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Just $20, this online training bundle will teach you to code your own Twitter-like network

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More than a decade under its belt, “social media” is bigger and more powerful than it has ever been. And while there’s something great about using the heavy hitters like Twitter and Facebook, there’s something to be said about playing in a different sandbox or using a different tool for work.

Having a social network profile is great but sometimes we need to leave work, school, and personal lives in their own space. Finding the right network isn’t always easy but there are some decent options out there.

Rather than trying your hand at determining the best social media service for your needs, why not create your own network altogether? Yeah, seriously. It’s easier than you think, especially if you’ve had some development experience under your belt.

If you head over to the AG Deals Store today, you’ll find a $20 training bundle that’s designed to help you build your own Twitter-like app for Android. Spanning some 11 hours, it’s the tools you need to create a social network of your own.

Features

  • Access 70 lectures & 11 hours of content 24/7
  • Learn how to build a Twitter-like app
  • Know how to work with Firebase
  • Understand Android development & the most-used technologies

Available 24/7, the training bundle is yours for as long as you want to use it. Moreover, you can access it on a desktop or mobile devices and there’s even a certificate upon completion. Build your company a private social network and leverage that for a pay raise.

Purchase your account for $20 today, a savings of 90% off the retail value of $200.

AAWireless early access review

I’ve been a huge fan of Android Auto. Having my phone be the main hub of my car infotainment system has been a great upgrade over the stock experience of my Nissan Juke. I have all the things I need. Phone, Maps, Music, and Messages project right from my phone but on my dash for easy access while driving.

Honestly, there’s just one minor downside… I have to plug it in every time. Now, this has its pros and cons, but on daily use wireless would be a great option. Unfortunately, Android Auto head units with wireless are expensive and limited at the moment. Thankfully, an Indiegogo crowdsourced project called AAWireless has come to the rescue.

I got early access to one of the new retail prototypes and it’s been an amazing addition to my car. AAWireless is easy to set up and leverages off-the-shelf parts to mimic the wireless modules in newer Android Auto devices.

Setup

So here’s how to set up AAWireless. First, you plug in the dongle where you would normally plug in your phone for Android Auto. This gives the car unit the signal that you are trying to use Android Auto. The dongle will power up and blink blue and green to let you know it’s ready.

Next, head to your phone’s Bluetooth settings and search for the AAWireless device. Connect and pair in the prompts. Once complete, you should see a normal Android Auto setup wizard, and then you have wireless Android Auto like newer units.

What’s it doing?

AAWireless uses your phone to connect over Bluetooth and an internal WiFi module to send the Android Auto projection with no physical wires to your phone. It’s a “simple” workaround to get wireless much like Qi-charging. Yes, something is still plugged in to get the functionality but just not your phone.

It works well

AAWireless works surprisingly well — especially for pre-release hardware. Once I had the unit set up I really only had one issue. For the first few days, it would only connect the first time I initiated a connection without manually going into Android’s Bluetooth settings every time.

I finally figured out the existing Bluetooth pairing to my car’s default sync system was interfering. Once I forgot that connection in Android settings the AAWireless dongle has worked flawlessly.

I get in the car, start it up, and everything just works with Android Auto working wirelessly. The dongle does take about 20 seconds to boot up and initiate but honestly, it takes me that long to get situated and back out of my garage anyways.

Otherwise, I’ve had zero issues. Connections have been smooth and consistent. And I like that I still have the option of wired on longer trips if needed for topping off my phone’s battery life. With the AAWireless using the exact same USB-C cable, I simply unplug from it and plug it into my phone.

There’s also a companion app that can be used to offer OTA updates to the dongle, tweak settings if needed, and help novice users through the setup process. It allows for DPI, USB modes, and report issues. The default settings work great for me but nice to see this available.

Worth it

I backed this project at $65 and the team hasn’t released full retail pricing yet, but to me, it’s well worth the cost. This added functionality makes the Android Auto experience just a little more convenient and seamless for me.

It’s a no-brainer for those of us with existing Android Auto car units without the option for wireless connections. For me, the latest Pioneer is over $500 when my previous generation works fine otherwise. Adding wireless to it is great at $65 but not worth the extra $400 in cash.

Head over to the AAWireless Indiegogo page to follow the development. There are some reports of EU backers getting their official retail models recently.

Lemonade pet insurance is the best investment you’ll make

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Every few years, my cat hits me with some kind of unexpected expense that really throws me for a loop. Now don’t get me wrong: she’s worth every rusted penny I’ve spent on her, and I’d happily sell a kidney to keep her chugging along – but that’s sort of the problem. I’ll always want to do everything she needs and buy whatever I need to to keep an eye on her, but I could really do without the credit card debt.

Which is why we’re talking about Lemonade Pet Insurance now: for the price of a mid-range streaming service, you can protect yourself from having to make some really hard choices down the line. 

Lemonade has a ultra-modern design and accessibility, truly “insurance for the 21st century.” It’s a hassle-free, entirely digital experience that’s largely powered by AI. It boasts award winning service, and claims the world’s fastest claim payments and an interface that prides itself on convenience and ease of use. This isn’t the traditional insurance experience, with hold music and complicated policies that leave you scratching your head – which is why Investopedia’s review earlier this year gave them such high ratings for convenience, easy-to-read policy documents, and customizable coverage. In addition, Leftover money is donated to charities you choose (including several pet-centric causes).

In other words, this is pet insurance for a digital native, tech-savvy young person who wants to take absolutely great care of their pet. 

And if your favorite little buddy isn’t the only thing you want to buy insurance for, that just sweetens the deal. Lemonade also offers a 10% discount for anyone who decides to insure their home through Lemonade too. Those savings add up quickly, and when you consider the money you’re already saving by signing up for insurance in the first place, it starts to get into “no brainer” territory.

Now let’s get specific about what Lemonade covers. According to their own blog posts, Lemonade covers accidents and illness, including basic diagnostics like x-rays and blood tests. They also offer a preventative package, which includes things you’re already paying for like your annual wellness check up and routine treatments like vaccinations. Few insurance policies cover everything, but Lemonade stands apart with that aforementioned customization: You can get the basic policy, which covers diagnostics (blood tests and other lab work) procedures (outpatient and specialty care, as well as hospitalization) and medications. 

Then you can add the Preventative and Wellness package, which includes your annual check up, several vaccines, fecal tests, medical advice chat, and more. They’ll even provide access to pet health experts, using a chat in the Lemonade app. 

Finally, you can add the Extended Accident and Illness package, which will cover vet exam fees and physical therapy.

Lemonade Pet Insurance starts at $10 per month for both dogs and cats, so what are you waiting for?

Motorola brings Android 11 and new features to Edge+

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Motorola this week began rolling out an Android 11 update to its Edge+ flagship smartphone. But rather than simply giving the handset the latest in Android, Motorola is also adding some nifty new features.

The update includes a new experience Motorola calls “Ready For” which focuses on four areas. The aim is to make the Edge+ phone more versatile, giving users the ability to view content on larger displays.

  • Mobile Desktop: View multiple windows at once or take a closer look at videos, artwork, and documents. Plus, connect a Bluetooth® keyboard and mouse for a complete desktop experience.
  • Video Chat: Enjoy higher quality video calls with the option to pick between the 108MP main lens or 16MP ultra-wide lens, which lets you capture more people in one frame.
  • Gaming: Play your favorite mobile games on the big screen with an advantage thanks to edge+ and Verizon 5G. Bonus, pair a Bluetooth® controller for an intuitive and hands on gaming.
  • TV: See all your favorite apps and entertainment at a glance in an easy-to-read dashboard. Now when you’re on the go, you don’t have to worry about missing your must-watch shows.

In addition to the software updates, Motorola has announced a new “Ready For” Dock. Slated to arrive on April 19, it holds phones in landscape and portrait orientation and seeks to make video calls and recording easier. Pricing will be revealed ahead of its arrival.

Samsung refreshes portfolio for 2021 with Samsung Galaxy A52, A52 5G and A72

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Samsung on Wednesday announced a handful of new models for its Galaxy A series of phones. Indeed, the handset maker revealed the details for the forthcoming Galaxy A52, Galaxy A52 5G, and Galaxy A72.

As has long been the case for this line of phones, they’re all about affordable ways of delivering the features that most users want in a device. The 2021 models are no different as Samsung makes a point to highlight the camera experience and displays for the phones.

The trio of new phones are equipped with stereo speakers, two-day batteries, IP67 ratings against dust and water, and external memory card slots. They’re also powered by Android 11 and feature Samsung’s One UI 3.

Galaxy A52Galaxy A52 5GGalaxy A72
6.5-inch 1080 x 24006.5-inch 1080 x 24006.7-inch 1080 x 2400
90Hz refresh rate120Hz refresh rate120Hz refresh rate
64-megapixel quad camera64-megapixel quad camera64-megapixel quad camera
4GB/6GB/8GB RAM6GB/8GB RAM6GB/8GB RAM
128GB/256GB Storage128GB/256GB Storage128GB/256GB Storage
4500mAh battery4500mAh battery5000mAh battery
4G LTE5G4G LTE

There are plenty of features worth diving into which cannot be identified by a simple bullet point. We recommend checking out Samsung’s announcement to get a feel for the various options in the camera experience or to learn more about the software side of things.

The new Galaxy A Series will be available in Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue, Awesome Black, and Awesome White. Samsung has not specifically detailed the US availability; however, we expect they’ll be offered through prepaid and MVNO carriers.

Just $20, this online course will help you develop more efficient apps for Android

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Having an idea for an app is one thing; executing on the dream and coding it are entirely different things. For some people, it’s not all that difficult to take a concept and turn it into a real, working mobile app. For other, it takes a considerable amount of help — or a team.

If you’re developing for Android you’ll want to ensure the app is not just polished and intuitive. You’ll also want to make sure it works properly with data or cloud services, uses minimal amounts of battery, and doesn’t chew up memory. And while that’s easier said than done, it’s also not entirely difficult. If you have the right tools.

One of those tools is the online training course from Packt Publishing in the AG Deals Store. Priced at just $20 right now, it’s five lectures and more than two hours of content to help overcome performance problems with your Android apps.

Whether you’re just looking to debug, optimize for memory or battery, or better design a UI framework, this all-around bundle is here to help.

  • Access 5 lectures & 2.2 hours of content 24/7
  • Go over the important & common areas that can affect app performance
  • Delve into issues such as memory management
  • Optimize UI when working with data on the cloud
  • Know some common pitfalls when working with your UI & learn how to debug it
  • Optimize & debug your app’s battery usage

Get Started!

If you’re an indie developer or part of a team looking to improve your app’s performance, you owe it to yourself to check out this training bundle. Head to the AG Deals Store and grab your license for just $20 while it’s on sale.

Earn Credits!

For every $25 you spend in the AG Deals Store you get $1 credit added to your account. And, if you refer the deal via social media or an email that results in a purchase, you’ll earn $10 credit in your account.

First Time Buying?

If this is your first time buying, you are also eligible for 10% discount! Just be sure to subscribe for email updates.

Free Stuff

Not looking to spend any money today? No worries. You can still visit the AndroidGuys section for freebies and pick something anyhow.

Why it’s time to ditch dotcom for a .STORE domain

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It used to be that the most difficult elements of starting or furthering a business was dealing with overhead costs, finding great employees, and marketing your products online. But now, one of the hardest aspects of running a successful business online is finding a domain name that is actually relevant to your company.

Years of companies scrambling to find the perfect domain name have led to a serious shortage of .com and .net extensions, and unless you’re willing to shell out a huge amount of cash for a pre-existing domain you’re likely out of luck.

So why not avoid the expensive and oversaturated .com extension madness entirely by landing a .STORE domain that’s actually in line with your business strategy and mission?

A .STORE domain is a great way to create simple, elegant domain names that both showcase your brand’s purpose while allowing you to present yourself online in a way that’s straightforward and simple.

You’ll be able to attract more customers by making it clear that you’re selling products or services online, save money that would otherwise have to go toward securing a convoluted and underwhelming .com domain, and showcase the fact that your website is primarily a store without having to promote it.

Already used by major retailers and brands like Nike, Kindle, and Cristiano Ronaldo (www.cr7denim.store & www.cr7fragrances.store), .STORE domains are memorable, easy to recall, and offer far more choices when it comes to creating a domain name that resonates with both current and future customers. Major companies, artists, and sports teams are already using .STORE domains in order to maximize their reach and profitability online — and you better grab one before you’re no long an early adopter. It takes only a few minutes to find a domain that’s perfect for your brand or business, and a one-year subscription is currently available for just $4.99.

Benefits of time tracking and essential features the time tracking software must have

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Data speaks a lot and many a time surprise us with the results we might not have analyzed by missing some of the minute details. For example, on the face of it, it might appear that one of the team members is spending more time on the task as compared to the other. But on checking the time tracked through timesheet management software, the productivity shows the inverse results.

Thus it becomes important to record/track the time of the employees through the software which can help in getting a detailed insight into the project and the performance of the team members. Some of the benefits of the time tracking software are mentioned below:

  • Increases Productivity: With the help of the software, you can track the time spent on different websites/tasks, active/idle time. This can give you a comprehensive report on which are the most time-consuming tasks, which in-turn helps in revising the required strategies. It also implies that you can track your expenses also.
  • Reduces Efforts: Automation through software reduces the efforts of manually capturing and calculating the billable hours or salary processing. It also reduces the chances of errors. Set the rules for the first time and process the entire payroll through few clicks.
  • Increases Transparency: Anytime, anywhere access provides transparency for billable hours thus reducing/removing the possibilities of disputes. Staff performance reviews can be evaluated on basis of the data derived from the software.
  • Ease In Following Deadlines: It is easier to deliver with set timelines. With clear visibility of the tasks and the time allocated, it becomes very easy to complete the tasks by the given dates just by including some buffer/delay time while estimating delivery time.
  • Empower Employees: Visibility brings along trust. With time, team members can be given more leeway on being more accountable towards their deliverables.

After you have understood the benefits of the time tracking software, it’s time to understand what should be the basic/essential features that your software must-have.

  • Time Tracking: The core function of the software should to be monitor time accurately. Depending upon the requirement, the functionality should leverage to capture the time of work hours from accurate billing purpose and payroll processing. The managers should also be able to visualize the workflow, progress, and performance. It should also have the functionality to capture the data in easy to understand format.
  • Online Timesheets: Timesheets are primarily used to calculate the work done by the employee for billable hours. The advanced feature can also involve an automated payroll for billable hours wherein an automatic payment method can be integrated to the employee through the preferred mode. A detailed report of productivity and performance can be fetched through timesheets.
  • Project Management: To streamline the workflow and to set up the deadlines for the deliverables, this feature is a must-have while choosing the type of time tracking software. This also helps in optimizing the project cost.
  • Online Invoicing: Automating the generation of invoices based on billable work hours saves time. It also ensures transparency and accuracy, thus avoiding disputes. Streamlining and automating this process saves on the hassles of accounting.
  • Integration: The tool must have the capability of integrating the tracking system with other departments or third parties. This provides an overall business view and interdepartmental dependencies can be easily managed.
  • Reports And Analytics: Generating automated reports in the desired formats helps the managers to give a holistic view of various projects they might handle. It helps in quantifying the performance of the team members. These analytics helps the manager to make changes in the strategies at the right time for better outputs.

Conclusion: Time is the key to both success and failure. Tracking and ensuring that the time is utilized in the best manner is what an organization looks for. Implementing time tracking software is the need of the hour.

Google slashes Play Store developer fee in half

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Google on Tuesday announced that it will soon cut its Play Store commission fees in half, taking them from 30% down to 15% for developers.

Scheduled to take effect July 1, 2021, Google will take only 15% of the revenues earned for digital goods or services sold in the Play Store. That is, up to the first million dollars. For smaller outfits and independent teams this could be a big boost in capital and a way to keep development going.

We believe this is a fair approach that aligns with Google’s broader mission to help all developers succeed. 

As for those developers who earn more than $1 million in revenue annually, Google will switch back to the 30% once the threshold is crossed. In essence, it’s a $150,000 back in the pockets for any developers who pull down more than one million in a year.

Read more at the Android Developers blog.

RedMagic 6 gets global launch

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Nubia on Tuesday announced the global launch of its RedMagic 6 gaming-centric smartphone. The handset, which boasts a number of high-end hardware features, launched in China earlier this month.

Priced reasonably at $599, the RedMagic 6 is an impressive one in terms of specifications, giving gamers no less than 12GB RAM to play with. Moreover, it provides an excellent display with 165Hz refresh rate and touch sampling up to 500Hz.

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, the RedMagic 6 also packs a 5,050mAh battery with 66W fast charging and a built-in turbofan to keep things cool.

Other details include a 64-megapixel triple camera system, 3.5mm headphone jack, shoulder trigger buttons, and full customizable light effects.

US Consumers Beware

Although Nubia’s latest is a 5G phone, the global model doesn’t support the full range of 5G bands in the US. In fact, as PhoneScoop points out, it only provides basic support for AT&T’s 4G network. Additionally, it is not compatible with 4G in bands 13 and 71, which are critical bands for Verizon and T-Mobile, respectively.

Standard and Pro Models

Nubia offers the RedMagic 6 in two versions, a standard and Pro. The former starts at $599 USD and comes in Eclipse Black while the latter runs about $100 more at $699 and comes in Moon Silver. For your extra money you’ll get double the storage capacity and 25% more memory.

  • RedMagic 6 12GB+128GB
  • RedMagic 6 Pro 16GB+256GB

Readers can sign up for RedMagic 6 pre-orders starting on April 9 with full availability starting on April 15.