic.

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Best smart home devices for beginners in 2023

From bulbs and plugs to locks and cameras, these smart home devices are perfect for getting started

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While it's firmly in the mainstream at this point, not all smart home technology is created equal. But you don't have to be an electronics wizard to get plenty of utility out of Alexa, Google Assistant, and all the electronics they pair with. In that light, some of the most popular smart home devices are great for beginners who don't want to learn how to program just to control their lighting or home security system via voice command.

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Tables: What you need to know about Google's Airtable alternative

The collaboration database can seriously improve your ability to work with a remote or hybrid team

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The pandemic has made digital business tools and apps popular for companies around the world. From the rise of Zoom to the frequently updated Microsoft Teams platform, several online resources can make life easier for professionals who work remotely. An increasingly popular type of business resource during and after the pandemic has been collaboration platforms that allow for remote communication while facilitating work. Google Tables is poised to be one of the more popular options available.

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What’s the difference between Google TV and Android TV?

The lowdown on Google's two smart TV platforms

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Google created a big buzz and a boatload of confusion when it launched Google TV, its second smart TV platform, in September 2020. With basically the same features and interface, you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for Google's long-standing smart TV operating system Android TV, which powers some of the best streaming devices out there. However, there are a number of key differences.

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How to use your smart display as a security camera

That's right, smart displays can do more than show you the 10-day forecast

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In the modern age, virtually every smart home device is equipped with some kind of camera, from phones and laptops to video doorbells and microwaves. The popularity of camera-equipped devices has made for easy video calls and some hilarious videos on social media. It also means that devices like smart displays can act as effective home security cameras for everyday customers.

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How to set up a Zelle account

Good news! Most banks support Zelle, so you could be only a few clicks away from digitally sending money to friends and family

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The ability to send money over the internet has been a blessing for almost everyone around the world. From splitting checks at restaurants to paying the babysitter, online banking tools have made the hassle of finding and carrying cash nearly obsolete. Many establishments have eliminated cash payments because online payments are now easier to accept.

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7 fantastic LGBTQ+ series on Hulu you won't want to miss

These LGBTQ+ series are not to be missed

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After several years of emotional turmoil caused by a global pandemic, it's easy to get excited about the things we missed. One of those is Pride. While we can't attend parades all year long, we can celebrate by watching some of the best series with LGBTQ+ themes and representation.

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How to avoid getting scammed on Zelle

With users sending and receiving money directly into their bank accounts, Zelle is ripe for the scamming

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Scams have become a big part of the online world. From ransomware to simple phishing scams, fraudsters constantly evolve unique ways to separate you from your money or personal information. If you want to be sure you're protected, always be on the lookout for suspicious behavior, particularly when it comes to payment apps like Zelle.

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