Android - Ctrl blog (Page 2)

A mobile phone showing an “Unable to connect to the proxy server” error message.

Android

Android apps time out connections after setting up a PAC proxy

An over-aggressive power-savings system causes Android devices configured with a PAC proxy configuration file to lose networking.

A Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness wristband showing a heart rate of 90 bpm.

Android

Use Xiaomi Mi Band as a continuous heart rate monitor with Google Fit

How to sync your continuous heart rate monitoring data collected by the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 or 3 fitness tracker to the Google Fit app.

Android

Why I prefer using Instapaper on the web over their Android app

The Instapaper app for Android has several issues, but its mobile web app is mostly okay. I chose the latter even though link-saving is more difficult.

An open box of glucose test strips with a Contour Next glucose meter next to it. Next to that, a smartphone with a view on the screen titled “Meter Settings” overlaid by an error message…

Android

Contour Diabetes app, Bluetooth, and why we can’t have nice things

The Contour Next glucose monitor and its companion app communicate with each other over Bluetooth. Well, they try to anyway.

Android

Work-around extension popout-tab refusing to close on Firefox Android

window.close() closes a Firefox WebExtension pop-out window on desktop. That doesn’t work on Firefox for Android, causing many extensions to misbehave.

Screenshot of a “time to take a break” reminder from the YouTube app. Features a tired monkey stretching and drinking from a cup.

Android

Don’t trust YouTube’s break-reminders

The YouTube app is supposed to remind you to take periodic breaks, but fails to prompt users across devices. Feature is of limited use.

The backside of a Nokia 7 Plus smartphone with an arrow pointing from a blue NFC security key device and onto the left side of the camera on the smartphone.

Android

The tiny NFC area on the Nokia 7 Plus

The Nokia 7 Plus has an unusually small NFC contact area and it’s located in an unusual place. Here’s how to find it.

A man sitting on a couch while reading on his phone.

Accessibility

Google Chrome finally includes a Reader Mode but only on Android

Chrome goes against Google’s ad-business-interests and introduces a distraction/ad-free reading mode experience in Chrome for Android.

Android

How to change to the European English locale on Android

How to use European English date-formats and locale settings while still using Android in American English. Customize your Android device’s locale settings.

Android

LastPass quietly deprecates Firefox for Android extension

The LastPass password manager has discontinued support for one of Firefox for Android’s most popular extensions.

Android

Replaced the default Google Now Launcher app to save my Nexus 5X

My Android device struggled with high-memory usage from the Google Now Launcher app. Moving to a different launcher app gave my phone a new lease on life.

A Chromecast icon with the label “ready to cast” with a red underline below “ad”. In the background, an enlarge eye from a paper bill is looking back at you.

Advertisement Technology

Does casting videos to the big screen come at the creators’ expense?

YouTube can show fewer ads when using Chromecast compared to desktop and mobile. Are YouTube creators losing out when you watch on the big screen?