Welcome to What’s On My Phone, a weekly column where we will be snooping in on people’s smartphones and figure out how they use them, what apps they are using, and why plus tips too.
We’ll include new entries with different and notable people about what’s on their smartphones and if they are a reflection of their personalities or not.
This week, we’re featuring, Nick Kanali.
This Q/A has been edited for length and clarity.
A little intro about yourself
I am a tech journalist and founder of TechTrendsKE. TechTrendsKE is a publication of TechTrends Media, a Kenyan-based integrated Digital Media Agency that produces digital media content including but not limited to tech and business news, podcasting, startups features and interviews, product and service reviews.
I am also the East African tech editor for Africa Business Communities, a Digital B2B Publisher that enables companies and organizations to connect with African Business Professionals.
What smartphone are you using and why?
I am currently using the OPPO A93 as my main phone which I think is one of the best phones OPPO released last year.
I am always switching phones though for review purposes but the OPPO A93 is my best. It offers basically what anyone would ask for in a mid-range device – Good battery life, performance, and design among other features.
I also have the Nokia 3.4 which I am reviewing.
Let’s start with your home screen – how and why have you arranged your apps the way they are?
My home is pretty simple with apps that I frequently use -mostly Google apps – Gmail, Chrome, Google, Google Hangouts (Yes, I still use it), and then there’s WhatsApp and Skype.
I love a clean home screen that’s why I have very few apps here. I use Nova Launcher so searching for all the other apps is really simple.
What’s on your lock screen wallpaper/home screen wallpaper?
I am always not very keen with wallpapers but OPPO offers a wide range of beautiful wallpapers you can choose from.
For my homescreen, I have this cool wallpaper of the moon, looks pretty good. I use this same image for my lockscreen.
How do you handle notifications?
I have disabled most of my notifications especially for my social media and some messaging apps. This explains why I respond to peoples chats after days lol.
The only notifications I have on are for my emails and Skype to make sure I don’t miss on anything important.
Notifications can be annoying so I prefer checking my social media or the apps I have disabled when I want to.
What customisation tweaks have you done on your phone?
Other than re-arranging my apps there’s nothing much I have done. Also, I use Nova which I think serves me pretty well. No need for more customization.
What is the app you use to have fun and unwind? What other apps apart from social media apps do you spend the most time on?
That has to be Google podcasts. There’s something so satisfying about listening to podcasts from your favourite podcasters and at times I go back to listening to some podcasts I have done before.
Anything else before we wrap up?
Just like everyone featured here, I have used so many devices specifically for review purposes. Android has come a long and smartphone manufacturers are also doing a great job.
This explains why most of us are doing less customization on our phones and are ok with using them as they come.
