Category: android

Beta Testing Android Q on My Pixel 3 XL

One thing I like about using the Google phones is that I can stay in the loop with Beta testing the latest and greatest software. History: Those who know me, know that any new software or hardware that falls into my lap, will break. It is the story of my life, but, also very handy…

March 18, 2019
“Grasshopper: Learn to Code in JavaScript” by Google’s Area 120

UPDATE 5/6/2018: After working on Grasshopper for 16 days in a row…..I GRADUATED! Yippeee! Tired of your kids, or grand-kids, having all the fun learning how to code? Well…..here is an app for us “old” folks. 😉 Adult learners, using the Grasshopper app on your Android or IoS phones can now learn how to code…

April 20, 2018
Using Android Pay on My Pixel XL

The never ending battle for truth justice and the…….. Oh well, you know the rest, and now that I have officially used Android Pay for the first time…..I will soon be able to save the world with my Justice League friends, starting with Wonder Woman! Makes me feel 10 again! Love it…..:-) Paying by phone…

December 7, 2017
Google Releases the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

A few days ago, Google announced the release of their second version Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. I purchased my Pixel XL in November 2016, and have been super happy with it…..still am! In the year, I have taken tons of pictures (see some of them below), participated in the Oreo Beta test, and…

October 5, 2017
Pixel XL vs Samsung Galaxy Note 4: Camera Comparision

Those of you follow this blog know that I love(d) my Samsung Galaxy Note 4. In addition to the Note 4 being reliable, fast, and rugged, I was especially impressed with the Note 4’s camera, which handled everything from low light concerts to bright light landscapes with equal aplumb. Alas, time passes and my…

December 24, 2016
Pixel XL Depth of Field

Trying something new….posting from my new Pixel XL to TechyMike. Took a few pictures of Blaze and our fern this morning testing the depth of field of the Pixel XL camera. I first focused on the fern with Blaze blurry in the background. Then I focused on Blaze in the background and now the fern…

December 23, 2016
Google Pixel XL: Taking a Screenshot & Finding the Control Buttons

UPDATE July 2023: Things have changed since this, soooooo, consider this a History lesson on Pixel phones and android. 🙂 My Google Pixel XL arrived on Saturday, November 19, 2016. After opening it and going thru the set up procedure….the Pixel XL promptly downloaded Android 7.1 Nougat thereby making this techy geek nerd very very…

November 21, 2016
Google Pixel & Pixel XL Android Phones

Google decided it was time to develop hardware! Since I am (was?) a hardware developer…this is great news. Google announced several new hardware products yesterday (October 4, 2016), but, I am only super excited about one: The Pixel phones. Note: I will add more information as I get hands-on experience with this phone after I…

October 5, 2016
Music: Google Play and iTunes

I realize that music CD’s are going the way of the dodo bird…..BUT…..we still have a great CD collection, and Lori keeps buying CD’s. As such, I have a TON of uploaded CD music on my Windows computer–in iTunes. But, I want to use Google Play as my cloud-based music storage location (I am Google-fied).…

June 8, 2016
Our Land Line Telephone: End of an Era

On April 10, 2016 the unthinkable happened……we cancelled our land line telephone service. 209-836-2044 is now disconnected / out of service. Really quick history: Lori and I are both old time Bell Labs employees in Holmdel, NJ. So land lines and telecommunications services are in our blood…. The passing of our beloved, battery operated via…

April 11, 2016