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Avatar for Justin Duino

Justin Duino

jaduino

I’m a writer for 9to5Google with a background in IT and Android development. While I have a soft spot for stock Android, I’m typically juggling two to three devices at once running both Android and iOS. My previous work can be seen on Phandroid, Android Central, and AndroidMeter. Email me at justin@jaduino.com. Tips are always welcome.

Connect with Justin Duino

Long-rumored Android-Chrome OS merge might be mentioned at Google’s October 4 event

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Since October of 2015 and before, we have been hearing of Google‘s plan to merge Android and Chrome OS into a single OS made to would work on phones, tablets, and even computers. With Google’s upcoming October 4 event quickly approaching, we’re now starting to hear that the fabled Android-Chrome OS merge might finally get announced alongside the new Pixel phones…


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Google+ becomes part of Google Apps for Work’s core services

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Google Plus is a social media network that is either fantastic or a ghost town depending on who you ask. Google has long stood behind its social network and is now looking to bring it — in an officially supported capacity — to the enterprise market. Starting today, Google+ is a “core” service packaged alongside other officially supported Google Apps for Work services…


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Android Basics: How to free up device storage with Google Photos

Google Photos Free Storage Space

With the phones in our pockets getting larger cameras that are capable of taking higher resolution images and videos, it is no wonder why people are running out of storage space. Thankfully, with Google Photos, it is possible to backup your favorite pictures and videos and then have them automatically deleted directly off of your device…

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Android Basics: Choose which folders are backed up in Google Photos

Google Photos Folder Backup

Having a camera built into the devices we carry makes it possible to take dozens of photos every day. While these can be selfies, pictures of your latte, or pictures of your loved ones, it’s always good to know that you have your photo memories saved.

With Google Photos, you can automatically back up all the pictures you take to the cloud — but it’s also important to have all of the folders with your pictures in them turned on so that they’re protected if you ever lose your phone…


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YouTube wants to enlist you to help moderate its website

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YouTube Heros

With the release of YouTube’s brand new “community” section on some channels, the company has also announced a new program that hopes to have viewers help moderate comments and videos on the platform. This program is called YouTube Heroes and in exchange for your help, you will be granted additional moderation tools and the ability to test new features within YouTube before they rollout to the public.


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A reboot button might be coming with the release of the new Pixel phones

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Third-party Android device manufacturers have long been shipping their phones and tablets with different power menu options, but Google has always only provided a shutdown option on Nexus device running stock Android. With the upcoming release of the Pixel and Pixel XL, Google may finally give users the ability to restart their phone.


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HTC announces the Desire 10 Pro and Desire 10 Lifestyle

HTC Desire 10 Lifestyle

HTC Desire 10 Lifestyle

At this morning’s “Be Edgier” event, HTC took the wraps off of two new mid-tier devices: the Desire 10 Pro and Desire 10 Lifestyle. The Desire line has consisted of affordable devices that play on their flagship’s general appearance but with fewer premium materials and lower specs. With the Desire 10 Pro and Lifestyle, it looks like HTC just might be trying to step up their game…


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Android Basics: How to stop your phone from automatically adding icons to the home screen

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When you are setting up a new Android phone, the Google Play Store on some devices has a setting enabled that will automatically add icons for all newly installed applications to your home screen. This can be a nuisance when you are installing all of your favorite apps at once but, thankfully, it’s easy to disable…


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Android Basics: How to turn on automatic app updates

Google Play Store Automatic Updates

One of the best ways to keep your Android phone or tablet secure is by making sure all of your applications are updated. By doing this, you’re helping to eliminate vulnerabilities within apps that could be exploited and used to harm your device in one form or another. Additionally, by having automatic updates turned on, you are sure to get the newest features as soon as they roll out…


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How to: Change how you receive app notifications on Honor 8

Honor 8 Notifications

In designing the Honor 8, the company wanted to make sure that users would have control over as much of the functionality on the phone as possible. One such example of this is the device’s notifications. Honor 8 has a Settings section that allows the user to change which types of notifications they want to receive on an app-by-app basis, and this quick little guide will help you learn how to use it…


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How to: Honor 8’s ‘Protected apps’ feature keeps apps running in the background

Honor 8 Protected Apps

The Honor 8 is a great piece of hardware, but it has a couple of software customizations that can make using the phone less than enjoyable. One of these customizations automatically disables background data on applications, making it so that you sometimes don’t receive notifications or get updates. Thankfully, it is possible to protect your apps from this battery-saving feature…


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Google’s Chromecast ‘Preview Program’ will provide you early access to new features

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Lately, Google has been more often letting its customers beta test different software features before they roll out to the masses. Now, according to a new Chromecast support post, Google will soon let anyone enroll their Chromecast into a “Preview Program” for access to early and unreleased features…

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Android Basics: How to install and switch between third-party launchers

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Launcher Tutorial

One of the most-used customization features in Android is the ability to change your device’s launcher. This allows you to customize the look and feel of your home screen, app icons, as well as functionality of the app drawer and folders on your device. This comes especially in handy when you don’t like your device’s customized skin — like TouchWiz on Samsung devices or EMUI on Huawei devices…


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Nextbit Robin gets official Paranoid Android ROM support, Nougat coming soon

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Paranoid Android 2016

Paranoid Android is a ROM that gets a lot of attention from the Nexus, Oppo, and OnePlus communities due to its stock Android appearance and useful features added atop Google’s mobile operating system. With today’s announcement, the hard-working people at Paranoid have announced official support for the Nextbit Robin


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FAA responds to Galaxy Note 7 recall, says not to charge or use it during flights

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For the last week, we have been hearing reports of numerous Samsung Galaxy Note 7  units exploding due to battery issues with some even claiming that the phone burned down a home and ignited a car. Thankfully, Samsung issued a recall for the device but that hasn’t stopped some government agencies from looking into the matter further.


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Samsung and T-Mobile teaming up on ‘new demonstrations and lab tests’ for 5G networks

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T-Mobile‘s outspoken CEO is always publicly discussing its network coverage, speeds, and how they are continuously working to improve the network for their customers. Today, Samsung has announced that the two companies will be collaborating on “new demonstrations and lab tests” as to begin working on what will one day be a 5G mobile network…


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Alexa on the Amazon Fire TV & Fire TV Stick gains new universal search functionality

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Amazon has announced today that its Fire TV and Fire TV Stick media streaming devices will be receiving an over-the-air update that will enable a universal search that can find content on 75 different applications and channels. This means less time searching for a show and more time watching it.


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Box will soon be a Google Docs storage option for enterprise, searchable via Springboard

Box Google Apps for Work

Box, a large cloud-based file storage solution oft-used in enterprise applications, is partnering with Google to bring better Docs, Sheets, and Slides integration to customers who use both services. This agreement was announced today at the company’s annual enterprise conference, BoxWorks (via TechCrunch), by Box’s CEO Aaron Levie and Google’s SVP of Google’s cloud offerings Diane Greene…


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