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Want to use PayPal with Android Pay? Let us show you how

AndroidGuys
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Back in April we reported that a PayPal and Android Pay collaboration was teetering on completion. Just a mere three weeks later we can confirm that the (metaphorical) eagle has landed.

It’s fair to say writing this article has come somewhat as a surprise, neither PayPal or Google (as of yet) have provided any sort of official announcement to say the ability to use Android Pay and PayPal together is actually here.

Pushing all that aside though, if you are in the USA, a little trip to the Play Store update page will show availability is there in all its glory, awaiting you to hit the magic button. Of course, if you are not currently a user of either now will be an opportune time to get stuck in.

So, now we have told you the merger has arrived for public use, let’s get into the nitty gritty of how you get this up and running!

If you want to get everything set up between Android Pay and PayPal, you’ll need to make sure that the two services are linked. In order to do so, you’ll need to follow a few essential steps.

After logging into your PayPal account in the app, tap the Settings gear icon. Once inside, you’ll see a new Android Pay option in the list, this will be highlighted by a new tag so should jump right out at you.

Hit that, then you’ll be taken through the process to get Android Pay and PayPal connected up together. After that, you will get asked to create a pin-code, so get thinking. This code will be used when you’re at “check out” and about to purchase something, and finally, you will be asked to load monies into the account, making sure that your transaction wont bounce meaning you have to reach into your pocket and actually part with some real cash, and let’s be honest, cash is so not cool anymore, right?

Once those steps have been completed, a PayPal option will show up in your Android Pay app. If you are not wanting to use just your PayPal balance, you can add your debit/credit card as your main source of funding. To do this you need to ensure sure the debit option is selected. The “top-up” amount will then just be simply used to keep your PayPal balance in credit. Remember, you wont be limited to purchases under this total, as PayPal will automatically withdraw money from your connected bank account to make up the difference – how cool is that!?

So, apart from the setup process, using PayPal in Android Pay is no different from any other card you use via the Android Pay facility; either set it as the default payment method or as a secondary, which will require opening the Android Pay app and selecting the PayPal card before tapping the NFC terminal at point of purchase.At this time Android Pay is only available to US customers and as always, be sure to let us know how you all get along!

App Highlight: Arena Masters – Legend Begins

Dan Bartram
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The App

Developed by NEXON Company, Arena Masters: Legend Begins is an established app with over 500,000 installs. Having been updated on May 24, 2017, the developer is constantly fixing various bugs with the latest update introducing new gear and skins. The game is a PvP real-time battle strategy royale.

What it does

You can battle in real-time in a variety of battle modes including zombie virus, king of the hill, and dual arena. You have full control of your battle heroes of which there are 13 to choose from all with their own special abilities.

 

Combining the heroes can be used to create teams to gain strength and be even more powerful. Choosing from a variety of skins adds a touch of customization to your own army.

Why we like it

Arena Masters draws you in and you’ll find you won’t be able to put it down. The graphics are great and I really like that you have control of your heroes rather than have to sit helplessly and watch AI make bad strategic decisions. If you’re into PvP games then be sure to pick this one up.

How to get it

Arena Master: Legend Begins is available for free from the Google Play Store. You can download it right here.

JAM Voice review: This isn’t your ordinary Bluetooth speaker

Donovan Jeska
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At first glance, the JAM Voice Speaker appears to be just another unremarkable Bluetooth speaker. Its rubberized black rim and glossy body are pretty but very understated – it won’t catch many glances when it’s sitting on your end table – it has solid heft and a premium feel.

Powering on, we’re treated to a deep, booming series of notes that right away show off the depth of the speaker’s sound. The speaker automatically launches into WiFi mode (indicated by a twinkling charm, in stark contrast to the startup sound). In a matter of ten seconds, we’re shown the bass and treble capabilities of the device, which is a solid design move on JAM’s part. Can I just say how refreshing it is to have audio cues and voice responses in setting up a device, instead of the arbitrary flashing lights that are so common among Bluetooth devices?

From there, we move to the JAM WiFi app (which, obviously, we’ve already installed, because duh) and connect to our local WiFi network. Once connected, we log in to Amazon (to enable Alexa functionality) – this speaker even works with Amazon’s Two-Factor Authentication, which is excellent.

Now, there are really two distinct modes to this particular product. JAM Voice launches in WiFi mode, but a quick press of the Bluetooth button on the bottom of the device transforms it from an Alexa device to a standard Bluetooth Speaker at the press of a button. The battery life is only four hours, but given the size and power of the speaker, that’s not terribly surprising.

WiFi Mode

In WiFi mode, JAM Voice is really meant to be a semi-permanent emplacement, similar to Amazon’s Echo. It has Alexa, TuneIn, iHeart Radio, Tidal, and Napster built-in, and it also supports Spotify via Spotify Connect. One thing it doesn’t support, however (in this mode at least), is Google Play Music – which is a bit of a problem for people like me that are rabid users of the service.

The real shining beacon feature in JAM Voice is the Alexa integration. It’s not as fancy as the Echo – it doesn’t trigger via voice command, only via a single button press, for example – but for a $60 device ($34.99 on Amazon!), it’s quite robust!  The full Alexa suite is at your fingertips with JAM Voice – Music, Books, Lists, Timers/Alarms, Smart Home…it’s quite the bargain. As such, this puts it on a similar level as the Echo Dot, at $50 – which can’t function as a standalone Bluetooth speaker.

Rubberized hardware buttons for easy control.

Bluetooth Mode

This mode is a bit more standard – when unplugged and switched into Bluetooth Mode, JAM Voice becomes a typical Bluetooth speaker, with a four-hour battery and audio mirroring as usual. Granted, four hours may not seem like much, but in such a portable package and so much functionality crammed in, it’s well worth it.

 

JAM WiFi

Includes media services.

The companion app to this speaker is well-designed and full of functionality, with a few small flaws. A couple of the features that really stood out to me are the ability to group other JAM speakers together, and an intercom feature. The former feature allows you to use groups of JAM speakers to stream audio together, while the latter allows you to record a message and play it to any number of JAM speakers in a group – handy for talking to people in other rooms or other floors.

There are only a couple minor annoyances – firstly, the app only supports the on-screen navigation buttons – not the navigation bar’s ‘back’ button. More than once I found myself exiting the app instead of returning to the previous page – a minor inconvenience, but a noticeable one.

As mentioned above, the app has TuneIn, iHeart Radio, Tidal, and Napster built in. All you need are logins for each – in the case of TuneIn, not even that – and you’re off and running. Spotify is also supported, though you’ll need to download the app on Google Play first.

Performance

The thing that’s most noticeable for me about this device is how loud and deep the sound quality is coming from such a small package. The bass is nice and solid, and the sound is nice and clear. If controlling the speaker by Bluetooth isn’t your thing, there are standard rubberized Play/Pause, Forward, and Back buttons on the rim of the speaker.

One strange thing I found about the hardware buttons is that when hitting max volume, it plays a small chime that actually cuts out the music streaming for a solid two-to-three second until it comes back. Very odd. The response time between the app and the speaker is great – almost instantaneous – and the app is easy to use to control playback and volume.

JAM Voice is available from Amazon ($35), JAM Audio ($60), or Bestbuy ($35). If you’re looking to break into the Alexa scene – or supplement device you already have – pick one up.

Kickstarter darling Ticwatch 2 is all the watch you need, just $169.99

AndroidGuys
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Suffice to say, smartwatches and Android Wear haven’t taken off quite like many expected. Not for features or functionality, but largely because of price and user needs. In short, a lot of us don’t necessarily need everything that comes with Android Wear. Instead, we’re content with activity trackers and wearables with notifications.

Last summer saw an incredible Kickstarter success story with the Ticwatch 2. This innovative smartwatch uses a sleek design and its unique Ticwear OS to deliver a powerful, but simple smartwatch experience that will genuinely make your life easier. It’s smarter than the average wearable yet it’s considerably cheaper than its Android Wear counterparts.

As our Deal of the Day, the Ticwatch can be yours for only $169.99 ($15% off).

Speak to it to get an Uber, set reminders, make calls, get text notifications, and much more. Plus, it’s geared towards an active lifestyle, letting you track your steps, heart rate, and the distance you’ve traveled right on the watch.

Features

  • Proprietary Ticwear OS is easy to use
  • Intuitive sports app lets you track your fitness goals on the watch
  • Call & text capabilities allow you to stay connected without holding your phone constantly
  • Built-in GPS tracks distance & helps you know where you are at all times
  • Fast wireless recharging lets you get back up & running w/ less hassle

Where to Buy

AndroidGuys readers can purchase the Ticwatch 2 for only $169.99 through the AndroidGuys Deals Store. The 15% savings won’t last forever so you’ll want to figure out whether you want Charcoal (Grey)or Snow (White).

Save even more!

In addition to the savings above, when you buy through AndroidGuys Deals, for every $25 spent, you get $1 credit added to your account. What’s more, should you refer the deal via social media or an email that results in a purchase, you’ll earn $10 credit in your account.

Shop AndroidGuys!

If this is your first time buying, then you are also eligible for a further 10% discount when you subscribe for email updates.

How about a freebie?

Not looking to spend any money today? That’s alright, we understand. Why not visit the AndroidGuys section for freebies and take something anyhow? Go ahead, grab two!

Paper Wings is high-flying fun!

AndroidGuys
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Overview:

Paper Wings is a fast-paced arcade game about controlling a papercraft bird to collect coins in an endless run until you miss a coin or die to an obstacle. The difficulty ramps up quickly and the game is fun and has a nice conservationist message built in.

Developer: Fil Games

Cost: Free (with ads)

Impressions:

Paper Wings is a very simple concept on paper (pun intended), with only two buttons that turn your bird left and right to slide it about the screen. You need to rock up and down to facilitate speed and maintain altitude since the bird acts like a paper airplane. The difficulty comes mostly from the lack of control you have over your bird, with the only turning coming from looping around as you’re limited to moving in two directions. To further increase the difficulty, there are also hazards like tracking bombs that are fast and can almost be mistaken for coins.

You have the choice between a large number of real life birds from all over the world to play with, and each one has unique characteristics that change up the gameplay, such as magnets to pull coins or increased power-up times. The different birds all have little biographies about them and where they come from. The game also features a donate option to help support the American Bird Conservancy with donations, which is awesome in its own right.

Conclusion:

I really like Paper Wings, from its cute papercraft visuals to its simple yet challenging gameplay. Its one of the few games I will probably keep on my phone, as I usually delete most of the games I review after I am finished with them. It’s the right mix of short burst play, fun, and polish that makes a mobile game worth playing for me. It’s a

Download Paper Wings on the Google Play Store

What’s the difference: HTC U Ultra vs HTC U11

Alexandra Arici
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Last week HTC took the wraps off its second flagship for 2017, the U11. The phone comes only five months after the HTC U Ultra was announced, which has been received with lackluster interest by the Android community.

Will the HTC U11 be able to do better? It might, as it does have some aces up its sleeve. In what follows we’ll compare HTC’s two flagships and highlight the biggest differences between the two, so you can get a better idea of what the products are all about.

Display & Design

5.7-inch with 1440 x 2560 res vs 5.5-inch with 1440 x 2560 res

513ppi vs 534ppi

The HTC U Ultra is one of the few phones out there that comes with an additional ticker display. In the case of the HTC phone, it’s a 2.05-inch on with 160 x 1040 resolution. It lives on top and its purpose is to relay notification and give quick access to most used apps. Its presence explains why the HTC U Ultra is a bit larger than the HTC U11 which features a 5.5-inch panel just like the Pixel XL. Both feature an advanced QHD resolution.

HTC U11 continues the legacy of the HTC U Ultra by boasting the same glossy, premium look. The camera on the back features a circular form, while the one on the HTC U Ultra was square-ish.

Performance

Snapdragon 821 vs Snapdragon 835

4GB of RAM vs 4GB/6GB of RAM

64GB/128GB vs 64GB/128GB of internal storage

HTC could only manage to secure the Snapdragon 821 for its first 2017 flagship, the U Ultra. But fast forward three months later and the HTC U11 comes with a newer, faster and more efficient Snapdragon 835 processor under the hood.

While the HTC U Ultra comes only in 4GB of RAM configuration, the HTC U11 will be offered with 6GB/128GB storage in Asian markets. The 4GB of RAM and 64GB built-in storage variant is reserved for the US and UK markets.

Both handsets feature microSD card slots to enable users who need more storage to expand up to 256GB.

Cameras

Main Camera: 12-megapixel vs 12-megapixel

Secondary Camera: 16-megapixel vs 16-megapixel

In the photography department, the two phones are quite similar. Both take advantage of a main snapper with phase-detection autofocus, optical image stabilization, and dual-LED flash. Although the HTC U Ultra also has laser autofocus and a f/1.8 aperture, as opposed to f/1.7 on the HTC U11.

In the selfie department, the two HTC flagships employ the power of a powerful 16-megapixel camera with auto HDR and fullHD recording.

Special features

The HTC U Ultra’s standout feature is the secondary display, but the HTC U11 comes with something dubbed Edge Sense. Basically, HTC has embedded a bunch of sensors in the phone’s frame and thus introduced a whole new way for users to interact with their phone by virtue of squeezing. For example, users will be able to squeeze their phone to launch a certain app or snap a selfie.

Virtual assistants are everywhere these days and HTC wants to make sure you’re more than covered in this department, so it has equipped the U11 with three virtual assistant options including its own Sense Companion (also present on the HTC U Ultra), the Google Assistant and the Amazon Alexa.

The HTC U11 also benefits from Boom Sound Hi-Fi technology, something which the HTC U Ultra leaves out.

For both phones, the 3.5mm headphone jack is a thing of the past, but the HTC U11 comes with a Type-C to 3.5mm adapter with built-in DAC.

Software

Android 7.0 Nougat vs Android 7.1 Nougat

Being launched five months later, the HTC U11 comes with the newer Android 7.1 Nougat version onboard, while the HTC U Ultra runs Android 7.0 Nougat with the company’s Sense UI out of the box.

Battery

3,000 mAh vs 3,000 mAh

Like in the case of the HTC U Ultra, the HTC U11 features the same 3,000 mAh battery. Given that both phones feature QHD panels and demanding processors, we don’t expect either of them to be a battery champ. Although a 3,000 mAh juice pack should be able to last up to a day with moderate use.

Pricing

$649 vs $749

Customers can pre-order the HTC U11 for $649 a pop. The HTC U Ultra on the other hand is already available for purchase for $749. But with the HTC U11 offering a better processor, the new Edge Sense frame, more virtual assistants and BoomSound technology, we can’t really think why anyone would choose to pay more for the HTC U Ultra. Unless they are super fans of secondary thicker displays.

Red Sony Xperia XZ Premium smiles for the camera

Alexandra Arici
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The Sony Xperia XZ Premium was the first Snapdragon 835 smartphone to be announced, although the Samsung Galaxy S8 was actually the first to go on sale.

When introduced back at MWC 2017, Sony said the phone will available in Luminous Chrome, Deepsea Black and later added a Bronze Pink option. Well now it seems a fourth color variant will be added soon enough.

The folks at the Android Soul revealed that a Red variant of the Sony Xperia XZ Premium is in the pipeline. The fiery version is probably destined for the Japanese market, but we’re told it will be launched on the international market as well.

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium is a super powerful smartphone coming with a high-end 5.5-inch 4K display, a Snapdragon 835 processor and 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.

The phone boasts an impressive 19-megapixel Motion Eye main snapper which offers the possibility of shooting video in slow motion at 960fps. The camera also includes predictive phase detection, laser autofocus and LED flash. Sony also includes a 13-megapixel selfie snapper with the flagship.

Back in February, Sony said the Xperia XZ Premium is coming to the US late spring. However, the phone’s launch was delayed a little bit. We now expect to see the 4K smartphone land on the market around June, hopefully in the US as well. No word related to the availability of the red Xperia XZ Premium.

Google’s new Family Groups lets family members share content more easily

Alexandra Arici
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Google is encouraging users to share more with their families. The search giant just announced “Family Groups” – an initiative meant to promote easy sharing between family members.

Family groups allows users to easily share via services like YouTube TV, Photos, Calendar and Keep. What this means basically is that these services will get links that will allow you to share content with all members in your Family Group.

Google also said up to six household members will be able to get their own cloud DVR for $35/month. Users will be able to stream live TV from many popular cable networks including ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC.

From now on Family Group will be included into Google Calendar, so family members will have access to a joint family calendars which in turn will allow them to easily keep track of group activities.

With Google Keep, families will be able to share reminders, lists and notes with other members. Google Photos also plays a role in Google’s new family oriented tool, by setting the stage for families to easily send photos and videos.

To set up a family group, you’ll need to head on to the Google family page. If you used YouTube TV or Google Play Family Library previously you might have a family set up already.

The Family Group feature will be available in all the Google services mentioned above starting this week. It’s available in the US and UK, as well as Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia and Spain.

Instagram introduces Location and Hashtag Stories in Explore section

Alexandra Arici
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Another week, another batch of new Instagram features. Now the Facebook-owned social media announced two new tools that will allow users to find out what’s going on around them. Enter the new Location and Hashtag Stories which will soon be live under the Explore section.

Now when you access the Explore tab, you should be able to spot a new Story ring at the top showcasing the things that are happening near you aka posts created by people who used location stickers. Users can also search for a certain location in the world and find out what’s going on in that’s spot by checking the Story ring. The new feature will prove extremely useful for frequent travelers who find themselves in a different location each week and looking for something cool to do.

The second feature, Hashtag Stories allow Instagram users to easily find Stories that are related to their interests. Now when you search for a particular hashtag, the Story ring should appear at the top of the page filled with Stories that include that particular hashtag. In order to create posts that will show in Story, you’ll need to include location hashtags with your Stories.

For those who are interested in privacy and don’t want their Story to appear in the Explore, all you need to do is tap the X in the Stories viewer list.

Location Stories in Explore is currently rolling out to all users through Instagram version 10.22 which is available via the Google Play Store (and iTunes App Store for that matter). As for Hashtag Stories, it will be landing in the upcoming weeks.

Moto G5S Plus leaks shortly after Moto G5S reveals itself

Dan Bartram
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Following the leak of the Moto G5S, its bigger brother has also joined the leak party with a new reveal that shows all the details about the  upcoming Moto G5S Plus.

According to sources, the devices have been confirmed to be called the Moto G5S and Moto G5S Plus, which we kinda already knew. More importantly is some of the specs of the bigger device have leaked.

The Moto G5S Plus will run Android 7.0 Nougat and be powered by an octa-core 64 bit processor. The device will have a 5.5-inch screen running at 1080p resolution on an IPS LCD display. Of most interest seems to be the dual-camera setup on the rear of the device that will be accompanied with a dual-LED flash which is presumably for some depth of field features. There’s a single front-facing camera and single LED flash.

There isn’t much different over the smaller G5S as specs like battery capacity and RAM haven’t yet been leaked, but expect the battery of the G5S Plus to be a higher capacity given the extra space available in the chassis of the 5.5-inch screen device.

Be sure to stay tuned for further details of the Moto G5S and Moto G5S Plus as they emerge.

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