Andrew Romero is a North Carolina-based journalist specializing in Android and Google news, reviews, and in-depth analysis. With a keen eye for detail honed from his previous career as a CNC machinist, Andrew possesses a unique appreciation for hardware and the intricate engineering behind the technology we use daily.
He brings this passion to his coverage, offering insightful perspectives on the latest devices, software updates, and the evolving Google ecosystem. When he’s not diving into the world of tech, Andrew can be found tackling the trails on his mountain bike, enjoying the natural beauty of his home state of North Carolina alongside his wife.
Andrew is active on Twitter – @chaosromero – but can also be found on Threads – @organizedchaos50.
Emails are open at andrew@9to5mac.com
While the ability to use Apple AirTags as intended remains exclusive to Apple’s ecosystem, Android devices are able to pull some neat tricks when one is found astray. These options become useful if you think one’s been planted on you or if you find lost property with an AirTag hanging from it. Here’s what you can do.
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Motion Photos are incredibly useful to have. They provide extra shots just in case the first wasn’t right, and they can make great GIFs. Here’s how to export a Motion Photo in Google Photos as a GIF from your Google Pixel.
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Generally, sharing a simple link works really well when you want to send a webpage to someone or even yourself to save it for later. Alternatively, the share button in Google Chrome on desktop and Android offers some great tools for sharing web pages. Here’s how you can get started.
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There are a slew of apps available with which you can share your location with friends and family. Although they generally work as intended, some of them prompt privacy concerns. Here’s how you can share your location using Google Maps instead.
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There are countless reasons you may want to factory reset your Google Pixel or other Android device remotely. No matter the reason, if your device is out of your hands, you always want to have the option to factory reset it. Here’s how you can do that.
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It goes without saying that anything can happen, and being prepared is important. That’s where the SOS feature on your Galaxy Watch 4 can prove to be invaluable. Here’s how to set up and use it.
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Android 12 brings a lot of exciting features to the OS, even in Samsung Galaxy devices. With the beta release of One UI 4, Samsung devices are able to take advantage of new color-theming options and privacy features. Fortunately, Samsung is making the beta available to a few select devices before Android 12 is completely released.
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Taking a screenshot on Android can come in handy for a multitude of reasons, and it’s extremely easy to do. You might be surprised to find out that you can take a screenshot on the Google Pixel 6 in a few different ways. Here’s how it works.
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The forever war looms on: iPhone or Android. Well, for those thinking of switching to an Android device from an Apple device, things have never been easier. There are so many accessories and devices that work well together to provide the same experience on a different platform. Let’s dig into these devices and accessories with our best gear for those looking to switch to Android.
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Thanksgiving Day football is here, and that means just about everyone and their brother in the US will want to watch the games. Here’s how you can watch the three Thanksgiving Day football games today at 12:30 pm ET, 4:30 pm ET, and 8:20 pm ET tonight on Android devices, Google TV, and Chromecast.
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Privacy is a very big concern among many consumers these days, and for a multitude of great reasons. Android 12 tried to address a couple of those issues, helping users to feel a little safer when using their devices. That’s why one feature implemented was an option to block camera and mic access built directly into the Quick Settings. Here’s how you can set it up and use it.
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Android 12 brings a lot of key features to Google’s Pixel devices. From Material You to helpful privacy settings that block out your precise location, there are plenty of options to play with. One aspect you’ll likely see the most, though, is the homescreen. Fortunately, you can customize every aspect of it to fit your needs.
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Due to the pandemic, travel has been slow this past year, and you might be a little rusty when it comes to picking up and traveling somewhere to visit friends and family or just planning a getaway. Whatever the case, Google has a few helpful tools in Google Maps and Google’s travel site to help you get started on making those plans and staying safe along the way.
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Android 12 has been available on some Google devices for a little bit now and has even made its way to a couple of Samsung Galaxy devices for download. Since the build became official back in October, manufacturers have been working to get Android 12 out and into the hands of their customers.
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Earlier this week, Google pushed a feature that could check your heart rate on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro without the use of a smartwatch. By reading the minute details in your index fingertip using the Pixel’s camera, Google Fit can identify your BPM. This allows anyone with a Pixel 6 or 6 Pro to check their heart rate on the go in seconds without external hardware.
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Android not only offers a lot of new AI-driven processing capabilities, but it also adds a little flare to the quality of life department. With the addition of Material You, wallpapers mesh well with the UI adding a cohesiveness that many people love about their Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. In addition, Google’s widgets play along well and are easy to customize, allowing you to tailor the Android 12 experience even better.
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Android 12 is chock full of useful features. Features like focus mode and digital well-being functions stand out as building blocks of the new iteration of Android. Fortunately, all of these features are accessible with quick settings in Android 12, putting them within reach at any moment.
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Google recently announced that going forward, accounts would need to have 2-Step Verification (2SV) enabled. According to the company, the first wave of accounts are already being transitioned into this security measure. Many companies already employ this feature, though under the name 2-Factor Authentication (2FA). Fortunately, Google’s 2-Step Verification is easy to set up, and just as easy to use.
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Google Drive is a powerhouse of a file storage system. It makes it easy to save documents and other data that can be transferred to other Google apps as well. Fortunately, Google makes it easy to access Drive straight from your desktop – whether Mac or PC.
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The internet is full of incredible photos, and there are endless reasons you’d want to save them to your device. In some cases, you may think you’re looking at your new wallpaper when you realize the image only saves a WebP file. Fortunately, an extension for Google Chrome can be added that will allow you to save any image, including WebP images, as a JPG or PNG file.
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Having a Google Account means customizing it to your heart’s content. That truly becomes the case when choosing a profile picture, since that picture is the face of your account and the thing that everyone sees. Google Illustrations is a tool integrated into Gmail for Android that lets you create custom profile pictures and really spice up your account.
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