Apps

Google launches file manager app Files Go

Published

December 5, 2017

Luigi Leonardo

Sifting through the depths of your smartphone’s files can be daunting even with dedicated file cleaning apps. Google wants to relieve you of the burden through their new file manager app, Files Go.

After leaks and a beta testing version rolled out last month, Files Go is finally ready to be unleashed.

The organization app’s main draw is its ability to optimally free up space on your phone. According to Google’s beta testing, “the average user is saving 1GB of space in their first month.”

Compared to most file cleaning apps that automate their work behind the scenes, Files Go personalizes what it thinks it can delete. Using Google’s Mobile Vision technology, Files Go can detect duplicate files, unused apps, large files, low-resolution videos, and even memes.

Further, the app can sort through your files and categorize them according to file type or source — documents, images, videos, etc.

Files Go also connects to your Google Drive or other cloud storage accounts. It easily uploads selected files to the cloud for safekeeping.

The app can also transfer files offline to a nearby friend’s smartphone wirelessly without the need for other third-party apps. Offline sharing through Files Go boasts secure encryption and speeds of up to 125Mbps.

Despite being a heavy hitter, Files Go remains light on your phone. It’s compatible with smartphones that have only 512MB of RAM, and the entire app also takes up only 6MB of internal storage. Finally, Files Go works on phones running Android 5.0 Lollipop and higher.

The app’s release coincides with the launch of Google’s data-saving app Datally. Both apps further the company’s push for the budget-friendly Android Go.

Google Files Go is available for free starting today on the Google Play Store in 80 languages.

[irp posts=”25162″ name=”Datally: What it is and how it’ll help you save mobile data”]

Related Topics:Files Go Google Google Files Go

Apps

Netflix suddenly resurrects 30-day free trials

It’s available only in some countries.

Published

July 13, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Over the weekend, a report emerged about Disney+ allegedly considering a new tier offered to users for absolutely free. Apparently, Disney isn’t the only one. Netflix is now resurrecting its free trial program in select countries.

Back in the day, it was easy to get into Netflix. With a 30-day free trial, you can watch the shows you’ve always wanted to catch. If you liked what you saw, you can pay the monthly fee to access the entire library without constraints. Eventually, the platform got rid of this system to favor a cheaper ad-supported tier.

Perhaps not seeing the benefits of ad-supported tiers, Netflix has suddenly resurrected its free trial program. Spotted online (via Android Authority), some countries, including Brazil and India, are experimenting with the program again. New users can get 30 days of free Netflix access.

Because only regular users are spotting this (rather than an official announcement), we don’t have a list of where the free trials are available.

Still, it’s an interesting move. Cable isn’t a thing anymore so “cutting the cable” isn’t a popular phrase anymore, but people are definitely cancelling subscriptions over rising prices. Some even rely on short clips from YouTube to catch up with their shows. Having a free trial opens up more possibilities for users, but it remains to be seen whether it’s enough for users to return to Netflix.

Apps

Disney+ might get a free tier

What would you like to see in a free Disney+ tier?

Published

July 13, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

In a world disappointingly obsessed with increasing prices beyond our means, Disney+ has miraculously remembered the phrase, “free sample.” According to a report, the streaming platform is considering making a free subscription tier.

As of late, it’s been difficult to maintain a healthy collection of streaming services. When you have to pay the equivalent of a full-course meal every month for just a single platform, you start to evaluate which ones really matter.

Perhaps feeling the sting of users leaving the platform over pricing, Disney+ is reportedly experimenting with a tier that comes at no cost to users (via Business Insider). According to two sources, adding such a tier might help the platform reach customers more.

Now, it’s still a mystery how this tier might work. Disney+ already offers an ad-supported tier, so it’s unlikely to be another one like that.

One possibility is a heavily curated feed of content either designed specifically for free users or limited exactly to give users a free sample. For the latter, think of the limited content you get on a plane. Sure, you might get the first three episodes of The Mandalorian, but you’ll have to fork over cash if you want to see the rest of the story.

And for the former, you can imagine short-form content available for free. Going back to Star Wars, you might see a short anthology series like Star Wars: Visions.

Either way, it’s an interesting concept. If the tier does offer full content, it’s a great way to get into franchises you were thinking of trying without the need to spend for a taste.

Apps

WhatsApp will introduce usernames to hide your phone number

Hide your number from others.

Published

June 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

WhatsApp is about to get an extra later of protection. After thriving on number-based chatting, the platform will soon add usernames, eliminating the need to share your number with strangers.

Usernames are the standard way of maintaining your anonymity online. Though most platforms today require users to log their email addresses or phone numbers, establishing a username can prevent other users from seeing this information way too easily.

Today, Meta has started rolling out reservations for WhatsApp usernames. The feature itself isn’t available yet, but early adopters can grab theirs as soon as the setting becomes available on their app.

To access the reservation, users can go to Settings > Account > Username. Of note, this isn’t available for everyone yet. But if you want to take dibs on a specific name, be on the lookout for the setting.

As for the username itself, users can reserve anything as long as it’s unique. Business owners and creators can also use their Facebook or Instagram handles as their WhatsApp usernames.

The feature, once it launches, will stop users from accessing your phone number when messaging. Similarly, other users will now need your exact username to start a conversation. Users can also set a separate code to protect conversations further.