It’s November so that means we’re in that time of year where hardware makers and retailers start dropping prices. Not just a few bucks or so, but more noteworthy (read: sizable) discounts and savings.
Motorola, wanting to waste time, is already out with limited-time deals for a number of its phones. These are while supplies last so they’re subject to end at any time.
Here’s what the handset maker has in store for the time being:
Samsung’s upcoming foldable smartphone was finally revealed during its Developer Conference yesterday.
Well soon afterwards, Google also issued a press statement to announce that Android has added native platform support for a new class of devices called “foldables”. Actually, Samsung and Google have been working together when creating the new One UI for Samsung’s phones. So it’s no surprise Google is adding support to this novel form factor.
The idea is that Android will strive to offer a smooth transition from the folded screen state to the unfolded one. To that end, Android developers have already started tackling the problem of fluid two-screen/one-screen software experience, as you can see in the .gif below.
While the foldable phone category is pretty limited at the moment, that won’t be the case for long. Android OEMs like Huawei, LG and Xiaomi are all experimenting with curved displays of their own, so expect more of these devices to make an appearance soon.
Currently, customers interested in trying the flexible form factor out have only one choice at their disposal. Offered by obscure startup Royole, the FlexiPai smartphone is available for pre-order for those willing to spend a small fortune.
Unlike Samsung, the company is using a single folding display outside of the device. In contrast, the Korean tech giant’s phone will use two separate displays to create the foldable phone, one on the inside and a smaller one on the outside.
More details about Samsung’s foldable phone have been revealed
The big display stretches to 7.3-inch in size and features 1536 x 2152 resolution (4:2:3 aspect ratio). When it folds it reveals a secondary 4.58-inch screen with 840 x 1960 resolution (21:9).
The Infinity Flex Display has been a true challenge for Samsung who had to invent new materials to make the phone pliable. The flexible screen uses a polymer that has been described as being flexible, but though. This means the panel can retain its strength even when folded and unfolded for hundreds of thousands of times.
Mobile devices have looked the same ever since their dawn, but now that’s all about to change. Excited about what’s coming? Let us know in the comment section below.
Christmas is perhaps the best time of the year – but not for your finances. The holiday season is notoriously hard on personal budgets and every year your bank account usually takes a hard hit during the period.
To avoid all that in 2018, you’ll need to try to plan ahead and do as much bargain shopping as you can. With this in mind, we’ve gathered up ten great Android apps to help you save money while Christmas shopping.
Shopkick
What it is:
An app which lets you earn points (called kicks) as you shop for the items you need. You can cash the kicks in for gift cards that can be used at a wide range of retailers.
Why we like it:
Shopkick includes four simple ways to earn kicks: walk-ins, scans, receipts, or linked card. For example, when the app detects your location (let’s say Walmart) you’ll automatically receive 25 kicks at the entrance. Scanning recipients can earn you 100 to 500 kicks while scanning items will get you 10 to 50 kicks. Link your credit card and you can earn up to 200 kicks.
Fun fact: you don’t have to actually buy the products you scan. Simply walk in the store and scan items for kicks.
Users can quickly redeem their points by clicking on the balance number.
The app also allows users to earn money by shopping online. Although the process is a bit different here. This time around, you’ll be awarded kicks for every dollar you spend. Tap the Offers icon in the app, to see the online kick offers.
Need more kicks? Simply refer a friend. This can earn you up to 2,500 kicks.
Shopkick allows you to earn gift cards to shop at popular retailers like Walmart, Target, Sephora, Nike, HomeGoods and so on.
A money saving app that comes with a built-in barcode scanner which allows you to quickly scan barcodes in order to compare prices.
Why we like it:
ShopSavvy displays other prices associated with a product including online options when you scan a certain item. This way you can get the product at the lowest price.
Read and compare real reviews for every product you’re thinking of buying.
The app will serve up some of the best deals for this shopping season at major retailers including Walmart, Best Buy or Target.
An award-winning app that lets you access thousands of nearby deals from your favorites stores, as well as restaurants.
Why we like it:
App unlocks deals on everything from electronics and beauty products to clothing and food (in case you need help in the kitchen this Christmas) from retailers you love like Kohl’s, Bath&Body Works or JCPenny.
Find discounts near your location. The app includes a handy mall map.
The app notifies you when new deals nearby become available.
Redeem your coupons directly from the app, including discount gift cards and in-store Cash Back Offers.
Don’t want Christmas dinner to cost a fortune this year? Ibotta is an app that offers cash rebates for grocery (and more) purchases throughout more than 80 stores.
Why we like it:
Ibotta uses your location to display the best and nearest rebates you can get on grocery items.
But the app also has rebates on things that are harder to save on like wine or diapers.
You can earn cash back simply by scanning your receipt barcode and using your favorite shopping apps.
Get cash back via PayPal or Venmo or a pick from a variety of gift cards.
It’s never too early to start planning for Christmas. Which is why you should totally take advantage of the Black Friday shopping holiday for gift shopping purposes. And with the Ebates app, you can do just that.
Why we like it:
Contains a section dedicated to the Black Friday 2018 event. Use the app to save money with deals and coupons or get cash back at eBay, Walmart, Amazon and more (online or otherwise)
Need help carrying all the gifts you just bought? Ebates lets you cash back on Lyft rides. You can get $1 cash back on every ride.
Get paid via PayPal or check.
Get $25 for every friend who signs up and shops using Ebates.
We’re two months removed from Christmas, so it might be time to do some saving up. Better late than never, right? The Squirrel app helps you that.
Why we like it:
We know how hard is to put money aside. But Squirrel is a powerful tool which basically handles your paycheck. To use it you will have to agree to get your salary paid into a separate account, which is handled by Barclays.
The app will gradually release money back into your usual account, so you don’t spend it all at once.
You can tell the app when bills are due and disposable income is handed off in weekly installments.
Great app if you want to make sure you’ve put some money aside for Christmas shopping.
Note: The app has a month subscription fee of £3.99 / $5.22.
A simple app that makes setting up Christmas gift lists a breeze. Never buy a last-minute gift ever again.
Why we like it:
Buying gifts last minute is a lot more expensive, so if you want to make sure you save some money this holiday season, you better try and do your Christmas shopping in advance. The Christmas Gift List app will help you do that, by allowing you easily set up shopping lists for ALL your family members and friends.
Each gift entry contains a picture, personalized note and link, as well as the budget allotted to it.
The app also displays useful stats like money spent so far and the total budget.
Need money to beef up your Christmas budget? LetGo is a useful app that lets you easily sell second-hand stuff locally.
Why we like it:
A very easy to use app that allows you to have your items up and for sale in just a few minutes.
Simply take a picture of what you’d like to sell, set a price and choose a category for it. You can also add some additional details to make the offer more attractive. Don’t forget to set your location, so local buyers can find you.
Potential buyers can contact you through the app’s chat feature.
The LG V40 ThinQ is one of the most revolutionary phones of all time, let alone 2018. With its five cameras, super-smart artificial intelligence, and incredible hardware, it’s the sort of device that runs circles around the competition. If you’re among those who have invested in the gorgeous monster, you’ll want to ensure it stays safe. To that end, you need a case. Whether it’s something simple and understated, practical, or overly flashy, there’s plenty of to choose from. Here are some of the best LG V40 ThinQ cases available.
Offered in Black or Lilac Purple, this TPU case is slim and flexible and withstands the scuffs and scratches that come from everyday life. Precision cutouts and responsive buttons give you the same access and functionality that comes without a case. A small lanyard hole can be found on the side, letting you double up on peace of mind. $10 at Amazon
Available in a variety of colors, you can pick this slim case up in either smooth or gravel finishes. The former is sleek and silky with a texture that minimizes fingerprints. The latter provides a sandstone-like material that grips nicely for sure-handed usage. The case has a low profile that adds very little to the size and weight, adding more than a splash of color in the process. Thanks to the raised lip you can feel confident flipping the phone over on its face. $12 at Amazon
[vc_custom_heading text=”Urban Armor Gear Plasma Series Case” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]
Your phone is a lean, mean, multi-tasking machine so give it a case that fits the bill. Offered in Ice or Ash options, this one is much lighter than it looks. Don’t be fooled by the weight, though, the case stands up to nicks, bumps, and drops. In fact, its MIL STD 810G rating meets military drop tests. At ease, solider. $40 at Urban Armor Gear
The inside is made of durable TPU that absorbs drops and shock while the outer shell is rigid poly-carbonate plastic. It’s a no-frills option that keeps a little bit of money in your pocket. Plus, thanks to the digital camo print, it’s not like the other cases here. We have a hard time blindly following what everyone else does, too. $12 at Amazon
Peace of mind comes in the form of two layers of protection; the inner core absorbs shock while the outside withstands scratches. Improving on its classic design, the Incipio case is attractively slim and comes in Rose Gold and Black. $30 at Incipio
Want a phone case that looks like it was carved from a robot? This one’s gonna protect you from the front and back and it’ll keep all of your ports safe, too. It’s a great shell for the rough-and-tumble user and it just also happens to feature a built-in kickstand. Choose from blue, silver, and black. $17 at Amazon
With a bad-ass carbon fiber design the all-black case looks mean and rugged. The military-grade certification tells us that it actually is. Still, it’s flexible enough to go on easily with buttons that respond nicely to the touch. It ain’t fancy, but it’s practical and affordable. $13 at Amazon
[vc_custom_heading text=”Asmart Drop Protection Case” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]
The dual layer design features a TPU rubberized inner case and a hard PC outer shell. It goes on easy, but stays put and provides an anti-slip pattern that resembles what you’ll find on a football. Choose from a handful of colors to compliment your personality. $8 at Amazon
Your phone has five cameras, why not go with a case that has two different materials? This one combines both wood and fabric in a way that signals you’re much more sophisticated than most people expect. And, the price is low enough that you feel smarter than those haters, too. $7 at Amazon
Don’t worry about drops and dings when you’ve got one of these on as it comes from one of the first names in phone protection. With multiple layers of security, there’s someone watching your back, and front. It’s rugged yet refined, modern, yet classic. Pick yours up in Black or Bespoke Way (dark blue). $60 at Otterbox
Transparent, but still reinforced for drops and bumps, this lets you show off that really cool design of the Pixel 3. The flexible and soft TPU rubber bumper edges and hard PC back work together to protect the phone from all angles. Cutouts give you full access to the speakers, cameras, and other ports. $9 at Amazon
[vc_custom_heading text=”Love Mei Powerful Series” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]
Available in black or silver, this one is an affordable way to make your phone strong enough to withstand the elements. We’re talking protection against shock, dust, scratches, and dirt. It might not be the most stylish thing ever but it ensures that investment stays tucked away like a cozy little baby — a baby that can take 6 foot drops and supports wireless charging. $25 at Amazon
According to my password manager, I have 328 entries in it. That’s a lot of accounts to keep track of. What most people do is that they have the same password for almost all accounts. This means that, if one of those 300+ sites gets hacked and exposes personal information, hackers would have the access to all of your accounts.
However, unless you keep them on a notebook, it is impossible to remember so many passwords for so many different services. Even worse, there are some sites that ask you for some specific requirements (such as at least one capital letter or one number), which could mean that there are even more variables that you need to remember.
For this kind of situations, password managers were created.
What is a password manager?
It is simply a service that stores your passwords safely so you don’t have to remember all your different logins. There are several password managers out there, including:
LastPass
Dashlane
Bitwarden
1Password
Enpass
Google Smart Lock
I won’t go into details, since an analysis of them merits its own article, but they all work in extremely similar ways. You store your logins there, or generate random passwords through them. When you need to use them, you can retrieve this information to be filled for you.
Once you have an account in one of them, all of your passwords can only be used once you input a master password. Most of them also add the possibility of two-factor authentication, making it even more secure.
Thus, you move from having to remember hundreds of passwords to only one, giving you the chance to use a very strong one and change it over time. There’s also the possibility to unlock the app with your fingerprint, adding even more security to it.
In case a site is hacked and your password is compromised, you have the peace of mind of having different passwords for all sites, so there’s no risk of losing additional data. All you need to do is generate a new one for the affected site. Password manager companies also employ full-time security experts that use advanced encrypting methods so that, in the case of a security breach, the information will be useless to hackers.
How to use a password manager?
My password manager of choice is the open-source Bitwarden. However, the idea is almost the same for every password manager out there. Password managers normally have the limitation of not allowing screenshots while they are on the foreground (frankly, a sensible decision), so I won’t be able to show screenshots for Bitwarden itself.
After creating an account, you should download the app to your phone. After logging in, you will have all of your passwords at your disposal. As previously said, you can configure password managers to be unlocked with your fingerprint. Some of them also let you generate a PIN code to unlock the vault.
In case you also use a desktop or laptop, most password managers have browser extensions. These let you autofill login information directly into the username and password fields on websites.
Now, let’s say you want to log into Twitter. First, you need to add the entry to the password manager. This includes saving the name of the service, the username and the password. There is also an option for saving a URL, so, if you visit https://www.twitter.com on your computer with the password manager extension installed, it will automatically suggest to autofill for you when trying to log in. Pretty neat!
Autofill service
A bunch of passwords stored in an app are worthless unless you have a way to use them. In Android versions before Oreo, the only way for a password manager to know in what apps you are and which fields to fill was turning on an accessibility service for the password manager app.
While it mostly worked, this was hacky, clunky, unreliable, and consumed battery life. With the introduction of Android Oreo, the system now lets password manager developers use the autofill service.
In order to activate it, head to the settings of your phone, then System (General Management in Samsung devices), then Language and input, and then Autofill service.
After activating this, you can go to the Twitter app, and you will get a nice prompt in which the app tries to infer in which app you are, and suggest you the best options for said app. In case it gets it wrong, you can also head to the app and look for an entry yourself.
Manual copy and paste
The autofill service introduced in Android Oreo only works on apps. For it to work on browsers, you need a device with Android Pie. If you want to log in to Twitter on your mobile browser without Pie, or you don’t want to turn on the accessibility/autofill services, then there’s always the old but reliable copy and paste. Just open your password manager, copy the password and then paste it into the appropriate password field.
Conclusion
In this day and age, where data breaches are increasingly common in an industry obsessed with account creation, password managers are a reliable way of having different passwords for the plethora of services we use everyday. Sure, it takes time to add passwords to the manager, and your workflow might change a little, but the minor inconveniences are worth it. Having the peace of mind that your accounts have unique passwords that do not compromise the credentials in other services gets you a little bit closer to having a secure digital life. Try one out today!
Samsung has been working on its foldable smartphone for years now, and today the tech giant finally showed off the fruits of its labor for the whole world to see.
The company’s senior vice president of mobile marketing, Justin Denison presented a prototype of the phone during a keynote at the Samsung Developer Conference.
Samsung ushers in a new era for mobile devices
The device is a 7.3-inch tablet when fully opened which becomes a phone when it’s closed. It uses a new foldable display technology that Samsung calls Infinity Flex Display. The mobile device has a secondary display, which is situated on the outside and is accessible in folded mode.
The whole shenanigan is supported by Samsung’s new One UI experience which allows for seamless transitions from the smaller display to the larger display. One UI is Samsung’s new smartphone interface which features a clean minimal design and makes it even easier to use your phone in one-handed mode.
Denison also explained that up to three apps will be able to run simultaneously on the phone thanks to a new software feature called multi-active window. Two apps will be displayed inside when you open the phone, while the third one will run on the outside display.
When will be able to buy it?
While Denison briefly showed the device on stage, Samsung’s foldable smartphone is not yet ready for prime-time. The company says it will be able to start mass production of the displays in a few months.
So at this point we don’t really know when the consumer-ready device will land on the market. But a finished device might show up at the CES expo in Las Vegas early next year.
Hopefully, it will be soon because this budding niche is bound to get competitive fast. Actually, the first foldable smartphone has already been launched by a little-known startup hailing from California. Called Royole, the company is already taking pre-orders for their FlexPai bendable smartphone.
On top of that, other big players in the mobile space like Huawei, Xiaomi and LG are working on their own flexible display prototypes too. So we expect 2019 to be quite a bendy year in terms of smartphones.
Something happened recently that was just kind of sad for a longtime fan of mobile technology. A new Palm phone came out. And it looks like a joke. Maybe it’s the phone you’ve been waiting for, but I highly doubt it. The new Palm phone is a tiny 3.3-inch “companion” phone that doesn’t even work without another active phone on Verizon.
What Should It Have Been?
I think with a revival of Palm you should have gone back to the beginning. Imagine a new Palm Pilot running Android. Yep. A Pilot running Google’s amazing software. Give me the full effect too. I want a massive phone, built like a brick, huge battery, and great stylus integration.
Sound familiar? It should. The Galaxy Note 9 is a beast that checks all those boxes and has almost zero competition. When it comes to stylus first Android productivity monsters, Samsung is sitting all alone. I’d had much rather Palm make a niche device that makes sense like the Note than to have some oversized smartwatch device.
Nostalgia will only get you so far. Palm would have to really bring it to take on the juggernaut of Samsung’s Note line. It couldn’t be a me too phone. The TCL owned company would have to be committed to making this a flagship from the start. Which would mean specs galore just like the Note.
Let’s follow this workshop idea all the way through. The “Pilot” would have to have 8GB of RAM, at least 128GB of storage with expansion, massive screen, and a ballpark 4500mAh battery. That puts it on parity with the Note for the most part. Oh, and throw in wireless charging for Qi pads.
The new Palm Pilot can’t just be all hardware though. It has to have great software to match. I’d have loved to see them really work with Google and offer an Android One device to match what Samsung is doing. Bring Google’s office suite of Docs, Sheets, and Slides to the forefront of the experience. Let me take notes from the lock screen integrated with Google Keep. Have the stylus move me within presentations screens inside Slides.
It would also be cool if Palm could work their old Foleo idea into a DeX alternative. Give me a sweet docking experience that launches me into Chrome OS when hooked up to peripherals. With the recent amalgamation between Google’s operating systems, this one has to be on the roadmap. How great for a nerd like me to see Palm bring it to the market!
Would it work?
Short answer…maybe. The Note is pretty cemented in the market for this kind of device, but it also doesn’t have an equal to give it a run for its money. The road wouldn’t be easy and TLC would have its work cut out for it to succeed. However, the company has done a decent job of accepting the similar resurgence of BlackBerry as a niche product line that necessarily doesn’t have to move multi-million numbers.
Regardless, I know the Palm that we now have doesn’t do its heritage justice. Palm was a true pioneer that deserves a better return to the smartphone world than this.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is big and beautiful, and features all kinds of great options. It’s one of the best phones on the market and we love how much it helps with work and play. One of the most convenient things about the device is that it allows for wireless charging. Here are some of the best Samsung Galaxy Note 9 wireless chargers for home, work, and even on-the-go.
These are the flat types of chargers you’ll find on desks and night stands; they often come in circular and rectangular shapes. Many of these offer variable output speeds so they’ll play nice with your friend’s iPhone, too.
[vc_custom_heading text=”Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charging Pad” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]
A trusted name in the tech space for decades now, Belkin still delivers the goods. This charger pumps out up to 10-watts for your Sony and LG phones, and can optimize to 9W for Samsung. The LED indicator let you know how things are going while the rubber ring holds the handset in place. The cable is five feet long so you can plug into the out-of-the-way outlets. Purchase for $45 from Amazon or $60 from Belkin.
[vc_custom_heading text=”Samsung Fast Charge Wireless Charger Pad” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]
When it comes to smartphone popularity it’s Samsung’s pie and the rest of the players share pieces of it. If you want official accessories, this is the charger you go with for Samsung devices.
It’s about 1.4x times faster than conventional wireless tech, has a circular strip of rubber to prevent your handset from sliding around, and a bright LED to indicate charging. Offered in Black, Navy, and White to match your favorite phone. $25 at Amazon
When you don’t need anything fancy and don’t want to spend a ton of money, you look for something like this. Compatible with all Qi-enabled phones, it works at 5W, 7.5W, and 10W charging standards. You’ll need to use your charging adapter and cable if you go with the high speed stuff, but you already have the one that came in your phone’s box. Sleep easy knowing that the green light turns off after a few seconds so your room doesn’t glow all night. $15 at Amazon
Prop your phone up at a convenient angle so you can quickly glance at your notifications. Ideal for your kitchen corner or end table in the family room.
[vc_custom_heading text=”Anker PowerWave Fast Wireless Charger Stand” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]
As fast as you’ll need, plus some. We like this one for its 6-ft microUSB cable and 18-month warranty. Whether you need 5W, 7.5W, or 10W of juice, this wallet-friendly option brings the power. The twin charging coils make it so you can place your phone in landscape and portrait orientation without fumbling around for connection. Works through phone cases of 5mm, too! $30 at Amazon
[vc_custom_heading text=”TYLT VU Charger” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]
The VU charger features three coils inside, so feel free to put your handset on the cradle in portrait or landscape mode know it will charge. The LED under the lip of the stand turns green to indicate that it’s charging.
The bright, plastic charger comes in is available in blue, yellow and red, or you can opt for black if you’re in the mood for something traditional. The soft-touch finish and distinctive design give this charger a look that’s really unique and that’s why we’ve added it to this list. $30 at Amazon
[vc_custom_heading text=”Corus 10W Fast Wireless Charger Stand” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]
Simple, compact, and a tad bit stylish, this stand doesn’t take up much room on your desk. The dual coils mean it’s as convenient to set your phone upright as it is to flip it on its side for watching Netflix. You’ll have to use your own charging adapter if you want to use the Quick Charge 2.0 or Quick Charge 3.0 technology, but doing so means much less down time. $20 at Amazon
For true wireless convenience you want something that goes with you, right? Whether it’s a library, coffee shop, or in an airport terminal, these wireless chargers have built-in batteries that allow for power-ups everywhere.
[vc_custom_heading text=”RAVPower 10400mAh Fast Wireless Charging Pad” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]
With a generous 10,400mAh worth of power, this charger can double or triple the time you use your smartphone. And, because time is always of the essence, the power bank offers up to 10W fast charging. Out for dinner with friends or loved ones? Let them plug in through the USB port and get some of that recharge action, too. $50 at Amazon
Yo dawg, we heard you like wireless charging so we put wireless charging in a wireless charger. Seriously, you can top this portable unit off by placing it on another wireless charger.
The 4,000mAh internal battery ensures your night doesn’t end early because you have to get home. What’s more, it’s portable enough to toss in a bag or backpack so feel free to stay out and keep the party going. While everyone else fights over the car adapter you can sit in the backseat with your own power source. $50 at Amazon
From one of the first names in charging, this portable device delivers 6,040mAh of backup power. In other words, that’s 2-3 times that you don’t have to plug into the wall. Ideal for college students, frequent flying types, and people who simply hate dealing with cables. The four LED lights let you know how much you’ve got left in the tank while the two-year warranty tells you to sleep easy at night. $80 at mophie
Why waste an opportunity to turn that daily commute into a convenient and flexible way of recharging? These are devices that hold your phone in place and provide a wireless charge.
[vc_custom_heading text=”Vansky 2-in-1 Wireless Car Charger” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]
Suction this one to your dashboard or snap in the attachment and place it on your air vent for true convenience. With up to 10W of charging you’ll be sure to get the most efficient charge possible, even on short little trips to the grocery store. The clamp arm automatically locks your phone into place; touch the metal or press the button to release the device when you’re at your destination. $40 at Amazon
[vc_custom_heading text=”iOttie Easy One Touch Car Charger” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”]
Stick it to your dashboard or invert the head and mount it to your windshield. It’s your car, do what you want. The telescopic arm extends from around 5-inches out to 8.3-inches and pivots on a 225 degree arc so there’s no reason you can’t have your phone exactly where you want and how you want it. The plug itself has a USB port so you can share your power source with another rider. That’s twice as nice! $50 at Amazon
The gravity design makes dropping your phone into place about as easy at it gets. Simply set it down and watch as the arms come in to hug the handset into place. Prefer the air vent over the dashboard placement? No problem! We’re also fans of the large coil that connects to our battery; the smart technology allows for 5W, 7.5W, and 10W speeds. $33 at Amazon.
Depending on which side of the story you are, Candy Crush is either a franchise you really like, or hate with a passion. People who like it keeps coming back for its huge amount of content, colorful visual style, and addictive nature. People who hate it either doesn’t like the microtransaction aspect of it, are fed up with Facebook invitations to play the game, or can’t stand King as a company.
It really doesn’t matter which side you fall into, Candy Crush Friends Saga will not make you change your mind. Either you will still love them, or you will find that it adds almost nothing new to its past games.
Have you played previous Candy Crush games? If you have, then this game is basically the same you are already used to, and, as previously said, there is very little new content to be seen compared to other entries in the franchise.
If you haven’t, then the gameplay is massively simple. You get a board full of candies of different colors in random order, and your job is to combine them in a way that lets you complete the goal the game requests of you. The most basic combination consists of three candies, which make them disappear.
However, there are more combinations, like four, five, L-shaped, and square-shaped, that not only makes them disappear, but also yield additional, more powerful candy. These special treats have a big range of effects, such as clearing whole rows, exploding in order to clear neighboring candy, destroying all candies of the same color across the board, and similar.
You also have a certain number of turns to complete the goal. In case you fail to do so, you lose a life. At first, the game is very easy, and there is no need to worry about lives. However, the game becomes more difficult as you progress through it. Because of the randomness of it, some levels might prove more difficult than they should. You can easily struggle to get even close to the goal the game asks on your first playthrough, and then get a lucky order of candies and clear it without issues.
Setup and Tutorial
On the main screen, you will notice two buttons: one says “Play,” and the other says “Save your progress,” accompanied by a Facebook logo. One would think that either you play the game and lose the progress you have made each time you close it, or you have to log in to Facebook in order to save your progress. However, both of these are wrong.
In case you decide to not press the button, you will be able to play just fine. Your progress will be saved without issues. However, if you need to save your progress across devices, then this option is necessary.
On the other hand, if you do press the button, you will see that Facebook is not the only option to log in. There’s also an option for a King account. So Facebook might not be needed at all. Frankly, I didn’t test it because this arrangement does not inspire confidence. After all, one of the two buttons at the first screen you see when launching the game is massively misleading, and says a lot about the tactics that King applies to its games.
Anyways, the game teaches you the basics across several different levels. It actually does a pretty good job at it. Sure, the mechanics are easy, but there are several things you should remember around the combinations that you can make in order to get more powerful candy. Even if you don’t remember them all at first, the game highlights which movement is best in order to get the most powerful combination available on the board.
Candy Crushing
In order to keep things more interesting compared to the regular Candy Crush Saga, developer King has added several different goals for completing a game in Friends. While the original one mostly depended on getting to a certain score or clearing a certain amount of blocks, Friends mostly asks you to “free” animals which are hidden behind candy or trapped inside them. In order to do so, you need to combine candy contiguous to these blocks.
However, some of them have several layers, making it more complicated than it sounds. Even though sometimes it would seem better to go for another combination that would yield powerful candy, sometimes you have to prefer combining a smaller amount of candy in order to reach the goal.
Just as with other games, you have a set amount of lives, and failing to complete the goal means game over for you. Run out of lives, though, and it means you cannot play the game anymore. If you have played other Candy Crush games before, then you know the drill. The easiest way of getting more lives is to ask your friends to send you some. This kind of spam on Facebook is one of the reasons Candy Crush is such a polarizing game. Either you are addicted enough that you don’t care about the spam in order to get lives, or you cannot stand how intrusive this practice is.
With a little help from my friends
For this game, King has added a big differentiating factor, and that is the inclusion of Friends. These are characters that are there to help you complete a level. There are a lot of characters you can collect, all with different abilities.
For example, early characters transform regular candy into more useful candy, while others deal additional damage to blocks that are harder to break. The general objective of them is to make the game easier for you. They can also wear different outfits, all of which you get playing through the game.
For some reason, there are some levels in which you cannot use some characters. Also, the game “recommends” you to use one character depending on the level, although for sure you could clear the level using whichever character you wanted.
Microtransactions
As this game is completely free to download, King then makes money through microtransactions. The game’s primary currency is gold bars, which lets you buy additional lives and items to use in the games. You can also use them to buy additional turns in case you run out of them but feel like you are very close to the goal.
Candy Crush Friends Saga also offers some packs in which you are supposed to get more of your money’s worth. With these, you don’t only get bars but additional items to make the game easier. These can be as cheap as $4 or as expensive as $260.
Compared to other games that employ this freemium model, I find Candy Crush Friend’s microtransactions to be massively expensive. For example, getting all lives back costs 9 gold bars, while buying 12 bars (because of course they don’t sell 9 only) costs $4. If you are impatient and want to play right away, that’s $3 you would have to put down to play again. You can also wait until the lives regenerate (which takes time), or you can spam your friends.
I have also noticed that ads get worse and worse the more you progress, and I know for sure that ads can get very annoying on later levels of the regular Candy Crush Saga. Knowing King, I would expect it to be the same for Friends.
Graphics and sound
Candy Crush games have a visual style that has been associated to the game since its beginnings. Friends is no different, sporting the same colorful design with very saturated colors. Everything, especially candies, seem to pop out of the screen. The visual effects are very flashy, using a lot of bright animations.
For this offering, the friend you use to complete the level appears at the beginning performing some kind of animation. Also, it appears dancing at the end while something called Sugar Crush happens (basically getting additional points at random for free). Frankly, neither does anything for the game, even becoming annoying as you complete more levels and have to sit through the same animations every single time you play a level. At least, it closely adheres to the extravagant nature of this game.
Music and sound effects are also what you would expect from the franchise. Each visual effect has its corresponding sound effect to go with it, and there is not a single interaction that doesn’t have a sound built in. Unlike the previously mentioned character animations, the sound part of the game does not get old as quickly, and, if you do get fed up, you can turn them off in the settings.
It is important to note that even in my Samsung Galaxy S8, the performance was not what I would expect. There were plenty of dropped frames and overall sluggishness. It wasn’t that bad, but I am using a more than respectable phone that hasn’t struggled with almost anything I’ve thrown at it. That makes me worry about the performance of it on middle and low-range devices.
Conclusion
Candy Crush Friends Saga builds on the solid foundations of its predecessors and offers a game with the same mechanics, gameplay, art style, and practices. It does add new elements in the form of Friends, but, other than that, this is another Candy Crush game that does little for the franchise and the genre in general in terms of originality. Think about it like the annual titles that EA does for FIFA and Madden. There are a couple of new things, but the game is vastly unchanged from previous offerings.
Nevertheless, the amount of content is huge, as with these games in general. If you like the previous games and want more, then this is a no-brainer, since it provides the same content that you already love. If you are looking for something different to the other games in the franchise, then sadly you will have to keep waiting and look elsewhere.
I’ve owned a lot of laptops over the years. No, really, a lot. There have been at least 50 laptops in my history of using them over the past decade or so. In that vain, I’ve got a new toy in the Allen house. I just bought a Google Pixelbook this weekend. It’s been a long road to get to this clamshell, but there’s been a method and Chrome OS may finally be headed where the Pixelbook makes sense.
Where it started
As a Google user, I’ve always had an affinity for Android and Chrome OS. With that, I’ve flirted with both operating systems in my journey with a myriad of different form factors. The Pixelbook is the culmination of all that into a single device for me.
I’ve been with Chrome OS from the beginning. I owned the original consumer device from Acer and later tracked down the CR-48 developer prototype. I love the idea of it. Fast, secure with timely updates from Google atop the Linux kernel. However, at times it just seemed too elementary. It simply failed to give me everything I need in an OS.
On the flip side, Android has also been in my life for what seems like forever. Many of those devices were also meant to replace my laptop. The main unit that comes to mind is the Asus Transformer Pad. It was a detachable tablet/laptop hybrid that predates Chrome OS. It was one of the first attempts at Android on more than a phone.
For most tasks, it succeeded. Android in many ways is more mature an OS than Chrome OS, but the Transformer just never hit that sweet spot with the lack of a true desktop browser. I firmly believe that regardless the OS you need a true browser to perform like a modern computer.
Has to have the hardware
Laptops aren’t all software of course. I eventually wanted to move past these niches and most of the time budget Chromebooks on the market. Completely plastic chassis with grainy 1366×768 screens just aren’t cutting it for me as I get older and wiser. I started looking for a more robust machine and landed on the XPS 13 from Dell.
This Dell laptop is an extremely premium unit, but much like the others in my past, it was running a Windows OS that I’m just not willing to use long-term. I immediately installed Linux on the machine and was relatively happy. Linux is my OS of choice overall on the desktop, but it’s also starting to leave some things to be desired. Especially on a mobile device like a laptop. I love the number of developers that do spend time supporting Linux, but it can’t hold a candle to the allure of a Google-backed project like Chrome OS or Android.
A good marriage
That brings me full circle to my recent Pixelbook purchase. Google has been moving towards a Chrome OS that offers me everything I’ve been looking for in a laptop. Full Chrome for desktop level browsing when I need it, supplemented by Android apps for most other tasks. The total package still needs some polish, but the overall experience is surprisingly satisfying.
I never thought Android apps being available would be the crux that pushed me back to Chrome OS, but it has definitely been a huge factor. It’s really nice to have the same core apps that help me function daily tasks on my phone just right there on my laptop as well. The same goes for Google Assistant and core Google experience that is becoming more and more prevalent in the OS.
Wrap all that up in a high-end package that screams flagship and you’ve got the laptop that has all the key elements that Google wants you to have without having hardware envy. The combination of glass and aluminum make it super sturdy but also makes it immediately recognizable as well. You don’t have to make it to the etched “G” in the lid to know this is not your normal laptop.
I finally feel content on my laptop. I have true Chrome with the entire web at my fingertips and Android filling in the gaps with the same focused, always on dynamic, they have filled on mobile phones. This is a powerful combination that doesn’t make my experience seem like a compromise in any way.
While this may seem trivial to search for a laptop, it’s truly been a struggle for me. It’s been a long journey, but one that I feel may be slowing to its end. Chrome OS has really matured and shows steady progress for what the future can hold. Google has a true flagship device with the Pixelbook and it’s found a home in my house for now.
While the foldable phone category is pretty limited at the moment, that won’t be the case for long. Android OEMs like Huawei, LG and Xiaomi are all experimenting with curved displays of their own, so expect more of these devices to make an appearance soon.
Once you have an account in one of them, all of your passwords can only be used once you input a master password. Most of them also add the possibility of two-factor authentication, making it even more secure.
My password manager of choice is the open-source Bitwarden. However, the idea is almost the same for every password manager out there. Password managers normally have the limitation of not allowing screenshots while they are on the foreground (frankly, a sensible decision), so I won’t be able to show screenshots for Bitwarden itself.
After activating this, you can go to the Twitter app, and you will get a nice prompt in which the app tries to infer in which app you are, and suggest you the best options for said app. In case it gets it wrong, you can also head to the app and look for an entry yourself.
The whole shenanigan is supported by Samsung’s new One UI experience which allows for seamless transitions from the smaller display to the larger display. One UI is Samsung’s new smartphone interface which features a clean minimal design and makes it even easier to use your phone in one-handed mode.
Nostalgia will only get you so far. Palm would have to really bring it to take on the juggernaut of Samsung’s Note line. It couldn’t be a me too phone. The TCL owned company would have to be committed to making this a flagship from the start. Which would mean specs galore just like the Note.
Would it work?
On the main screen, you will notice two buttons: one says “Play,” and the other says “Save your progress,” accompanied by a Facebook logo. One would think that either you play the game and lose the progress you have made each time you close it, or you have to log in to Facebook in order to save your progress. However, both of these are wrong. 
For this game, King has added a big differentiating factor, and that is the inclusion of Friends. These are characters that are there to help you complete a level. There are a lot of characters you can collect, all with different abilities. 
I’ve been with Chrome OS from the beginning. I owned the original consumer device from Acer and later tracked down the CR-48 developer prototype. I love the idea of it. Fast, secure with timely updates from Google atop the Linux kernel. However, at times it just seemed too elementary. It simply failed to give me everything I need in an OS.
For most tasks, it succeeded. Android in many ways is more mature an OS than Chrome OS, but the Transformer just never hit that sweet spot with the lack of a true desktop browser. I firmly believe that regardless the OS you need a true browser to perform like a modern computer.
Wrap all that up in a high-end package that screams flagship and you’ve got the laptop that has all the key elements that Google wants you to have without having hardware envy. The combination of glass and aluminum make it super sturdy but also makes it immediately recognizable as well. You don’t have to make it to the etched “G” in the lid to know this is not your normal laptop.