More

    6 hidden Android features that will blow your mind, and how to use them

    Your Android telephone has a treasure trove of hidden options. 
    Angela Lang/CNET
    For me, it is easy to really feel like each Android telephone has drastically completely different options and capabilities, and in some ways in which’s true. Comparing a Pixel telephone with Samsung’s Galaxy S20 with TCL’s 10 Series telephones goes to disclose main variations. But on the finish of the day, all of these telephones are powered by Android, and at their core, have the identical options. Some of that are hidden. Take split-screen apps for example. Using two apps on the similar time just isn’t solely one thing iPhone customers can solely dream about, nevertheless it’s additionally downright helpful and constructed into your Android telephone — you simply should know the place to look. One of my favourite hidden options is named Smart Lock, a instrument that retains my telephone unlocked when I’m at residence, then reverts again to requiring my fingerprint or PIN code the second I go away. It’s extremely handy. Keep in thoughts, all the options I focus on under could not look or work precisely the identical on each telephone, and that is as a result of completely different Android machine producers like to make use of interfaces which are distinctive from these of their rivals. My recommendation? Use the search bar on the prime of the Settings app in case you’re struggling to discover a function. Take management of alerts and notifications. 
    Screenshots by Jason Cipriani/CNET
    Quiet the notifications that may waitTired of each single notification inflicting your telephone to bleep or boop? Tell your Android telephone while you need an app to present silent alerts by long-pressing on the alert till you set off a immediate, asking if you’d like the notification to be marked as an Alert or Silent. Alert will enable the apps’ notifications to play sounds and present up on the lock display screen, whereas Silent will mute the alert, however nonetheless make it seen in your notification tray. Live Caption is big from an acessbility standpoint. 
    Jason Cipriani/CNET
    Add captions to any video or podcastLive Caption is a formidable, but comparatively new function that is slowly making its strategy to extra gadgets. When energetic, it provides real-time captions to any video, podcast or voice observe in your telephone. It would not matter if the video you are watching is muted — Live Caption will nonetheless transcribe it for you. Since it was first introduced final yr, Google has expanded its Live Caption function past the Pixel telephone lineup to included Samsung’s Galaxy S20 and the OnePlus 8 collection. There is not an official checklist of supported gadgets, so far as I can inform, and your telephone must be operating Android 10 to ensure that it to work. To activate Live Caption (or verify in case your telephone is supported), open the Settings app and seek for Live Caption. The Live Caption toggle is in a distinct place on the Pixel 4, Galaxy S20 and OnePlus 8 ($699 at OnePlus). After turning on Live Caption, anytime you start taking part in a video — even in case you go away the amount turned off — a small black field will present up in your display screen, together with real-time dictation of no matter’s being mentioned.It’s rather well accomplished and a function that each telephone ought to have, not simply Android. You can be taught extra concerning the function, together with learn how to restrict profanity, and learn how to use it in our full information. Split Screen is straightforward to make use of on an Android telephone. 
    Jason Cipriani/CNET
    Use two apps on the similar timeOne of my favourite options in Android is with the ability to have two apps on the display screen on the similar time. It’s helpful when I’m a Google Doc and sending an e-mail, or when I’m wanting up a recipe and sending the ingredient checklist in Messages. But it is not fully clear learn how to get apps in split-screen mode. Tap on the app switcher button, or in case you’re utilizing Android 10 gestures, swipe up from the underside of the display screen to enter the multitasking view and faucet on the app icon on the prime of an app’s card or thumbnail adopted by Split Screen. The first app will slide to the highest of the display screen, and the multitasking view will take up the underside part of your display screen. Either choose one other app from the multitasking view or launch an app out of your homescreen or app drawer. Not each app will help cut up display screen mode, and the one approach I can determine to inform if an app lacks help is to easily strive opening it in cut up display screen. Watch a video and browse Twitter on the similar time? Go on, I’m listening. 
    Jason Cipriani/CNET
    Watch a video and browse Twitter simultaneouslyAlong the identical concept of split-screen apps is Android’s Picture-in-Picture (PiP) function. Using it couldn’t be easier, you simply should know it is there.I like to look at my favourite Twitch streamers whereas I browse Reddit or verify my emails. To set off PiP, begin watching a video after which return to the house display screen. Really, it is that simple. Once you allow the app, if it helps PiP mode, the video will present up as a small window in your telephone’s display screen. You can drag it round, resize or shut it. To view a listing of apps put in in your telephone that help this function, open the Settings app, and go to Apps & Notifications > Special app entry > Picture-in-picture. This can be the place you’ll be able to go to disable PiP for an app. For instance, if you don’t need Google Maps persevering with to point out you turn-by-turn instructions after you’ve got left it, and relatively the app fully shut down. Turn on Smart Lock to maintain your telephone unlocked at residence. 
    Jason Cipriani/CNET
    Use Smart Lock to maintain your telephone unlocked while you’re residenceOne of my favourite hidden options can maintain you from having to enter your PIN or scan your fingerprint everytime you’re residence or at work. You can set it to maintain your telephone unlocked while you’re in a selected location. You also can set it to maintain the telephone unlocked when it detects you are energetic, like while you’re strolling round whereas holding the telephone pressed to your face or talking over Bluetooth on wi-fi headphones. Open Settings > Security > Smart Lock and enter your PIN code when prompted. From there, you’ll be able to decide which side of Smart Unlock you need to use and when. Just needless to say when you’ve got Smart Lock set to maintain your telephone unlocked at residence, which means anybody you reside with will have the ability to get into it. Android 10 makes it a breeze to share Wi-Fi networks with a QR code. 
    Screenshots by Jason Cipriani/CNET
    Quickly share your Wi-Fi community creds with friendsGiving your Wi-Fi community password to a buddy or member of the family generally is a trouble, particularly if it is a lengthy, advanced collection of numbers and letters. Or you could be hesitant at hand over your credentials as a result of it is a password you employ someplace else — I get it. Granted, having folks over or visiting a buddy’s house is one thing most of us are avoiding proper now, however as stay-at-home orders start to elevate, and issues start to return to regular, it is certain to come in useful. Thankfully, with Android 10 you’ll be able to show a QR code in your telephone’s display screen that may enable anybody who scans it to connect with your Wi-Fi community. 

    Now taking part in:
    Watch this:

    Android 10: Tips and tips

    2:07

    You can scan or create a QR code in your machine by opening the Settings app and deciding on Network > Wi-Fi. If you are sharing your community credentials, faucet on the community title after which Share. If you are connecting to a Wi-Fi community, faucet on the QR Code icon subsequent to Add Network. This function additionally is useful in case you’re establishing a brand new telephone and do not need to undergo the method of copying your password. Now that you have mastered Android’s hidden options, be sure to’re fully acquainted with Android 10’s options, like new privateness settings and a devoted darkish mode.

    Recent Articles

    Open Roads Review – Quick Trip

    I as soon as learn in a really profound article...

    Foldable Phones in 2024: What to Expect From Samsung, Google and Others

    Last 12 months marked a big second for the foldable cellphone trade. Newcomers Google and OnePlus launched their first bendable telephones. Motorola and Samsung...

    Horizon Forbidden West PC: best settings, VRAM, DLSS, | Digital Trends

    PlayStation Studios More than two years after its launch on PS5, Horizon Forbidden West is now accessible on PC. The authentic recreation, Horizon Zero Dawn, has change into...

    How much RAM do you need in a laptop? Here’s how to figure it out

    Determining the specs for a new laptop (or a laptop computer improve) could be a delicate balancing act. You wish to spend sufficient so...

    How to Partition a hard drive – 2 efficient ways

    Partitioning your onerous drive makes managing the working system, information, and file codecs of every partition simpler. For instance, you possibly can set up...

    Related Stories

    Stay on op - Ge the daily news in your inbox