Category: android

  • Beta Testing Android Q on My Pixel 3 XL

    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…

  • “Grasshopper: Learn to Code in JavaScript” by Google’s Area 120

    “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…

  • Using Android Pay on My Pixel XL

    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…

  • Google Releases the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

    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…

  • Pixel XL vs Samsung Galaxy Note 4: Camera Comparision

    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…

  • Pixel XL Depth of Field 

    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…

  • Google Pixel XL: Taking a Screenshot & Finding the Control Buttons

    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…

  • Google Pixel & Pixel XL Android Phones

    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…

  • Music: Google Play and iTunes

    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).…

  • Our Land Line Telephone: End of an Era

    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…