How to Use Walkie-Talkie in watchOS 5

Apple’s watchOS 5 update, coming this fall to all Apple Watch models with the exception of the original Apple Watch, introduces a fun new feature that mimics old school walkie talkies. With Walkie-Talkie, you can connect to your friends and family and have push-to-talk conversations right on your wrist.

The video below demonstrates Walkie-Talkie in action, while the post explains the steps to set it up and use it.

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Turning on Walkie-Talkie and Adding Friends

Walkie-Talkie is an app on the Apple Watch with an icon that looks like a little walkie talkie on a field of yellow. Whenever you want to use Walkie-Talkie to communicate with someone, you’ll need to open up the Walkie-Talkie app. The first step, though, is adding a friend to chat with.

Open the Walkie-Talkie app.
Turn the Digital Crown to scroll through your contacts. 3. Choose a friend who has an Apple Watch and watchOS 5.
Tap on the person’s name in the contacts list.
When a yellow card with their name appears on your Apple Watch in the Walkie-Talkie app, tap on the card.
Press on the “Talk” button to initiate a connection.
You’ll need to wait for your friend to receive your message and approve the Walkie-Talkie connection. It will say “Connecting to [Your Friend’s Name].
When a connection is established, it will go back to the Talk button and you will be able to have a Walkie-Talkie conversation with your friend.
If a connection cannot be established, you’ll see a popup that says “[Your Friend] is not available.” If this happens, it means the person on the other end did not answer the incoming Walkie-Talkie notification.

If the Walkie-Talkie connection screen hangs indefinitely on the connecting screen, it means the person does not have an Apple Watch or does not have watchOS 5 installed.

When a friend adds you to Walkie-Talkie, you’ll see an incoming notification that your friend wants to establish a connection with you. To chat, you will need to tap on “Always Allow.”

Talking With a Friend Using Walkie Talkie

Once a connection has been approved between you and your friend, you do not need to get approval for each and every message. You can just push to talk and whatever you say will be beamed to your friend’s Apple Watch.

Open up the Walkie-Talkie app.
Tap on the card for the friend you want to talk to.
Hold down the “Talk” button for the entire time that you’re speaking. You will see little concentric circles flashing, which means your message is being relayed to your friend.
When you’re done speaking, stop pressing on the Talk button. This will allow your friend to press the Talk button on their end to send a response to you.
You can have multiple Walkie-Talkie connections with your friends, but you can only communicate with one friend at a time because Walkie-Talkie is a one-on-one feature. Group chats between multiple people are not supported.

Accessing Walkie-Talkie Quickly

Once you have a Walkie-Talkie connection established with at least one person, a little Walkie-Talkie icon will be displayed at the top of the Apple Watch’s main screen. If you tap it, it will take you right into the Walkie-Talkie app.

This icon also serves as an indicator that you’re available for Walkie-Talkie conversations and that any friends you’ve established a connection with can message you at any time.

Adjusting Walkie-Talkie Volume

Open the Walkie-Talkie app.
Choose a Walkie-Talkie contact card.
At the talk interface, turn the Digital Crown.
A downward turn lowers the Walkie-Talkie volume, while an upward turn makes it louder. Turning it all the way down effectively mutes the conversation.

Using Walkie-Talkie With AirPods or Bluetooth Headphones

If you have AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones connected to your Apple Watch, you will hear incoming Walkie-Talkie messages through the accessory rather than directly through the Apple Watch. You will also be able to speak into the microphone of the AirPods, keeping your conversations more private.

Turning Off Walkie-Talkie and Removing Contacts

If you want to shut off Walkie-Talkie conversations and refuse incoming messages, you can do so by setting yourself to unavailable.

Open up the Walkie-Talkie app.
Scroll all the way to the top to see the “Available” toggle.
Toggle “Available” to off.
When your Walkie-Talkie availability is disabled in the Walkie-Talkie app, people who attempt to connect to you will see the message “[Your Name] is Not Available” and you will get a notification that someone attempted to reach you but you were unavailable with an option to go to the Walkie-Talkie app to resume the conversation.

To remove a contact from Walkie-Talkie, at the main contact card interface, swipe to the left on a name in the list to bring up a red “X” button. Press on the X to remove the contact.

Walkie-Talkie Warnings

Walkie-Talkie takes precedent over all of the other settings on your Apple Watch. You will hear your friend speaking even if your Apple Watch is set to silent, and it will ignore Do Not Disturb settings as well as Theater Mode.

This may change during the beta testing process, but for now, if you don’t want to be disturbed in a quiet situation like a movie theater, you will need to make sure your Walkie-Talkie availability setting is toggled off.

Walkie-Talkie Availability

watchOS 5 can be downloaded by developers, but public beta testers and other Apple Watch owners will need to wait until the software sees its public launch as Apple does not offer watchOS public betas. This is because there’s no way to downgrade the software on the Apple Watch.

Apple plans to release watchOS 5 in the fall alongside iOS 12 and likely new hardware that includes new Apple Watch models and new iPhones.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4, watchOS 5Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
Discuss this article in our forums

Upcoming dual-lens smartphones could have more 3D for less cash with Lucid

More dual-camera smartphones could soon have the ability to capture depth data in real time without a depth sensor. That’s because Lucid, the company behind 3D cameras such as the LucidCam, is bringing the depth software from its cameras into smartphones. On Tuesday, June 26, Lucid announced that several manufacturers are now integrating the company’s software into mobile devices with dual cameras.

Bringing Lucid’s software into smartphones isn’t as straightforward as an app download or operating system update. Lucid cameras use two lenses that are spaced a specific distance apart in order to mimic the placement of human eyes. By taking data from two different viewpoints, the camera can recreate the scene in 3D or apply other depth effects. Dual-camera smartphones, however, have spacing and camera specifications that differ between models.

Lucid’s software will be custom tailored to each device’s optics during the manufacturing process through what the company is calling a “vision profile.” The company compares that profile to a pair of prescription glasses because it’s unique to the device’s “eyes” or lenses.

By integrating the software into mobile devices, Lucid says the device won’t need expensive hardware components such as depth sensors. Those sensors allow for 3D effects, but also drive up the price of making the phone and increase the size of the device.

“The way we as humans accurately perceive three dimensions and distances is not solely based on our two eyes but rather a combination of experience, learning, and inference,” said Lucid CEO Han Jin. “As chips and servers begin to approach the processing power of our brains, we can mimic this intelligence in software only, using A.I. and data on top of dual cameras.”

Smartphones with the Lucid software will gain 3D and depth sensing features that are enhanced with artificial intelligence, the company says. The software allows for real-time 3D and depth effects that could open possibilities for a number of different features, including the ability to livestream to a holographic display. Depth information is also required for features such as blurring the background in a photo.

“The depth information that is captured through the addition of the second camera is what separates a device from recommending you similar clothes to knowing much more, such as the precise size, shape, style, fit, and texture,” Jin said. “This leads to a much bigger benefit for consumers, and thus belongs in many more products than just the LucidCam.”

Lucid hasn’t shared exactly what models will use the technology, but said some mobile devices already use the software while more manufacturers are now integrating the software during the manufacturing process on upcoming devices.

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Buying a New Cell Phone: What to Look for

They’ve become an integral part of our lives, as much as we might not like it. From a very early age, cell phones are used not just for keeping in touch with family and friends; we use them for organizing our daily lives, including work and college. We use them for finding out about the availability of local services and which are the cheapest. We do our shopping on them, find the way to new places and for storing all our important personal information. There are hundreds of different cell phones available, which makes finding the right one rather complex. However, there’s no need to get stressed over the decision, because there are certain things you can look out for, to ensure you find the best one for your needs.

Quick and Easy Tips for Buying a New Cell Phone

• Android vs. iOS: With an Android, you get a wider choice of hardware and prices are more reasonable. iOS, on the other hand, is easy to use and gets the latest apps first.
• Price: This can vary considerably, from just a few hundred dollars to more than one thousand. Decide on a budget and then make sure you stick to it.
• Display: Small screens are perfect if you plan on only using one hand. A bigger screen will be better if you want to watch videos, movies or play games. Furthermore, color quality and brightness are worth checking out first hand.
• Camera: Nowadays, pretty much all cell phones have a decent camera. The difference between them will be in the special features.
• Processor: When it comes to performance you don’t need to worry, because even middle of the range cellphones performs adequately for most people.
• Battery: Battery life is important, and you should look for one that offers at least 10 hours on a charge.
• Storage: Aim for at least 32GB, or you’ll be struggling to keep up with all the updates and store the games, videos, and photos you want. One extra you might want to consider paying for is a microSD slot.

There are several reasons why you might be looking for a new cell phone. You could be looking to buy one because you’ve just dropped your latest one down the toilet. It could be that this is your first cell phone purchase, or your current contract is up for renewal and you want to upgrade. If you’re using finance, such as a cash loan from Bonsai Finance, the price is going to be an important consideration. However, there are a few other factors which you need to bear in mind.

What are Your Needs?

Do you need a cell phone to help with the running of your business? Do you want a cell phone purely for keeping in touch? Will you be spending hours watching videos or playing games? These are a number of the questions you need to be asking. The answers will help you decide on features such as camera, screen size, battery life, processor speed, and storage. Having the option to use dual SIM cards will be a great addition if you’re a regular traveler.

Which Operating System is Best?

In the cell phone world, there are essentially only two contenders: iOS and Android. Historically, iOS enjoyed the biggest market share. However, Android is gathering converts around the world. It is more of a personal choice, as both are easy to use and offer a range of games and apps. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. iOS offers a uniform experience and is more secure. The apps available are also a little better. Android, on the other hand, provides consumers with a wider choice of devices. The range of prices is vast, and there is great versatility, thanks to the customization options.

Choose Your Provider Wisely

Cell phones can be found in a vast range of shapes and sizes, so too can cell phone providers. The first decision you have to make is whether to go with one of the bigger names or go with a small carrier, and it will depend on the size of your data usage, as to which you choose. Smaller carriers offer great benefits for those with more modest needs, while the bigger companies will be better for heavy data users. When it comes to coverage, the bigger names have their obvious advantages. The coverage offered is countrywide and the highest internet speed available. How much data you need will further depend on how you use your cell phone. Be warned, however, that it can be the biggest charge you have to pay.

Do You Truly Need a New Cell Phone?

It’s worth asking yourself this question because buying a new cell phone can be a considerable expense. Answer the question honestly. There are two valid reasons for making such a purchase.

• Problems with your current phone: There a few problems that can become very annoying and require an upgrade of your phone. Your battery may not last as many hours as it used to; it could be that the response time is very sluggish.
• Change of provider: Once upon a time, you would have to get a new phone when you changed provider. The same is not true today. Unlocked phones are available from a variety of different providers. Nowadays, it is an opportunity to trade in your current phone or replace it at no extra cost.

One other reason for purchasing a new cell phone is because you can’t do without the latest gadget. Many would consider this a valid reason, but there is an equal number who wouldn’t. The improvements in cell phone technology have slowed down considerably in recent years, and there is a very little benefit to be gained from having the latest model. However, for some of us, keeping up with the latest technology and having the “best money can buy” is important; whether you want an upgrade can be a personal choice.

We hope you will find these tips useful and be able to find the perfect cell phone for your needs. There are so many to choose from that it can be a confusing decision to make. Following our tips will make the choice an easier one.

Google’s Tilt Brush gets new brushes, ‘Beginner Mode,’ sound effects, and more

Google launched Tilt Brush early last year as a way to offer artists tools in virtual reality. Since then, the app has been made available on a number of platforms, including the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, and has been hailed as one of the most innovative VR apps out there. Now, the company is updating Tilt Brush with a series of new features that should help make it even better than it already is.

For starters, Google has added a hefty seven new brushes, allowing users to create both new textures and new volumes. Using the new brushes, Google says that users will be able to more easily create natural-looking environments or objects. For example, the Hull Brush allows users to easily paint a 3D object just by moving the controller.

Next up is the fact that Google wants to make Tilt Brush better for users regardless of their skill level. Tilt Brush now has two modes: Beginner and advanced. Beginner limits tools a little, but it includes the core feature set that allows users to more easily start using Tilt Brush. Once users are familiar with the features, they can switch to Advanced mode.

Third is the Pin tool, which allows users to easily lock objects in space — so they won’t move around, even when artists are creating environments with a lot of objects.

A number of other tweaks have been added too. There are more sound effects to use, for example, and users can quickly recall their Mirror simply by pressing the “Recall Mirror” button right next to them. Finally, users can now quickly undo and redo brush actions by holding the controller button.

As Google continues to add new features to Tilt Brush, it’s likely that it will continue to gain in popularity among artists and graphic designers. Generally, virtual reality art hasn’t become all that popular just yet, but new VR headsets are launched every year, and more people are adopting the new platform — despite the fact that it’s still considered to be in its infancy. Still, apps like this will likely help artists get used to 3D environments, which could be very helpful going forward.

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• Ready to grill? Here are alternatives to cleaning it with a wire-bristle brush
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• Cooler Master’s new $79 mechanical keyboard lights up your desk like Christmas
• Nike’s latest patent turns your workout clothes into towels

Google’s Tilt Brush gets new brushes, ‘Beginner Mode,’ sound effects, and more

Google launched Tilt Brush early last year as a way to offer artists tools in virtual reality. Since then, the app has been made available on a number of platforms, including the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, and has been hailed as one of the most innovative VR apps out there. Now, the company is updating Tilt Brush with a series of new features that should help make it even better than it already is.

For starters, Google has added a hefty seven new brushes, allowing users to create both new textures and new volumes. Using the new brushes, Google says that users will be able to more easily create natural-looking environments or objects. For example, the Hull Brush allows users to easily paint a 3D object just by moving the controller.

Next up is the fact that Google wants to make Tilt Brush better for users regardless of their skill level. Tilt Brush now has two modes: Beginner and advanced. Beginner limits tools a little, but it includes the core feature set that allows users to more easily start using Tilt Brush. Once users are familiar with the features, they can switch to Advanced mode.

Third is the Pin tool, which allows users to easily lock objects in space — so they won’t move around, even when artists are creating environments with a lot of objects.

A number of other tweaks have been added too. There are more sound effects to use, for example, and users can quickly recall their Mirror simply by pressing the “Recall Mirror” button right next to them. Finally, users can now quickly undo and redo brush actions by holding the controller button.

As Google continues to add new features to Tilt Brush, it’s likely that it will continue to gain in popularity among artists and graphic designers. Generally, virtual reality art hasn’t become all that popular just yet, but new VR headsets are launched every year, and more people are adopting the new platform — despite the fact that it’s still considered to be in its infancy. Still, apps like this will likely help artists get used to 3D environments, which could be very helpful going forward.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The Brush Monster makes an augmented reality game out of oral hygiene
• Ready to grill? Here are alternatives to cleaning it with a wire-bristle brush
• Using this A.I.-based healing brush, repairing an image is no biggie
• Cooler Master’s new $79 mechanical keyboard lights up your desk like Christmas
• Nike’s latest patent turns your workout clothes into towels

Win a year’s worth of cupcakes from LG (oh, and some free phones)

Are you called Ryan and in need of a new phone? You’re in luck, as LG has just launched a new ad campaign aimed at making Ryans throughout the U.S. switch to the new LG G7 ThinQ. If you need that deal sweetened, it’s been launched alongside a new sweepstakes that will see one lucky Ryan and seven friends/family receive their very own LG G7 ThinQ, a $25 voucher for the Google Play Store, a billboard in Times Square dedicated to their selfie, an exclusive party, and — most excitingly — a year’s supply of free cupcakes.

Entering the competition is simple — Ryans (or acceptable variants of) can simply head over to whatsitgonnatakeryan.com and fill in the registration details. If you’re not named Ryan, you can either convince a nearby friendly Ryan to enter for you, or (if you’re unfortunately bereft of Ryans), you can enter through the alternate mail-in method set up for people with other names. The competition runs from June 26 until July 12, and the winner will be selected July 18.

Accompanying the bizarre sweepstakes is a suitably bizarre new ad featuring Parks and Recreation actress Aubrey Plaza. The advertisement revolves around Ryan, a normal guy who’s sick of his slow phone, but who lacks the drive to get himself a new phone. As is so often the case with major life decisions, Plaza turns up, telling Ryan to get a new phone — namely, the LG G7 ThinQ. After refusing Plaza (clearly, Ryan moves on with his life, but is hounded by other people who insist on educating him on the benefits of the LG G7 ThinQ. His grandmother even appears on television to tell audiences about Ryan’s terrible phone, how it’s been slowed down by the manufacturer, has terrible battery life, and needs a dongle.

The advertisement finally culminates after Plaza once again enters Ryan’s life by charging through a wall and really sells him on the G7 ThinQ by offering to take a selfie with him.

If you want to know whether the LG G7 ThinQ is right for you, then you don’t need to wait for Plaza to enter like the Kool-Aid Man — you can just check out our LG G7 ThinQ review instead.

Editors’ Recommendations

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• Everything we know about the upcoming LG G8 ThinQ smartphone
• LG G7 ThinQ vs. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus: Clash for the heavyweight title

Firefox’s new Monitor service will let you know if you’ve been hacked

As part of its efforts to make Firefox users feel more secure while browsing the web, Mozilla is launching Firefox Monitor to let users know if they’ve been hacked. By integrating Firefox Monitor with web service Have I Been Pwned (HIBP), users of Mozilla’s browser can quickly check to see if they’ve been hacked by entering their email address. Mozilla is trialing the Firefox Monitor service right now and will invite 250,000 of the more than 500 million Firefox users to help test the service next week. After the testing period, Mozilla expects the service to roll out to all Firefox users.

“We decided to address a growing need for account security by developing Firefox Monitor, a proposed security tool that is designed for everyone, but offers additional features for Firefox users,” Mozilla wrote in a blog post detailing the service. “Visitors to the Firefox Monitor website will be able to check (by entering an email address) to see if their accounts were included in known data breaches, with details on sites and other sources of breaches and the types of personal data exposed in each breach.”

The service monitors the web to see if your email is part of a data dump, and if it is, Firefox Monitor will send an alert to your inbox. To keep your email address secure when you’re checking Firefox Monitor to see if you’re a victim of a data breach, Mozilla claims that your information is anonymized and that the service never sends your full email address to a third party outside of Mozilla. Email lookups are performed using hashing prefixes to keep your information secure.

“When searching HIBP for a password, the client SHA-1 hashes it then takes the first five characters and sends this to the API,” HIBP creator and security researcher Troy Hunt wrote on his blog. “In response, a collection of hashes is returned that match that prefix (477 on average). By looking at the hash prefix sent to the service, I have no idea what the password is. It could be any one of those 477 or it could be something totally different, I don’t know. Of course, I could always speculate based on the prevalence of each password but it would never be anything more than that — speculation.”

In addition to alerting users if their data is breached, Mozilla said that it is also evaluating a service to notify you if your personal data was also compromised. Part of Mozilla’s security strategy is to integrate HIBP’s service with Firefox Lockbox, a password manager that automatically fills in usernames and passwords for websites that you visit on Firefox. In the future, Firefox Monitor will be able to verify your stored Lockbox logins against the HIBP database to give you a more detailed look at what services, passwords, usernames, and accounts may have been compromised in a data breach or attack.

Mozilla advises users to download the latest Firefox Quantum browser to prepare for the launch of Firefox Monitor.

In addition to partnering with Mozilla for Firefox Monitor, Hunt is also working with password manager 1Password to allow HIBP lookups from directly within 1Password’s Watchtower feature.

Editors’ Recommendations

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Best Screen Protectors for Samsung Gear Sport

These are the best way to keep your watch looking pristine!

Samsung’s Gear Sport is its latest and greatest smartwatch, combing style and a design that’s rugged enough enough for fitness fanatics. That rugged design can still use some protection, so it’s not a bad idea to invest in a screen protector.

The Gear Sport’s screen is the exact same size as that on the Gear S2, so most of our options advertise compatibility with both. If you see something you like for the Gear S2, know that it will also work with your Gear Sport.

These are the best screen protectors for your Samsung Gear Sport!

• OMOTON Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• Supershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• WIMAHA Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• ArmorSuit MilitaryShield Screen Protector
• Orzero Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• Akwox Tempered Glass Screen Protector

More: Best Accessories for Samsung Gear S2 and Gear S2 Classic

OMOTON Tempered Glass Screen Protector

The nicest screen protectors are tempered glass, since it looks and feels the exact same as the display glass that’s already on your watch. OMOTON offers a glass screen protector that does just that. The screen protector is only .26mm thick, meaning it’ll add hardly any bulk onto your watch. In addition to protecting your watch’s display from cracks, the screen protector itself is scratch resistant, and almost completely transparent so you can show off your nice watch face.

The OMOTON Tempered Glass Screen Protector is available in a three-pack for $7.

See at Amazon

Supershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Another great tempered glass option comes from Supershieldz. Like the above option, this screen protector is scratch resistant, 99.99% transparent, and bubble free when you install it. Another trick up Supersheildz’ sleeve is an oleophobic layer to keep fingerprints from mucking up the display.

Supersheildz’s Tempered Glass Screen Protector is available in a three-pack for $7.

See at Amazon

WIMAHA Tempered Glass Screen Protector

WIMAHA has another grean tempered glass option, also with an oleophobic coating to keep fingerprints at bay. This screen protector is almost completely clear, letting you see your notifications and apps with ease. The kit includes a suction cup for the most precise installation you can get, and like others this screen protector is scratch resistant. One downside is the price: the WIMAHA kit includes less screen protectors for the same cost as others.

The WIMAHA Tempered Glass Screen Protector is available in a two-pack for $7.

See at Amazon

ArmorSuit MilitaryShield Screen Protector

While this isn’t a tempered glass screen protector, it has a trick up its sleeve: self-healing technology that is supposed to repair minor scratches and scrapes. It also has an oleophobic coating to keep fingerprints and oils away, and an anti-glare coating to help you see the watch face on bright sunny days. Despite being a film screen protector, this won’t peel away from the screen if you wear your watch in the shower or when swimming.

The ArmorSuit MilitaryShield Screen Protector is available in a two-pack for $8.

See at Amazon

Orzero Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Back onto the tempered glass train, Orzero has a great screen protector for the cost. The screen protector has a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating to keep oils and water away, and it’s scratch resistant. The edge of this screen protector is the same 2.5D design that many smartphone panels use, so it will be smoother and blend in with your watch that much better. It’s also 99.9% transparent like other options, meaning your watch’s display will shine through unobstructed.

Orzero’s Tempered Glass Screen Protector is available in a three-pack for $6.

See at Amazon

Akwox Tempered Glass Screen Protector

The best bang for your buck comes from Akwox, which offers a kit with four screen protectors for the same price as the other options. Don’t go thinking this is a junky option either: it has an oleophobic coating, it’s scratch resistant, 99% transparent and has a 2.5D edge to blend in perfectly with your watch. It’s just as hard as the other options as well, so sudden impacts shouldn’t crack the glass. It’s also bubble resistant, so you should have an easy time installing it and making it look great the first time.

Akwox’ Tempered Glass Screen Protector comes in a four-pack for $7.

See at Amazon

Which is your pick?

What screen protector do you use on your Gear Sport? Let us know down below!

Keep all of your gadgets powered up with this 10-port USB hub for $20

So many ports for all your gadgets.

As part of its Gold Box deals of the day, Amazon has the Sabrent 10-port USB charging hub on sale for $19.99. It normally sells for closer to $33, and hasn’t dropped in price since Black Friday. Its smart port technology maximizes the charging output on each port based on the device, and it has a max of 60W and 12A output through all the ports. You can use all 10 slots at the same time if you need, or mix and match the devices as you see fit.

Beyond powering your phone and tablet, it can also provide a charge for your e-reader, action camera, portable Bluetooth speakers or headphones, and more. This discount makes the 10-port option only $3 more than the smaller six-port version, so you won’t want to miss out. If you have more than one device that you like to charge at the same time, or are tired of fighting with your friends about who can charge their device at a certain time, you’ll want one of these today.

See at Amazon

How to use the Speed Key and BlackBerry KEY2 keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts on the BlackBerry KEY2 are even more convenient with the new Speed Key.

BlackBerry hadn’t added a key to the keyboard in over a decade, but the KEY2 brings a new one called the Speed Key. It’s the nine-dot matrix labeled key in the lower right and what it does is a nice addition to the keyboard shortcuts we first saw (for Android, anyway) on the Priv. The Speed Key allows you to use any of the 52 keyboard shortcuts you’ve created from any screen.

This is a nice addition for two reasons. First, it’s always great to do something using fewer taps and the Speed Key means you never have to go back home before you can go where you really needed to go. The second is that sometimes moving back or away from an app will clear any text you’ve entered into any text boxes, which meant that using a keyboard shortcut to open an app like a password manager could be a pain if you had to go back home first.

Enough talk about why it’s good, here’s how to get going!

Set up your keyboard shortcuts

You might have noticed a prompt to set up keyboard shortcuts when you first logged into your KEY2. You probably ignored it and moved forward because during the first run is a pretty inconvenient time to be setting up keyboard shortcuts. That’s OK. You can get into the setup several different ways.

Tap the Speed Key three or more times. You’ll see a screen that lets you know what the Speed Key is for and a shortcut to go right to the settings page.
Long press any empty spot on your home screen.

• In the window that appears, choose settings.
• In the next window choose Keyboard Shortcuts.

Open the device Settings.

• Scroll down to Shortcuts and gestures.
• Choose Keyboard shortcuts.

Once you have the settings screen open, you’ll see a list of the letters A – Z and the first few will have app or actions icons beside them. Those shortcuts are already set up. You can edit or delete them by tapping their entry and choosing Edit or Delete. You’ll also notice Long Press and Short Press tabs at the top of the screen. You can create two different shortcuts for the same keyboard key this way. One shortcut is assigned to a normal tap on the key and the other triggers when you press and hold the key.

Here’s how to assign a shortcut:

• Choose whether you want to create a long press or Short Press shortcut by choosing the correct tab.
• Find the letter you want to use for the shortcut.
• If a shortcut is already assigned, tap the entry and choose Edit.
• Choose the green plus sign to assign a new shortcut.
• You can choose from a list of shortcut types:
  • Open app will let you open any app you have installed on your phone.
  • Speed Dial will let you choose a number from your contacts to call.
  • Send Message lets you send an email or SMS message to someone in your contacts.
  • All Shortcuts is a list of all the shortcuts your installed apps can perform. You’ll see things like “open a new tab” for the Chrome browser, find driving directions through Google Maps, as well as custom shortcuts for third-party apps you’ve installed.
  • Home Screen Shortcuts is a quick list of all the apps you have pinned to your home screen.

To test your new shortcuts, close the settings and from the home screen try pressing or long-pressing one of the keys you’ve assigned a shortcut to. The app or message or whatever you set should immediately fire up.

The Speed Key

There’s no setup involved here because the Speed Key works with the regular keyboard shortcuts you set up using the instructions above. To use the Speed Key is easy:

• From any screen press the Speed Key.
• Press the shortcut key for the app or action you’re wanting to open.

Your shortcut should fire and become the screen you’re seeing without moving backward through any app you’ve been using previously. It’s a small feature, but one that can be very handy and save some time.

If you’re using a BlackBerry Priv or KEYone and using keyboard shortcuts, tell us what you’re doing with them — especially the custom “All Shortcuts” settings. Android lets you do some really cool things and doing them with one tap on a key makes them even cooler.

BlackBerry KEY2

• BlackBerry KEY2 hands-on preview
• BlackBerry KEY2: Everything you need to know!
• BlackBerry KEY2 specs
• BlackBerry KEYone review: Coming home
• Join our BlackBerry KEY2 forums!

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