December 24, 2021

There are only two real considerations in the world of smartphone platforms– iPhones or Android phones. If you want an iPhone, then you have to go to Apple. But if you want an Android phone, that’s a little more difficult. Yes, Google has long made its line of phones dubbed Pixel, but it’s always been a mixed bag. Great software, middling hardware. Nothing flagship.

Now we have the Pixel 6 series of phones, and finally, Google has released a pair of phones that you can truly call “flagship hardware.” Suzanne and I have spent over a month with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. And we’ve come to one inescapable conclusion. One of these phones is absolutely the next Android phone you should buy. And the other—-well, check out the two reviews to find out why it might not be.

Other Highlights:

• Hey, Shazam is handing out free Apple Music subscriptions. Nice!
• You can make Zoom calls on some Fire TVs now?
• And back to phone news, we have the details on when your Motorola phone will get Android 12.
• …and more!

I also want to wish you all a Merry Christmas! We might be off for the next few days, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have anything to look forward to. We worked extra hard to ensure you have plenty to read in the next few newsletters. Don’t miss them!

-Josh

Google did it. The company released the “flagship” Pixel phone hardware tech junkies have been begging to see. Finally, the best camera software has great camera hardware, and all the other trimmings are there, too. On paper, it’s the perfect phone. And in practice? Well, the devil is in the details. Read More »

After spending a few weeks with Google’s latest smartphone—the Pixel 6 (dual-released alongside the Pixel 6 Pro)—I can easily say that it is powerful, beautiful, and quintessentially Google. And priced well under $1,000, it should absolutely be your next Android phone. Read More »

New leaks suggest that Google’s first Pixel Watch won’t run on a Snapdragon or Tensor processor. Instead, it may use a Samsung-made Exynos W920 chip, the same processor behind the new Galaxy Watch 4. Additionally, the Pixel Watch could finally introduce on-device Google Assistant speech processing to Wear OS. Read More »

Google officially released Android 12 in early October, and now it’s headed to several other devices like Motorola phones. The Moto Android 12 update, also known as the My UX release, isn’t ready yet, but the company recently shared a full list of which Motorola phones will get Android 12, when it’ll arrive, and what smartphone owners can expect. Read More »

Amazon’s line of advanced smart TVs, called the Fire TV Omni Series, now supports Zoom for video calls and conferences. But you need to take a few steps to set everything up—after all; your TV doesn’t have a built-in webcam! Here’s how to use Zoom on your Fire TV Omni Series Read More »

Everyone knows breakfast is the best meal of the day, but with this great 1500W electric griddle at your side, making it doesn’t have to be a hassle. This 10.5 x 20-inch griddle can handle whatever you throw at it, from eggs and pancakes for breakfast to fajitas and burgers for lunch or dinner. The nonstick surface offers ultra-precise temperature control and dishwasher-safe cleanup when you’re done. It even comes with a drip tray that’ll help keep things clean while you cook, and is available in four colors (black, aqua, grey, and red).

Get it at Amazon →

Finally, a reason to download Shazam! Apple is offering two months of Apple Music to all Shazam users, even if they’re already paying for an Apple Music subscription. And yes, new subscribers can combine this promotion with Apple Music’s three-month free trial for five months of free streaming. Read More »