Received my replacement phone and sent the defective one back to Google

I sent my defective phone back to Google. I also got my replacement phone on the same day.

On Wednesday, I spent a few hours configuring the phone. I also had to get a screen protector for it. 

Here's hoping that it's a good phone that doesn't die on me.

Restoring my phone thanks to crappy app updates

Yesterday, my phone was acting up. After a number of automatic app updates, a number of apps weren't working properly afterwards

When I launched any e-mail app, it would flash and close up. I also had issues opening my Amazon, Sephora, and Rogers apps.

Normally, I can uninstall and reinstall a problematic app and I'm good. It didn't work for any of them. You also can't uninstall the Gmail app on a Google Pixel phone.

I ended up erasing everything on my phone and installing my data from a backup that had occurred three hours earlier.

Other than signing into every app that I use, my phone works well again. Man, I'm tired!

Daylight Saving Time glitch on my phone

The weekend has come to an end. I appreciate weekends more as I get older.

With Daylight Saving Time, my Google Pixel phone didn't automatically flip ahead an hour. Luckily, I spent the day at home, so it didn't really matter. The issue was fixed by Google by asking users to reboot their phones.

Weird. All is well.

Vacation changes and old phone

Monday went well. A meeting got cancelled. I got two documentation libraries out the door for a release. I felt accomplished.

It's crazy to think that in less than two weeks, I will be on vacation for a couple of weeks. I had thought about doing three weeks of vacation. However, staying at home for such a long run is too long for my liking. Instead, I'll take a week off in January.

My old Google Pixel 2 XL no longer gets Android updates. It's sad, but I still love and use that phone at home daily. It's a nice phablet.

New phone

I got my new phone on Friday. I love it! I have been busy configuring and using it.

On Saturday, I got a screen protector for it. I love it, too. I'm waiting for my case to arrive.

I'll write more later. All is well!

My new phone has shipped!

Great news! My Google Pixel 4a 5G phone shipped yesterday. I hope to get it either today or tomorrow.

I get paid later on today. I haven't got around to getting a screen protector. I don't have a case, either! Luckily, I live near a number of cell phone accessory places, so I am bound to find these items.

I'm so excited!

My new phone's delivery date is nearly here!

Back in late October, I pre-ordered my Google Pixel 4a 5G phone online. I woke up on Sunday and received an e-mail that my payment is currently being processed. I am thrilled that it will ship soon.

It's shipping around November 23, which would be a week from now. The wait feels like an eternity, as my two-year term phone term had ended in late September.

I just ordered a new phone case for it. I still need a screen protector. I always like the excitement of getting a new phone.

My current phone is great. It will serve as my phablet at home. My iPad is probably ten years old by now. It doesn't get any iOS updates anymore and I don't feel like investing in another tablet.

The weekend and a cell phone plan change

The weekend is here. I am relieved and happy!

A few days ago, I decided to change my cell phone plan. I am essentially getting an extra 3 GB of data each month for a lower price. Before taxes and a corporate discount, I am saving $40 a month. 

I also don't get charged for going over 10 GB a month. I have yet to hit my former 7 GB limit each month.

As far as phones go, I'd like to get the Google Pixel 4a 5G. It comes out next month. Instead of getting it financed with my cell phone provider, I am opting to buy it from Google directly. Apparently, it's cheaper if you go this route. I am excited!

Enjoy your weekend!

Deliverables and research on a new phone

I have two deliverables to complete this week. One of them happens to be that same document that I worked overtime on two weeks ago, but with more updates. Here's hoping that scope creep doesn't happen again.

I'm thinking about my next cell phone. It will be another Google Pixel phone. I'm happy with it. The question is whether to go with the Google Pixel 4a with 5G, or the 5 model with 5G.

I am leaning towards the former. The screen is slightly larger, which is 6.2". It's also cheaper than the 5.

The 5 is the same size as my current phone, which is 6.0". It has wireless charging and some minor enhancements. To me, they aren't huge features that make me want to spend an extra $150.

Google Pixel upgrade coming soon

The contract on my cell phone is up at the end of this month.  I own a Google Pixel 2XL phone. I love it.

On Saturday, I went to Best Buy to take a look at the Google Pixel 4a phone. It is roughly the same size as my first Google Pixel phone. It's smaller in size than my current phone, but the screen real estate is the same.

Rumour has it that the Google Pixel 4a supporting 5G networks will be the same size as my current phone, which is 6". I feel like holding off upgrading till that phone is on the market. I like the larger size. I need to figure out how much that phone will be when it's out and determine what I want to do. Options are always good.

I am excited to do a cell phone upgrade. I do love my current phone. I will still use it, as I don't have a decent tablet and I like having a backup phone.

My friend, elephants, and a case

My colleague and friend returned home to be with her mom, who was sick, in late November of last year. My friend has been away from work for nearly two months. Her mom is doing much better.

On Monday, my friend returned to work. She got me a present. I let her know quietly that she shouldn't have. She got me a cute bag with elephants on it. She knows that I love elephants. It was thoughtful and sweet of her.

A couple of weeks ago, I ordered a case for my cell phone. Last week, it arrived. I ordered it in rose gold. I got a grey and green one. Obviously, my order was messed up.

I tried putting the case on my phone. It fit. The problem was that the volume keys were on the other side of the case. I basically could not use my phone with this case on.

I contacted support on how I could return the item. The company refunded my money and said that I could keep the case. It was generous, but what do I do with a phone case that it useless to me?

I didn't know what phone model this case was for. It certainly was not for a Google Pixel 2XL.

I brought this case into work. I asked my friend whether it would fit her iPhone 8 Plus. It was like Cinderella's slipper, but for a phone. It fit! I gave it to her. She was happy. So, I was I to have her back.

Troubleshooting is my forte

I have been using an app on my phone to upload photos and write about my experiences for a while. Earlier this week, I upgraded the app to the latest version. It caused the upload photos feature to die.

I used to work in technical support. I was good at it. I ended up in second-level support. I'm not bragging. I look back at who I was back then and I was great.

These days, I often do troubleshooting at work. I am good at it, too. I am proud that I have this knack.

I reported this app issue to the software company. The woman insisted that I use the e-mail address associated with my account with this app. I had to explain that my messages get forward to my current account and provided my actual e-mail address on file. It is never a requirement to log into the account and write from it, although it is helpful. Just ask me for the e-mail address that I have registered with would have been sufficient.

The woman asked for screenshots and steps on what was going on. I write for a living, so that was easy for me to put together. I also pointed out that I have a Google Pixel 2XL phone running Android 10.

As expected, support couldn't reproduce this issue. It went to the engineering department.

I fixed the issue by myself a couple of hours ago. I could strengthen this support department if they offered a job to me.

I basically removed the faulty app. I went and downloaded an old app version that was released in March. I then installed it.

I proceeded to upgrade the app to the current version. The upload photo functionality works again. Go, me!

I wrote back to support and said that I fixed the issue myself. I didn't bother thanking the woman, as I did all the work. I did end the message cordially, though.

Thank goodness I enjoy solving issues. Otherwise, this app would be useless on my phone without this functionality restore.

Wet screen protector

Last Friday, I had lunch with three colleagues, including one of my students. Several months ago, she liked my phone so much that she decided to upgrade to the same model. She is equally as enamoured over this phone as I am.

We sat next to each other at the restaurant. She admitted that it made her happy seeing my phone, as it reminds her of my phone.

She taught me something new. She went with a wet phone screen. It basically means that you apply the film by spraying a special solution. It makes applying it to the phone easier.

I have had a glass screen protector on it for a bit. The problem is that my phone is slightly curved, which means that the glass protector does not completely stay flush on the screen.

I noticed that my glass screen protector had a small crack in the left corner. I went online and bought a two-pack of film that you apply wet. It sounds like a sexual innuendo, but it's not!

I just applied it on my phone. Wow! I love how clean it sticks. I'm supposed to let it dry overnight to set. A day later, I am to use the phone case that came with the wet protectors. After five days, I can use my own case. Cool!

Goodbye, Google+

When logging into Blogger a few minutes ago, I noticed a bunch of warnings about deprecating Google+ functionality. Google+ is disappearing for good. I didn't love it when I first tried it out with my blog, so there's no loss on my end.

I tried to like it. I never switched over to Google+ comments for my blog. I have always used Blogger comments because they suited my needs. I like how my replies look -- indented from visitor comments.

Google tried hard to get into the social network realm like Facebook. It tried Hangouts, which I have turned off permanently in Gmail since day one. I didn't like it, either.

It's funny, but I like Gmail. I own a Google Pixel 2XL phone. I love Google music. The company has decent products, but social networks isn't one of its strengths.

New cell phone, staycation, and upcoming spanking

It's October. It's crazy how time flies these days.

I didn't write yesterday. I got my new phone. I am enamoured by my Google Pixel 2 XL phone. Unfortunately, I couldn't restore my data from the cloud. However, it's kind of nice to start from scratch. It just takes a bit longer to download and configure everything.

I went to get a couple of phone cases after work last night. I have purple and pink ones now. I also got a glass screen protector, but I'm not a huge fan of it. It's a full-screen one, but the adhesive is only around the edges, which means that I have this rainbow slick smack in the middle of the screen.

I ordered some other glass screen protectors. They aren't full-screen ones, but I probably like them better because I typically go with that style.

Anyway, I spent a bit of last night packing for my weekend staycation with my guy. I keep thinking of him and look forward to getting spanked at long last.

Missing my guy, getting a new phone, and reducing debt

One week from now, I'll be spending the Thanksgiving long weekend with my guy. I miss him tons these days.

We were both pretty busy this week. He gave an online course all week. I continued working with my students on various tasks. I feel less exhausted this week. However, I came home on Friday after work and took a nap. I rarely crash!

I decided to get a new Google Pixel 2 XL phone, which replaces my dead Google Pixel one. I have been debating waiting for the newer 3 XL model. With a contract, I would be forking over quite a ton of money for it. I only had to pay $200 down for this new phone and I get to keep my existing cell phone plan. I hope to get the phone sometime next week. It's being shipped to me for free and it's also free to activate the phone myself.

These days, I am continuing to reduce the number of credit cards that I have. It's not healthy having so many. I am getting around to having two. Baby steps.

Death of my Google Pixel phone

Time of death: 8:25 am. Wednesday, September 26, 2018.

My Google Pixel phone worked just fine during the Elton John concert the other night. I took photos and a single video. Everything on my phone was automatically backed up.

As usual, before going to bed, I set my alarm on my phone, plugged it in, and went to bed.

I have two alarms set. One is on my old iPod, which works nicely. It woke me up on Wednesday morning. My phone did not.

I looked at my phone. The screen was dark. Pressing the power button did nothing. Pressing any button did nothing. Ugh.

Recently, I had a new batter installed. I thought that it may have caused the booting-up issue. I took it to the place that swapped out the phone's battery to look at it. The guy cleaned the USB-C connection on my phone. Nothing.

I left my phone with them to do diagnostics. Two hours later, I got a call. He couldn't revive my phone. The motherboard was shot. He said my phone was in pristine condition. There was no sign of water damage or odd abuse. He thought that perhaps there was a power surge overnight. Nope, I have a surge protector.

The good thing about this business is that it refunded the cost of my paying for the new battery. That was cool.

I have never owned a phone that has died in less than two years. I am currently using my four-year-old BlackBerry Passport. It works like a charm.

Next month, I am eligible to upgrade my phone without paying off its remaining balance. I am hoping that I can hold off for that long. I am still interested in getting a newer Google Pixel phone, despite this issue.

In the meantime, I have reported my dead phone to Google support. We'll see if anything can be done or if my phone is just a paperweight.

Cell phone options and battery replacement

Last weekend, I went to get my cell phone battery replaced. My phone is a month shy of being two years old. It hasn't been holding a charge well for a few months now.

After getting the battery replaced, my phone feels like it is brand new. It's nice to not charge it for the entire day and have its battery life rapidly deplete.

My guy is heading home. He has a OnePlus 2T phone and loves it. He has recommended my getting the OnePlus 6T phone when it's available.

I just read how much the new iPhone X phones are going for. Yikes! I feel like I'd be selling my soul getting one.

I am still interested in a Google Pixel 3 XL phone. I love my Google Pixel phone and feel like I'm ready to go with a larger screen. It simply depends on how much that phone is going for and how it feels in my hand.

It's crazy how expensive phones are getting. Maybe I should get an analog phone and call it good.

Dreaming of a new cell phone as my current one needs a new battery

My cell phone contract will expire next month. We have two-year contracts in Canada.

I love my Google Pixel phone. The problem these days is that the battery does not hold a charge. Part of me wants to get a new battery and swap it out. The other part of me thinks that I can wait over a month to get a new phone.

It's exciting getting a brand new phone. My issue is whether to stick with Google Pixel or jump back to being an iPhone user.

The good news is that both companies will be showcasing their new phones before my contract expires, so I have time to compare and contrast.

In the meantime, it's sad that my phone needs to be constantly chained to a power source. Perhaps I will go ahead and get a new battery for it. It is a good phone.

Android 9 Pie and my Pixel's dying battery

I wonder whether Google has been hearing about my current and probably only woe with my Google Pixel phone.

My phone is nearly two years old. These days, the battery doesn't hold a charge as well as it used to. A couple of days ago, my phone had 34% battery life and then it automatically shut itself off. I tried booting it up and it simply didn't have enough juice to stay on.

The good news is that whenever there is an Android update, Pixel phones tend to be the first to get it. This time, it's Android 9, also known as Pie, that is out.

I installed it. One of its biggest features is adaptive battery. The idea is that the operating system learns my phone usage patterns. It then direct power to apps that I need. It's essentially predicting my day-to-day battery usage. That's cool to me.

So far, I've noticed that my phone's battery drain at a slower pace. There is also a battery saver option. Nice!

The next Google Pixel phone gets revealed in early October. Chances are that I will upgrade to it. I love my phone. I am hoping that the new phone's battery is better. For now, I thank Pie for extending my battery's life for another couple of months, at least.