Technology
Poor eyesight or hearing? Settings you can adjust right now to make using your Android easy
Whether you already have a hard time seeing or not, staring at a phone screen can put additional strain on your eyes. If you wear glasses and need them to look at your phone, you should certainly wear them when you’re doing that.
But if that’s still not helping, there are other things that you can do to make it easier to look at your phone. Not only this, but if you’re hard of hearing, Android has some cool features to help you there, too. It just requires you to adjust the settings.
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A woman with an Android in her hand (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to adjust the settings on your phone to see and hear better on Android
There are several settings you can adjust on your Android in order to make it easier to see and prevent eye strain. For some people, it will be changing the font size. For others, it will be making the screen brighter or zooming in on pages. And others may need to adjust their settings so they can have the text read out loud to them.
How to change the font size and style on Android
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- First, navigate to Settings
- Tap Display
- Next, click Font size and style
- Now, adjust the slider from right to left to change the Font size to a comfortable level
Steps to change the font size and style on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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How to make the text more visible on Android
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Go to Settings
- Tap Accessibility
- Click Visibility enhancements
- Enable options like High contrast fonts to make text more readable
Steps to make the text more visible on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to magnify the screen on Android
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Go to Settings
- Tap Accessibility
- Enable all the Magnification settings
- Use two fingers and gently spread them to zoom in on any part of your screen.
Steps to magnify the screen on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to have the text on your Android read out loud on TalkBack (screen reader)
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Go to Settings
- Tap Accessibility
- Click TalkBack and toggle it On
- Tap Finish
- Follow any additional on-screen instructions to complete the setup. This might include a tutorial on how to use TalkBack.
Steps to have the text on your Android read out loud on TalkBack (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Once TalkBack is enabled, your device will provide spoken feedback to help you navigate your phone without needing to see the screen. Remember, these steps can vary, so it’s always a good idea to check the specific instructions for your Android version or consult the official Android Accessibility Help page for the most accurate information. If you’re setting up a new phone, you can also enable TalkBack during the initial setup by holding down both volume buttons for a few seconds.
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For those who are hard of hearing
For those who are hard of hearing, Android offers various features to enhance your device’s audio and visual capabilities. Here’s how you can make the most of them:
How to increase the volume on Android
To ensure you don’t miss important calls or notifications, you can easily amplify the volume on your Android device.
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Simply press the volume button on the side of your phone
- Tap the three dots to access additional options
- Navigate to Sound & vibration settings
- Here, you’ll find individual controls to boost the volume for calls, ringtones, notifications and alarms, making each sound clearer and more noticeable.
Steps to increase the volume on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to add captions to Android
Android’s built-in captioning feature provides a visual aid for those who prefer reading over listening.
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- To activate captions, press the volume button
- Look for the caption symbol below the three dots
- With a simple tap, you can toggle captions on or off, allowing you to follow along with video content, phone conversations and more with text displayed directly on your screen.
Steps to add captions to Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to make your Android Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC)
Android’s Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) can be a game-changer for individuals using hearing aids. To utilize this feature, verify that your Android phone is HAC-supported by checking the phone’s specifications. You can also just check by following the steps below.
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Go to Settings
- Tap Accessibility
- Click Hearing devices
- Toggle on Hearing aid compatibility
Steps to make your Android Hearing Aid Compatibility (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
For those with trouble seeing and hearing
For those with trouble seeing and hearing, Android devices offer customizable vibration patterns to alert you of various notifications:
To customize your notifications so your Android will vibrate
Stay connected without the need to constantly monitor your device.
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Navigate to Settings
- Select Sound & vibration
- Then choose the Vibration & haptics
- Here, you can adjust the settings.
Android’s home screen (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Androids have all sorts of display settings that can make it easier (or harder!) to see and what will work for you will be based on your individual preferences. If you’re not too familiar, or you want to try out different settings to see what’s easiest for your eyes, you might want to ask a friend or family member who is experienced with Android to help you play around with those settings. And this goes for all things on your Android. Don’t spend hours trying to figure something out when you could ask a loved one to walk you through it in a way you’ll understand.
Additionally, there are apps that can take it a step further. One is “Be My Eyes,” which helps you connect with someone immediately to help with a task, whether that be adjusting settings on your Android or something else. It’s primarily used by blind individuals, but anyone with trouble seeing can utilize the platform.
The other is “Seeing AI,” a free app that utilizes your Android camera. Just point it at what’s in front of you, and it will narrate what you’re looking at in real-time. Or you can take a picture, and it will tell you what you’re looking at. It can even help you count bills, essentially turning visuals into audio.
A woman and her daughter looking at a smartphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Kurt’s key takeaways
At the end of the day, your smartphone should make your life easier, not harder. If you’re struggling to see or hear your Android device clearly, don’t just put up with it. Take advantage of the many accessibility features built right into your phone. These tools can provide real-time assistance or even narrate what’s in front of your camera. At the end of the day, your Android device should work for you, not the other way around. With a little tweaking and the right support, you can make your smartphone experience truly accessible and enjoyable.
As technology continues to evolve, what future advancements or features do you hope to see in mobile devices to further support individuals with visual or auditory impairments? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Technology
Soundcore new Space 2 promise improved ANC and sound
We finally have an update to the Soundcore Space One that launched two and a half years ago. At MWC 2026, Soundcore has announced the Space 2, which will be available in the US on April 21st in three colors — linen white, jet black, and seafoam green — for $129.99. That’s $30 more than the Space One’s original price.
According to Soundcore, the Space 2 have had a full-band noise cancellation upgrade with the focus of those improvements on the low-frequency sounds we all generally use ANC headphones to block — things like airplane, train, and bus engine sounds while traveling. The Space 2 use the same number of microphones as the Space One for noise canceling, instead relying on optimized mic placement and structure and materials improvements for the boost in performance.
Redesigned 40mm drivers incorporate dual layers in their design. There’s a silk diaphragm with metal ceramic that supposedly results in faster transient response — the driver’s ability to respond to sudden sound quickly and accurately — with better balanced sound reproduction. The Space One had great sound performance for the price, but I’m all for any improvement to sound performance accuracy. Like the Space One, the Space 2 will support LDAC high-res audio.
The headphones connect wirelessly over Bluetooth 6.1, although they do not support Auracast transmissions — an unfortunate exclusion. There’s also a 3.5mm jack for a wired connection.
Battery life has been increased to up to 50 hours with ANC and 70 hours with ANC off. This is up from 40 hours with ANC and 55 hours without ANC with the Space One headphones. With a five-minute charge the Space 2 get an additional four hours of listening.
The Space 2 will include many of the features found on the Space One. You can use HearID 3.0 to go through a series of sound samples to tune the headphones’ sound to your preferences. It worked well for me on the Space One to get them closer to a sound I liked, with a bit of the edge taken off the higher frequencies. There’s also a sensor that detects when you remove the headphones and stops playback so you don’t miss any of your music or podcast. They once again come with a cloth bag that matches the color of the headphones instead of a case, which is one change I wish Soundcore had made, as the cloth bag doesn’t offer as much protection if you tend to throw your headphones into your backpack or bag.
The Soundcore Space One were among the best budget ANC headphones when they came out, and still hold up to more recent releases. But with the bump in price to over $100 for the Space 2, there’s a bit more expectation on them. ANC performance continues to improve — and products get cheaper — across manufacturers, so the Soundcore Space 2 has some competition from companies like Sony, EarFun, and JLab. If the ANC on the Space 2 stands up to current budget headphones and they still sound as good and are as comfortable as the Space One, you can expect to see the new Soundcore Space 2 on many recommendation lists.
Technology
Tired of websites blocking your VPN? A dedicated IP fixes that
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If you have ever turned on your VPN and suddenly could not log in to your bank, email, streaming service or work portal, you are not imagining things. In fact, this is one of the most common frustrations VPN users face today.
However, the issue is not that VPNs stopped working. Instead, websites have become far more aggressive about blocking traffic that looks suspicious.
As a result, the way your VPN is built now matters just as much as whether you use one at all.
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Shared VPN IPs often trigger red flags, which is why banks, email providers and streaming sites sometimes block access. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Why websites block many VPN connections
Most VPNs give you a shared IP address. As a result, hundreds or even thousands of people can appear online from the same address at the same time. From a website’s perspective, that traffic pattern raises red flags. When platforms detect too many logins, rapid location changes or unusual activity tied to one IP, they step in quickly. In many cases, they respond by:
- Blocking access
- Triggering captchas
- Requiring extra verification codes
- Temporarily locking accounts
Meanwhile, you did nothing wrong. Instead, you end up dealing with restrictions caused by other users sharing that same IP address.
What a dedicated IP does differently
With a dedicated IP, you get an address that belongs only to you. Unlike shared VPN connections, no one else uses it.
Each time you connect, you use the same IP address. As a result, you avoid sharing traffic, rotating locations or competing with random users whose activity could trigger blocks.
Because of that consistency, your connection looks much more like a typical home or office internet setup. And that simple difference can dramatically reduce website suspicion and login headaches.
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A dedicated IP gives you a consistent address that looks more like a normal home connection, reducing captchas and login alerts. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What a dedicated IP can do that shared VPN IPs usually can’t
That consistency does more than reduce suspicion; it improves how smoothly you access the sites and services you use every day.
Access more websites without blocks
Banks, government portals, healthcare sites, and streaming services are far less likely to block a dedicated IP because it does not show heavy or erratic traffic patterns.
Reduce captchas and security challenges
Those endless “prove you’re human” messages are usually triggered by shared IP abuse. A dedicated IP dramatically reduces them.
Make banking and email logins smoother
Financial institutions and email providers often flag constantly changing IP addresses as suspicious. A dedicated IP stays consistent, so login alerts and lockouts happen far less often.
Support remote work and secure systems
Some employers only allow access from approved IP addresses. Shared VPN IPs cannot be approved. Dedicated IPs can.
Improve streaming reliability
Shared VPN IPs are often the first to get blocked when streaming services crack down. Dedicated IPs are less likely to be flagged because traffic looks normal and predictable.
What a dedicated IP does not do
A dedicated IP:
- Does not remove encryption
- Does not expose your identity
- Does not weaken your privacy
Your traffic remains encrypted, and your real location stays hidden. You simply get a connection that websites trust more.
Who benefits most from a dedicated IP
A dedicated IP is especially helpful if you:
- Use online banking regularly
- Travel and access sites from different locations
- Work remotely
- Stream often
- Get tired of captchas and blocked pages
- Want a VPN that feels normal to use
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With fewer blocks and smoother logins, a dedicated IP helps your VPN work quietly in the background instead of getting in your way. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to choose a VPN that offers a dedicated IP
If you want these benefits, look for a VPN provider that offers a dedicated IP option built directly into its service. Some providers include it in premium plans, while others offer it as an add-on. Either way, the process should be simple. You should be able to select your dedicated IP inside the app without advanced setup or manual configuration. Before signing up, check that the provider also offers strong speeds, reliable uptime and clear privacy policies. A dedicated IP improves access, but overall performance still matters.
What to look for beyond a dedicated IP
A dedicated IP reduces blocks. However, a quality VPN should also deliver strong security and smooth performance.
Fast, stable connections: Speed matters for streaming, video calls and everyday browsing. Look for providers known for consistent performance.
Wide server coverage: More server locations give you flexibility when traveling and help reduce location errors.
Clear privacy practices: Choose a VPN with a strict no-logs policy and independent audits when possible.
Secure server technology: Modern VPNs often use RAM-based servers that automatically wipe data on reboot.
Easy-to-use apps: Protection should feel simple, not technical. Clean apps across major devices make daily use effortless.
For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
Kurt’s key takeaway
If your VPN keeps getting blocked, the problem may not be the VPN itself. It may be the shared IP address behind it. Websites are increasingly aggressive about suspicious traffic. When hundreds of users share the same IP, banks, email providers and streaming platforms take notice. That is when the captchas, verification codes and account lockouts start. A dedicated IP changes that experience. You still get encryption. You still protect your real location. But your connection looks stable and predictable, which helps you avoid constant interruptions.
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Should protecting your privacy really mean fighting with your bank, email, and streaming apps? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Technology
Polymarket defends its decision to allow betting on war as ‘invaluable’
Polymarket has been allowing people to bet on when the US would strike Iran next. Obviously, now that it’s actually happened and people have died, the prediction betting market is feeling some pressure. The site has been at the center of controversy before, including suspicions of insider trading on the Super Bowl halftime show and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
In a statement posted on its site, Polymarket defended its decision to allow betting on the potential start of a war, saying that it was an “invaluable” source of news and answers, before taking shots at traditional media and Elon Musk’s X. The statement reads:
…
Read the full story at The Verge.
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