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Deus Ex GO available for free for a limited time on Android and iOS

Rizwan Anwer
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Deus Ex GO is among a series of turn-based puzzle games released for smartphones by Square Enix. The game also shares the store with Hitman GO and Lara Croft GO, each game a pivotal part of Square Enix’s gaming market.

In the previous days, Square Enix made Lara Craft GO and Hitman GO free to users on smartphone, the games have now come full-circle with the inclusion of Deus Ex GO.

Deus Ex GO – I asked for this!

Deus Ex GO is a fun game that is a good time sink for people who enjoy puzzle games. Each game has a unique quirk or twist to it, making each unique in their own aspect.

With Hitman GO, you have to eliminate targets, complete the stages within a set number of moves, and do no-kill runs. Lara Croft GO has you collecting gems, pieces of a statue and solving some truly cryptic puzzles.

Deus Ex GO does well to the current source material if we are talking about the series getting rebooted via Deus Ex Human Revolution (2011) and Deus Ex Mankind Divided (2016). The game manages to deliver a good cyberpunk feel to it, while still making it feel like a good spin-off title.

You reprise your role as Adam Jensen and the story takes place prior to the events of Mankind Divided. Adam is tasked with saving the life of a VIP, but has to solve puzzles and figure out clues to where their target is being held.

Much like the other titles, you just need to start the installation and cancel it to add the license to your play store library. Even if you don’t have space on your Android device, the game license will transfer over to you.

Similarly, Hitman GO and Lara Croft GO are still showing as free. While you’re grabbing this game, there’s no harm in grabbing the other GO titles in the series.

Amidst this lockdown, you’d be surprised how quickly you might find yourself going through these games. It’s worth enjoying these games while they’re free.

Nearly all Pixel 4a details surface ahead of launch [Update 5/1/2020: Shipping date and camera samples leaked]

AndroidGuys
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Google’s next phone, the Pixel 4a, is looming on the horizon and should be here in the next few weeks. The handset, as often is the case with Google, has seen no shortage of leaks over the last couple of months.

As we hit the final stretch before the announcement the details have come into sharp focus. And thanks to a recent 9to5google report, we have a fairly solid idea as to what waits for us in the shadows.

According to trusted source close to the outlet, the Pixel 4a will have a 5.81-inch OLED FHD+ display at 2340 x 1080 pixel resolution. A hole punch is said to be present for an 8-megapixel front-facing camera.

Running Android 10, the Pixel 4a is expected to have an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 processor with 6GB RAM. Storage is reported at 64GB and 128GB.

As for the rear camera experience, the source says to look for a 12.2-megapixel sensor with autofocus with optical image stabilization and electronic image stabilization. Video recording figures to be identical to that of the Pixel 4 in both resolution and frames per second.

Rounding things out, the Pixel 4a is alleged to have a 3,080mAh battery with 18W fast charging over USB Type-C. Like its predecessor, the 3a, it does not support wireless charging. Oh, and it figures to include a 3.5mm headphone jack.

In terms of sensors and software, the Pixel 4a looks to be quite similar to the Pixel 3a. While it is said to have the same Google Assistant that’s found in the Pixel 4, there’s no Pixel Neural Core, Soli gestures, or face unlock.

The Google Pixel 4a, as anticipated, should work with all major US carriers. Although previous leaks indicate a white model is coming, 9to5google says to look for Just Black and Barely Blue. Pricing should start at $399, according to Evan Blass.

As to when and how the announcement is made for the Pixel 4a, it’s hard to say. Google’s annual developer conference, Google I/O, is not happening this year because of the coronavirus.

Update 5/1/2020

Internal documents leaked on Caschys Blog from within European carrier Vodafone stating that the Pixel 4a will start shipping on May 22.

In addition, camera samples of the Pixel 4a were shown off and compared to the Redmi Note 7 by Julio Lusson of TecnoLikePlus on Twitter. As one would expect from the Pixel line, the upcoming 4a easily outshines the Redmi Note 7.

10 awesome apps with incredible design to draw inspiration from

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10 awesome apps with incredible design to draw inspiration from

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

Have an idea for the next great mobile app but aren’t sure where to get started? There are certain design principles you’ll want to keep in mind.

The best design principles change each year. If you want your users to have as good of an experience as possible, you’re going to want a well-designed app that is easy to navigate.

With so many apps out there, customers are going to choose well-designed apps over poorly-designed apps. Even if your idea is innovative and unique, a poorly-designed app that is challenging to navigate isn’t going to be successful.

Current 2020 app design trends include (but are not limited to) simple user interfaces, swipe features, animated features, and fresh color palettes. Depending on your level of experience with app design, you may want to hire a freelancer to help you out. Check out this guide via CollectiveRay to learn about the best places to find app developers.

Need help finding inspiration for your next mobile app design? Here are ten great apps with innovative features that you’ll want to draw inspiration from.

Monument Valley

Though released in 2014, Monument Valley is an inspiration for anybody that is hoping to design an innovative mobile game. Monument Valley uses a minimalist style that is free from clutter, as well as a vibrant color palette. Monument Valley 2, released in 2017, is equally innovative.

MealPrepPro

MealPrepPro uses a simple, minimalistic design that allows users to easily navigate the app and focus on content. Not to mention, MealPrepPro also uses a simple on-boarding process. Instead of having to immediately sign up to access all features, MealPrepPro allows users to ease into the experience.

Breaker

Many apps are offering dark modes, which allows foreground colors to pop against background colors. Many find that dark mode is easier to read, more relaxing, and easier on their battery! For an example of an app where you can toggle on dark mode, check out Breaker.

Trello

Another app that uses a simple on-boarding process is Trello, which provides users with a warm greeting before highlighting the features of the app. Users learn about the features and how to use the app before having to sign up. Trello also uses a vibrant color scheme.

Duolingo

Many apps are using push notifications, but some users might be reluctant to sign up for them. In addition to a simple, fresh design, Duolingo also educates users on the reasons why they should sign up for push notifications before asking users to sign up for them.

Target

Another trend apps are moving towards is easy navigation that is accessed immediately upon opening the app. Target does a good job of highlighting a few main categories. Clicking on different categories will then allow users to dive further into the app, creating a logical navigation order.

Twitter

Users want to easily access the intended features of an app without having to click through multiple screens. The Twitter app allows for that. The design of the app is minimalistic. Upon logging in, users see their newsfeed, as well as the option to write a tweet.

Google Maps

Voice activation is another trend that continues to be popular. One well-designed app that properly utilizes voice activation is Google Maps. Since Google Maps is sometimes used while people drive, a simple design and the ability to speak directly to the app make it a popular choice.

Coursera

Another app that uses a simple, organized design with a vibrant color palette is Coursera. This app’s primary function is to allow users to easily find courses to take, as well as go through the available lessons in a course. A clean, simple design allows for that.

Spotify

Spotify is yet another well-designed app that is easy to navigate, allowing users to easily access their musical playlists. It also allows them to easily find new songs to listen to. While Spotify’s color palette isn’t as vibrant as some other apps mentioned, many users enjoy the gradient color scheme.

Final thoughts

If you’re looking for inspiration for your next mobile app design, the best place to start is to look at what design features are being used by popular apps!

Look for trends and take notes about what you like about each app. Think about how those designs could be integrated into your app.

And remember, if you don’t have any experience designing apps, consider hiring a freelance app designer. They’ll take your innovative ideas and work with you to make your app look as good as possible!

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

Tronsmart Onyx Ace wireless earbuds review

Andrew Allen
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Tronsmart is a name many may not immediately recognize; however, the China-based company has been churning out solid wireless smartphone accessories for years. As someone familiar with the brand, I was eager to try out Tronsmart’s newest audio model,  the Onyx Ace earbuds.

Design

It’s hard to ignore the influence of Apple’s Airpod design when you open the packaging of the Onyx Ace headset. The earbuds and the case for the device also have the same resemblance. Is this a ripoff, or just validation of good design?

Personally, I like the look and fit of the Onyx Ace. The earbuds are light with a sleek design. Ear-fit is different for each user, but I find they fit very well in my ears.

Audio

The overall sound quality of the Tronsmart Onyx Ace is quite good. While it’s a little bass-heavy, the mix is decent. Lows, mids, and highs come in for a really good listening experience.

This is no surprise with Qualcomm aptX chipset onboard. Combined with 13mm driver, you receive lossless audio that pops from the small buds.

The Onyx Ace isn’t going to supplant your over-ear cans anytime soon but, for casual listening, you won’t be disappointed. It’s also worth mentioning the light weight of the earbuds attributes to comfort for extended listening as well.

Controls

The Onyx Ace earbuds are accompanied by a responsive set of touch controls via the silver strips on the sides. A single tap on the right earpiece will raise the volume, while the same to the left side will lower the track audio. Double-tap on either will pause the currently playing track or answer/end a phone call.

Holding the right Ace for two seconds will advance to the next track in a playlist and the left will predictably go to the previously played item. A three-second timed press will manually turn the units on and off.

Lastly, a triple-tap will activate your favorite voice assistant. Google Assistant works as well as you’d expect with this function. I will say it’s the only interaction that I struggled to get right every time. I got better with practice but three well-timed taps are just not a great way to initiate a result at times.

Battery Life

The other feature that allows for long podcast marathons is the battery life. Each Onyx Ace lasts around five hours per charge and the included case can recharge it four times. This results in a full 24 hours of up time away from a wall outlet.

When you do need a charge, it’s great to see USB-C charging available. Whether charging the case or the case recharging the earbuds, both take around one and a half hours to a full tank. I’d love to have also seen wireless charging but at the price point of $35, it’s just fine.

Conclusion

I enjoyed my time with the Tronsmart Onyx Ace truly wireless earbuds. With the compact design, audio backed with aptX, and good playback times, the Onyx Ace headset has some really solid offerings. Pair that will a modest $35 price tag and you have a great option for potential buyers.

Oneplus Z rumored to be released in July 2020 [Update 4/30/20: Hands-on Image Leaks]

Josiah Ward
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The OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro were released earlier this month, but many were surprised that there were no mentions of the OnePlus 8 Lite, which was expected to be a revival of OnePlus’ previous mid-range entry, the OnePlus X.

The OnePlus X, released in October 2015, was a massive disruption of the mid-range segment with a Snapdragon 801, a 5″ 1080p display, and a glass and metal display.

oneplus_x

The OnePlus 8 Lite was first rumored in December 2019, with renders being released by OnLeaks and 91Mobiles. The renders showed the device sporting a glass finish, a rumored 6.5″ display, a punch-hole selfie camera, and a dual-camera setup on the back with multiple additional sensors. The device also sports a Type-C port, but no headphone jack, although that comes at no surprise in this age. In addition, it is rumored that the device will feature an OLED display with an in-display fingerprint sensor and a possible 90Hz refresh rate. As far as the internals, there is little information about that, but rumors suggest a MediaTek processor instead of a Snapdragon.

In March, Max Weinbach posted that the name of the new device would be OnePlus Z instead of the previous OnePlus 8 Lite.

Now, another leaker, Max J., who usually deals in leaks about Samsung products, released a graphic suggesting that the Oneplus Z will be released in July 2020.

However, since this release date has not been confirmed by OnePlus, all we can do is wait and see what the device truly has to offer, and more importantly, what the price is. Hopefully all will be revealed in July.

Update 4/30/20

A new hands-on image from TrueTech has allegedly leaked with an in-display fingerprint sensor, a flat display, and a centered hole-punch selfie camera

oneplus Z leaked image

 

Steel yourself against a recession with LearnNow’s lifetime training, on sale now

AndroidGuys
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You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t think the economy is getting pretty rough. Unemployment is getting worse by the day and halted commercial activity is starting to have a significant impact.

If and when the pandemic goes away, we’ll be facing an uphill battle in getting things back to normal. How soon can you go back to work, if at all? What does your career path look like now? Maybe it’s time to put yourself onto a different road.

If you want to put yourself into a situation that makes you interesting to prospective employers, you’ll probably want to get some IT under your belt.

LNO delivers engaging online courses featuring the skills that matter most today. From AWS and Azure to Python, C#, ASP.NET Core and Java to Linux, SQL Server and Cyber Security, LNO stays ahead of the hottest trends to offer the most relevant courses and up-to-date information.

LearnNowOnline’s online learning platform boasts a massive library of courses focused on in-demand IT and software skills.

Each lesson is taught by expert instructors; classes designed to be engaging and interesting so you won’t find yourself bored. There are also pre-test and post-class exams which can help you evaluate your knowledge and ready you for the real exams.

Typically $1,000, unlimited lifetime access to LearnNowOnline is on sale for only $79.99.

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

Google announces Meet video calling will soon be available to all users

Andrew Allen
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The newly renamed Google Meet video calling is hoping to catch the same fire that Zoom has in the post-COVID19 pandemic era. The service, as of yesterday, was only available to hold video conferences with G-Suite users with a premium account. Google has removed this restriction today via blog post to all users with a Google account.

There’s a caveat that the rollout will be gradual according to Google:

Today, we’re making Google Meet, our premium video conferencing product, free for everyone, with availability rolling out over the coming weeks. Starting in early May, anyone with an email address can sign up for Meet and enjoy many of the same features available to our business and education users, such as simple scheduling and screen sharing, real-time captions, and layouts that adapt to your preference, including an expanded tiled view.

Google is also leveraging the recent pitfalls around Zoom and security. The company has implemented many default measure it feels will help avoid unwanted users “bombing” calls.

  • We provide a strong set of host controls such as the ability to admit or deny entry to a meeting, and mute or remove participants if needed.
  • We do not allow anonymous users (i.e., without a Google Account) to join meetings created by individual accounts.
  • Meet meeting codes are complex by default and therefore resilient to brute-force “guessing.”
  • Meet video meetings are encrypted in transit, and all recordings stored in Google Drive are encrypted in transit and at rest.
  • We don’t require plugins to use Meet on the web. It works entirely in Chrome and other modern browsers, so it’s less vulnerable to security threats.
  • On mobile, we have dedicated Google Meet apps in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
  • Meet users can enroll their account in Google’s Advanced Protection Program—our strongest protections available against phishing and account hijacking.
  • Google Cloud undergoes regular rigorous security and privacy audits for all its services. Our global compliance certifications can help support regulatory requirements such as GDPR and HIPAA, as well as COPPA and FERPA for education.
  • Your Meet data is not used for advertising, and we don’t sell your data to third parties.

It’s also worth noting that Meet for free members will be limited to only a 60-minute video session, but Google will not enforce this action until September 30. Even with the limitations, this offers folks a great option to have up to 100 participants on a video call, and the company just implemented a Zoom-style grid to show all users in the preview.

If you’d like to stay up-to-date on the rollout, Google has a signup page at the meet.google.com landing page.

Issues with Galaxy Buds reportedly fixed in new updates

Josiah Ward
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Following the release of the Galaxy Buds update two days ago, many users had reported issues with the Galaxy Buds, such as frequent disconnections, issues with Ambient Sound and the touchpad, and even failures of earbuds.

I personally own a pair of Galaxy Buds and I did notice the connection dropping multiple times after the update yesterday, but I had not encountered any other issues.

Samsung has just released an update to the Galaxy Buds with the same release notes as the previous update, but with a slight version bump.

There is no official word from Samsung as to whether or not this fixes the issues reported by users, but some who have already done the update are saying it has.

How to record Whatsapp audio calls on your Android phone

AndroidGuys
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Whatsapp is one of the most popular messaging apps out there that also supports making free audio and video calls to anyone in the world with Whatsapp installed on their phone. Especially during times like these several people across the world use Whatsapp on a regular basis to make personal or business calls. While the audio call feature and the quality are pretty good in Whatsapp, it lacks some useful features like recording your calls for instance.

If you are a regular user of the calling feature on Whatsapp and if you wanted to record some of your important calls like business meetings or even personal conversations, then you might find this post very useful. Even though Whatsapp doesn’t support recording audio calls by default, you can record Whatsapp audio calls on your Android phone by following the below simple step by step instructions.

How to record Whatsapp audio calls on your Android phone

Step 1:

First, download and install the Android app, Call Recorder – Cube ACR from the Google Play Store on the Android phone you use to make Whatsapp audio calls.

cube ACR

Before you proceed, you can verify from this Google Spreadsheet link which is the official list of devices provided by the app developer expected to support the recording of VoIP audio calls made from apps like Whatsapp or Skype whether your device is included in the list.

Don’t worry if your device is not in the above list, you can still try to record your Whatsapp audio calls using the Cube ACR call recorder app by making a few tweaks in the app settings.

Step 2:

Once the app has been installed on your Android phone, open the app, and then provide the basic permissions for the app to function properly and allow it to record your Whatsapp audio calls.

These permissions might include providing access to your contacts, to detect your incoming and outgoing calls, your device’s microphone, storage, and also a screen overlay permission to enable the floating record icon to use whenever you want to record Whatsapp audio calls from your Android phone.

If you are running Android version 10 or above on your Android phone, you might also need to enable the App connector permission from your device’s accessibility settings for the app to function without any issues. Your device might restart or refresh once you have enabled this setting.

Step 3:

After providing all the necessary permissions in the Cube ACR call recorder app on your Android phone, you can proceed to make audio calls to anyone by opening the Whatsapp app.

Once you initiate a Whatsapp audio call from your Android phone or you receive an incoming Whatsapp audio call from any of your contacts, the Cube ACR call recorder app widget will automatically pop up on your device’s screen with the microphone icon allowing you to start and stop recording your call whenever you want.

record Whatsapp

Step 4:

If you are not getting the Cube ACR call recorder widget or you are unable to record your Whatsapp audio calls for any reason, go to the app settings and then under the VoIP recording settings, enable the option to ‘Ignore VoIP-support check’ and select the option ‘Voice call’ in the VoIP recording audio source setting.

If the Voice call audio source is not recording Whatsapp audio calls on your device, try changing the audio source setting in the app settings to other options and try recording the call again.

Step 5:

Once you have finished recording your Whatsapp audio call, you can access the call recordings by opening the app or by going to the File Manager on your Android phone and opening the Cube ACR call recorder folder from the internal storage.

record Whatsapp

Make sure you test the app’s call recording feature a couple of times to confirm it is working without any issues before you use the recording function for important Whatsapp audio calls.

Tip: You can also use the Cube ACR call recorder on your Android phone to record normal voice calls or even audio calls from other VoIP applications like Skype or Google Duo.

If you are looking to record video calls that you make using your Android phone, irrespective of the app you use to make the video call, you can use either the built-in screen recording option if that is available on your Android phone, or download a third-party screen recording app for Android from the Google Play Store and use it to record your video calls.

Feel free to let us know in the comments below if you are having any issues in using the Cube ACR call recorder app or are unable to record your Whatsapp audio calls on your Android phone.

Five signal boosters to use for 1,600 sq ft. areas

AndroidGuys
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EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

If you are on the receiving end of a bad mobile signal, we feel for you. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to stay that way forever and there are lots of ways to improve your signal reception. In case you have thought about installing a signal booster but don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place. We have some suggestions for you, but before we get to go over them, let’s have a quick talk about boosters in general and how wide the variety is. Choosing the device correctly is half the work, if not more. So let’s get to it!

What are signal boosters and how do they differ?

In case you have been using the word a lot, without really knowing what it is (don’t worry, we all do that), this is how it works in a nutshell:

Any signal booster consists of 3 functioning parts: the outside antenna, that receives the signal from the mobile tower and passes it on to the amplifier, which enhances this signal before transmitting it to the indoor antenna, that broadcasts the strong signal over a certain area.

Nothing too difficult, but still there are a few nuances to consider when you are trying to choose the right device to serve your needs.

  • Boosters use different frequencies to function, in order to be in sync with a certain operator, or multiple operators. Our advice is to buy a booster that will function on multiple frequencies, so you won’t be limited to one provider only. Then you’ll be able to switch if you want to.
  • They are different in coverage as well, in other words, the area of the effectiveness, ranging from 1,000 sq ft, or less, up to 20,000 sq ft and more.
  • Also, boosters can be designated for a certain service type only and receive Call, 3G or 4G  signals. Or, it can be a universal device and take care of all three at once.
  • It is very important to consider the strength of the outside signal. You’ll need one device to boost a strong outside, but weak inside signal, and a whole other booster if the signal you get outside is weak too.

Now, we want to help you on your quest to find the right booster, so we offer you a few options, assuming you are looking for a device for your personal needs, i.e. with a small coverage, under 1600 sq ft.

Without further ado let’s get to our list and you’ll be able to choose whichever one you find more suitable.

  1. This model of a 4G signal booster will serve you well if you are looking for an affordable solution to your reception problems. It is a dual-band device and will support all major US mobile providers. This model is ideal if you are looking to boost your mobile data signal, which, let’s face it, is essential these days. It will work great for your apartment or small house in the city. In other words, if your outside signal is stable, and you are experiencing difficulties inside the house only. In case your outside signal is low as well, check out this next model.
  2. This mobile phone signal booster for all networks is extremely powerful and it will make sure you have a stable signal even if there is only one bar outside. This means it’s suitable not only for a regular apartment, or a house, but also for a remote small farm, or summer house, or a boat. It will work with all major US providers and give you the opportunity to improve your mobile data signal significantly. We all know that even Wi-Fi can be a problem in a remote location. And with this booster, you’ll feel comfortable anywhere. Your friends and family will be able to reach you and you’ll feel much safer.
  3. This powerful cell phone signal booster is another example of how you can pick a remote location for yourself to live and work at, and still be connected to the outside world. It’s a dual-band device that will catch and enhance a signal from any US operator and give you the freedom to communicate without interruptions, even if the outside signal is very weak, or fluctuating. It’s great for a summer house or a beach house and it will support multiple devices, so be sure to take your friends too!
  4. In case you need a 3G signal booster to cover your weak 3G and 4G, this one is the perfect way to solve your problems and not go bankrupt. It will boost an average-at-best signal, so it’s designated to use in places where your outside signal is ok, but it can’t get through to your house or apartment. It comes with plenty of cables to set it up and you won’t require any professional help to complete the installation.
  5. Everyone wants a powerful signal booster to solve their reception problems immediately. But in this case, it’s actually true. You get a great 4G/LTE booster for a pocket-friendly price, and you forget you ever had difficulty joining a conference call, for example. These boosters come with all the necessary instructions, so the setup won’t be a problem. Use this model in a place where you have at least 3 bars outside, and you’ll have perfect reception inside as well!

There you have it, these boosters will make sure you are able to work from home, no matter how remote it is from the nearest tower. All of the devices mentioned above also come with a 2-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee, in case you accidentally picked the wrong booster for your situation. So rest assured, you’ll have a great mobile data signal in no time and leave all the interrupted calls and unloaded videos in the past!

EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.

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