AndroidGuys

App Highlight: Cookie Jam Blast

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June 2, 2017

The App

Developed by Jam City, Inc, who is tagged as a top developer, Cookie Jam Blast is an established app with well over 1,000,000 installs. Having been updated on May 23, 2017, the developer is constantly fixing various bugs with the latest update seeing 20 new levels. Cookie Jam Blast is a bakery adventure where you can create new recipes across a number of challenges and game modes to earn rewards.

What it does

From the makers of Cookie Jam, the game has a number of challenges and game modes that require you to match colored treats to earn points. With over 200 levels the challenge inevitably gets harder where you rely on getting multiple matches to get boosters and help you clear the board. A number of excellent bakery themes islands await where if you’re lucky you’ll collect limited edition airships.

Features:
– Brand new game modes! Hundreds of new puzzles!
– Match 4 to create a Jelly Bee! Use it to shake up your board!
– Reveal the Yumsicle! Swap macarons to uncover hidden treats!
– Oh la la! Make matches to move the cupcake towards it’s box! Get it out for delivery!
– C’est Magnifique! Break the Waffles before you’re out of moves!
– Quick, get the Topplers! Make matches next to a Toppler before they move! Capture them all to win!
– Jam through levels and earn 20 stars to open a special prize!
– Spin the wheel to earn daily rewards!
– Connect with Facebook to sync your progress and share lives with your friends!

Why we like it

Anyone that is familiar with Candy Crush will appreciate Cookie Jam Blast. It takes the popular concept of matching multiple items to clear a board and gradually becomes more challenging as you progress. The themeing is a nice added touch and round off this well designed title. It’s definitely one to have a go. My concern is the longevity of the app as to keep it current and feel this one map slip off the radar after a few plays.

How to get it

Cookie Jam Blast is available for free from the Google Play Store. You can download it right here.

How to SIM unlock the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge

Tips & Tools

Matt Adams

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June 2, 2017

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The Samsung Galaxy S7 and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge were undoubtedly two of the best phones you could buy in 2016. Heck, they’re two of the best phones you can buy in 2017 too. The class leading camera, all world display, fast performance are just some of the features that make the phones great options today. If you’re looking to move to a new carrier or you’re picking up a used Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge for your current carrier, you may run into the phone being locked to a different carrier. To remedy this, we’re going to walk you through a few simple steps on how to unlock the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge.

First off, you can go through your carrier. If you bought your phone from a carrier and your account is in good standing, your device is paid off, and you’ve had the device on your account for a set number of days (varies by carrier) then you can request an unlock code. If you’re like most Americans and you bought your S7 or S7 Edge on a payment plan through your carrier, you probably will not qualify for that at this point since the phone has only been out for about 15 months. If you don’t meet the requirements or you’re trying to unlock a used or “new to you” phone, you’ll need to go through a third-party unlocking service like Android SIM Unlock.

So, how exactly do you get your phone unlocked? Here are the steps we’ll need to take for both methods.

Get your IMEI Number

Before you do anything else, you need your IMEI number. IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identifier and it’s the unique code for every device to identify it to carriers for access on their networks. Here’s how you get your IMEI number:

Open the phone application
Dial *#06#
Your phone’s IMEI will pop up on the display
Write it down in a document on your computer or a piece of paper nearby

Unlocking

Free unlocking

Earlier in the article, we talked about the requirements to get your free SIM unlock. If you’re unsure if you qualify, give your carrier a call and ask. The worst they can tell you is no and all you’ve lost is time. If you do qualify, wonderful! Here are the steps to unlocking your device with an unlock code provided by your carrier:

Call your carrier customer service (normally you just dial 611 and hit send!)
Request an unlock code
Provide the IMEI number you wrote down earlier
Your unlock code will be sent to you and should arrive within 5 days
Replace the SIM card in your phone with one from another carrier
Enter the unlock code when the prompt comes up

When you get your unlock code, grab a piece of paper and write it down. While these steps are easy, you don’t want to be left trying to pull that information out of a document you have saved in the cloud when you have no service and no WiFi connections. Just do it the old fashion way.

Paid unlocking

If you don’t qualify for a free SIM unlock from your carrier, you still have options! You can buy a cheap unlock code from a third-party unlocker like Android SIM Unlock. This method will work for carriers besides T-Mobile and MetroPCS, so if you have service through them, we’ll have special instructions below for you.

Visit Android SIM Unlock or a similar unlocking site and enter the IMEI you wrote down earlier
Complete the checkout process
Your unlock code will arrive in your email in about an hour, but most of the time sooner than that
Put a SIM card from another carrier in your Samsung Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S6 Edge
Enter the unlock code in the prompt that appears on screen

T-Mobile and MetroPCS Unlocking Process

T-Mobile and MetroPCS, as we mentioned above, has its own unlocking app. Even if you don’t qualify for a free unlock, you can still unlock your device using the T-Mobile or MetroPCS Device unlock apps. Here’s how you’ll go about it:

Visit Android SIM Unlock or a similar service and select the T-Mobile Device Unlock or MetroPCS Device Unlock option
Enter your IMEI number
Complete the checkout process
You’ll receive your unlock confirmation email in 1 – 3 days
Open the T-Mobile Device Unlock or MetroPCS Device unlock app
Press Continue, then Permanent Unlock
The unlock process will run and reboot your phone when it’s done

The process for T-Mobile isn’t any more complicated than other carriers, it’s just a bit slower.

It’s as easy as that. Enjoy your new (or used) Samsung Galaxy S6 on any network you please.

V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless Headphones review

Accessory Reviews

AndroidGuys

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June 2, 2017

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V-MODA, a brand who specializes in high-quality headphones and audio equipment, recently launched its first Bluetooth speaker in the REMIX (read our review). But, that’s not the only thing that V-MODA is releasing this spring. Indeed, it’s back with a new set of Bluetooth headphones in the form of the Crossfade 2.

What’s in the box?

Crossfade 2 Wireless
Exoskeleton carry case and 2 V-PORT Vents
Carabiner clip
Reinforced 1-Button SpeakEasy™ Microphone cable
Elegant V-Micro USB Cable
Gold plated 1/4″ Pro Adapter
V-MODA sticker

Design

As we’ve seen time and time again, V-MODA knows how to craft a solid product. The same can be said here as the Crossfade 2 Wireless is built with premium materials that are both lightweight yet sturdy.

From the moment you take them out of the box you know you’re not getting a cheaply designed set of cans. In fact, the attention to detail starts at the box and its thicker cardboard with hints of fabric and leather. Interestingly enough, you have to cut a small section of ribbon to get into the box.

The Crossfade 2 Wireless features a soft padded headband; the ear cups have a memory foam wrapped in a soft (“durable vegan”) leather padding. These are over-the-ear headphones but they don’t come across as being too big. We found them to fit comfortably enough and just big enough to cover the ear.

V-MODA, as it is often wont to do, sticks with the industrial design and uses its fair share of visible metal and screws. The headphones look all at once very modern but also somewhat foreign. There’s plenty of the Milano studio and its Italian influence present but it’s balanced very well.

The left ear cup houses a microUSB port for charging, which we found somewhat odd. Given it was already turning to USB Type-C for the REMIX speaker, we figured V-MODA would opt for it in the Bluetooth headphones.

These are the type of headphones that you will want to hold onto for multiple years. Take care of them and you’ll have them at least five years. At that point, microUSB will no longer be near the standard it is today. Minor quibble? Sure, but it could be more of a nuisance or inconvenience down the road.

Over on the right ear cup, we locate the power and Bluetooth button, playback controls, the 3.5mm input, and microphone.

The headphones, while very comfortable to wear, can get a little sweaty after extended listening. We had these on when mowing the yard with a riding mower and using a weed trimmer and ended up needing to take them off a time or two. This was in late April and early May so we can only imagine things could get warmer in the heat of the summer. Summarily, we could not envision wearing these for workouts or in an active manner.

Generally speaking, we found the headphones to fit snugly without being too tight. Listening around the house and office was pleasurable, even for longer periods. We would have liked having full rotation on the ear cups but it’s not a deal-breaker.

Sometimes we like to put one cup up to our ear. DJ’s, for instance, need this in their headphones and will have to look elsewhere. The Crossfade 2’s, however, do fold up nicely and tuck away in the carrying case, a welcome difference from its predecessor.

As is the case with other products in the V-MODA portfolio, you can customize the headphones with 3D printed covers and materials.

Materials for 3D printed shields

Fiber – 9 colors available
Steel – Matte Black, Stainless Steel, Polished Gold, Polished Bronze, Matte Bronze
Raw and Gold Plated Metals – Raw brass, Raw bronze, 14k Rose gold plated brass, 14k gold plated brass and Rhodium plated brass
Precious Metals – Sterling Silver, 14k Solid Gold, 14k Solid Rose Gold and Platinum

Connection, Setup, and Controls

Connecting and pairing the headphones to a phone is as simple as powering them on and holding the button down for a moment. They’ll immediately seek for a device to connect with and you’re seconds away from listening to music.

As far as connection goes, the Crossfade 2’s didn’t stutter or start to disconnect until we tested for it. In other words, we had to put our phone down and walk away from it to figure out what sort of distance we could expect. Indeed, you’ll get about 30 feet from the source, which is par for the course.

When it comes to playback controls, you’ll use the right ear cup and its three buttons. One is your general multi-function while the other two are used for volume. Tap once and you can pause/resume playback; tap twice for skipping to the next track; tap three times to go back one track. A long press of the button will access Google Now (or Siri) for voice commands. We liked the response to the buttons as they definitely provide enough tactile feedback to know they’re pressed.

Battery Life

The V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones include a 430mAh battery which claims to provide up to 14 hours of playback. This might be the case, but we typically found ourselves charging up every 2-3 listens just to be safe. In essence, this would amount to at least ten hours between charging with us getting upwards of 12 hours a few times. Could you squeeze more out? Probably, but that will depend on your preferred volume level.

Sound

We tested a black pair of the Crossfade 2’s. Why does this matter? If you opt for the Rose Gold version of the headphones, you’ll get aptX support (HD audio) over Bluetooth. Nevertheless, the standard models are certified Wi-Res Audio in wired mode, and deliver “super-human” frequencies beyond 40kHz.

For those of you who like bass in their music, these are your cup of tea. Lows are very solid with a tight sound across various genres. In fact, some of you may find that bass somehow overshadows mid-range stuff like vocals and guitar. It’s not terrible, but there were occasional instances where we might have liked more clarity and space. We’ve certainly heard much, much worse and in headphones that aren’t all that much less expensive.

Highs came across very clear with a nice, balanced feel. You’ll pick up a lot of detail in your music, regardless of genre. Spoken word (audiobooks, podcasts, etc) is crisp and offers a good degree of pop to it.

When using the headphones for phone calls, the Crossfade 2’s performed as expected. Callers could hear us without difficulty — we didn’t have any complaints from people on the other end. The same goes for what we could hear in that it was loud and clear with only the rare instance of oddball noises or feedback.

Conclusion

Taken as a whole, we really like the V-MODA Crossfade 2 wireless headphones. They’re built with excellent hardware, are comfortable to wear for longer periods, and offer up solid sound.

Battery life is good enough to get us through a few days of listening without charging, which all we really need at the outset of a standard work week. If you’re more active and want to wear them for workouts or extracurricular stuff, you’ll need to keep a charger close by. Fortunately, the carrying case houses the headphones and the 3.5mm cord as well as the USB charging cable.

You might find the bass a little stronger than what you’re used to, especially if you’ve only owned cheap (lesser quality) headphones in the past. They’re certainly no worse than previous V-MODA models; a lot of listeners tend to appreciate that sound, anyhow.

If there’s a reason to pause when considering the Crossfade 2’s, it is going to be the cost. Not many people want to spend that much money on a pair of headphones. But, those who have before, or want to invest in something quality, the $330 price tag isn’t bad at all. Treat these nicely and we bet they’ll outlast most competitors. Factor in that you also get free engraving and customization with either 3D printed fiber or laser engraved aluminum and it becomes even more of a value.

The best Android phones at AT&T (June 2017)

Featured

AndroidGuys

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June 2, 2017

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We’re asked on a regular basis to help determine which phone is the best one available. We get it as a team here at AndroidGuys, but we also field it on an individual level, too. To help address that, we’ve put together a list of top models to choose from at various carriers.

If you’re in the market for a new smartphone from AT&T, this is where you’ll want to start. Note that while this is called the “best Android phones” you can purchase this month, it’s worth noting there are plenty of other models to choose from.

Best is not a universal term to apply to all consumers. Some of you might have a limited budget; some of you may only have very modest needs. To that end, we suggest digging around a little bit and checking with the service provider.

Also, keep in mind that you can purchase your own phone from another outlet which can work with AT&T. Because it is a GSM service provider, there are plenty of unlocked devices around which are compatible with its network.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the best phones you can purchase this month from AT&T.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

Now in its eighth iteration, the Samsung Galaxy S series is better than ever. It’s not only more powerful and sleek, but it’s bigger, too. Indeed, the Galaxy S8 comes with a 5.8-inch screen while the S8 Plus packs a massive 6.2-inch display. Not that you’d notice, though, as they 18.5:9 aspect ratio makes it much more comfortable in hand than predecessors.

Samsung has opted for the curved screen on both versions of the phone which signals the company may have done away with the “Edge” variants of devices. Time will tell, however, but we suspect this could be the norm for its flagship phones going forward.

Powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus feature Samsung’s custom UI. Making its debut in the new generation is Bixby, Samsung’s new virtual assistant. As you might expect, it allows for voice commands and marries itself nicely with other Samsung apps and features. It’s not fully available for the US market just yet (Spring 2017), but, once it rolls out, it will give Samsung users one more reason to stay inside of its ecosystem. Apple has Siri, Google has Assistant, and Samsung has Bixby.

Key hardware in the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. Camera, which are better than ever, are 12-megapixels around back with an 8-megapixel front-facing shooter. Battery capacity for the S8 is 3,000mAh while the S8 Plus gets a 3,500mAh power supply.

The S8 line is IP68 rated against water and dust and is available in a variety of colors. New for this generation of Galaxy S phones is the Samsung DeX dock which essentially lets use use your phone to power a desktop computer. As you might expect, the S8 is compatible with the new Gear VR headset, too.

LG G6

Whereas last year saw LG diverge from its flagship experience with its modular approach to the G5, this year sees them returning to form. Quite literally, really, as the G6 goes back to what made the LG line what it is. For 2017, LG has put together one of the best phones on the market, internally, and externally.

The LG G6 offers up a 5.7-inch Quad HD LCD display with a unique 18:9 aspect ratio; this lends itself to a thin, yet spacious screen that’s a pleasure to behold. Under the hood we find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor bolstered by 4GB RAM and plenty of storage space. In fact, the microSD card slot allows for up to 2TB of media, apps, and files.

In terms of cameras, the G6 has a dual 13-megapixel setup around back and a 5-megapixel shooter around front. Other specifications include an IP68 rating against water and dust, a capacious 3,300mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 and wireless charging capability.

Shop LG G6 at AT&T

Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S7 Active

Although they are a year old now, these are certainly worth considering in 2017. The price has dropped on them over time, but the specs are still more than enough to get the job done for most users. The hardware and software industry moves quicker than the needs of the average consumer. There’s nothing wrong with saving a few bucks on these flagships.

Now powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, the Galaxy S7 family draws strength from Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processors with 4GB of memory. The standard bearer has a 5.1-inch display at 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution while the Edge model is slightly larger at 5.5-inches.

The Galaxy S7 employs a 3,000mAh battery while the bigger model squeezes in a 3,600mAh power supply. Both feature support for fast wireless charging. Offered in multiple colors, the phones are also IP68 rated for protection against water and dust.

The Galaxy S7 Active, which is exclusive to AT&T, comes with a 5.1-inch shatter resistant display and an incredibly generous 4,000mAh battery. Moreover, it steps up the protection with its MIL-STD-810G certification against salt, dust, humidity, vibration, thermal shock resistance, and more. If you’re tough on phones, this is the one for you.

LG V20

The LG V20 might be nearing its anniversary, but it’s still everything you need to blast through a work day with plenty left over for down time. The hardware is right in line with the needs of most and the price is equally attractive.

Running the latest version of Android (7.0 Nougat), the V20 is a multimedia fan’s dream experience. The main display is 5.7-inches of high-resolution gorgeousness but the secondary display at the top is every bit as useful. Although it’s smaller and only occupies a small section, it’s right where you’ll look for notifications and shortcuts. Music sounds tremendous thanks to the 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC.

Other key hardware includes 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. Need more space? Throw in a microSD card up to 2TB and you’ll have all the room you can hope for, plus some.

As for cameras, the LG V20 comes with a 16-megapixel rear unit and a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter for selfies. Rounding things out, the V20 packs a 3,200mAh battery which is more than enough to get you through a busy day.

Shop LG V20 at AT&T

EDITOR NOTE: Where applicable, this article contains content that found on other shopping guides.

Temp Mail is a disposable email service that helps you keep your primary inbox clean (Review)

Alexandra Arici

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June 2, 2017

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Overview

Everyone these days is asking for your email address. Want to read an article? You need to register by email first. Want to take advantage of a retail’s offer? You’ll have to sign up with an account. You can’t even comment on a forum or read a thread (with a few exceptions) without having to log in with your email address. Frankly, it’s super tedious. Especially if don’t want to receive countless of offers and newsletters after visiting a website. And now, with the help of apps like Temp Mail you can do just that.

Developer: Privatix
Cost: Free

Impressions

It happened to all of us at some point. You were unable to access a piece of content because you had to log in with your email first. I don’t really appreciate this strategy and I’m sure you don’t either – advertisers and retailers are basically forcing their updates and newsletters down our throats with little regard for our own preferences. Luckily, there are ways to bypass such schemes.

With Temp Mail, it’s super easy to get a disposable, temporary e-mail address that helps you combat spam in your primary email address. Basically, you should use Temp Mail when you sign up for a service you’re planning to use only once.

All you need to do to start using your temporary e-mail address is open the Temp Mail app and choose one that works for you. They are not exactly easy to remember as they are generated as a random association of letters, but you have the option of Copy-ing the address so you don’t have to type it manually. Here are a few examples of email addresses:

ypgiad@refurhost.com
pgtzgns@dnsdeer.com
ekasivf@getapet.net

Now let’s say you’ve used this email address to comment on a forum and you’re waiting to hear back from a user. You can easily check your inbox by tapping on the big Check the email ring at the bottom of the screen. This action will transport you in your mobile browser of choice where you can see all the emails you’ve received. A basic refresh option lets you see emails as they arrive.

If you’re not happy with the auto-generated email address, Temp Mail allows you to manually choose your ID. Just go to your Inbox and tap on the Change button located in upper option bar. Alternatively, you can generate another auto-created email address by tapping on Delete.

These are pretty much all the options available in Temp Mail. As mentioned above this is not a complex app, but a very straightforward one which does its job quite well.

But I do have a minor complaint: I couldn’t figure out how long it takes for the email to self-destruct. I read somewhere that it survives up to 1 hour, but it would be nice if you’d be allowed to choose how long your email gets to live. Just in case you’re waiting for a reply on a forum and the user responds while you’re asleep or something.

In case you want to use Temp Mail while away from your phone (yeah right), you can also access their services from any web browser by simply going to http://temp-mail.org. In case you would like to learn more or simply join the community of users, you can visit the companies blog to know more.

Conclusion

I really liked Temp Mail. Despite being a super simple app, it’s extremely useful. I haven’t noticed any glitches or problems during the time I was using it, so if you too want to keep your main inbox clean, I fully recommend using this app.

Download Temp Mail from Google Play Store

Nest unveils the 4K HDR CAM IQ with facial recognition

News

AndroidGuys

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June 2, 2017

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Nest has unveiled their latest smart home camera, the IQ. Similar in looks to the Nest outdoor camera, the IQ packs an 8-megapixel (4K) sensor that supports 12x digital zoom and HDR color. The camera doesn’t stream in 4K but rather uses that 4K video to supersample to 1080p for super clear video and a significantly improved zoom. Nest calls this technology Supersight, which allows the camera to zoom in and track movement in the room, following whatever moves around with clear video. The Cam IQ also supports picture-in-picture viewing of the zoomed footage. You can, of course, still view the full wide angle shot of the room in 1080p, with an improved 130-degree field-of-view.

The most impressive feature that Nest is rolling out is the intelligent facial recognition technology built into the IQ camera. The Cam IQ can tell the difference between a human and other objects and zooms into the face so you get a clear picture of who is in view. This is an advancement over the current Nest feature that can roughly identify a human subject by size. That part of the system is free, but the coolest part is locked behind the Nest Aware subscription service.

The Cam IQ can use facial recognition to identify if the person is a stranger or a “Familiar Face” so you will only get alerts if an unidentified person walks into view. The Nest Aware subscription, which costs $10 per month, also enables smart audio alerts which can identify sounds like speech and dogs barking, and also enables time lapse, cloud recording and more.

The Nest Cam IQ ships for $299 or a 2 pack for $498, and is available for preorder in the US and parts of Europe, with more available on June 13th.

Preorder:

Google Store

App Highlight: Airport Guy Airport Manager

Dan Bartram

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June 1, 2017

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The App

Developed by Rottz Games, Airport Guy Airport Manager is a new app with only around 100,000 installs. Having been updated on April 8, the developer is constantly fixing various bugs. Airport Guy Airport Manager is a game where your mind will be put to the challenge to manage an airport.

What it does

You’ll be put in charge of an airport responsible for building new terminals and runways in order to land multiple incoming aircraft. Get them refueled, refilled with passengers and send it on its way. Sounds easy right? Multiple runways and terminals means you’ll need to keep on your toes to avoid any collisions.

Expanding your airport will see new buildings and research capabilities to make your airport more streamlined and increased traffic flow. There are two game modes: sandbox where you have unlimited lives no matter how many collisions occur, or hardcore where you only have 5 lives.

• Build: Build Air Traffic Control Towers to increase the airflow and unlock VIP airplanes.
• Research: Use the research lab to improve your airport and unlock airplanes.
• Fires: Build fire stations to put down fires during emergency landings.
• Collisions: Avoid collision between airplanes, and land them before they run out of fuel!
• Vultures: Kill vultures to keep the airspace safe and make an extra cash.
• Visit: Visit airports from other players, and share your airport design to the world.

Why we like it

It’s no secret that I love simulation games that require you to think on your feet. This is a perfect title to have stored on your device for when you have time to kill. It is incredibly challenging on its easiest setting so there is certainly scope as far as longevity of keeping you interested in the game.

How to get it

Airport Guy Airport Manager is available for free from the Google Play Store. You can download it right here.

Super Phantom Cat (Review)

AndroidGuys

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June 1, 2017

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Super phantom cat is a Retro-platformer from Veewo games, joining a long list of games by the developer which can be seen here. It follows a cat (well, kinda. You’ll see) as you try to escape an alternate galaxy, and collecting various goods as you go. Download links, as well as a trailer, are available on their site.

Huh, Super Phantom Cat. As far as retro platformers go, You sure do play well. Game is simple – get to the end of the level, using left/right controls, a jump, and skills called “sprites” (more on them in a bit) It’s the usual drill. Of course, you can collect stars and coins, both for points. Coins can be replaced with data (More on that in a bit too) which does other things.

HOLD UP! What about Storage?

Do keep an eye on this one. At the time of writing, Super Phantom Cat (Or Super Cat, as its known as when installed) needs 132MB of space. Not horrifically big, but some people may have issues.

And Permissions….

Now, Super Phantom Cat is built for the Pre-Marshmallow era, meaning that it does not support run-time permissions. If you are on Marshmallow or later (or know how to get into AppOps on older versions – or you use Xprivacy, you clever little rooters) You may want to disable a few things:

A little worrying, but Contacts may have legitimate uses.

Contacts make sense since pre-marshmallow apps that don’t use the new SDK’s have to use said permission for Google Play Games sign-in. Telephone? No idea what’s going on there. Still turned contacts off because I can be a little bit of a hypochondriac like that.

Coughs Dan… the game?

Oh right! So, the story follows a cat (you) as you travel through the phantom world, trying to get home. On your way, you meet another cat who teaches you the ‘lay of the land,’ so to speak. This other cat rescues you then leaves you to do the tutorial before turning back up over the next few levels to teach you things. In fact…

I managed to grab tutorial footage! (Apologies for the volume bar at the start, and the sound. was not going to sacrifice quality for sound.)

After that, the game explains its ‘sprites.’ these plucky power-ups provide a variety of abilities like shooting, ground pounds, and short range teleporting.

As you may guess, sprites make your life much, much easier.

Anyhow, you may not like cats. Well, don’t worry, there are multiple characters to unlock! As the story progresses, you can start unlocking more and more characters. Some have unique bonuses, like extra health, or starting a level with an upgraded bullet sprite. the characters range from cats to birds and even people.

Honestly, my only issue is spelling. It’s not horrific, but when you see a typo, it can drive you mad. For example, if you die, you’ll randomly be given the chance of a free revive- in exchange for watching an advert when you ‘exist’ the game. Yes, it’s meant to be ‘exit.’ Speaking of adverts, you will get them when you die. However, log in 5 days in a row, and you get an ad-free experience. That offer is pretty good.