Andy Betts-Senior Author

Andy Betts

Senior Author

November, 2023
Mac, Android, Mobile
  • 180
    articles
  • 83
    Features
  • 32
    Lists
  • 65
    Guides

About Andy Betts

Andy is a senior writer and former Mac editor at HTG. He has over 20 years experience as a consumer tech journalist, and has covered everything from the old Palm Pilots to the original iPhone and Android devices, to the latest gadgets.
He has written and edited for UK-based print publications like PDA Essentials and Android Magazine, and online at sites including MUO, Android Tips and Hacks, broadband.co.uk, and Envato. He has a passion for all things mobile and has been a keen Mac enthusiast since 2005.

Latest

Waze on phone in car.
I finally de-Googled my life, but I still use Waze in Android Auto for 4 important reasons

Open-source software can do most things, but it can't beat Waze.

1
Discreet Launcher running on a Motorola phone in landscape mode4
I only use my phone in landscape mode, and this Android launcher respects my decision

Stay in landscape even when the stock launcher doesn't allow it.

1
A Fire TV Stick remote leaning against a Bluetooth speaker.
Your old Fire TV Stick is secretly a smart speaker—here's how to turn it into one without connecting to a TV

It takes less than five minutes to set up.

1
A Motorola phone running LineageOS.
How I revived my old Android phone with an open-source OS

LineageOS brought my seven-year-old mid-ranger back to life.

2
PocketCasts Android Auto
This is the only podcast app that makes any sense in Android Auto

An almost completely hands-free experience.

2
Adjusting the Android Auto Audio Volume on an infotainment system.
Your Android Auto launcher is a mess, but these 4 tweaks fix it

Cut back on the distractions.

1
A Windows 11 laptop next to a striped popcorn bucket, with the Plex logo and blurred streaming content in the background.
These 3 third-party Plex add-ons unlock features that Plex Pass won't give you

Stats, downloads, intro-skipping, and more.

Illustration of a clapperboard, a popcorn bucket, and a drink cup, along with the Plex and Jellyfin logos.
I run Plex and Jellyfin side by side to dodge the paywall—here's exactly why

You don't need to choose. They complement each other perfectly.

9
The Plex app icon surrounded by companion apps.
These 4 overlooked Plex companion apps do what the official app refuses to

Add features that are missing or locked behind a paywall.

Pixel 10 Pro XL and Galaxy S26 Ultra
5 reasons I'm switching to Samsung after using Google Pixel for 8 years

The Pixels just aren't what they used to be.

22
The NOVA Video Player icon on Fire TV.
My favorite Fire TV app has nothing to do with streaming

Get the benefits of a media server without having to set up a media server.

A MacBook showing Google Maps on the screen.
I stopped planning trips on my phone and started using Google Maps on desktop—it’s way faster

It makes the navigation app easier to navigate.

A Pixel 7 showing apps blocked using NetGuard.
I blocked 16 Android apps from accessing the internet with one free firewall tool

Not every app needs to be able to go online, and this open source tool stops them.

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Magic Earch privacy notice on a Android phone
I ditched Google Maps for my privacy and got better navigation as a bonus

It's the hardest Google app to live without.

32
Android Auto settings on a Google Pixel 10a .
My phone's battery drained when I used Android Auto—these 6 changes fixed it

You can make Android Auto less power-hungry.

Illustration of an old Chromecast with sparkly art.
7 ways to repurpose an old Chromecast

Breathe new life into Google's old streaming stick.

2
Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy with packaging box.
New Android phones aren't worth buying anymore

Even though they're better than ever.

56
A terminal with the Plex and Jellyfin logos and a popcorn bucket next to it.
Jellyfin is better on paper, but Plex still wins where it actually matters

It's the best choice for the non-tech user.

5
Amazon Alexa Voice Remote Pro sitting next to an Amazon Fire Stick
6 things to test before throwing away your "broken" Fire TV Stick

There might be life in the old stick yet.

Person holding the Google Pixel 8a showing the Battery menu.
5 battery-saving Pixel settings most people overlook

Simple fixes to extend your battery life.

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