“Fuck this. When life gets hard, ask Google. Google knows everything”
― Emma Hart, The Love Game
2020 has been an extraordinary year in every aspect. But everything comes to its end, and it’s hard to believe we’re almost 2021. So, this is a great opportunity to take a look back on this year. As we’re required to stay home during so much of this year, we relied on our devices more than ever. Today, let me share with you what gears did I rely on during the age of the global pandemic. Also, since I’m a hardcore Google/Microfost fanboy, let me give you a glimpse into what a Pixel/Surface user’s life is like.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
So, the first entry is my daily go-to machine that can be transformed from a tablet to a laptop and vice versa. As I wrote my review on it earlier this year, the reason I chose this device was simply its flexibility, catering to lots of my needs. Recently, Surface Pro 7 works pretty well for my Java programming studies. Having installed Eclipse IDE, MySQL, and Tomcat, I practice writing codes on it every single day. Also, since the device can be used as a fantastic tablet with its Surface Pen, I use it as a digital notepad for my algebra studies as well. With Photoshop and Lightroom installed, it caters to my photo-editing purposes. In addition to the aforementioned purposes, it works pretty well for online sessions with my international friends as well. Now that I can’t live without Surface Pro 7 even a day!!
Google Pixel 4a
Pixels 4a is my daily driver. With its stock Android experience and Feature Drops that let Pixel users have an early chance to interact with the latest Android features, I can take full advantage of them to make my life much easier, simpler, and better than ever before! Also, because I’m a hardcore Google fanboy, my daily life is driven centering around my Pixel, including Google Home/Nest Hub and other connected smart home devices. Every control of my smart devices is just one finger tap away on my Pixel 4a! Additionally, there are a bunch of Made for Google accessories, and I personally use Moment Lenses that can be attached to the phone and could work as an alternative to my Canon DSLR. If you’re interested, why don’t you immerse yourself in the Google ecosystem? Here is my full review of Pixel 4a and Moment lenses.
Google Pixel Buds
This is the very first time I purchased Google’s original earbuds. Along with my aforementioned Pixel 4a, I want to make the best of Google’s products that are Apple’s alternatives in every possible way. Much as AirPods do with Siri, Pixel Buds are instantly paired with my Pixel 4a when I popped open the lid and allows me to interact with Google Assistant. And touch controls are well thought out. Pixel Buds allow you to raise or lower volume by sliding your fingers left and right as well as play or pause music and change songs with various taps. They are so intuitive and fun to use every time I listen to music. So, essentially, it’s very much like AirPods for Android, more specifically Pixels!
Fitbit Sense
As I wrote it in a full review of Fitbit Sense a few weeks ago, the Sense is my obvious choice when it comes to a smartwatch. Despite my early adaptations to Google’s Wear OS, I ended up purchasing one from Fitbit for its great reputation. As I mentioned my love of the Google ecosystem, Fitbit isn’t an exception. Recently, it adopted Google Assistant as voice control and let users choose the default voice assistant along with Amazon’s Alexa. Additionally, the Sense works pretty well just like my personal health trainer, tracking my stress, temperature, blood oxygen, sleep, and steps every day with its whole slew of sensors. It gives me the motivation to exercise at least a certain amount of time a day and eat fewer calories.
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
When it comes to the mobile world, I’m a hardcore Google fanboy. But when it comes to desktop/tablet, the story is different. As I’ve been using Microsoft Surface Pro 7 as my go-to machine for everything, including programming, mathematical studies, and photo editing, I became an enthusiastic Surface-brand follower. So, it just happened to turn out purchasing another Surface brand product: the Surface Headphones 2. Nowadays, every major company, such as Google, Microsoft, and Apple, is trying so hard to get their foot in truly wireless earbuds or noise-canceling headphones. While the aforementioned Google Pixel Buds falls into the former category, Surface Headphones 2 into the latter. As far as I used the pair for a day now, the Surface Headphones 2 outperformed my expectations with its amazing noise-canceling technology and multi-device support. If you’re searching for great noise-canceling headphones, why don’t you give it a shot?
Mighty Vibe
When I first saw an introductory article of Might Vibe, it reminded me of Apple’s legendary iPod Shuffle. As you might speculate, the Vibe works as a pinnable tiny music player. All you have to do is to install the Mighty app on your phone and sync your favorite Spotify music playlists with it. You no longer have to carry your phone every time you go out jogging. All you need is this tiny yet powerful music player. Here is my review of Mighty Vibe.
Fire HD 8 Plus
Despite the fact that I own Surface Pro 7 as my tablet for multiple purposes, there is a function it lacks which I wish I could add – E-book readability. Even though there is a Kindle App available on Microsoft Store, the app on the tablet is quite bulky and buggy. Also, Surface Pro 7 is a bit heavy to use as an E-book reader, so I needed an excellent tablet for E-books. As you may know that I’m definitely not an Apple user, iPads are not my options. So, the only obvious option I have is Amazon’s Kindle. the only problem is that Amazon has its own eco-system with its Echo products, therefore the Fire tablet isn’t compatible with my Google products. But besides the incompatibility with Google, the E-Book reader caters to my need and works pretty well. And considering the fact that I use the Surface Pro 7 as my notepad for mathematical studies, it’s quite natural for me to read books on the Fire tablet. Yes, let’s go paperless!
Conclusion
So, how did you think about the list? Do you agree with my short reviews and thoughts on each of the gears? Give me your comments below and have a great holiday!!