Latest news with #DhruvBhutani
Android Authority
3 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Pocket is shutting down, so I switched to a self-hosted alternative
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority I've used Pocket every single day for over a decade. From quick-hit reads to long-term storage of, well, my own articles, interviews, and hundreds of interesting longreads I didn't have time for in the moment — everything went into Pocket. Over time, it became my cross-platform inbox for the web. I'd save articles on my phone while commuting, then dive into them later on my laptop. See something interesting, hit save, move on. I even built up a tagging system, using it to collect research, writing ideas, weekend reads, and other bits I wanted to come back to. Later, when I had the time and mental space, I'd go back through my queue and catch up, sometimes on an eBook reader, but lately, more often on a tablet or a foldable phone. It became such an integral part of how I consumed the web that Pocket was always one of the first Chrome extensions I'd install on a new laptop or browser. Pocket was so deeply embedded in my daily routine, I didn't realize how much I relied on it — until it was too late. So when Mozilla announced it was killing off Pocket, the feeling wasn't annoyance, it was despair. I won't pretend I didn't see it coming. Mozilla had been quiet about Pocket for a while, and its shift toward AI-curated content felt like a soft pivot away from the original idea of saving and reading later. Still, I clung to Pocket out of habit, out of convenience, and because it just worked. Pocket was the kind of utility I didn't have to think about — until now. I get it. Priorities change. Products evolve. Companies pivot toward things that seem shiny or scalable. But Pocket was too deeply embedded in my daily routine to just let it go without finding a worthy replacement. That's when I started looking for alternatives. As someone who's slowly been moving toward self-hosted tools to avoid the short lifespans of commercial services, my first instinct was to look for an open-source option. Not another startup with a subscription model and a roadmap shaped by market trends, but something I could actually own. Something that wouldn't suddenly disappear. And that's how I found Karakeep. Karakeep, and why it works Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority I first came across Karakeep back when it was still called Hoarder. It was clunky and unstable, so I shelved it. But when Mozilla announced Pocket's shutdown, I revisited it — and found a dramatically improved, thoughtfully built Pocket clone, minus the fluff and with some smart additions. The core idea is simple. Save links, archive full pages, and read them later. Karakeep stores a clean reader view as well as a screenshot for context. There's tagging support, search, and no algorithm trying to guess what I should read next. It didn't ask for my interests or suggest things 'based on your activity.' It just saves what I tell it to, then gets out of the way. Installing it was straightforward. Karakeep uses Docker, and the instructions on GitHub are easy to follow. I had it running on a Docker container on my Synology NAS within an hour. There's a browser extension, too, that mimics the Pocket flow almost exactly. See something, click save. That's it. Articles show up instantly, formatted with a clean, readable layout. Mobile apps are available too, and while they're not as refined as Pocket's were, they work well enough. Offline reading is still missing, which might be a dealbreaker for some, but it hasn't been a big issue for me yet. Plus, it's on the roadmap. What surprised me was how much Karakeep builds on Pocket's legacy with thoughtful additions. One of my favorite features is the optional RSS integration. It's not meant to replace your RSS reader, but you can use it to auto-save posts from specific feeds. It works great for niche blogs or Substack feeds that might otherwise get lost in your inbox. Stick to low-volume feeds, though, or your archive will get out of control fast. Optional AI-integration simplifies tasks like article summarization and automatic tagging. Another neat addition is AI-powered tagging and summarization. If you hook it up to an OpenAI API key, Karakeep can auto-tag and even generate a short summary of each article. I personally prefer to do this manually as I enjoy the process of tagging and curating my own archive, but it's a nice fallback when I'm in a rush or archiving in bulk. Like most open-source projects, Karakeep isn't perfect. Occasionally, it struggles with edge-case layouts or fails to remove certain elements cleanly. Some dynamic web pages trip it up. But unlike Pocket, when something breaks here, I can poke around and actually understand what's going on. I can fix it or at least file an issue and see what's being worked on. I'm not stuck waiting for a product update or a vague support reply. That transparency and control make a difference. Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority What I didn't expect was how this shift to Karakeep would change the way I read. For the first time in a while, I'm curating my queue again, not just dumping links into a black hole. I'm tagging more intentionally. I'm reading more slowly. I'm archiving more carefully because I know the content is staying put, not disappearing the moment someone decides it's no longer worth maintaining. The whole experience feels less transactional and more deliberate. Karakeep can keep a full offline copy of a web-page to protect against dead links. It's also turned into a great tool for light research. I'll save blog posts, technical docs, newsletter threads, anything I know I'll need later. And because Karakeep stores a full snapshot, I don't worry about dead links. That's been surprisingly helpful during long writing projects, where I'll need to pull up a quote or reference something that may have changed since I first found it. Looking ahead Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Losing Pocket felt like the end of an era. Not because it was irreplaceable, but because it had quietly become part of my digital habits as a holdover from an older, calmer internet. One that wasn't constantly trying to predict or monetize my attention. One where bookmarking something meant I'd come back to it, not that it would disappear under an algorithmic feed. Pocket represented a kind of intentionality that's rare in today's attention economy. But in a way, Pocket's demise also forced me to reassess how fragile those habits can be when they rely on services I don't control. Karakeep continues that legacy with full ownership this time. It's not flashy, but it's stable, capable, and self-hosted. While the core experience is still all about tagging and saving articles, notes, or images, I like that the developers leave the door open for you to extend it. Want AI features? It's up to you. Prefer plain and minimal? That's fine too. If you're staring at your Pocket archive and wondering what's next, Karakeep is a solid option. It takes a bit of effort to get going — but the payoff is worth it. You don't just get a replacement for Pocket. You get a reminder that the tools you rely on every day don't have to be disposable.
Android Authority
20-05-2025
- Android Authority
5 reasons I prefer Apple Maps to Google Maps on Android (and many reasons I don't)
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority It might sound odd to many of you but my go-to maps app on my Android phone has been Apple Maps for the last month or so. No, there's no native app. Yes, I've had to rely on a web-based bookmarklet. But guess what, I don't really mind it. Sounds weird? Turns out, Apple's mapping experience is better than you might think. In fact, in some ways, I actually prefer it over Google Maps. Now, before you inevitably call me a fanboy in the comments section, I'll say it up front: Google Maps is still the most comprehensive maps app out there. It's also the best option for most people, including me, when I just need to get somewhere fast, which is most of the time. That said, Apple Maps has been steadily improving, and this isn't my first stint with it. As someone who dual-wields Android phones and an iPhone, I've come to appreciate what Apple is trying to achieve. So, I wanted to see if the browser-based solution could hold its own on Android. Here's why I've been reaching for Apple Maps more often on Android, as well as all the things that still hold it back. Where Apple Maps shines Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority I'm a sucker for good design, and Apple usually sets the standard. Apple Maps is no exception. The clean interface just looks better. There's less clutter, less information overload, better readability, and a general sense of calm to the experience. That's something I've come to appreciate a lot while losing my mind in New Delhi's roadrage-inducing traffic. Even the web version on Android retains that typical Apple sheen. Compared to Google Maps, which constantly throws Local Guides, reviews, and ads in my face, Apple Maps feels like it actually wants me to focus on the road. Apple Maps' interface is a calm antidote to chaotic commutes. That sense of calm extends to actual navigation, too. Clear prompts like 'second lane from the right' are significantly more helpful than vague arrows when navigating chaotic flyovers or sharp turns. Despite Google Maps pulling seniority in the realm of mapping solutions, it still doesn't always get this right. Over the last month, I actually made a point to observe how the two apps performed, and as it turns out, I missed more exits because of Google Maps than Apple Maps. That's not something I expected. Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority It's not just the navigation that's kept me coming back to Apple Maps. Lately, I've been planning a couple of trips, and I've really enjoyed another feature that makes Apple Maps stellar for a very specific kind of user. If you, like me, like to peek around neighborhoods while planning out a trip, you will love Apple's curated travel guides. While browsing maps of cities like New York or Tokyo, I've come across beautifully designed collections of must-visit spots — from local food joints to cultural landmarks. These aren't crowdsourced reviews or rankings, but carefully picked recommendations from trusted sources like The Infatuation, Atlas Obscura, and Michelin. For someone trying to build an itinerary or just looking for inspiration, these guides offer a focused, clutter-free starting point. Unlike Google Maps, Apple Maps has kicked it up a notch and tied up with niche travel-adjacent apps like AllTrails for runners and hikers, and Calm for those seeking the best meditation spots in a new city. These guides don't cover every destination – Paris and London are the only two European cities featured right now – and they're nowhere near as exhaustive as what you'd find digging deep into Google Maps. But when available, they're genuinely helpful. Especially if you're the type who gets overwhelmed by thousands of star ratings and endless user photos. I really hope Apple keeps expanding this. When I want a curated, clutter-free starting point, Apple's guides hit the mark. By and large, switching back and forth between Apple Maps and Google Maps, the key takeaway is that the experience you get depends heavily on how you prefer your recommendations. Apple leans on curation, while Google is powered by the crowd. With Apple Maps, you're not choosing from 500 restaurants in one neighborhood. Instead, you're being pointed toward a dozen solid picks with context that actually matters. It won't replace deep research, but when I simply want a dependable shortlist to get started with, Apple's guides hit the mark. Of course, there's one more reason why I've been dabbling in Apple Maps. I've always felt uneasy about how much of my life is tied to my Google account. With Apple Maps, there's no login required on the web. No ads. Just maps. Apple's use of rotating identifiers and limited data retention is one more line of defence against location-based tracking. It's not completely private – that's probably not even feasible with an inherently personal app like a mapping app — but it's way better than what I get from Google. Where Google Maps still wins Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority But for all its pros, Apple Maps is far from perfect. Let's start with the obvious: It's not a real app. Using a browser-based maps app on a phone isn't ideal, and it's not something you can easily ignore. Sure, you can pin to your home screen and pretend it's an app, but it doesn't behave like one. No turn-by-turn notifications. No offline mode. No lock screen prompts. No street view. It works fine in a pinch, but if I'm driving or navigating somewhere remote, I switch to Google Maps because it just works better in those situations. Step outside a major city and Apple Maps starts to fall apart. The other major issue for me is data availability and detail. I understand this will improve over time, and it might not affect most users in the US. However, for me here in India, the lack of detailed data is a deal-breaker the moment I step out of a major city. In a place like India, where addresses are vague and landmarks matter more than street names, Google Maps has an insane advantage. It's had years of data collection and crowd-sourced improvements. Apple Maps is getting better, but it still misses random shops, newer apartment complexes, or smaller businesses that Google nailed years ago. Google's integration of Waze data into the navigation experience is another reason to stick with it. Road closures, speed traps, police presence, and accidents are all updated in near real time. I've never seen that level of info on Apple Maps, especially not through the web version, and definitely not in India. Apple Maps isn't perfect, but it's getting there Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority Look, I'm not trying to convince you to ditch Google Maps for Apple Maps on Android. That would be silly. Google Maps is still the most complete mapping tool out there, especially for day-to-day use in any country, but particularly in my home country of India. As an avid traveler, I can confirm that Google Maps should be your mapping option of choice in most countries outside of major global cities. If Apple ever makes a proper Android app, I could genuinely see myself switching full time. But I've been pleasantly surprised by how usable Apple Maps is, even as just a web app. It's cleaner, more focused, and in some ways, more enjoyable to use. If Apple ever makes a real Android app and keeps improving its data layer, I could absolutely see myself switching over full-time. Aesthetics may not matter to everyone, but to me, they do. Apple Maps renders terrain, parks, and landmarks beautifully. The colors are soothing, the transitions are smooth, and everything just feels more cohesive. Google Maps is functional, but with its ever-growing feature set, it feels like the user experience has taken a back seat. I'd go as far as saying it looks like it was designed by engineers for engineers. Apple Maps feels like it was made for humans. For now, I'm keeping both tools on hand. Google Maps is my daily go-to, but I know I'll be keeping a close eye on Apple Maps.
Android Authority
06-05-2025
- Android Authority
One UI 8 leak suggests Samsung DeX could borrow a lot from Android 16's desktop mode
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority TL;DR A new One UI 8 leak shows a few changes to Samsung DeX, potentially influenced by Android 16's desktop mode. Changes include repositioned taskbar icons, improved app drawer, and card-based search UI. This redesign for DeX could hint at broader adoption of Android's native desktop mode across smartphones and tablets. One UI 8 is in development, and we're starting to see more and more leaks for the upcoming Android 16-based platform update for Samsung Galaxy devices. The latest leak shows the changes that the company is making to Samsung DeX, the software platform that extends your Galaxy smartphone into a full-size desktop experience. This new leak is courtesy of DevOfIpos on X, who is showing off One UI 8 on the Galaxy S25 Ultra with the BYE2 firmware. The leak shows off the new DeX, which the leaker suggests is based on Android 16's desktop mode, possibly because it borrows several UI elements from there. For instance, the app icons in the taskbar in these screenshots are positioned at the bottom centre, as against the usual bottom left on DeX. The status icons also take up less space on the bottom right. Beyond the changes, these screenshots show desktop windowing, which lets users run multiple apps simultaneously and resize app windows, just like they are used to on conventional desktops. We also see the app drawer in action, showing a smaller pop-up for all your installed apps. The Search bar uses a card-based UI, showing the ability to search through files, apps, and settings topics. It even houses shortcuts for the Downloads folder through the Samsung Files app and the Screenshots folder through the Samsung Gallery app. We also get a look at the Quick Settings panel on the bottom right. It remains to be seen just how far Samsung DeX is based on Android 16's desktop mode. This rebase could also signal that Google is ready to bring desktop mode to Android phones and tablets in general, given the relatively wider availability of Samsung DeX within Samsung's portfolio. We hope to learn more in the coming days, as Google I/O 2025 is just a few weeks away. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
