Learn how to use Google Maps with these handy tips and tricks
One of the early signs that Google might expand beyond search in all sorts of interesting and unexpected directions was the Google Maps release in 2005. Borne out of a series of acquisitions, the Google Maps project has grown over the years to encompass satellite imagery, millions of points of interest, street views, turn-by-turn navigation, traffic conditions, public transportation, and a good deal more.
Google Maps boasts more than 1 billion active users today, making it the most popular navigation software in the world. It gets millions of us where we need to go every day, but are you sure you’re getting the most out of it? It’s easy to miss new features or hidden options. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide on how to use Google Maps. It’s time to take your first step on the road to mastery with our Google Maps tips and tricks.
Keep your device in place and in view while you navigate with one of the best iPhone car mounts, and don’t forget to snag a great car charger. If you don’t like using your phone for directions, then check out the best in-car GPS devices.
How to save your home and work addresses
One of the first things you should do with Google Maps is save your home and work addresses. To do this, open up Google Maps, tap the menu button — represented by the three vertical lines in the top-left corner — and tap Your places. You’ll see entries for Home and Work. Put your addresses in. You can now ask Google Maps to navigate to Home or Work instead of having to enter the address. You can also enter searches like “restaurants near work,” and get a list of viable suggestions.
How to get directions quickly
Most of us are familiar with the Google Maps Navigation feature that offers voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions, but did you know that there’s a nifty shortcut to start it? You can search for a place or touch it on the map, then touch and hold the blue Directions button at the bottom right, and Google Maps will choose the best route and launch straight into Navigation mode. If you want to tweak the route or change your mode of transport, then just tap it once, make your changes, then tap Start.
How to share a location
Just tap and hold on any location to drop a pin. Tap the address section at the bottom of the screen to expand it, then tap Share. You’ll see a pop-up list of apps that you can share your location through. If someone is having trouble finding your location, then a photo view of the front of the actual building can help. Check the next tip for how to share Street Views directly.
How to see Street View on mobile
If you want to see a photo of your location, then you need Street View. Touch and hold on the map to drop a pin on your chosen location, then tap at the bottom where it says Dropped pin (or the address) to bring the information up. You should see an image of the location near the bottom of your screen. Tap that, and you’ll launch into Street View at your chosen location. You can share that Street View by tapping the menu in the top-right corner and tapping Share.
How to find things nearby
Let’s face it, you don’t always know what you’re looking for. Maybe you want some gas, you’re looking for a bite to eat, or you need to mail a package. Thankfully, if you tap the Explore option at the bottom left in Google Maps, you’ll see a list of nearby points of interest. If you scroll down, then you can narrow your search by choosing one of the categories. There are restaurants, hospitals, ATMs, gas stations, and a host of other establishments. You can also search for whatever you need by typing in the search bar at the top, or do a voice search by tapping the microphone icon at the top right.
Choose whatever it is you’re looking for, and you’ll be presented with a list of nearby options with their respective distances. You’ll also see review scores — if available — and you can often call businesses or visit the website directly from the info panel. If you slide the information panel down, then you’ll see that they’re even marked on your map.
How to zoom one-handed
Everyone is used to pinching in order to zoom in and out, but you can also zoom one-handed in Google Maps. A double tap will zoom partially, but there’s another option. Tap twice on the map, leaving your finger or thumb on it the second time, and you’ll find that you can swipe down to zoom in and swipe up to zoom out.
How to view maps offline
A lot of users complain that one of the major weaknesses of Google Maps is the fact that you need to be online to use it. Actually, you can download and view maps offline with a little planning. If you’re going to New York, for example, you would open up the app, search for “New York,” and tap the bar at the bottom where it says “New York.” Then, you’d select the button marked Download.
New York is enormous, however, so you’ll be prompted to select an area. After doing so, you can name your map and save it. Your saved maps will be listed in the Google Maps menu, which is accessible by tapping the three horizontal lines in the top left when you first launch the app. Take a look under Your places, and scroll along to the Maps tab to find your offline maps. They expire in 30 days, so you’ll need to update them if you don’t want them to expire.
Offline maps are pretty limited, unfortunately. You can’t get turn-by-turn directions, or search maps while you’re offline.
How to save favorite locations
You’ll see recent searches come up when you tap on the search bar, but you can also save locations quite easily, and it can be a real time-saver in the future when you look for a place again. In order to do it, simply tap on the place you want to save on the map, expand the information by tapping on the address at the bottom, and then tap Save. You can choose to save it as a favorite place with the heart icon, mark it as a place you want to go, or add it to your starred places list. When a location has been saved, the Save option will switch to Saved with the relevant icon. Go into the menu and you’ll find Saved places listed under Your places.
How to check bus and train timetables
You can also use Google Maps to check up on bus and train times to any location. Simply enter the location you want to travel to in the search bar, tap on Directions and tap on the icon of the train at the top. You’ll see a list of options based on the current time.
If you want to check when a later train is available or see when the last train leaves, then tap where it says Depart at and enter a specific time, or you can tap on Last to find your latest option. You can also filter the results by type of transport (bus, train, underground), and set preferences in terms of fewer transfers or less walking via Options in the top-right corner.
How to see where you’ve been
Google Maps keeps a record of your travels and you can review it via your browser. Go to this Google link and, provided you’re signed into your Google account, you’ll see a map of where you’ve visited in the last day. You can use the calendar located in the top-left corner to select specific dates, or date ranges to see weeks and months.
Beneath the calendar you’ll also see options to Delete history from this time period and Delete all history. You can also turn this tracking off by opening the Google Settings app, and tapping Location > Google Location History. Toggle it off completely, or choose specific devices that you want it turned off for. Bear in mind that, if you don’t have GPS on and High accuracy mode set under Location in your Settings all the time, then you may see some approximate locations that are way off where you really were.
Learn how to use Google Maps with these handy tips and tricks
One of the early signs that Google might expand beyond search in all sorts of interesting and unexpected directions was the Google Maps release in 2005. Borne out of a series of acquisitions, the Google Maps project has grown over the years to encompass satellite imagery, millions of points of interest, street views, turn-by-turn navigation, traffic conditions, public transportation, and a good deal more.
Google Maps boasts more than 1 billion active users today, making it the most popular navigation software in the world. It gets millions of us where we need to go every day, but are you sure you’re getting the most out of it? It’s easy to miss new features or hidden options. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide on how to use Google Maps. It’s time to take your first step on the road to mastery with our Google Maps tips and tricks.
Keep your device in place and in view while you navigate with one of the best iPhone car mounts, and don’t forget to snag a great car charger. If you don’t like using your phone for directions, then check out the best in-car GPS devices.
How to save your home and work addresses
One of the first things you should do with Google Maps is save your home and work addresses. To do this, open up Google Maps, tap the menu button — represented by the three vertical lines in the top-left corner — and tap Your places. You’ll see entries for Home and Work. Put your addresses in. You can now ask Google Maps to navigate to Home or Work instead of having to enter the address. You can also enter searches like “restaurants near work,” and get a list of viable suggestions.
How to get directions quickly
Most of us are familiar with the Google Maps Navigation feature that offers voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions, but did you know that there’s a nifty shortcut to start it? You can search for a place or touch it on the map, then touch and hold the blue Directions button at the bottom right, and Google Maps will choose the best route and launch straight into Navigation mode. If you want to tweak the route or change your mode of transport, then just tap it once, make your changes, then tap Start.
How to share a location
Just tap and hold on any location to drop a pin. Tap the address section at the bottom of the screen to expand it, then tap Share. You’ll see a pop-up list of apps that you can share your location through. If someone is having trouble finding your location, then a photo view of the front of the actual building can help. Check the next tip for how to share Street Views directly.
How to see Street View on mobile
If you want to see a photo of your location, then you need Street View. Touch and hold on the map to drop a pin on your chosen location, then tap at the bottom where it says Dropped pin (or the address) to bring the information up. You should see an image of the location near the bottom of your screen. Tap that, and you’ll launch into Street View at your chosen location. You can share that Street View by tapping the menu in the top-right corner and tapping Share.
How to find things nearby
Let’s face it, you don’t always know what you’re looking for. Maybe you want some gas, you’re looking for a bite to eat, or you need to mail a package. Thankfully, if you tap the Explore option at the bottom left in Google Maps, you’ll see a list of nearby points of interest. If you scroll down, then you can narrow your search by choosing one of the categories. There are restaurants, hospitals, ATMs, gas stations, and a host of other establishments. You can also search for whatever you need by typing in the search bar at the top, or do a voice search by tapping the microphone icon at the top right.
Choose whatever it is you’re looking for, and you’ll be presented with a list of nearby options with their respective distances. You’ll also see review scores — if available — and you can often call businesses or visit the website directly from the info panel. If you slide the information panel down, then you’ll see that they’re even marked on your map.
How to zoom one-handed
Everyone is used to pinching in order to zoom in and out, but you can also zoom one-handed in Google Maps. A double tap will zoom partially, but there’s another option. Tap twice on the map, leaving your finger or thumb on it the second time, and you’ll find that you can swipe down to zoom in and swipe up to zoom out.
How to view maps offline
A lot of users complain that one of the major weaknesses of Google Maps is the fact that you need to be online to use it. Actually, you can download and view maps offline with a little planning. If you’re going to New York, for example, you would open up the app, search for “New York,” and tap the bar at the bottom where it says “New York.” Then, you’d select the button marked Download.
New York is enormous, however, so you’ll be prompted to select an area. After doing so, you can name your map and save it. Your saved maps will be listed in the Google Maps menu, which is accessible by tapping the three horizontal lines in the top left when you first launch the app. Take a look under Your places, and scroll along to the Maps tab to find your offline maps. They expire in 30 days, so you’ll need to update them if you don’t want them to expire.
Offline maps are pretty limited, unfortunately. You can’t get turn-by-turn directions, or search maps while you’re offline.
How to save favorite locations
You’ll see recent searches come up when you tap on the search bar, but you can also save locations quite easily, and it can be a real time-saver in the future when you look for a place again. In order to do it, simply tap on the place you want to save on the map, expand the information by tapping on the address at the bottom, and then tap Save. You can choose to save it as a favorite place with the heart icon, mark it as a place you want to go, or add it to your starred places list. When a location has been saved, the Save option will switch to Saved with the relevant icon. Go into the menu and you’ll find Saved places listed under Your places.
How to check bus and train timetables
You can also use Google Maps to check up on bus and train times to any location. Simply enter the location you want to travel to in the search bar, tap on Directions and tap on the icon of the train at the top. You’ll see a list of options based on the current time.
If you want to check when a later train is available or see when the last train leaves, then tap where it says Depart at and enter a specific time, or you can tap on Last to find your latest option. You can also filter the results by type of transport (bus, train, underground), and set preferences in terms of fewer transfers or less walking via Options in the top-right corner.
How to see where you’ve been
Google Maps keeps a record of your travels and you can review it via your browser. Go to this Google link and, provided you’re signed into your Google account, you’ll see a map of where you’ve visited in the last day. You can use the calendar located in the top-left corner to select specific dates, or date ranges to see weeks and months.
Beneath the calendar you’ll also see options to Delete history from this time period and Delete all history. You can also turn this tracking off by opening the Google Settings app, and tapping Location > Google Location History. Toggle it off completely, or choose specific devices that you want it turned off for. Bear in mind that, if you don’t have GPS on and High accuracy mode set under Location in your Settings all the time, then you may see some approximate locations that are way off where you really were.
HTC Vive vs. Vive Pro
Although there are a few intriguing virtual reality headsets on the horizon, if you want the best high-end VR headset system right now, we’d recommend you get the HTC Vive. However, that might change later this year because at CES this year, HTC announced the Vive Pro, a headset that upgrades the original design in a few exciting areas.
To see how much of an upgrade though and whether it’s worth you shelling out for the new Vive — especially if you already own the original one — we’ve pitted the HTC Vive vs. Vive Pro, to see how they compare in a head to head.
Specifications
HTC Vive Pro
HTC Vive
Display
AMOLED
OLED
Resolution
2,880 x 1,600 (615 PPI)
2,160 x 1,200 (448 PPI)
Refresh Rate
90Hz
90Hz
Platform
SteamVR, Viveport
SteamVR, VivePort
Field of view
110 degrees
110 degrees
Tracking area
100m squared (33 x 33 feet)
15 x 15 feet
PC connection
Wired, wireless (with adaptor)
Wired, wireless (with adaptor)
Built-in audio
Yes, headstrap headphones w/ in-line amplifier
Yes, Deluxe Audio Strap
Built-in mic
Yes, dual
Yes, single
Controller
Original Vive controller, support for new Vive controller (w/ new sensor, color), any PC compatible gamepad
Vive controller, any PC compatible gamepad
Sensors
Accelerometer, gyroscope, Lighthouse laser tracking system, dual front-facing cameras
Accelerometer, gyroscope, Lighthouse laser tracking system, front-facing camera
Connections
USB-C 3.0, DisplayPort 1.2, Bluetooth
HDMI, USB 2.0, USB 3.0
Requirements
Unknown, but likely greater than the Vive
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 /AMD Radeon RX 480 equivalent or greater
Intel Core i5-4590 equivalent or greater
4GB+ of RAM
Compatible HDMI 1.3 video output
1x USB 2.0 port
Windows 7 SP1 or greater
Price
Unknown
$600
DT review
Hands-on
4 out of 5 stars
Design
Luke Larsen/Digital Trends
The physical design differences between the original HTC Vive and the new Vive Pro are subtle on the outside but noticeable when you try it on. The blue-tint paint job is the most obvious change on the first impression of the new headset, but that’s far from all that’s changed. The Vive Pro has drawn inspiration from the Deluxe Audio Strap upgrade for the original Vive, and now features a firmer headstrap which can be adjusted by a dial at the rear, rather than the velcro straps of the original headset.
The Vive Pro also comes with built-in headphones which can be tilted away from the user’s ears to make it easier to hear what’s going on in the room around you. Both headsets still field a full suite of obvious external sensors, something that makes the Vive range stand out (at least visually) from its fabric coated counterpart in the Oculus Rift.
From the front, the Vive Pro’s design changeups are also noticeable, for its use of dual cameras, rather than the Vive’s singular central lens. That should enable augmented reality through a stereo video-feed in the future.
With our hands-on we noted that none of the added features of the Vive Pro appeared to have made it heavier. Indeed, HTC claims that the new headset has an improved center of gravity, better weight support throughout the headset, and an increase in the face gasket surface area for reduced stress on the user’s face. The redesigned face cushion utilizes a new cloth-lined foam for added comfort and better light blocking, and the nose rest has been tweaked to support a wider array of nose shapes.
Those more nuanced ergonomics also extend to glasses wearers. Although the Vive Pro isn’t perfect, its controls for adjusting the distance between the lenses and the distance between the user’s eyes and lenses, makes it easier to wear the Vive Pro while wearing glasses than its predecessor. That’s useful for those with long eyelashes too.
Better ergonomics, better built-in headphones, and a slightly more interesting paint job make the Vive Pro the better-designed piece of kit.
Winner: Vive Pro
Display quality, field of view
One of the most noticeable improvements of the HTC Vive Pro over its predecessor is the display. Not only has HTC moved over to utilize AMOLED technology for the dual panels it employs, but it has also increased the resolution by almost 80 percent, from the Vive’s 2,160 x 1,200, to the Pro’s 2,880 x 1,600. That results in an obvious improvement in detail thanks to the added pixel density of 615, versus the Vive’s 448.
As well as improving how crisp and detailed objects look up close in the virtual world, that added resolution means you can view objects in detail at a greater distance, further improving immersion and making it possible to enjoy larger, open areas, even if you are playing in a limited physical space. It also makes it near impossible to see subpixels (the colored dots within pixels) and reduces the so-called “screen-door effect” where you can visibly make out the lines between the pixels.
Field of view has remained the same across both headsets, as have the lenses — RoadToVR confirmed the same fresnel design has been used with the Vive Pro — which means you can expect the same auras around light objects in dark scenes.
Even without lens changes though, there’s no doubt from our hands-on time with the Vive Pro that the increased detail of the new AMOLED displays make a huge difference to the VR viewing experience.
Winner: Vive Pro
Controls and tracking
When the HTC Vive Pro is released it will only be available as a headset, initially. That means that early adopters will need existing HTC Vive Lighthouse trackers and controllers, which will allow for roomscale tracking up to 15 x 15 feet and motion controller input. That setup would provide no additional functionality over the original HTC Vive, but at an unspecified date in 2018, we can expect that to change.
The Vive Pro is fully backwards compatible with HTC Vive trackers and controllers, but it also has full support for second-generation Lighthouse trackers and in larger numbers. Those new trackers can sync up four base stations, providing more accurate tracking with additional redundancy, as well as support for a larger tracking area up to 100 metres squared, or around 33 x 33 feet. There are unlikely to be many end-users who can support such a large area, but for those who can, the option is there. That will also be a major boon for those hoping to offer virtual reality gaming in large public spaces and for multiplayer scenarios.
Those Lighthouse 2.0 trackers will ship out with the full Vive set later this year alongside some new controllers too. These won’t be the ‘Knuckle’ controllers that Valve has been working on, but according to HTC’s Daniel ‘O Brien, the controllers are built in the same form-factor, but will have new sensors for compatibility with the new Lighthouse stations and a paint job to match the Vive Pro’s color scheme.
The other big change mentioned in the same breath as the Vive Pro, is HTC’s own wireless module, which untethers its VR headset(s) from your PC entirely. No more cables, just wireless input and output thanks to Intel’s low-latency WiGig technology. Wireless systems like TPCast have existed for a while now, but this is the first time that HTC has thrown its hat in that ring.
We don’t have much in the way of details for now, but in our experience, it adds no latency and was indistinguishable from using the headset while plugged in. The system will be powered by a USB battery pack and will be an optional extra for the HTC Vive Pro. Better yet, it will also be backwards compatible with the HTC Vive.
Despite the open support of the wireless module, the slightly upgraded controllers and the tracking system employed by the Vive Pro drastically improve the original Vive’s already impressive roomscale tracking system.
Winner: Vive Pro
Audio
Luke Larsen/Digital Trends
For many people, one of the weaker elements of the HTC Vive, when it was first released, was its audio solution. It came with an easily accessible 3.5mm connector and bundled earbuds. They were practical, if inelegant, but did make it possible to use a third-party headset if required. HTC later rectified this with the release of its Deluxe Audio Strap, which added a firmer headband with built-in headphones. That now ships as standard with the HTC Vive.
For all of the Vive Pro’s improvements to the visual element of virtual reality though, HTC also made a big effort to update its auditory capabilities. Much like the currently available Vive, its headstrap has built-in headphones. However, its solution is Hi-Res certified and is powered by a digital amplifier for more nuanced and powerful sound. We also recently confirmed the headphones are completely detachable if desired.
Alongside the new headphones, the Vive Pro augments the original Vive’s single microphone for in-headset voice chat, with a dual-microphone array. That solution allows for active noise cancelling to help ward off the world outside, as well as the opposite in a new “conversation mode,” which makes it easier to hear the outside world while gaming in VR.
Other neat additions include a physical headset volume control, so you don’t have to open up the SteamVR dashboard to alter noise output and a physical mute button, making it quick and easy to shutdown your microphones for privacy reasons, or to converse with someone in the real world.
Although it’s likely that true audiophiles will want to leverage their own powerful headphones for improved immersion, HTC has made big steps with the Vive Pro’s audio that will make it hard to go back to the original.
Winner: Vive Pro
Performance and requirements
Virtual reality headsets need reasonably hefty hardware to be able to hit the 90 frames per second rate that is required for comfortable VR usage. The Vive’s specifications aren’t quite as strenuous as they were in 2016 and graphics cards and processors have come on a lot since then.
As it stands though, we don’t know what the requirements for the Vive Pro will be. With the increased resolution requirements of the display, it seems likely that they will be noticeably more demanding of your gaming system. With that in mind, we’ll give the nod to the HTC Vive in this category for now, until we learn more.
Winner: HTC Vive
Software
Both the HTC Vive and HTC Vive Pro have the full support of both SteamVR games through Steam and HTC’s own platform, Viveport. The Valve-managed platform has the largest library of available digital games anywhere in the world, whether you’re a VR gamer or playing on a more traditional display, which early on in the Vive’s life gave it a significant advantage over headsets like the Oculus Rift. Viveport isn’t quite as expansive, but it has plenty on offer and also has a Netflix-like subscription model, where for $7 a month you can download and play any five titles on the store of your choice, chopping and changing each month.
Although there may be games and experiences that are ultimately released which take advantage of the Vive Pro’s improved resolution, stereo camera system and dual-microphones, for now at least, the libraries of available titles for both headsets are identical.
Winner: Draw
Pricing and availability
The HTC Vive is 25 percent cheaper today than it was when it first released, priced now at $600 with controllers and lighthouse trackers. Considering the HTC Vive Pro will feature improved hardware, built-in-audio and an additional front-facing camera, it is likely to be more expensive — especially when it ships with the Lighthouse 2.0 trackers and new wand controllers later this year.
That may not be the case when HTC begins selling the headset standalone in Q1 this year, but it is still unlikely to be cheap. The original Vive is likely to be the more affordable VR option while it remains on sale. The fact that it’s available now while the Vive Pro is not, too, gives it a significant advantage in that respect.
Winner: HTC Vive
Overall Winner: Vive Pro
Luke Larsen/Digital Trends
The HTC Vive will always hold a special place in our heart as being the first headset to truly introduce us to the immersive world of roomscale virtual reality with proper motion controllers. It’s been able to hold its own over the near two-years since its release as well, despite increased competition. With the Vive Pro though, it may well have met its match. Due to the way HTC talks about it, we wouldn’t be surprised if the original Vive is replaced altogether in 2019.
With improved audio, visuals, tracking solutions, and ergonomics, it’s hard to see the Vive Pro as anything other than a step up to the HTC Vive. Audio straps and wireless module backwards compatibility aside, the Vive Pro will ultimately supplant the Vive as the best consumer VR headset available when it debuts later this year, though pricing details could certainly change the
Editors’ Recommendations
- HTC Vive Pro hands-on review
- HTC Vive Tracker Review
- These are the 20 best HTC Vive games available today
- HTC’s Vive Pro gets sharp enough to read text, goes wireless
- HTC’s stand-alone Vive Focus killed off its Daydream headset in the U.S.
An approach to fighting cancer involves … 3D printing extra tumors?
When it comes to innovative cancer treatments, most approaches focus on one thing: Removing the cancerous tumor as quickly as possible. A new technique developed by Swedish biotech company Cellink takes a different route, however: 3D printing more of the cancer cells.
That may sound counterintuitive, but it’s actually part of a significant advance on the path toward personalized cancer therapies. It involves taking a small piece of a patient’s tumor, multiplying the cells, and then using Cellink’s technology to bioprint the patient’s tumor in the lab.
“A bioink is a material that mimics an extracellular matrix environment to support the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of living cells,” Erik Gatenholm, CEO and co-founder of Cellink, told Digital Trends. “Bioinks distinguish themselves from traditional biomaterials such as hydrogels, polymer networks, and foam scaffolds due to their ability to be deposited as filaments during an additive manufacturing process.”
When the tumor tissue replica has been printed, oncologists and other researchers have the opportunity to test various types of treatment — such as chemotherapy — to determine which the tumor responds best to. By using 3D bioprinting, researchers are able to further understand and discover the treatment that suits an individual patient. Since cancer therapies have, to date, been limited by our understanding of how exactly cancerous tumors grow, this may represent an important breakthrough. As Gatenholm told us, “No two cancers are 100 percent alike. Personalized healthcare can be taken to new heights with the use of this technology.”
Right now, the technology is still in its experimental stages and not yet ready to be rolled out to the general public. “At the moment, cells [and] tissue samples from real cancer tumors are being used to experiment,” Gatenholm said. “In the near future, we hope to be able to offer this as an option to those fighting cancer. We look forward to taking this journey and impacting the future of personalized healthcare. It’s important to understand that we are not developing treatments; that’s the job of the pharmaceutical company. We develop technologies that enable them to improve their treatments research and development.”
3D bioprinting may not yet be at the point of printing entire functioning organs, but as Cellink’s work demonstrates, that doesn’t mean it can’t be used to help save lives.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Broccoli and reprogrammed gut bacteria team up to battle cancer
- Hijacked sperm in magnetic harnesses could be the next weapon in war on cancer
- Luxturna becomes first gene therapy approved to treat an inherited disease
- It’s alive! These ‘living tattoos’ may someday monitor your health
- Award-winning device catches skin cancer early by monitoring temperature of moles
Page speed will soon affect Google Search results on mobile
The change will officially begin this July.
When you search for something, finding the best answers as quickly as possible is key. This is important when browsing on your desktop, but even more so when doing it from your phone. According to Google, this is the reason it’ll be tweaking how search results are displayed later this year.
Starting July 2018, search results on mobile will use page speed as a factor to determine what’s placed up top and what’s at the bottom. This is something that Google’s been doing on desktop for a while now, but now it’s officially making its way to mobile results.
Google will introduce this as part of its “Speed Update”, and it’s said that this will “only affect pages that deliver the slowest experience to users and will only affect a small percentage of queries.” Furthermore, if a page has quality, relevant content, it’ll still rank high in search results even if its page speed isn’t the fastest around.
If you’re a developer and want to ensure your web pages are as snappy as can be, Google recommends using Lighthouse, PageSpeed Insights, and its Chrome User Experience.
Google Clips likely launching soon as it passes through FCC
5 fantastic apps for eating healthier in 2018
Eat healthier with a little help from these apps!
While subsisting off takeout and fast food might be fine for some people, there are definitely those of us who are hoping to start eating healthier in the new year. Whether you’re just tired of feeling like crud from too much processed sugar, or you just want to keep a better eye on what you eat, this can be a task that’s easier said than done. But thankfully there are apps out there that can help you achieve this feat without too much stress.
That’s why we’ve put together the best apps to help you eat healthier in 2018!
- Foodstand
- Thrive Market
- Is my food safe?
- Pepperplate
- My Fitness Pal — Calorie Counter
Foodstand
If changing your eating habits means breaking your addiction to soda or candy, Foodstand is the app to take a peek at. It’s built to bring you to a community of people who are also working on breaking similar habits, and lets you check in easily every day when completing challenges.
Foodstand aims to deliver a way to be more mindful of your food choices in order to live a healthier life. One of its main features is Challenges, which lets you check in each day that you complete — or abstain from — a goal. These include things like cutting out soda, having a distraction-free meal, or employing tactics to make sure that you don’t overeat when you sit down for dinner.
If you’re making new food choices with friends, then you can also connect with them in the app. You can post up comments on friends’ public challenges to help keep each other on track, or keep all of your information private until you’ve gotten the hang of things.
Download: Foodstand (Free)
Thrive Market
One of the peskier parts of switching over your eating habits is trying to find the food that you’re looking for. If you’re looking for specific organic brands, or you are serious about sticking to that new Keto diet, Thrive Market can help you out. It’s an organic marketplace that you can access right from your phone.
Thrive Market lets you easily search for specific brands of food, cleaning supplies, and more, as well as giving you some pretty hefty discounts if you use the app to order what you’re searching for. You can also search by diet, which means only the foods you’re looking for will pop up making it easier to stick to that diet when meal planning. The diet choice in search will also let you filter down to vegan or gluten-free options as well. This means if you have limited options you can easily find the food that you can safely eat without a hassle.
Download: Thrive Market (Free)
Is my food safe?
Whether you’re trying to figure out if the meatloaf you made for dinner the other night is still edible, or you’re experimenting with new foods, you want to be sure that what you are about to eat is safe. That’s exactly what Is my food safe? aims to do.
You can access quizzes for better sanitation in the kitchen, look up how long leftovers will keep before going bad, and even see how long certain foods need to cook before being safe for eating. This is especially handy if you’re just getting used to cooking for yourself, absolutely nobody wants accidental food poisoning from an undercooked sausage.
Download: Is my food safe? (Free)
Pepperplate
Just because you’ve made the choice to go ahead and start eating better doesn’t necessarily mean that you have any idea what you’re going to be cooking up. That’s where Pepperplate comes in. You can add recipes, share them with friends, and access them no matter what device you’re on making picking up the ingredients for dinner easier than ever.
While some of Pepperplate’s basic features can be found in many other cooking apps, it’s got a few tricks up its sleeve. Namely, the ability to scale a recipe to feed more — or fewer — people so that you have a better eye on portion control, as well as creating a schedule for your meals. This means you can do your meal planning for the whole month right in the app, and get it out of the way without having to constantly check back!
Download: Pepperplate (Free)
My Fitness Pal — Calorie Counter
If you’re pairing your changing food choices with a workout plan or diet, then you may have very specific caloric needs. If keeping track of your calories is important to building healthier eating habits, then My Fitness Pal — Calorie Counter is the way to go.
You can input your daily calorie goals, use it as a food diary, and track exercise so that you have an accurate idea of how much you are taking in and how many calories are being burned in your daily routine. The search ability will also let you look up foods and check their nutritional facts before you decide to order when you’re grabbing lunch on the run.
Download: My Fitness Pal — Calorie Counter (Free)
Are you eating healthy?
Trying to change your eating habits can seem like a seriously daunting task. These apps are by no means the end all be all of what is lurking out there on the Play Store, but they are a great way to get started and are specifically aimed to help you meet your goals. Is there an excellent app for eating healthy that we didn’t mention here? Is your favorite on our list? Let us know in the comments below!
ProtonVPN launches on Android as a truly free VPN solution
A free VPN service that’s enjoyable (and safe) to use.
Thanks to the KRACK Wi-Fi vulnerability that reared its ugly head in October of last year, VPN services have become more valuable than ever before. A quick search on the Google Play Store will reveal a heap of VPN apps to choose from, and while there are legit options, there are also ones that spam you with ads, sell your data, and even install malware.
ProtonMail just launched its ProtonVPN app for Android, and it has potential to be the best free VPN solution yet.
The lack of data/bandwidth caps makes this a worthy contender.
You can start using ProtonVPN right away after you download it to your phone or tablet, and even with the free version, you can do just about anything you’d like. You won’t be hit with any limits on bandwidth or data usage, ProtonMail will never use its VPN service to sell your browsing data to other companies, and most important, it won’t install any of that pesky malware. That might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s unfortunately not seeing as how 38% of all Android VPN apps install malware on devices without user permission.
The free version of ProtonVPN is more than worth checking out, and if you like what you see and want even more, ProtonMail has three paid tiers to choose from. These range in price from $4/month up to $24/month, and they come with features like more device support, faster speeds, access to servers in unlimited countries, and more. It is worth noting that the free option only allows you to use three countries and has throttled speeds, but the lack of a data cap still makes it worth a look.
Best VPN apps for Android
Amazon Echo and Music Unlimited coming to Australia and New Zealand
Pre-orders for Echo in Australia are live now; Music Unlimited launching in February.
Although the Google Home is my smart speaker of choice, there’s one important area in this market were Amazon still reigns supreme – worldwide availability. The company launched its Echo hardware and Music Unlimited streaming service in 28 countries across the globe in early December, and now these two things are coming to Australia and New Zealand.
In regards to Echo devices, Australia and New Zealand customers will be able to purchase the Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Plus at “select major retailers” beginning in February. For Australia specifically, pre-orders are live on Amazon now with the Echo costing $119 AUD, the Echo Dot is going for $49 AUD, and the Echo Plus will set you back $199 AUD.
As for Music Unlimited, this will be available in Australia and New Zealand starting February 1. Amazon Music Unlimited provides access to 45 million songs, and of course, can be used with Amazon’s Echo hardware. If you want to give the service a whirl before handing over any cash, Amazon will be offering a free 90-day trial.
Of course, the launch of Echo devices and Music Unlimited also means that Alexa is finally coming to both Australia and New Zealand. Each country will get a region-specific version of the virtual assistant with a unique voice, skills, and local knowledge added by developers in the areas.
Amazon Echo Spot now up for preorder in the UK
Amazon Echo
- Tap, Echo or Dot: The ultimate Alexa question
- All about Alexa Skills
- Amazon Echo review
- Echo Dot review
- Echo Spot review
- Top Echo Tips & Tricks
- Amazon Echo vs. Google Home
- Get the latest Alexa news
See at Amazon
How to find the IMEI number on your Android phone
There are lots of easy ways to find your phone’s IMEI number.
No matter what phone you’re using — whether it’s a budget Moto E4 or a $900 Galaxy Note 8 — it will have an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. The IMEI number is a unique identifier that’s usually a string of 15 digits, and comes in handy if you’re trying to locate a lost or stolen phone.
How can I find my phone’s IMEI number?
There are several ways to find the IMEI number of your phone — the easiest is to key in *#06# from the dialer and you’ll get a dialog box with the IMEI shown on the screen. The IMEI number is also printed at the back on a few phones, or underneath the battery housing for older phones that have removable batteries.
You can also find the IMEI number by heading into your phone’s settings by going to Settings -> About phone -> Status -> IMEI information. Alongside the IMEI number, you’ll likely find the SV number, which denotes the software version. The IMEI number is also printed on the retail packaging, so even if you don’t have your phone, you can find the IMEI.
Should you lose your phone or if it gets stolen, you’ll have to furnish law enforcement authorities with the IMEI number so they can locate your device. Carriers rely on IMEI numbers to identify devices registered on their network, and in an event of a lost or stolen phone, they’ll be able to blacklist the IMEI to prevent a particular device from being used on their network.
Did you have to use an IMEI number to track down a missing phone? Let us know below.
Meizu M6s announced with Samsung’s new Exynos 7872 processor
The Meizu M6s is a showcase for Samsung’s latest mid-range chip.
The latest phone to come from Chinese OEM Meizu is the M6s, and while we understand it can be difficult to get excited about mid-range handsets in the Android space, the M6s has a couple tricks up its sleeve that helps it to stand out from the crowd.
First and foremost, the most notable aspect the M6s has going for it is that it’s the first device to ship with Samsung’s new Exynos 7872 processor. The 7872 is a hexacore CPU with two Cortex-A73 chips that are used for more demanding tasks and four Cortex-A53 ones that help with power efficiency. Single-core performance is said to be two times faster than the 7872’s predecessor, the GPU is the Mali-G71 MP1, and the built-in LTE modem supports up to 300 Mbps download and 150 Mbps upload speeds.
As for the M6s itself, the phone has a 5.7-inch display with a resolution of 1440 x 720. There’s a 16MP camera on the back, 8MP one up front, a 3,000 mAh battery with an included 18W fast charger, USB Type-C, and Meizu’s own Flyme 6.2 OS. The M6s is also the first Meizu phone to feature a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
The M6s is launching January 19 for around $155 USD for the 32GB model and $186 for a unit with 64GB of storage.
See at Meizu
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