Latest news with #smartwatch
Android Authority
14 hours ago
- Android Authority
I sideloaded Galaxy Watch Ultra faces to my Galaxy Watch 7, and here's why I'm keeping them
Ryan Haines / Android Authority I won't lie — I haven't touched my Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 in a while. I liked it when I reviewed it and thought it was worth buying (it's since been replaced by the Galaxy Watch 8), but it had a few omissions that made me long for the Galaxy Watch Ultra, squircle design and all. One of those major misses was that Samsung saved a few of its best, most complicated watch faces for its top model, leaving me behind with others that were just fine. Now, though, the tables have turned. I finally have the Galaxy Watch Ultra faces that I always wanted on my Galaxy Watch 7, and it's breathed new life into this solid, stylish smartwatch. Here's how I upgraded and why you should do the same. What's so great about a Galaxy Watch Ultra face? Ryan Haines / Android Authority Like I just said, I don't think watch faces should be reserved for certain models. Sure, the Galaxy Watch Ultra has other advantages, like a tougher bezel, bigger battery, and a whole set of special watch bands — I'm cool with all that. However, when it's running the same version of Wear OS that the Galaxy Watch 7 runs, I don't see why there should be any difference in the faces it supports. Maybe I wouldn't feel so strongly about the Galaxy Watch Ultra's faces if they were just ho-hum, run-of-the-mill options that added a new color or a pop of style, but they're more than that. They have carefully designed hands that are more visible when the AOD is active, and they automatically swap to an all-red color profile when you toggle night mode on your Galaxy Watch. Maybe that red shift is a shameless pull from what Garmin, but I don't mind — it's better than the blinding brightness of pulling up my watch in the middle of the night. Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra faces add more than just a pop of color — they've become fast favorites. I also think the watch faces — or at least Simple Ultra, which I've taken a shine to — do a great job of applying complications. To me, some of Samsung's Rugged faces look like they're trying too hard to be adventurous, while some of its Informative faces are just plain cluttered, so for Simple Ultra to give me my heart rate, the weather, and my current direction is all I could ask for. It lets me glance at the important stuff, but doesn't pull me out of my adventure. Samsung's Ultra Analog is a bit more complicated, with a couple more metrics around the bezel, but it's still cleaner than many default faces. Maybe the secret to success is that Samsung stuck to a relatively simple black, white, and orange color profile, but whatever it is, it's working for me. I've only had to rework a few of the complications to make specific data fields easier to read, but that's easy enough to navigate on my Galaxy Watch 7. Here's how I sideloaded my fancy new watch faces Ryan Haines / Android Authority I know — it's easy to hear about the luxurious Galaxy Watch Ultra faces, but it's another thing to try them yourself. After all, I've probably made it sound like the process involves nothing more than a trip to the Wearables app and a quick download. Oh, if it were only that simple. Unfortunately, it's a bit more involved, but I promise the whole process only takes about 10 minutes if done right. I had some help from my colleague, Aamir, to put together these steps, so here's what to do: Download the Simple Ultra and/or Ultra Analog APK to your Android phone. You may have to enable developer options and give your phone permission to install apps from Chrome, but if you're here, there's a good chance this isn't your first sideloading rodeo. Install Bugjaeger Mobile ADB – USB OTG to your phone, which will allow you to connect your watch to your phone via ADB. Activate developer options on your Galaxy Watch. On your watch, go to Settings, About watch, Software information, and then tap Software version seven times. You should see a confirmation message after the seventh tap. Open the Developer options menu. Toggle ADB Debugging and open the Wireless debugging menu. Tap the Pair new device button to view your IP address and port number. Open Bugjaeger and begin the pairing process. Tap the add device button, which looks like an outlet plug with a plus sign next to it. Select the Pair option. Type in your IP address, port number, and the Wi-Fi pairing code from the Wireless debugging menu. Navigate to the Packages tab within Bugjaeger to install the downloaded watch faces. Select the Install New APK button (a circle with a plus sign inside) and choose Select from Installed Apps. Choose Simple Ultra and Ultra Analog from the list and tap Install. Simple, right? Admittedly, it took me a minute or two to figure out the Packages tab within Bugjaeger, but everything else felt like smooth sailing. Once you install your watch faces, you can toggle between them just as easily as if you'd picked up a new face from the Google Play Store. Would I sideload Galaxy Watch Ultra faces again? Absolutely Ryan Haines / Android Authority When I first saw that I could finally load Galaxy Watch Ultra faces to my Galaxy Watch 7, I was excited. I'm always down to try something new, and I figured this was a better idea than trying to make Galaxy Watch Ultra bands fit with a completely different connection. After all, I'm all for software parity while still believing that some hardware perks can be reserved for the more premium models. Then, about halfway through the process — right around the time I was struggling with Bugjaeger — I was ready to declare the whole idea dumb. I was having trouble figuring out how to pair my watch to my phone via ADB and finding the APKs to send to my watch. As it turns out, I wasn't looking for the right buttons, as our initial steps were pretty bare bones. But once I got back on track, everything became smooth sailing. Sideloading to a Galaxy Watch takes a little learning, but I'd do it over and over again. Now that I have a pretty good grasp on what it takes to sideload watch faces onto my Galaxy Watch 7, I might be hooked. I'm even more willing to add more faces and search the farthest reaches of APKMirror to see what might be out there, whether it's a clone of an Apple Watch Ultra face or simply a clever take on a Samsung classic. Before you rush out to do the same, just be careful — sideloading can be tricky. Make sure you trust where your downloads are coming from, and don't be afraid to ditch an APK if it's causing problems. Who knows, if enough users sideload Galaxy Watch Ultra faces onto older wearables, it will push Samsung to open up its library. I know I'm keeping the cool new faces, and I hope you do the same. Follow
CNET
15 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
The Google Pixel 3 Is Our Favorite Android Smartwatch and It's Now $80 Off
If you've been on the fence about picking up a new smartwatch to monitor your health and fitness, now is a great time to take the plunge. It just so happens that our favorite Android smartwatch -- the Google Pixel Watch 3 -- is available with a solid $80 discount, but you'll need to be quick. Limited-time deals like this don't hang around for long. Right now, you can score the 41mm watch for just $270 in your choice of four different colors. The 45mm watch is $115 off, and you can grab that for just $320. While neither of these prices quite match Amazon's lowest, they're still noteworthy savings. The Google Pixel Watch 3 is our top choice Android smartwatch because of its attractive design, large screen and speedy charging. It also no longer requires a Fitbit Premium membership to access your readiness score. And it has plenty of tools that are great for runners. It's important to keep in mind that, although the watch comes with Google Assistant, it does not include Gemini, Google's AI. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Lisa Eadicicco, former tech senior editor, said in her review, "The Pixel Watch 3's upgrades are enough to keep it as my top pick for a general-purpose Android smartwatch. If you're anything like me and consider yourself a casual runner in need of a general-purpose Android watch that's sleek and comfortable, the Pixel Watch 3 won't disappoint." If this isn't the Pixel watch for you, take a look at our full roundup on the best Pixel watch deals going on right now. Why this deal matters Google Watches don't go on sale often, and especially not the newest model in the Google Watch lineup, the Google Pixel Watch 3. Keep in mind that we expect Google to announce the Pixel Watch 4 next month, but if you want a great watch at a great price right now, this is the deal for you.
Phone Arena
16 hours ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
The Galaxy Watch 8: perfect companion to your Galaxy phone, perfect guide for your lifestyle
This story is sponsored by Samsung. PhoneArena's opinions in this article have not been affected in any way! Disclaimer The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 launched with a surprising amount of upgrades and new features. Through smart design updates and integration of helpful AI features, Samsung made the new digital timepieces sleeker, prettier, and more useful than ever before. Galaxy Watch 8 Galaxy Watch 8 Classic The Galaxy Watch 8 has been designed to be the perfect mix between a timepiece and a fitness tracker. It's slim and light, for a barely-there feel when working out. However, it still has a rather large screen and tons of features for a full smartwatch functionality that complements and expands on what your Galaxy phone can already if you want a classy timepiece to accessorize your outfit with — the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic delivers just that, with a stainless steel case and actual rotating bezel. With a choice of multiple bands, the Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic can be just the right touch for your casual or formal outfit. When synced with your phone, the Galaxy Watch 8 makes it easier to stay in the loop and even communicate. It will mirror notifications from your phone, it will allow you to reply, you can make phone calls through it — Bluetooth models need to be in range with your phone, but the LTE models are autonomous! Even further, it can work in sync with specific apps on your phone. You can use the Galaxy Watch 8 as a remote camera shutter — preview the viewfinder right on your wrist and tap to take a perfect group photo, with the phone propped up somewhere away from you. Trade-in $149 99 $349 99 $200 off (57%) The smaller 40mm Galaxy Watch 8 is a hot pick, especially with Samsung's ongoing pre-order promo. Right now, you can secure a model for up to $200 off with eligible trade-ins. Pre-order at Samsung Trade-in $179 99 $379 99 $200 off (53%) The Galaxy Watch 8 is the perfect mix between functional smartwatch and advanced fitness tracker. Right now, you can pre-order the 44mm variant for up to $200 off with eligible device trade-ins at the official store. Pre-order at Samsung Trade-in $249 99 $499 99 $250 off (50%) The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is available for pre-order for up to $250 off with eligible device trade-ins. With its 46mm case with a tactile rotating bezel, and multiple AI, health, and wellness features, it's a solid pick for Samsung fans. Pre-order at Samsung And, of course, it heavily expands on the features of the free Samsung Health app: Even if you are not at all interested in picking up a sport, but would still like to keep up with some healthy life habits — the Galaxy Watch 8 can help. Combining readings from its proprietary BioActive sensor and AI analysis, the Galaxy Watch 8 can give you an Energy Score. It's based off of sleep quality, breathing rate, O2 levels, heart rate and a lot more. With that information, the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Samsung Health app can suggest and gently nudge you towards better decisions — from going to bed earlier, to getting up and moving from time to time, to dietary choices. If you do wish to pick up an activity, but have no idea where to start — the Galaxy Watch 8 is the perfect companion. The Running Coach feature will walk you through a 12-minute fitness test. After that, based on your performance and readings, the Watch 8 will assign you a fitness level and generate a custom 4-6 week training plan, so now you actually have some guidance! Fitness enthusiasts that are further along in their fitness journey can use the Galaxy Watch 8 to maximise and improve their performance, too. Aerobic Threshold (AT) / Anaerobic Threshold (AnT) Heart Rate Zone metrics help you get the most out of every workout and get over those plateaus faster. Cyclists can calculate Functional Threshold Power (FTP) metrics in just 10 minutes (cycling power meter required). The Galaxy Watch 8 launches with Wear OS 6, dressed in the custom Samsung interface called One UI 8 interface itself is focused on quick access and even multitasking with its Multi-Info tiles that offer at-a-glance information and instant access to favorite apps. And a Now Bar for live notifications, just like we have on the new Galaxy can talk to Gemini on your watch and ask it to start one of your custom workout routines, text a friend, or ask it about your results. You can even string together multiple commands, such as 'start workout, play my workout playlist'.Or just use Gemini to quickly look up information on anything and everything you are currently curious about. Ask it anything and you get that conversational Google LLM reply — much better than the old Assistant. And for all of that, you don't even need your phone, as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection or the LTE model of the Galaxy Watch 8 with a data plan. As always, Samsung is celebrating the new launch with enhanced trade-in offers, store credit, and lots more. If you are already eyeing a Galaxy phone , there's very little reason to not pair it with an excellent Galaxy Watch 8 ! $200 off (57%) The smaller 40mm Galaxy Watch 8 is a hot pick, especially with Samsung's ongoing pre-order promo. Right now, you can secure a model for up to $200 off with eligible trade-ins. Pre-order at Samsung $200 off (53%) The Galaxy Watch 8 is the perfect mix between functional smartwatch and advanced fitness tracker. Right now, you can pre-order the 44mm variant for up to $200 off with eligible device trade-ins at the official store. Pre-order at Samsung $250 off (50%) The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is available for pre-order for up to $250 off with eligible device trade-ins. With its 46mm case with a tactile rotating bezel, and multiple AI, health, and wellness features, it's a solid pick for Samsung fans. Pre-order at Samsung
Phone Arena
16 hours ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
The Galaxy Watch 8: perfect companion to your Galaxy phone, perfect guide for a new lifestyle
This story is sponsored by Samsung. PhoneArena's opinions in this article have not been affected in any way! Disclaimer The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 launched with a surprising amount of upgrades and new features. Through smart design updates and integration of helpful AI features, Samsung made the new digital timepieces sleeker, prettier, and more useful than ever before. Galaxy Watch 8 Galaxy Watch 8 Classic The Galaxy Watch 8 has been designed to be the perfect mix between a timepiece and a fitness tracker. It's slim and light, for a barely-there feel when working out. However, it still has a rather large screen and tons of features for a full smartwatch functionality that complements and expands on what your Galaxy phone can already if you want a classy timepiece to accessorize your outfit with — the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic delivers just that, with a stainless steel case and actual rotating bezel. With a choice of multiple bands, the Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic can be just the right touch for your casual or formal outfit. When synced with your phone, the Galaxy Watch 8 makes it easier to stay in the loop and even communicate. It will mirror notifications from your phone, it will allow you to reply, you can make phone calls through it — Bluetooth models need to be in range with your phone, but the LTE models are autonomous! Even further, it can work in sync with specific apps on your phone. You can use the Galaxy Watch 8 as a remote camera shutter — preview the viewfinder right on your wrist and tap to take a perfect group photo, with the phone propped up somewhere away from you. Trade-in $149 99 $349 99 $200 off (57%) The smaller 40mm Galaxy Watch 8 is a hot pick, especially with Samsung's ongoing pre-order promo. Right now, you can secure a model for up to $200 off with eligible trade-ins. Pre-order at Samsung Trade-in $179 99 $379 99 $200 off (53%) The Galaxy Watch 8 is the perfect mix between functional smartwatch and advanced fitness tracker. Right now, you can pre-order the 44mm variant for up to $200 off with eligible device trade-ins at the official store. Pre-order at Samsung Trade-in $249 99 $499 99 $250 off (50%) The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is available for pre-order for up to $250 off with eligible device trade-ins. With its 46mm case with a tactile rotating bezel, and multiple AI, health, and wellness features, it's a solid pick for Samsung fans. Pre-order at Samsung And, of course, it heavily expands on the features of the free Samsung Health app: Even if you are not at all interested in picking up a sport, but would still like to keep up with some healthy life habits — the Galaxy Watch 8 can help. Combining readings from its proprietary BioActive sensor and AI analysis, the Galaxy Watch 8 can give you an Energy Score. It's based off of sleep quality, breathing rate, O2 levels, heart rate and a lot more. With that information, the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Samsung Health app can suggest and gently nudge you towards better decisions — from going to bed earlier, to getting up and moving from time to time, to dietary choices. If you do wish to pick up an activity, but have no idea where to start — the Galaxy Watch 8 is the perfect companion. The Running Coach feature will walk you through a 12-minute fitness test. After that, based on your performance and readings, the Watch 8 will assign you a fitness level and generate a custom 4-6 week training plan, so now you actually have some guidance! Fitness enthusiasts that are further along in their fitness journey can use the Galaxy Watch 8 to maximise and improve their performance, too. Aerobic Threshold (AT) / Anaerobic Threshold (AnT) Heart Rate Zone metrics help you get the most out of every workout and get over those plateaus faster. Cyclists can calculate Functional Threshold Power (FTP) metrics in just 10 minutes (cycling power meter required). The Galaxy Watch 8 launches with Wear OS 6, dressed in the custom Samsung interface called One UI 8 interface itself is focused on quick access and even multitasking with its Multi-Info tiles that offer at-a-glance information and instant access to favorite apps. And a Now Bar for live notifications, just like we have on the new Galaxy can talk to Gemini on your watch and ask it to start one of your custom workout routines, text a friend, or ask it about your results. You can even string together multiple commands, such as 'start workout, play my workout playlist'.Or just use Gemini to quickly look up information on anything and everything you are currently curious about. Ask it anything and you get that conversational Google LLM reply — much better than the old Assistant. And for all of that, you don't even need your phone, as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection or the LTE model of the Galaxy Watch 8 with a data plan. As always, Samsung is celebrating the new launch with enhanced trade-in offers, store credit, and lots more. If you are already eyeing a Galaxy phone , there's very little reason to not pair it with an excellent Galaxy Watch 8 ! $200 off (57%) The smaller 40mm Galaxy Watch 8 is a hot pick, especially with Samsung's ongoing pre-order promo. Right now, you can secure a model for up to $200 off with eligible trade-ins. Pre-order at Samsung $200 off (53%) The Galaxy Watch 8 is the perfect mix between functional smartwatch and advanced fitness tracker. Right now, you can pre-order the 44mm variant for up to $200 off with eligible device trade-ins at the official store. Pre-order at Samsung $250 off (50%) The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is available for pre-order for up to $250 off with eligible device trade-ins. With its 46mm case with a tactile rotating bezel, and multiple AI, health, and wellness features, it's a solid pick for Samsung fans. Pre-order at Samsung
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Getting a phone for your kid this year? Here's what you need to consider
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Choosing to get a smartphone for your child can be a daunting task. Are they really ready for a smartphone? Will they be ostracized by their friends without the right phone? How do you keep them safe online if they do get one? Everyone's situation is different, so while my personal experience may not apply precisely to you, I've been through all of these thoughts and have some advice that might help give you peace of mind. I've given my son several different smartwatches, phones, and tablets over the years to test and we've settled mainly on two things: a phone for games and Wi-Fi only communication, and a smartwatch with a SIM card for when he's out and about. If you're thinking of getting a smartphone for your kid this year, here are a few things to think about before hitting that buy button. Does my child really need a phone? Before even thinking of what kind of phone your child needs, consider the option of foregoing the phone entirely. Instead, one of the best kids smartwatches might be a better alternative for some kids or parents. My son's favorite is the T-Mobile SyncUP Kids Watch, which is free on T-Mobile when you activate it with the T-Mobile watch service (usually $10 per month). Among excellent features like video calling, text and voice messaging, and real-time location tracking is the dinosaur game. Yes, the same game you play in Chrome when you don't have an internet connection. It seems funny to highlight this but it's one of the reasons my son loves it over other kid's watches, and it makes it easy for me to let him use it since the other features work so well. If you're not a T-Mobile user, Google's Fitbit Ace LTE works on all U.S. networks and, as the Fitbit name suggests, is heavily focused on keeping your kids healthy through active fitness encouragement. Fitbit does this by tracking activity via the advanced hardware on the watch—which is just as advanced as what's inside the more expensive Google Pixel Watch 3—and turns your child's active moments into tokens that can be spent playing arcade games on the watch. An LTE-enabled smartwatch might be a better fit for many kids, especially if you just want a line of communication with them. But these aren't just any old video games. All of the games on the Fitbit Ace LTE require physical movement of some kind. From flinging your wrist like a fishing pole to catch fish, to aiming your spaceship to take out enemy ships, even the games will keep your kids moving more often during the day. Of course, being an LTE-enabled watch also means phone calls, text and voice messages, and active GPS tracking are all available, making it easy to forego the phone for something a little simpler (and less easy to lose or break). Made for kids The latest Fitbit is built specifically for kids! It's got built-in LTE connectivity and the same powerful processor and health sensors from the Pixel Watch 3, all of which are being intelligently used to encourage your kids to keep moving throughout the day with an Animal Crossing-like virtual "pet" and tons of fun, active games to play after earning controls for phones If a smartwatch is maybe too basic for your child, a phone might be a more powerful, fitting solution. A smartphone is far more capable than a watch in every regard and likely has better battery life than most kids smartwatches, too. And while the price of the best smartphones mostly keeps going up and up, there are plenty of choices for kids that are a lot more affordable. First, you'll want to consider the level of parental controls your child needs. For a long time now, my son has been using an older phone (more on that later) with a Google Family Link account. At the very least, this is the avenue I'd recommend if you're not sure what your needs are. Google's Family Link gives you a decent way to control apps, set screen time limits, and remotely track your child's phone's location when needed. But using Family Link will lock your child's Google account into a child Google account until they legally turn 13, and that may be a source of frustration for families in the preteen years. Instead of doing this, I recommend using Bark or Canopy as a parental control service, as it doesn't force you to alter a Google account. I particularly recommend this to parents whose kids who love to search the web or chat with friends. If you've already got a phone picked out for your kids—or they're just getting a hand-me-down—consider using the Canopy or Bark apps. I've used each and I'd recommend starting a free trial for both services to see which works best for your family. Google Family Link is free but only offers basic parental controls. Paid services like Bark or Canopy provide substantially greater capabilities for a low monthly cost. Both apps work similarly and can help you not only control apps, screen time limits, and perform real-time remote location tracking, but they also help monitor communication and filter out the bad things that can happen online. Both services require a monthly subscription but are fully worth the cost given the elaborate scope beyond Google's free Family Link service. At a high level, both services filter internet traffic and scan communications using AI algorithms that automatically identify unsafe content, including explicit images and words, and can even go beyond mere filtering by helping to identify harmful behavior or speech your child or their friends might be engaging in. If this concept appeals to you but you don't already have a phone you can pass down, consider picking up a Bark Phone or Gabb Phone. I've used all the major kids' phones out there and these two are my favorite. Gabb even includes its own music streaming service that includes millions of songs with filtered tracks that keep things safe for your kids. Parental control options are available for any Android phone, but a phone specifically made for kids gives you the most control. Both companies use Samsung Galaxy phones as a base, then preinstall the parental control software in a way that's impossible to remove. It's a turnkey solution since you will only need to activate the phone and register the parental app on your device to control it. Even if you don't pick up a Gabb Phone, the Gabb Blog has a wealth of information for parents looking to decode kids' slang and figure out other important topics. Parental safety included The Bark Phone makes it easy to choose what to get your kids this year. It's got built-in parental controls that make it easy to keep your kids safe, and since it all runs on a great Samsung phone, you know you'll be getting software updates on it for years to come. View Deal Now, as someone who has developed a sensitivity to flickering lights over years of using smartphones with PWM dimming, I prefer to pick my own phone out and install either Bark or Canopy on it. That way, I can find a display that I feel is safer for my child than displays on Samsung, Google, or Apple phones, which are known for their flickering displays. Not everyone is going to be concerned about this but if you are, I recommend phones from brands like Motorola, TCL, OnePlus, Nothing, and Honor, to name a few. These companies are much more careful about selecting flicker-free displays—or providing display options to reduce flicker—which makes me feel better about the time my son spends on his phone and what potentially harmful things smartphone displays could do over time. Does my child need a powerful phone? I recently upgraded my son to a Nothing Phone 2a as it's both affordable and has a screen I'm confident won't burn his eyes out. He doesn't have a SIM card in his phone—we use smartwatches for that—so this phone is primarily his mobile gaming machine and personal digital camera. If you're looking for a new phone that will see years of support, I'd recommend the CMF Phone 2 Pro. You can pick it up for $279 and its customizable design means your child will have fun making it their own. Plus, it's got plenty of power for anything your child will need, even if that means mobile games with impressive graphics. But a powerful phone isn't necessary at all, especially if you're not keen on your kids installing apps or games from the Play Store. In fact, most of the "kids phones" out there—like Bark, Gabb, Pinwheel, and others—typically forego powerful specs for phones with a focus on better battery life. Most of those phones have curated app stores, which means regular apps from the Google Play Store can't be installed, anyway. The CMF Phone 2 Pro is nothing short of the best budget phone available today. It doesn't miss out on the basics, and you get a set of great cameras at the back, and enjoyable software with unique extras. View Deal What apps are safe? This question is much tougher to answer than any of the others simply because there are seventy bajillion apps (actually, over 3 million) in the Google Play Store. While Google does a good job of ensuring apps and games are rated, categorized, and tagged for organization, some apps are free and supported by ads—and ad content can be very questionable at times. My advice here would be to stay away from completely free games which are all almost exclusively financially supported by ads. Since there's no real way to control the content that comes through ad networks, staying clear of them altogether is a better option. Instead, choose games that follow the Google Play Families Policies. You'll find this listed under the data safety section in each app listing on the Play Store. Here's what that looks like: As for other types of apps, I recommend sticking with brands you know. Messenger Kids by Meta uses Facebook's wide network of coverage and Meta's incredibly smart tools to keep your kids safe while talking only with approved contacts, including friends and family. My son has used this one for years and it not only makes it easy for him to message his friends and play games with them right through Messenger, but he can also video call and voice call anyone on his contact list without the need for a SIM card. It's the very best way for kids to stay in contact with you, even if they only have Wi-Fi connectivity. Internet safety can be scary, but services like Bark and Canopy can help filter all kinds of content across all available apps. For kids with phones that have a SIM card, Google Messages will safely send and receive SMS, MMS, and RCS messaging through your child's phone number and even filters spam automatically. Lots of free social games like Roblox, Fortnite, and Rec Room will entice kids, and while they're all great options for giving your kids ways to virtually hang out with friends, it's important to take advantage of the parental control options in these games. These are the only three free games I allow my son to play and it's because I can keep age inappropriate away from his eyes. Plus, I'm not worried about a rogue ad popping up on the screen since neither game uses ads; all dollars are spent on in-game currency, and you control when that digital wallet gets filled. If anything, it's a great incentive to get them doing more chores or helping around the house! When it comes to video and other types of entertainment, the options aren't quite as good as I hoped. Google's YouTube Kids app lets you curate what your kids are allowed to watch, including content that's specifically approved for viewing by kids that has fewer (or no) ads. But the app isn't the most user-friendly, and parents regularly complain about how some content keeps coming back even after they've removed it. We use shared spaces (like a living room) for phone and gaming system use, ensuring that we're never in the dark about our child's content consumption. Likewise, while the Amazon Kids+ service includes books, videos, and other things, parents find that filtering content could be easier. I specifically hand-pick videos and books for my son and do my best to be nearby, especially when he's watching something. He also knows that while he's allowed to branch out a bit on platforms like YouTube, he has to get my approval before watching anything new. If you're ever unsure, check the YouTube history section to see what's been recently watched. I've been pretty strict about content over the years and I feel good about where it's gotten me and my son. We feel strongly about using shared spaces to be with each other, even if we're doing different things. It helps keep everyone accountable and makes it easy to have conversations about important topics—or just keep an eye on what's on the other side of the screen. The internet can be a scary place, but with a little bit of homework and curation—plus time spent watching and reading alongside them—everyone can have a fun and safe time.
