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Want a challenge? Here are seven of the most competitive games on Android

Dan Bartram
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There’s nothing more satisfying than playing another player online and kicking their butt. With a whole host of apps on the Play Store, some of the best apps can get lost in the noise. That’s why we’ve compiled some of the most competitive games on Android available today that will help you satisfy your inner competitive self.

Like feeling that sense of satisfaction winning online, or perhaps you just like a casual multiplayer title? We’ve got some titles you must check out.

Clash Royale

What it is

Clash Royale is a freemium mobile tower rush video game developed and published by Supercell, the same company behind the popular Clash of Games. The game combines elements from collectible card games, tower defense, and multiplayer online battle arena.

Why we love it

  • You can duel against real players around the world in real-time to battle to take trophies. There are a whole host of rewards and collectables to give you a competitive advantage.
  • It’s one of those games that you can just pick up and kill a few minutes.
  • The design of Clash Royale is intuitive and easy to follow, which means you can focus on perfecting your strategy to defeat your opponent.

Install Clash Royale

Transformers: Forged to Fight

What it is

Transformers: Forged to Fight is a free-to-play mobile fighting game developed and published by Kabam. The fighting game is a strategy builder set in the Transformer world focused on building and upgrading your units to complete challenges.

Why we love it

  • Who doesn’t love Transformers? Being able to create your own army and battle other players is brilliant.
  • All your favorite bots are included in the game and you can even team up with your friends and forge alliances.
  • You can win based on your strategy, not simply how strong your robots are.

Install Transformers: Forged to Fight

Golf Clash

What it is

Golf Clash is free to play multiplayer title that pits you against live players from around the world. It is a turn based live game with cartoon-based characters that allows you to progress up the global leaderboards and unlock new equipment.

Why we love it

  • Pick up and play 1v1 online golf sees you competing on a variety of courses in real-time.
  • There are unlockable rewards that will give you an advantage for more accurate and powerful clubs that give you something to work towards.
  • With deep Facebook integration, it’s super-easy to challenge your friends.

Install Golf Clash

Battle Bay

What it is

Battle Bay is an online battle title developed by the same company that brought you Angry Birds. Go up against real opponents in real-time team battles to conquor the waves. You’ll battle in a multiplayer arena with a ship and weapons of your choice – upgrade to stay ahead of the competition.

Why we love it

  • With an increased focus on strategy, this app is sure to keep you on your toes and keep you thinking.
  • The design is excellent and will have you battling enemies and teaming up with your friends quickly.
  • There are plenty of level ups, rewards, and progress to be made to give you an advantage.

Install Battle Bay

Arena of Valor: 5v5 Arena Game

What it is

Arena of Valor is an adaptation of Kings of Glory outside of mainland China. It is a multiplayer online battle arena published by Tencent Games with over 80 million daily active players. Come together as a team to put your strategy to the test to see if you’ve got what it takes in this PvP title.

Why we love it

  • Not your typical multiplayer game as 10 players are matched together for a 10-minute match. It’s real-time, intense, and awesome.
  • You can team up with your friends to create a unique strategy to give a competitive advantage.
  • There’s 40 heroes including a variety of Assassins, Tanks, Warriors, and Marksmen to chose from so there’s plenty of variation.

Install Arena of Valor: 5v5 Arena Game

Boom Beach

What it is

Boom Beach is a title from the same team that brought you Clash of Clans and the above featured Clash Royale so you know it is going to be good if you enjoy those titles. Attack enemy bases in this strategy game that will see your opponent get harder and smarter, with the weaponary and firepower making sure you have your wits about you.

Why we love it

  • It takes the popular concept of the traditional Supercell titles and offers more variety to keep you engaged.
  • The game starts off easier to introduce you to the concept of the objective before becoming increasing more difficult.
  • Multiplayer is included in the title but it not essential and it’s possible to progress the story battling the AI.

Install Boom Beach

Star Wars: Commander

What it is

Star Wars Commander is a title developed by Disney that sees you placed directly in the middle of the Galatic War. Pick your favorite character and battle your way to victory. Upgrade your base to unlock new weapons to give you the competive edge. Which side will you choose?

Why we love it

  • Who doesn’t like Star Wars? Being able to choose your own character and do your bit for the Galatic War is every fans dream.
  • Train your troops, build buildings, and compete in genuine storylines that will help you fee immersed in the content.
  • You can team up with friends and form alliances to combine forces and battle across the Galaxy.

Install Star Wars: Commander

Summary

While there are a ton of apps on the Play Store that offers multiplayer functionality, these are the ones that are well executed and sure to offer a great experience. Do you have any competitive games that you would like to see included in the list? Drop us a comment below with your favorite game.

Here’s what changed in the new Android Oreo update for the Galaxy S8

Dan Bartram
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Shortly after Samsung took the Android Oreo update for the Galaxy S8 and S8+ out of beta and began rolling it out the masses, it quickly halted the rollout. Samsung then acknowledged issues with the update and promptly fixed them and has since recommenced the rollout.

Samsung has now posted the official changes to its website detailing exactly what the Android Oreo update brings to the Galaxy S8 and S8+.

The release notes relate to the Exynos model of the Galaxy S8 (SM-G950F) but you can expect the same feature set to be similar for that of the Snapdragon variant (SM-G950U).

Samsung has introduced some system performance monitoring that is aimed at improving the battery performance by listing currently running apps in the notification panel. In addition, features that use biometrics are only available when you use a secure screen lock type (pattern, PIN, or password). The home screen also gets a contextual menu that is displayed when holding an app. There are also new clock styles for the Lock screen and Always On Display as well as Improved font size, color, and other settings for better Edge panel visibility.

Obviously, these go in hand with the Oreo features that are introduced natively with the latest Android release.

You should begin to see Android Oreo hit your Galaxy S8 and S8+ imminently if you haven’t gotten it already.

These are the Android Go and Android One devices announced at MWC

AG Deals Team
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Mobile World Congress has been taking place for most of this week. While Samsung has stolen headlines, Google still has a rather large presence at the event thanks to its Android One and Android Go initiative.

The company has published a roundup of all of the different Android One and Android Go devices that were announced. Some of these come from well-known and respected brands, while others come from companies that you have likely never heard of.

Without further adieu, let’s jump into the list.

Android Go

For those who are unaware, Android Go was announced Google I/O 2017. This initiative is intended to provide a more reliable experience for devices that feature 1GB of RAM or less.

Google has recently been updating and releasing Android Go-compatible apps, including Gmail, Assistant, Maps, Chrome, and more. Here are the phones announced at MWC 2018 that will be taking advantage of Android Go.

Alcatel 1X

The 1X from Alcatel marks the first Android Go device from the company, nd includes a design similar to other devices on the market. The 1X features a 5.3-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 960 x 480.

Powering the device is a MediaTek MTK6739 chipset, which is combined with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. The front-facing camera comes in at 5MP, while the rear camera features an 8MP sensor which is interpolated to 13MP.

General Mobile GM 8 Go

You may not have heard much about General Mobile, but the company has been in the smartphone market for a few years. Its latest rendition is the GM 8 Go, which features a 5.03-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio.

Powering the GM 8 Go is the MediaTek 6739 chipset, along with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. In the camera department, there is a 5MP selfie camera and a 13MP rear-facing camera sensor

Nokia 1

Nokia made a big splash with its flagship Nokia 8 Sirocco, but the company also had some fun in the Android Go department. The Nokia 1 is an upcoming device which is priced at just $85, and will launch in April.

The display measures in at 4.5-inches with a resolution of 854 x 480. We don’t know specifics on the processor, but Nokia claims the device will come with a MediaTek chipset coupled with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage.

Huawei

Unlike the other companies on this list, Huawei didn’t actually reveal any devices powered by Android Go. Instead, Google stated the following:

“Huawei has also committed significant resources to supporting Android Oreo (Go edition) smartphones and will be bringing a device to all major emerging markets in the near future.”

LAVA Z50

LAVA is another company you likely have never heard of and that’s thanks to the fact that this company is based in India. The LAVA Z50 was announced at MWC 2018, and offers 1GB of RAM combined with an unknown quad-core processor.

More details regarding the Z50 are scarce, other than the fact that it will launch sometime in March.

Micromax BHARAT GO

The BHARAT GO was initially rumored back in January, and the device has been confirmed as part of the Android Go initiative. Unfortunately, specific details regarding the device have yet to be revealed.

TRANSSION

As is the case with Huawei, TRANSSION did not announce any new devices specifically. Instead, the company confirmed that new Android Go options would be coming to the African market at some point this year.

ZTE Tempo Go

We all know about ZTE and how it strives to provide great budget options. The company is taking steps a bit further with the ZTE Tempo Go.

The device features a 5-inch display, while being powered by the Snapdragon 210 chipset. This has been combined with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, and will be priced at just $79.

Android One

Moving onto Android One, this is a project launched back in 2014 with similar intentions as Android Go. This has been transformed and now Android One offers manufacturers the ability to load near-stock Android on a myriad of devices.

Nokia

Nokia made the biggest splash in the Android One department with three new devices. The Nokia 6, Nokia 7 Plus, and Nokia 8 Sirocco were all announced with Android One in-tow.

All three devices are being released at different price points, while also offering the best of what Android has to offer. The sad part here is the fact that there’s no concrete evidence that any of these will be launching in the US.

READ MORE: Nokia 7 Plus with Android One unveiled at MWC 2018

BQ

BQ is a Spanish based manufacturer who also jumped on the Android One bandwagon at MWC 2018. The company announced both the Aquarius X2 and Aquarius X2 Pro.

While specs were not revealed, BQ confirmed that it is “committed to security and a great Android experience.” We should be learning more about the Aquarius X2 lineup in the coming weeks.

General Mobile

Not to be outdone, General Mobile is unveiling its latest Android One device with the GM8. This marks the fifth Android One smartphone for General Mobile, and perhaps one of the most impressive options.

The GM8 is equipped with a 5.7-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. Powering the device is the Snapdragon 435 chipset, which has been combined with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.

ZTE Tempo Go vs Nokia 1 (Ultra-budget Android Go Smartphone Showdown)

Alexandra Arici
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First introduced during the Google I/O conference last year, Android Go is a lightweight version of Android 8.0 Oreo optimized to run better on lesser hardware.

Google focuses on optimizing three main areas in Android Go: the operating system, the Google Play Store, and Google apps.

While in essence the new software project is aimed at developing markets, some Android Go devices are going to make it to the US. The first one to be announced for this market is the super-budget ZTE Tempo Go, but models will probably be offered at a later date. Like for example, the Nokia 1.

In this article, we take a look these two new Android Go smartphones, both of which were unveiled at MWC 2018 in Barcelona this week. Continue reading below to get an idea of which might be best suited to your needs.

Design and display

The ZTE Tempo Go is a compact smartphone with a rather interesting pattern on its back (most likely made of plastic) that will be offered in the US with a sub-$100 price tag.

ZTE’s first Android Go phone sports three capacitive buttons below the display, and does not have a physical home button. Since it’s a low-end device it doesn’t feature a fingerprint scanner either. On the bright side, you’ll get a 3.5mm headphone jack, so you can use your trusty pair of headphones.

A rear-facing loudspeaker adorns the back, as well as the main 5-megapixel camera with LED flash.

ZTE’s Tempo Go packs a 5-inch display with pretty low 854 x 480 resolution. It’s not much, but it should suffice for small-scale activities like reading emails or searching for info on Google.

While the ZTE Tempo Go doesn’t necessary look like a dirt-cheap phone, it’s pretty obvious the Nokia 1 belongs to the low-end category.

It’s tiny, coming with a 4.5-inch display with the same 854 x 480 resolution and features a colorful (red or blue) plastic back. The fun part here is that HMD is bringing back Nokia’s popular polycarbonate Xpress On covers for the Nokia 1. A wide range will be available for nostalgics.

The Nokia 1 does not include capacitive buttons, so users will have to rely on on-screen buttons for navigation purposes. Like in the case of the ZTE phone, you’ll find a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Performance and battery

Designed to be basic phones, the two Android Go phones come equipped with minimalistic specs.

The Nokia 1 will ship out with a 1.1GHz MediaTek processor, backed-up by 1GB of RAM and just 8GB of built-in storage. The ZTE Tempo Go is to be fueled by a 1.1 GHz Snapdragon 210 with the same memory configuration, so performance between the two models should be quite similar.

Users will be able to expand memory on board of the Nokia 1 up to 128GB, and only to 32GB on the ZTE phone.

What about the battery? Well, the Nokia 1 accommodates a 2,150 mAh removable battery which HMD says can offer up to 15 days on standby and 9 hours of talk time.

As for the ZTE Tempo Go, it relies on a slightly larger 2,200 mAh battery, although we can’t tell you whether it’s removable or not.

Cameras and software

These days all phones have cameras, and so do these two Android Go devices. Obviously, they are pretty basic, but users will be able to snap a picture or two if they so desire.

The ZTE’s Android Go offering will go to market boasting a main 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and a 2-megapixel selfie-snapper, while the Nokia 1 will offer the same combination of sensors.

Both devices run the Go version of Android 8.0 Oreo which comes pre-installed with “Go” version of popular Google apps.

Price

ZTE has confirmed the ZTE Tempo Go will be coming to the US with a super-affordable $79.99 price tag attached. The Android Go phone already appears on the company’s official US website, but it’s listed as Sold Out for the time being. The handset will also be offered through AT&T and T-Mobile.

As for the Nokia 1, we’re not 100% sure the phone if the phone is going to make it to the US. Although some rumors seem to indicate this will be the case. If the phone does make it stateside, it will most likely only support AT&T and T-Mobile networks (like it’s the case with the Nokia 6).

HMD said the Nokia 1 will be available globally for $85.

What should I get?

Really it’s up to you. But we can highlight that the ZTE Tempo Go boasts a larger display and a design that looks a bit more premium. It also has capacitive keys and includes a slightly larger battery.

As for the Nokia 1, it’s tiny, colorful and supports Xpress On covers. What’s more, it includes a removable battery and can take microSD cards up to 128GB, as opposed to just 32GB.

Google’s answer to Slack, Hangouts Chat is now available for all G Suite users

Alexandra Arici
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Slack is one of the most widely used messaging apps for teams that work remote or in large corporations. It’s also a service that’s seeing increased competition these days. Google, for example, this week launched its own Slack alternative called Hangouts Chat.

The app was originally announced exactly a year ago in March and was first offered via an Early Adopter Program. Well, Hangouts Chat is now out of beta and available as a core feature of G Suite.

Google hopes Hangouts Chat will make you forget about Slack

Google’s team productivity app supports 28 different languages and offers tight integration with Google’s other services including Docs, Sheets, Vault, Slides and Hangouts Meet. Chat groups can hold up to 8,000 members.

To avoid confusion, Hangouts Chat is a separate entity from Hangouts Meet, a video meeting app that aims to make joining meeting effortless. However, the two apps are compatible with one another. So teams can easily transition from a conversation in Chat to a video conference in Meet.

Google is betting on AI to differentiate Hangouts Chat from the competition. The search giant notes that users can speed up manual works by using artificial intelligence to book conference rooms or search for files.

This being the age of chatbots, Hangouts Chat also comes with support for bots. For example, @Meet will schedule meetings for you, while @Google Drive will alert you when new files are shared or requested. 25 third-party bots will be available at launch too including ones from Xero, Freshdesk, Trello, Zenefits and more.

Hangouts Chat is available for free for companies already paying for a G Suite plan. So if you’re a G Suite user, you should expect to expect to see the app roll out in the next few days.

The app is available for Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac.

Six reasons why you might want the ASUS ZenFone 5Z over the Galaxy S9

Alexandra Arici
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We’ve seen plenty of new smartphones launch at MWC 2018 in Barcelona this week, but ASUS’ new flagship, the ZenFone 5Z might be just the most surprising of this year’s show.

Boasting a gorgeous design, powerful specs and a great set of features, the ZenFone 5Z could easily end up coaxing customers to forget all about the new and shiny Samsung Galaxy S9.

Why would you want to choose the ASUS ZenFone 5Z, a phone released by a company who hasn’t made a big impact on the smartphone market so far, over the Galaxy S9? Below you’ll find a few reasons.

The Notch comes to Android

The first thing you’ll notice about the ZenFone 5Z is its super-sleek looks. At a glance, it’s easy to mistake the handset for the iPhone X, although the former includes an LCD instead of OLED (or AMOLED in the case of the Galaxy S9).

The ZenFone 5Z is the first Android smartphone released by a major OEM to come with the Notch design language, inspired by the stunning Apple flagship.

Thanks to the ultra-slim bezels, the 6.2-inch ASUS ZenFone 5Z is the same physical size as the ZenFone 4 with its 5.5-inch screen. The device is covered in curved 2.5D from the back to front and boasts an impressive 90% screen-to-body ratio.

We’re not saying the design of the Galaxy S9 is not gorgeous as well, but it’s already yesterday’s news. The Galaxy S9 looks almost exactly the same as its predecessor, so if you want some novelty in your life, you might be inclined to favor the ZenFone 5Z. Unless you already own an iPhone X.

Unmatched price

Price is usually a major factor when it comes to deciding which phone to buy and ASUS knows that all too well.

The company announced the new ZenFone 5Z will go on sale for $499 and up, depending on which RAM+storage variant you’ll be getting. This is a very competitive price for a device shipping with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 platform.

Still, think that’s too expensive? ASUS will also offer a ZenFone 5 variant which basically looks the same as the ZenFone 5Z but comes with a less-powerful processor. We don’t know the pricing for this one just yet, but it’s probably going to be sold for around $400.

In contrast, the Galaxy S9 starts at $719.99 unlocked, while its larger brother will be available for $839.99. The difference is quite steep.

Promising camera

The Galaxy S9’s main new feature is the re-imagined camera which now offers variable aperture. This feat allows phone users to shoot better pictures in different lighting scenarios. There a single 12-megapixel sensor adoring the back of the Galaxy S9, while the Galaxy S9+ has a dual-camera treatment which adds of a secondary 12-megapixel telephoto lens.

But the ASUS ZenFone 5Z is all about taking pictures too. The main highlight in the camera department is the 1.4-micron pixel size of the main 12-megapixel image sensor. This is equal to HTC ‘s U11, a phone known for its camera prowess, so we expect the ZenFone 5Z to be able to produce stunning results.

Next to the main sensor sits an 8-megapixel 120-degree wide-angle camera for depth detection in Portrait Mode. ASUS says the dual-camera has optical image stabilization (OIS), electronic image stabilization (EIS), and it can record 4K video.

On the front there’s an 8-megapixel selfie snapper with f/2.0 aperture, while the Galaxy S9 employs a similar unit, but with f/1.7.

More RAM and storage

 

The base version of the Samsung Galaxy S9 will be offered with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage (or 128GB/256GB in select markets). The Galaxy S9+, on the other hand, includes 6GB of RAM and the same storage variants.

Well ASUS trumps Samsung’s proposal by offering a ZenFone 5Z version with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, alongside two other 4GB of RAM + 64GB storage and 6GB of RAM + 128GB storage models.

Remember pricing starts at $499, so the top model is bound to be more expensive.

Bigger battery (compared to the Galaxy S9)

 

The ZenFone 5 relies on a 3,300 mAh battery, while the Galaxy S9 only includes a 3,000 mAh one. Both include a Snapdragon 845 processor and run Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box, so at least in theory the ZenFone 5 should be able to offer a superior battery life.

The Galaxy S9+, on the other hand, has a larger 3,500 mAh juice box. The ZenFone 5 sits just in between the two Galaxy S9 models when it comes to battery capacity.

Smart features everywhere

AI is the world on everyone’s lips these days, so ASUS has clearly tried to leverage this trend with a host of smart features which are marketed as being AI-powered.

For example, there’s AI display which is a tool that automatically adjusts color temperature, much like Apple’s True Tone on the iPhone X. There’s also a sensor that keeps the screen from turning off while the user is looking at it.

Another smart feature is AI charging which aims to maximize the battery’s lifespan by dynamically adjusting the charging rate. What this feature actually does is prevent the phone from charging to 100% overnight which apparently helps expand longevity.

ASUS says it’s adopting a broad definition of AI, so although these features are quite handy, the term could have been easily avoided.

Wrap-up

Unfortunately for those who have instantly taken a liking to the phone, the ASUS ZenFone 5Z won’t be readily available. Unlike the Galaxy S9 which will go up for pre-order in the upcoming days, customers will have to wait until June (!!!) to be able to get the ZenFone 5Z. Hopefully, people won’t forget about this great phone until then.

Those targeting the ZenFone 5 are in better luck, as the phone is expected to hit retail shelves sometime in April.

You too, Brutus? OnePlus 6 leaked images show iPhone X-inspired design

Alexandra Arici
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This week during MWC 2018, ASUS unveiled not one but two iPhone X clones which are expected to hit the market with affordable price-tags.

ASUS’ flagship, the ZenFone 5Z includes a powerful Snapdragon 845 and will start at only $499. Which means OnePlus is in for some direct competition.

Obviously, we expect the Chinese company to retaliate …with its own iPhone X-inspired offering. Indeed, according to a pair of leaked images from the Chinese blogosphere, OnePlus is hard at work trying to replicate the Notch.

OnePlus 6 could turn out to be iPhone X look alike

Note that the device shown in the pictures (allegedly the OnePlus 6) is only a prototype, so the final product could end up looking a lot differently.

Like it’s the case with these leaks, the blogger who posted these images has subsequently deleted them. Yet the folks at ITHome spotted them before they were taken down.

Looking at the images, we notice the phone appears to have a glass back, indicative of the fact that it might offer wireless charging. Furthermore, there’s a vertical dual-camera setup on the back, as opposed to the horizontal one on the OnePlus 5T.

Concept shows alternative OnePlus 6 design

The fingerprint scanners appear to have been reimagined to look very much like the one on the Galaxy S9+, including position and all.

The phone is shown running Android 8.1 Oreo and with 6GB of RAM/64GB configuration. A version with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage (or more) will surely be offered, as well.

When it gets announced in a few months, the OnePlus 6 (or whatever OnePlus ends up calling it) will probably run a Snapdragon 845, so it will be on par with the ASUS ZenFone 5Z when it comes to performance.

ASUS’ new flagship is expected to go on sale in June, which is the same month during which OnePlus usually announces a new device. This means the ZenFone 5Z will compete head-to-head with OnePlus’ next flagship.

Which one do you think will win consumers’ hearts?

Best accessories for the BlackBerry Motion

Alexandra Arici
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Got yourself a new and shiny BlackBerry Motion? The Android smartphone made a debut in the US market last month and is capable mid-ranger coming with a large battery and a full 5.5-inch display (no QWERTY keyboard included).

So, if you recently invested in a BlackBerry Motion, you’re going to need the right accessories in order to be able to use your smartphone to its full potential. Below you will find a list of must-have BlackBerry Motion accessories you can order right now:

Official BlackBerry Motion Privacy Flip Case

The Privacy Flip Case for the BlackBerry Motion wraps around your smartphone to keep it safe. It boasts a full-touch privacy filtered front cover, which limits viewing angles for onlookers, hence the name.

You can grab it from MobileFun for $46.99.

Buy the official BlackBerry Motion Privacy Flip Case

Official BlackBerry Motion Hard Shell Case

Looking for some durable protection? The official Motion Hard Shell cover is just what you need. It has 2H hardness against scratches and bumps and it’s partially see through, so the beautiful lines of the smartphone are still visible. MobileFun sells it for $34.99.

Buy the official BlackBerry Motion Hard Shell Case

Incipio Carnaby Case

An elegant case made of ultra-soft fabric finish which can protect your BlackBerry Motion against accidents while keeping it stylish.

Its impact-resistant TPU frame disperses shock caused from accidental bumps and drops. It’s available in Gray from Amazon for $34.99. The case also gets bonus points for the subtle Incipio logo placement on the back.

Buy the Incipio Carnaby Case

Kwmobile Case

Add a dash of color to your BlackBerry Motion with one of the colorful cases by Kwmobile. Made of flexible TPU material, the case protects against accidental slips and drops, as well as smudging.

The Kwmobile Case is available in a number of intense colors including Red, Dark Red, and Metallic Blue. Order one for only $7.90.

Buy an Kwmobile Case

SanDisk 32GB micro SDHC card

The BlackBerry Motion is powered by a Snapdragon 625 processor, aided by 4GB of RAM and 32GB of built-in storage. Need more? No problem, there’s a microSD card slot on board, so you can easily expand via a microSD card.

For example, you can purchase the SanDisk 32GB micro SDHC card with a big discount at Mobile Nation. Pay only $19.95 for it, instead of $79.99. The BlackBerry Motion takes even bigger microSD cards, so you can get a 64GB one or a 128GB card.

Buy the SanDisk 32GB micro SDHC card

Spigen mobile phone holder

Got slippery hands? Then the Spigen mobile phone holder might be something you want to get for your BlackBerry Motion. The ring attaches itself to the back of the phone and ensures you never drop your phone again. Users simply need to slip their finger through the ring.

The Spigen mobile phone holder is a great solution for concertgoers who like to take pictures throughout the performance. It also doubles as a kickstand for watching video.

The accessory is available on Amazon for $13.99 in a variety of colors including Red, Champagne Gold, Orchid Gray and Rose Gold.

Buy the Spigen mobile phone holder

BlackBerry High Capacity Mobile Power Charger

Ensure your BlackBerry Motion never runs out of battery with the BlackBerry High Capacity Mobile Power Charger.

The battery pack has a capacity of 12,600 mAh and it can easily juice up your smartphone on the go. With 3A total output, users can charge multiple devices at a time. A LED battery power indicator shows how much power is left and when the battery pack needs charging.

The accessory is available for $47.95.

Buy the BlackBerry High Capacity Mobile Power Charger

Samsung 25W USB-C Fast Charging Wall Charger

Need to charge your BlackBerry Motion super quick? Then you might want to consider this Samsung Wall Charger.

With this charger, battery levels on your BlackBerry Motion can jump up from zero to 50% in just 30 minutes. It has a standard output of 2 amp and comes with a detachable USB to USB-C cable, so users will be able to charge their device from the USB port on their computer or other USB-powered ports. It costs $29.95.

Buy the Samsung 25W USB-C Fast Charging Wall Charger

iRAG Car Charger

The BlackBerry Motion supports Quick Charge 3.0, so you’ll need accessories to match. Like the iRAG Car Charger which allows you pump juice in your phone quickly and efficiently while you’re driving.

The package includes the 36W Two-Port USB Car Charger and a 6ft long USB Type C to A Charging Cable. You can order one for $13.99 a pop.

Buy the iRAD Car Charger

So, did any of these accessories catch your attention? Tells us which you think are the most useful in the comment section below.

How-to change your default SMS app on Android

Alexandra Arici
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Don’t like the default text messaging app that came with your Android smartphone anymore? Not to worry, it’s super easy to change it.

Since its earliest of days Google has made it possible to change the default SMS app on your phone. So you can simply download an alternative like Textra or Pulse and set it as your default SMS app.

No matter what version of Android you have installed (it can be an older one) you can simply change it to another texting application of your choosing.

Doing so varies from phone model to phone below and below we’ll show you how to do it on two different phones. But first, you’ll need to have an app like Textra or Pulse installed on your Android handset.

How to Change the Default Messaging app on Android

Using an OnePlus 5T with Android 8.0 Oreo

  1. Access the Settings Menu by swiping down the notification shade or tapping on the Settings icon
  2. Scroll down until you find Personal>Apps
  3. Tap on Default (it’s the third option)

  1. Tap on SMS app and tap on your preferred texting app

Using a Samsung Galaxy A3 (2016) with Android 7.0 Nougat

  1. Access the Setting Menu by swiping down the notification shade
  2. Scroll down until you find Apps
  3. Tap on the three-dot menu located in the top right of the screen
  4. Tap on Default apps

  1. Tap on Messaging app and choose your preferred texting app

Why would you want to switch to a third-party SMS app? Well, there are plenty of reasons. The most obvious one is that they allow users to customize their conversations in numerous ways from letting you to pick the color of the text bubbles to choosing the color of the LED notification light that announces you have a new text.

Default SMS app vs Textra

Secondly, some of these apps offer an encrypted way to communicate, so if you’re worried about privacy it would be a good idea to switch to a more secure way to communicate with friends and family.

ASUS ZenFone Max Plus (M1) goes on sale in the US for $229

Alexandra Arici
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Announced back at CES 2018, the ASUS ZenFone Max Plus (M1) is now available for purchase in the US.

You can grab it from ASUS’ official website, but also from retailers like Amazon, B&H, and Newegg. The ZenFone Max Plus (M1) is available in Azure Silver and Deepsea Black and can be yours for $229.

In case you don’t know, ASUS’ Max series is renowned for its high battery capacities. Case in point, the ZenFone Max Plus (M1) relies on a 4,130 mAh battery which according to the company, can last up to 21 hours when web browsing over Wi-Fi.

A budget phone with a modern design

Other than that, the phone takes advantage of a tall 5.7-inch display with 18:9 aspect ratio and 2160 x 1080 resolution. It includes an octa-core MediaTek MT6750T processor under the hood, as well as 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.

Selfie lovers will be glad to know the phone offers the services 16-megapixel front-facing camera that should take nice self-portraits. The back is reserved for a dual-camera setup comprised of a 16-megapixel sensor and an 8-megapixel one with 120-degree wide angle.

Keeping up with the trends, the ASUS advertises a face unlock feature which lets users unlock their ZenFone Max Plus (M1) simply by looking at the frontal camera.

Unfortunately, the phone ships with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box. We feel your disappointment! Anyway, if you can look past that, the ZenFone Max Plus (M1) actually seems like a pretty nifty mid-range phone.

In related news, ASUS in Barcelona at MWC 2018 announced the ZenFone Max M1 with a 4,000 mAh battery.

ASUS didn’t share the exact details about the phone, but the company does mention the product will pack dual rear cameras with 120-wide angle lens and a 5.5-inch full-view display. More information on the new member of the Max family will probably be available soon.

Buy from ASUS

Buy from Amazon

Buy from B&H

Buy from Newegg

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