Motivated by the change in Google Photos that stopped offering “free storage” I worked on a script that would resize images on my Android phone and released the first version in November 2022. The script requires Tasker to run. There were a couple of problems with it, however. I wasn’t entirely happy with the workflow. I put up with these downsides for quite a while, occasionally researching how to fix the disappearing image problem, but I couldn’t find any good answer until last month. I found out that Tasker must run the “Media Scan” command when it creates a new […]
Android
Save space by resizing Google Photos
On the 1st of June 2021, Google Photos stopped offering free storage. Google Photos is a fantastic service, but at the rate I take photos I knew I’d fill the remaining gigabytes of storage in a matter of months, so I stopped uploading photos from my phone. I don’t regard Google Photos as a backup system for my photos. I use Backblaze for that, where everything is backed up from my desktop computer. Google Photos is very useful for sharing albums, the face recognition is amazing, and utilities like HDR photo generation and time lapses are nice bonuses. In Lightroom, […]
Android
How I fixed the silent timer in Google Clock
The timer in Google Clock didn’t go off when the timer ran out. There was no alarm or notification buzz when I needed it. I’m posting this here in case this happens to anyone else because this was happening to me for a long time. I use the timer on my phone a lot, especially when doing a little cooking: Put Y on at 200C in the oven. Everything done at 50 minutes. Put X in the oven at 40 minute mark. Bring water to the boil at 15 minute mark. Boil some veg.. You get the idea. It’s nothing […]
Android
Otterbox Strada Unintentional Drop Test
I upgraded to a Samsung Galaxy S9+ a few weeks ago. I’ve always used a case on my phones but the screen on my last phone cracked after falling about 40cm onto a tiled floor. For this phone I wanted a bit more protection. I bought a number of cases, most cheap with the most expensive being the Otterbox Strada. I’m not a fan of folio cases: The front cover has to be opened to use the device. The finger print reader can’t be used if the cover is tucked in the back. If you’re taking a photo the cover […]
Android
My S7Edge gets the April Update
My Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is now installing the April 1st update. It got Oreo a few months back and a few updates since. Going by Samsung’s track record I expect those updates to dry up any time soon but it’s good to see them still handing out any sort of updates. In case you’re wondering, this is the unlocked international variant. Version installed: G935FXXU2EREM/G935FOXA2EREM/G935FXXU2ERD6
Android
The Ghosts of Phones Past
Google's Security Checkup is useful. It reminds me of all the problems I had getting a phone with a display that didn't have a fault. I think I ran through the entire stock that shop had for one reason or another.
Android
Move DNG files when the Android camera exits
Many Android phones can shoot RAW photos now but some of them will record a Jpeg file at the same time. This didn’t bother me until Google Photos started backing up DNG files, but it would back up the Jpeg files too so I ended up with duplicate images. I created a FolderSync shortcut to move the DNG files out of the DCIM/Camera/ directory but of course half the time I’d forget and duplicates would end up on Google. I bought Tasker a few weeks ago when it was finally on sale, but only used it for one task, to […]
Android
Sync and Backup Photos from your Android Phone
I’m a big fan of Android smart phones, but backing up photos or files has always been something that has worried me. Different manufacturers have different backup apps. A Samsung phone uses Samsung Kies, a HTC phone uses HTC Backup. Google offers cloud backup of app data if the app supports it. Google Photos will backup your photos, but they’re compressed even more unless you pay for the service (which is perfectly fair). It’s a mixed bag. So, I’m going to tell you how I backup my phone photos, and you can do this with (probably) any Android phone. I […]
Android
The Galaxy S7 finally gets Nougat
Nougat, or Android 7.0 has finally been released by Samsung for the Galaxy S7/ and S7 Edge and my phone is downloading it. Now that it’s here I was wondering if I should install it as I’m quite fond of “Good Lock”, a replacement for the notification system in Samsung phones that doesn’t yet work in Nougat, but this comparison video (of the first beta) below convinced me to try it. The notification panel looks ok, but has been updated since that video was made. The brightness slider can be moved to the top of the notification panel so it […]
Android , Funny , Youtube
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Blows Up
Well, that escalated quickly. So this is why they asked people not to use the Note 7 on my flight to Canada..