Android

Where are my apps in Android 12?

Dave Farquhar Android

I upgraded my Pixel phone to Android 12, and I couldn’t find my apps. When I swipe up on the home button, I get my running apps, but not the full list. Where are my apps on Android 12?

Swipe up on the desktop and you’ll find your list of installed apps in Android 12. Swiping up on the home button now pulls up the list of running apps.

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How to get rid of the small keyboard on Android

Dave Farquhar Android
How to get rid of the small keyboard on Android

I was minding my own business, dictating a blog post into my phone while I took my evening walk. At some point I brushed against the screen with my sweaty hand, and next thing I knew, this sidebar showed up on my keyboard, shrinking the already small keys. I didn’t ask for a shrunken Android keyboard with a sidebar. So here’s how to get rid of the small keyboard on Android.

The small keyboard on Android is called one handed mode. To disable one handed mode in Android, tap the three dots and toggle one-handed mode. Or tap the gear, select Preferences, and toggle one-handed mode.
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Are Blu phones good? Are Blu phones safe?

Dave Farquhar Android
Are Blu phones good? Are Blu phones safe?

If you need a cheap smartphone, you’ve probably seen Blu. And the price probably makes you wonder. Are Blu phones good? And are Blu phones safe? Those are good questions to be asking. Here’s my family’s experience with Blu phones.

Blu phones had a spotty security track record but haven’t had a major security issue since 2017. As far as quality, they’re fine for the money, as long as you don’t expect them to perform with a phone that costs twice as much.

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Is there a virus on my phone?

Dave Farquhar Android, security
Is there a virus on my phone?

Is there a virus on my phone? Or your phone? I can’t know for certain, but probably not. Here’s what to do if your phone says it has a virus and wants you to visit a web page or pay someone money.

I’ll tell you what you really need to do, and I’ll even show you a neat trick so you’ll see fewer of these messages. And none of this will cost you anything, either.

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Skycure: a review

Dave Farquhar Android, security , ,

Skycure helps keep your Android devices secure. A coworker who came up through the mobile space recommended I check out Skycure. I liked it right away. This is my Skycure review for Android.

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Tablet battery replacement

Dave Farquhar Android , , , , ,
Tablet battery replacement

Can you replace a battery in a tablet? That’s a good question. It’s almost always possible. The question is whether tablet battery replacement is practical. Some companies make it really easy to replace a battery, and some make it really hard.

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Blu Studio One review

Dave Farquhar Android , , , , , , ,

I needed a phone in a hurry the other day when my wife’s Moto E started acting up. We turned to the Blu Studio One, specifically model# S0110UU. This is my Blu Studio One review.

It’s an inexpensive midrange phone for people who want to bring their own to their carrier rather than (over)paying on a monthly installment plan. It works with GSM providers like T-Mobile and AT&T. It does not work with Sprint or Verizon, since they use the CDMA standard. Some of the smaller carriers also work with GSM. Buying a Blu phone isn’t a bad way to go when you’re looking to save on a cell phone.

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Digiland tablet review

Dave Farquhar Android , , , , , , , , , ,
Digiland tablet review

The Digiland DL718M tablet is an inexpensive (sub-$40) tablet sold at consumer electronics stores like Best Buy. Make no mistake, a Digiland tablet is a basic tablet for basic needs. But given reasonable expectations you can buy one of these and be happy with it.

This isn’t a new market by any stretch. But it seems like tablets in this price range are usually Black Friday specials, or only available on online marketplaces far abroad. The Digiland DL718M, or today’s equivalent, is one you can get today if you want.

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Fixing an Asus Memopad that will turn on but the battery won’t charge

Dave Farquhar Android , , ,

My son told me one morning that he’d let his tablet charge overnight, but the battery level was at 60%.  I messed around with it, and indeed, it seemed that the battery had lost its ability to charge with the wall charger. Here’s how I fixed it.

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Stream from Windows Media Player to Android

Dave Farquhar Android , , , , , , ,
Stream from Windows Media Player to Android

I wanted to be able to stream from Windows Media Player to Android. I have lots of media stored on my Windows computers, but what if I’m in a room that doesn’t have a computer, or outside?

Good GenXer that I am, I spent decades collecting CDs. Some of my stuff is as common and ordinary as it gets. But some of it isn’t on any of the streaming services and probably never will be because there were exactly two other people alive who liked it.

I ripped most of them with Windows Media Player and stored them on my PC with the biggest drive. But that’s not necessarily where I want to listen to music from. Media Player can stream between multiple PCs, but it can also stream to an Android phone or tablet, which, in many cases, is even more convenient.

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