Nikhil Azza
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Articles by Nikhil Azza
Google Photos' confusing sync defaults almost cost me thousands of personal photos
For many users, Google Photos runs quietly in the background. With backup and sync on, it feels like a safe option. I never thought about the process. All I cared about was that my photos were backed up, everything was organized, and I could access my memories when I needed them. The problem was that I hadn't realized how close my storage already was to the limit, sitting at around 1.97TB. I found out before my nephew's birthday, when I was asked to take photos.
Google just lost its fight to keep rival app stores out of your Play Store
Google is losing its fight to keep rival Android app stores out of the Play Store. Starting July 22, 2026, Google will host third-party app stores directly inside the Play Store app for US users, a change that follows Google and Epic Games jointly withdrawing a settlement that had let Google avoid exactly this outcome. If you have ever wanted the Epic Games Store, Amazon’s Appstore, or another Android marketplace without manually sideloading an APK file, this is the change that opens that door.
Claude Fable 5 is here, and the tradeoffs are visible from the first prompt
The prompt was identical. “Create a small ping pong game .html for me to play on the browser.” Two models, same session, a few minutes apart. The game Claude Fable 5 built had a dark navy background, a green player paddle, and a yellow ball that felt like something from a polished browser demo. Opus 4.8 built something that also worked: blue and red paddles, tighter layout, classic arcade colors. Neither game was wrong. Fable 5 just looked designed. That gap is small enough to dismiss.
I turned on Android's clipboard history and stopped losing what I copied
I'd been retyping the same things on my phone for years without once thinking it was a problem. My email address in every login form. OTPs I'd read in the notification and forgotten by the time I switched apps, and the same phrases in messages I sent every day. Copy and paste worked fine, but every new thing I copied replaced the last one. I'd copy something, use it, then copy something else, and whatever I had before was just gone. I assumed that's how it worked.
I treated Chrome flags like normal settings changes, and it was a total train wreck
I've been using Google Chrome on Android for years. It was already there when I got the phone, and I never really changed it. I had opened the regular settings plenty of times. I changed a few things here and there, but nothing that required much thought. I'd heard about chrome://flags before, but never paid attention to it. Then someone mentioned it in a comment thread, said there were hidden settings worth trying.
I used my Android phone without notifications, and I had mixed feelings
My phone buzzes, and I check it. That's just what I do, and I never really thought about it until recently. I'd been doing it for years on every phone I owned. A message tone or vibration meant something needed my attention, and so I checked. At some point, that became a habit, the same way I would connect to whatever public Wi-Fi was available without thinking twice about the network. Dinner was in front of me, and my phone buzzed.
Private DNS on Android is easy to ignore, but I use it anyway
I often end up using public Wi-Fi at cafés, hotels, and train stations. At some point, it just became a habit. Whenever I am out, I pull out my phone, connect to whatever network is there, and move on without thinking twice about it. After a while, it started to feel less convenient and more like a blind spot. I was relying on networks I knew nothing about, and I started looking for a way to make my connection feel more secure. That is when I finally gave Private DNS on Android a proper look.
I wanted to stop video backup in Google Photos, but it meant losing photo backup too
I turned on backup on my Google Pixel 7 Pro sometime last year and forgot about it almost immediately. That was the big selling point of Google Photos. Open the app, enable backup, and never think about storage again. I was already paying for Google One’s 2TB plan, so it felt generous. More than enough that I didn’t even check how much I was using month to month. I shoot a lot of short videos. A 40-second clip of heavy rain outside my apartment.
Schützen Sie Ihr Smartphone mit diesen 7 Android-Datenschutzeinstellungen
Immer mehr persönliche Daten sind auf unseren Smartphones gespeichert, von Banking-Apps über Kontakte bis zu Gesundheitsinformationen. Es ist wichtig, diese Daten sicher aufzubewahren. Eine Studie von NowSecure aus dem Jahr 2025 zeigt, dass rund 70 Prozent der Android-Apps sowohl auf sensible Daten als auch auf Tracking-Domains zugreifen. Mehr als 60 Prozent der Anwendungen fordern Berechtigungen für Standort, Kamera oder Mikrofon.
Chrome still doesn't have extensions on Android, so I found a browser that does
Chrome came with my first Android phone, and I never made a decision about it. It was just there, it loaded pages, and that was enough. I tried other browsers that have shown up over the years, like Firefox, Edge, and Kiwi, and I would look at them for a few minutes, notice something interesting, then drift back to Chrome without really choosing to. That's not loyalty, that's just the benefit of the doubt.
I thought deleting photos from Google Photos would be straightforward. It wasn't
For a lot of users, Google Photos has always been running quietly in the background. With backup and sync on, it feels like a safe option. I never thought about the process. All I cared about was that my photos were getting backed up, everything was organized, and I could access my memories when needed. The problem was that I hadn’t realized how close my storage already was to the limit, sitting at around 1.97TB.
7 CISA Security Rules Every Android User Should Know Original
Technology Apps & Software Primakov/Shutterstock One wrong click or harmful file download can lead to serious privacy repercussions. Attackers always come up with more sophisticated techniques and tools to trick users into phishing scams. They are always on the lookout for vulnerabilities that can allow them to access sensitive information such as banking credentials, passwords, personal details, and photos.
6 Cheap Smart TVs To Avoid At All Costs, According To Consumer Reports
1 day ago You don't need a complicated fix for a Roku that won't function properly. Here's how to get it back up to speed. You're glued to your TV with your favorite show. The ultimate plot twist is mere seconds away. And then your screen freezes. That tiny, spinning circle you see is usually the moment you …
6 Cheap Smart TVs To Avoid At All Costs, According To Consumer Reports
Technology Roman Fenton/Shutterstock We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. While there are a few common mistakes people make when buying a TV, the risk of ending up with a bad one is much higher when shopping for cheaper models. Therefore, before you plan to grab a low-priced TV for your shelf, know this: Not all models stay true to their specifications. Real performance depends on various factors, such as the panel used, image processing, and overall build quality.
13 iPhone Security Settings You Should Enable Right Now Original
Technology Security Mohd Izzuan/Getty Images Widely considered one of the most secure smartphones, the iPhone uses privacy and data protection as its core selling points. While iOS comes with strong built-in protection, the real power comes from the granular control over security controls that you can choose to enable yourself. These security toggles can make the difference between a secure device and one that can silently collect your data.
11 Common Cancer-Causing Chemicals And Substances In The Environment Original
Science Studio Romantic/Shutterstock Cancer occurs when body cells grow abnormally or uncontrollably, especially when exposed to carcinogenic substances — "carcinogen" literally means "a substance or agent that can cause cancer." According to a 2024 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 20 million new cancer cases were recorded in 2022, with an estimated 9.7 million deaths.
6 Free Android TV Apps You Need To Install Before Google Removes Sideloading
Technology Apps & Software RSplaneta/Shutterstock One feature that makes Android so special is the freedom to sideload APK (Android Package Kit) files, letting you install compatible apps outside the Play Store. The good news is that sideloading Android apps isn't going away. However, Google is introducing new restrictions on how you sideload APKs, with developers now having to register their apps before users can install them.
What Every Different USB Port Color Actually Means Original
Technology Amz Graphix/Shutterstock USB, short for Universal Serial Bus, ports are designed to connect two distinct, yet compatible, electronic devices. For example, you can plug a mouse cable into a computer's USB port. Most modern electronics have at least one USB port, from TVs and consoles to computers, and if you look closely, you will find different colors inside the port. While you might think it is merely for aesthetics, there is more to it than that.
10 Free iPad Apps You Should Always Install First
Apple is choosing Google over Anthropic because of cost, per report. Apple is inking a deal with Google to make a custom Gemini AI model to power the next version of its virtual assistant Siri for spring 2026, according to a Nov. 2 report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. A subsequent report on Wednesday …
10 Free iPad Apps You Should Always Install First Original
Technology Apps & Software DenPhotos/Shutterstock Have you just bought a brand new iPad and are looking to install free apps to get started, but you're confused about which one to begin with? You're not alone. The way people use iPads has changed dramatically over the years. Gone are those days when the iPad was mostly used for watching Netflix or web browsing.
8 Common iPhone Apps That Are Actually Spying On You Original
Technology Apps & Software Cherdchai101/Shutterstock Even the toughest privacy policies can't fully prevent data exposure. Your favorite apps may be peeking at more than you think. Some unnecessarily track your location, search history, and usage habits. Others have compiled unauthorized dossiers of user information or tracked logged-out individuals in violation of restrictions.
10 Used Phones That Are Totally Worth It
Following the release of the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic, Oura has announced a series of new software features and an app redesign. Here’s what’s new for the …
10 Used Phones That Are Totally Worth It
Technology Mobile DavideAngelini/Shutterstock We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. A new top-tier phone with all the hype, specifications, and design makes it an appealing pocket-sized powerhouse, but the price puts it out of reach for many buyers. For example, the iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199, with higher storage configurations costing more.
Thinking About Buying A Roku Streaming Stick? Here's 9 Things You Need To Know First Original
Technology Accessories ZikG/Shutterstock We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. If you're looking for an upgraded viewing experience, the Roku Stick is one of the smartest ways to elevate your TV's capabilities. It runs on a custom Roku OS, which is liked for its simple interface, extensive app collection, consistent performance, and frequent updates. These are the same reasons why someone might consider upgrading to the Roku, even if they already own a smart TV.
How To Get Free TV Channels And Movies On Your Smart TV
Entertainment TV Tatiana Meteleva/Getty Images We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Remember when Netflix used to be cheaper than a movie ticket? Now, it feels like Netflix just keeps raising prices every other year. Streaming has become a luxury due to the increasing subscription costs. And with new streaming services popping up regularly, finding what you want means juggling between apps as the titles are spread across multiple subscriptions.
7 Electronics You're Not Allowed To Pack In Your Carry-On Luggage
Technology Accessories Frame Stock Footage/Shutterstock Air travel these days is more security-conscious than ever, as even the seemingly innocuous can cause an emergency. For example, in 2024, a passenger's laptop caught fire on a Breeze Airways flight, leading to a forced landing. Due to a process known as thermal runaway, batteries can sometimes be unpredictable – spontaneously overheating, and in extreme cases, emitting smoke or fire.
Nikhil Azza
Nikhil Azza is a tech journalist and founder of DigitBin. With over 9 years of experience in digital publishing, He has authored more than 1500 articles on consumer tech, including Android, iPhone, cloud storage, browsers, Mac, privacy, mobile apps, and more. He also bring deep understanding in content strategy, Google Search Console, keyword research, and have successfully built and run multiple tech-focused websites.Learn more about Nikhil and DigitBin →
Extension Support
With Kiwi Browser discontinued, Quetta Browser stands out as the best alternative, offering full support for Chrome and Edge extensions, a clean interface, stable performance, and quick toolbar access to add-ons. A few years ago, I made a video on how one can install Chrome extensions on Android using the Kiwi browser. But from early 2025, the support for the Kiwi browser has been discontinued — their GitHub page is archived, and the app is no longer available on the Google Play Store.
Install Chrome and Firefox Extensions in One Browser (2025)
Waterfox (Windows) supports Firefox add-ons and some basic Chrome extensions. Tools like Foxified and CRX Installer offer limited cross-browser extension support. Orion browser (Mac only) supports both Chrome and Firefox extensions natively. Orion is not available on Windows, Linux, or Android. Both Chrome and Firefox are popular web browsers available on the internet—they run on the Blink and Gecko Engines, respectively, and have their own extensions store.
How to Fix Unsupported Manifest Version for Chrome Extensions? – DigitBin
Google Chrome is phasing out support for MV2 extensions like uBlock Origin. But you can still install them by enabling a Chrome flag ‘Allow legacy extension manifest versions’ and manually loading the extension. I am a huge fan of uBlock Origin and have been using it from the time it was available as a project on GitHub. But a year ago, Google announced it would deprecate the support for manifest V2 — a specification used by browser extensions in Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers.
How to Install Chrome Extension on iPhone? [2025]
Download Orion Browser from the App Store (requires iOS 15 or later) Go to Menu → Settings → Advanced and enable Chrome and Firefox Extensions To install an extension: Menu → Extensions → + → Install Chrome Extension To enable an extension: Menu → Extensions → Toggle the extension ON Not all extensions will work perfectly on iOS; test them individually I love my iPhone, but the restrictions it imposes sometimes make things difficult.
10 Ways to Fix Edge Browser Not Working on Windows 11
Microsoft did a good job of transforming Edge to make it a strong competitor in a highly competitive browser market dominated by Google. Additionally, the crystal clear privacy and security policy, easy-to-understand user interface, and lots of customization options make Microsoft Edge a wise choice, especially for Windows, as it comes pre-installed. But things may go bad on Edge Browser as well if the web pages are not loading, if you can’t open a page, or if a site is taking a long time to load.
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