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Sprint’s new super deal awards 1-year of free unlimited service to switchers

Alexandra Arici
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This week Sprint announced a promotion that will leave you wondering, what’s the catch? You see, Sprint says it will be offering an entire year of free unlimited talk, text, and data to customers switching from Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile before June 30 and bringing in an eligible phone.

But at a closer inspection, the promo’s web-page, intently called “Stop feeling ripped-off by Verizon” doesn’t reveal any obvious red-flags. Actually, the deal seems to be pretty straightforward, with a few, minor caveats involved.

For starters, the promotion is available for new Sprint subscribers only. Secondly, you won’t be able to get the deal in stores, as it’s only available online.

Postpaid subscribers from Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile will be required to pay an $30 activation fee up front, but that gets refunded within two billing cycles.

Customers switching from Sprint’s main rivals will also have to agree to turn on Auto Pay or eBilling or risk having to pay a monthly bill of $7.99. Ah yes, and you’ll also have to spend money on the monthly SIM card ($2.99), as well as taxes and other fees. So technically, the free year of service isn’t exactly free. But it’s notably cheaper than the current alternatives.

Another aspect you should be aware of is that when you switch you’ll have to bring over a phone you own. If you’re currently paying for an installment plan, you won’t be able to join the promo. Sprint shared the list of eligible devices:

•    iPhone 5c (Verizon only)
•    iPhone 5s (Verizon only)
•    iPhone 6
•    iPhone 6 Plus
•    iPhone 6s
•    iPhone 6s Plus
•    iPhone 7 (Verizon only)
•    iPhone 7 Plus (Verizon only)
•    iPhone SE
•    Nexus 5 (AT&T and Verizon only)
•    Nexus 5X
•    Nexus 6
•    Nexus 6P
•    Pixel
•    Pixel XL
•    Motorola E4
•    Motorola Z2 Play
•    Motorola G4
•    Motorola G4 Play
•    Motorola G4 Plus
•    Motorola G5 Plus
•    Motorola Moto X Pure Edition
•    Samsung Galaxy S7 edge special edition (unlocked version?)
•    Samsung Galaxy S7 special edition (unlocked version?)
•    Samsung Galaxy S8 special edition (unlocked version?)
•    Samsung Galaxy S8+ special edition (unlocked version?)

The good news is that after October 1st, 2017 you will be able to upgrade to a new Sprint phone by leasing or purchasing it with monthly installments. And you’ll still be able to take advantage of the free year of service.

To recap the free year of unlimited service at Sprint includes unlimited talk, text messages, 4G LTE, HD streaming video and 10GB of data per line for mobile hot spot access each month. It’s also covers family plans.

After July 31, 2018, prices go back to normal which means you’ll need to pay $60/month for one line, $40 for a second line and $30 for each additional lines (up to five lines).

Also note that after the promo expires, you can leave Sprint if your heart so desires, since there’s no contract involved.

What do you think about this wild Sprint deal?

Google Play Store’s new Android Excellence collections highlight top apps and games

Alexandra Arici
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Google is making it easier for users to identify quality apps and games in the densely populated Play Store by introducing the new Android Excellence collections.

The idea behind the Android Excellence is enabling Play Store editors to highlight the best Android apps and games of the quarter via a dedicated section. The apps and games chosen to be part of the collection will allow users to take advantage of “incredible user experiences on Android” and bring forth great design, technical performance, localization and device optimization. They also take advantage of Google’s best practices.

On top of offering yet another tool for app discovery, the Android Excellence collections can be viewed as a guideline for developers who wish to create a high-quality app or game.

Google’s first two collections (one for apps and one for games) are already available for your viewing pleasure under the revamped Editors’ Choice section in the Google Play Store. Here are the titles that made the cut:

Android Excellence Apps

AliExpress by Alibaba Mobile

B&H Photo Video by B&H Photo Video

Citymapper by Citymapper Limited

Drivvo by Drivvo

drupe by drupe

Evernote by Evernote Corporation

HotelTonight by HotelTonight

Kitchen Stories by Kitchen Stories

Komoot by komoot GmbH

Lifesum by Lifesum

Memrise by Memrise

Pocket by Read It Later

Runtastic Running & Fitness by Runtastic

Skyscanner by Skyscanner Ltd

Sleep as Android by Urbandroid Team

Vivino by Vivino

Android Excellence Games

After the End Forsaken Destiny by NEXON M Inc.

CATS: Crash Arena Turbo Stars by ZeptoLab

Golf Clash by Playdemic

Hitman GO Square Enix Ltd

Horizon Chase by Aquiris Game Studio S.A

Kill Shot Bravo by Hothead Games

Lineage Red Knights by NCSOFT Corporation

Nonstop Knight by flaregames

PAC-MAN 256 – Endless Maze by Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe

Pictionary™ by Etermax

Reigns by DevolverDigital

Riptide GP: Renegade by Vector Unit

Star Wars™: Galaxy of Heroes by Electronic Arts

Titan Brawl by Omnidrone

Toca Blocks by Toca Boca

Transformers: Forged to Fight by Kabam

Mophie announce the “Charge Force Case” its slimmest wireless charging case to date!

AndroidGuys
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Summer is finally upon us!

Alfresco coffee, parties in the park and beachside BBQ’s. I can’t think of a more perfect time to catch some amazing sun shining glorious selfies, and with so many social outlets for us to pump out our mid-year memory bank to the online masses, there is one thing this summer we will all require even more than ever, two words, BATTERY POWER.

Well, mobile power solution aficionados Mophie have announced just the thing to help keep those memories flowing and gadgets gadget-ing.

Two Variants of Mophie’s “Charge Force Case” have just been announced for the Samsung S8 and S8 Plus and the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus respectively.

These latest additions to the charge force ecosystem are designed to advance easy wireless charging for the latest leading flagship devices.

Simply touch the slim, leather-wrapped case to any Mophie charge force wireless accessory and power is sent directly to your phone. Built-in magnets align with each charge force base and mount to provide a perfect charge every time. The charge force case is also compatible with Qi and other wireless charging systems.

Each case also allows access to the Lightning or USB Type-C port for wired charging or headphones.

Alongside the cases, Mophie are offering the “Charge Force Powerstation Mini”

When on the go, away from any charging pads or mounts, the Charge Force Powerstation mini offers a compact, portable solution. Simply attach the small 3,000 mAh battery unit to the back of the charge force case and activate to begin wireless charging. Then remove after powering up.

The iPhone cases are available in a variety of colors including black, tan, brown, blue and (PRODUCT)RED where the S8 and S8 Plus offering is only available in black thus far.

The notably lean design of the case also protects from everyday wear and tear without adding excess bulk to your device. Raised corners provide added protection against scratched and cracked screens. Premium leather, TPU bezel and superior design strengthen the case’s durability.

All in all it looks as if Mophie are onto a winner here, that is if you can get past the slightly unconventional way it looks and will most definitely feel in your hand. Although charge cases are nothing new, this approach most definitely is. I can see this case and battery combo wielding its way into many handbags and of course manbags over this seasonal summer period.

App Highlight: OK Golf

Dan Bartram
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The App

Developed by Playdigious, OK Golf a golf game like no other that allows you to play a quick round of golf without the flashy animations. This is a relatively new app with only 10,000 installs and is being regularly updated, with the latest update bringing a new course and a number of fixes.

What it does

OK Golf is a golf game with a minimalist design that focuses on the core elements of the game. Despite the minimal design, it looks fantastic. You can also compete in multiplayer mode against your friends.

OK Golf is the essence of golf, refined to a tee. Play a quick round anywhere, anytime on stylish dioramas inspired by classic golfing destinations. Easy to play, hard to put down, perfect for all ages and handicaps!

SIMPLE
Just aim, drag and release to shoot the ball. No clubs, just you and the ball.

BEAUTIFUL
Inspired by beautiful and iconic locations, each course is a handcrafted miniature diorama.

RELAXING
Enjoy a moment of zen while you play a round of golf immersed in the calming sounds of nature.

REPLAYABLE
Unlock new courses and secret areas and challenge yourself with different game modes.

BUY ONCE
Pay once, get all futures courses free!

MULTIPLAYER
Compete online with golfers all over the world and face your neighborhood friends with the Pass & Play multiplayer feature.

Why we like it

Golf games tend to be filled with unnecessary animations and unrealistic physics. OK Golf looks great and focuses on the golf. Its simple mechanics means it’s a joy to play and will be sure to help you pass time. I would like to see a way to sync progress across multiple devices but otherwise this is definitely worth a download.

How to get it

OK Golf is available from the Google Play Store. You can download it right here.

South Park: Phone Destroyer for Android is coming later this year

Alexandra Arici
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Good news South Park fans. Your favorite animated characters are coming to Android (and iOS) later in 2017, developer Ubisoft announced during its E3 press conference this week.

The game titled South Park: Phone Destroyer was created by Ubisoft studio RedLynx in collaboration with South Park Digital Studios and combines a turn-based battle system with trading card collecting.

Players will become the New Kid on the block and assume various roles including cowboys, pirates, while teaming up with beloved South Park characters in order to face their opponents in PvP matches.

Ubisoft also highlights mobile gamers can expect South Park: Phone Destroyer to retain the same dose of “adult” humor you’d expect from creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Speaking of which, characters in the game are voiced by Parker and Stone themselves, as well as other members who are part of the original voice cast too!

But wait, we’re not done with the good news! The game will be free to play and there’s not going to be a paywall either. Yeah, there are in-app-purchases, but everything can be earned in the game without paying. This way, you can spend real money only if you choose to.

The game is coming out later this year, but if you live in Norway, Sweden, Denmark or Finland you can download an early version from the Google Play Store and give it a go.

Samsung is spamming Galaxy S8 users with ads via push notifications

Alexandra Arici
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According to the reports of a bunch of displeased Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ on Reddit, Samsung has concocted a new, ingenious way to serving more ads.

Apparently, the Korean tech giant is now displaying ads via push notifications for some users through the Game Optimization Service. The game management app, which comes pre-installed Samsung phones, is also capable of sending notifications (turned on by default), which are now being “infected” with ads.

Luckily you can disable the notifications, but the process is not so intuitive as you’d think. You’ll need to access another app called Game Launcher – yes, it’s a separate one from the Game Optimizing Service and untick the “Receive Marketing Information” option that appears in Settings.

But what if you can’t even find Game Launcher on your phone? That’s because it hasn’t been activated yet. To do so, you’ll need to head over to Settings>Advanced Features>Games>Enable Game Launcher.

Once you disable the push notifications, you can go ahead and disable Game Launcher once again. Sounds pretty annoying, right? We bet it is.

What’s more since the Game Optimization Service app comes pre-installed on other Samsung devices, the issue does not seem to be limited to the Galaxy S8. Select Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S7 users were also spotted commenting the thread, complaining about the same issue. What gives, Samsung?

Are you seeing something similar on your Samsung flagship?

Turn any watch into a smartwatch with this $39 buckle

Alexandra Arici
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Don’t want to pay $250+ on a smartwatch? You shouldn’t, especially when you have a perfectly good “dumb” watch sitting on your wrist.

With the help of this Kickstarter project, you will be able to get the smartwatch experience on your normal watch. Well, sort of. Just add this intelligent buckle and you’ll be good to go. The Smart Buckle uses miniaturized technology embedded in its compact wearable clasp to do things most smartwatches do like tracking your activity, steps, distance, pace and sleep patterns, as well as counting calories.

The Smart Buckle is water and dust resistant and compatible with Apple Health & Google Fit. It also connects to an iOS or Android device through an companion app which displays your stats. The buckle comes with a charger you can connect to an outlet or USB port with a micro USB cable.

The Smart Buckle is made of High-Grade Stainless Steel and brushed metal finish, so it will be able to match with most watch models. It’s actually compatible with the majority of designs available on the market including luxury models launched by household names such as Patek Phillipe, Tag Heuer, Rolex, Omega or IWC.

To be frank, the Smart Buckle will turn your watch into something more akin to an activity tracker than a smartwatch. Adding the buckle doesn’t mean the watch face will suddenly gain magical touch screen properties. You won’t be able to download apps on it (you can do that with an Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch) or receive notifications from your smartphone.

Nevertheless, given that the Smart Buckle costs only $39 it’s certainly worth a try for those who wish to add more functionalities to their watch. For this amount of money, customers will receive a Smart Buckle (22mm strap size) + spring bar pin & installation tool + charging dock + USB cable + free USA shipping.

Smart Buckle is currently still gathering funds on Kickstarter and with 29 days to go, there’s a good chance it’s going to be successful. The estimated shipping date has been set for August 2017.

LG said to manufacture the larger Pixel 2 codenamed “Taimen”

Alexandra Arici
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A while ago word surfaced online suggesting Google was working on three new Pixel 2 models. According to the leak, the successors of the Pixel and Pixel XL, codenamed “Walleye” and “Muskie” would arrive alongside a larger model called “Taimen”.

Now according to a report coming out of the Android Police and rated 9/10 on the rumor scale, Google has axed the direct successor of the Pixel XL (aka “Muskie). So this year the only phones coming out from Google will be “Walleye” which we can assume will have a 5-inch display and “Taimen” that will probably carry a screen larger than the Pixel XL’s 5.5-inch one.

Pixel 2 concept

Furthermore, 9to5Google has unearthed an extra piece of information about the mysterious “Taimen” in the Android Issue Tracker. The second comment in the “USB PD Compliance Failure” thread seems to indicate that “Taimen” is being manufactured by LG.

The general consensus is that HTC would once again manufacture Google’s next-gen smartphones. But in light of recent news, it seems Google might be leaning towards a 2015 scenario this year. Two years ago, the company unveiled the Nexus 5X which was manufactured by LG and the Nexus 6P that was created by Huawei. Needless to say, the two phones boasted two very different designs.

Recently, we also told you Google was looking to secure a shipment of flexible OLED displays from LG, but at this point in time, it remains unknown whether the deal was finalized or not.

Motorola’s new Moto E4 and Moto E4 Plus arrive for $129.99 and up

Alexandra Arici
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This week Motorola Mobility pulled the veil off the affordable Moto E4 and Moto E4 Plus, successors of the Moto E3 series introduced this year. The two handsets will be made available for purchase in the US and other markets towards the end of the month.

Not so long ago Motorola unveiled another affordable duo, in the form of the Moto C and Moto C Plus, but these models were destined for Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Now the company is launching two budget-friendly models for the US.

Both new models offer an elegant metal design and the Moto E4 comes bundling a 5-inch display with 720p resolution. It also includes an octa-core Snapdragon 427 processor (or Snapdragon 425 depending on carrier) in combination with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage.

The product also sports an 8-megapixel camera, as well as a 5-megapixel frontal selfie snapper with LED flash. The phone measures 144.5 x 72 x 9.3 mm and relies on a 2,800 mAh battery to keep the lights on.

As for the Moto E4 Plus, this model is a bit larger. It features a 155 x 77.5 x 9.55 mm and a pretty solid 5,000 mAh battery said to be able to last up to two days on a single charge. The phone features a 5.5-inch display with 720p resolution and like its smaller brother bundles a Snapdragon 427 (MediaTek MTK6737M in markets outside the US) under the hood alongside 2GB of RAM and a choice between 16GB and 32GB of storage.

When it comes to photography, the Moto E4 Plus offers the services of a 13-megapixel primary camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter with LED flash.

Both Moto E4 models run Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box and include a fingerprint scanner embedded in the home button.

Motorola will start selling the Moto E4 for $129.99, while the Moto E4 Plus will take you back with $179.99. The standard Moto E4 will also be sold as an Amazon Prime exclusive phone, which means Prime members will be able to purchase it at a lower (yet to be announced) rate.

Later update: The Moto E4 will be available starting June 22 in the US.

App Highlight: YouTubers Life – Gaming

Dan Bartram
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The App

Developed by U-Play Online, YouTubers Life – Gaming is one of the best games on the Google Play Store. It is a relatively new app with only 10,000 installs, but this is already making a big impression.

What it does

Youtubers Life is a life simulation game where you act as a YouTuber and create content to try and become number one in the world with the most subscribers. You’ll need to record and edit your videos, collab with other YouTubers, and expand your empire.

Youtubers Life is the ultimate life simulation/tycoon videogame in which you can effortfully become the world’s greatest gaming video blogger in history by editing videos, expanding the amount of fans and turning yourself into a wealthy fellow. Create your character —customize it as you wish, there are thousands of hillarous combinations— and start making your first broadcasts in the cozy room at your parents’ where you have grown up since you were little. Record gameplay sessions, buy new and classic consoles, keep an eye on daily tasks, and socialize yourself to increase your popularity while you have to deal with fans, friends, family and time management!

Why we like it

I love simulation games and this is one of the best. It is vast, immersive, and keeps you hooked. The goal is clear, to become the number one YouTuber, but you’ll have to work to get there. It’s a little on the pricey side but you’ll certainly get your value out of it.

How to get it

YouTubers Life is available from the Google Play Store. You can download it right here.

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