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Color Glide Review

Puzzle games are aplenty on the Google Play store. It’s rare to find one that really pulls you in to the point where you want to play for more than 10 minutes at a time. Thankfully Color Glide, from Eternal Studio, is a game that is fun and addicting early on. The premise is simple, but the complexity quickly ramps up.

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Think you have what it takes to solve puzzles like this?

As the player you must solve each puzzle by “gliding” colored squares into the appropriately colored goal. Simple physics allow each colored square to slide up, down, right or left. Later on, puzzles test your skills by creating walls that only certain colored blocks can pass through, or by forcing players to combine two colors to create a new color. It’s a rewarding experience when you use a little bit of wit to figure out the correct combination of moves.

Each level has a goal, or par, for the amount of moves to solve each puzzle. If the level is completed at or close to par, the player will receive a bronze, silver or gold trophy. This adds to the replay-ability as you can return to any level you’ve completed to best your previous score.

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Before you know it, you’ll be combining colors to reach new goals

Music is minimal and soothing. This is not a fast paced, frantic puzzle game like Tetris–it’s more thoughtful and calculated, so the ominous, gentle music fits right in. The sound effects are sparse with chimes, dings and effectively what could be described as shattering glass. Overall, a nice complement to the overall aesthetic.

Color Glide does implement leader boards in a very minimal way. You can see scores from friends you have within the Google Play games network, but outside of that, the leader boards are quite limited. The game also has an option to pay to remove those pesky ads (which I did not do), to tweet out to your followers about the game, or to link to and like Eternal Studio on Facebook.

More levels can be purchased with gems at any time. Gem prices range from 100 for $.99 to 600 for $4.99, or can be supplemented by ads. Also, you have the option to play the Daily Level, which is a unique level that is updated each day. Color Glide offers 37 levels from the start, which should be a good amount of challenge for most players. After that, if you still enjoy the game and want more, feel free to spend your gems on more levels.

For fans of the puzzle genre, it’s hard not to recommend Color Glide. It’s simple enough for a child to understand, yet deep enough for the most intellectual player to exercise his or her mind a bit. Check it out in the Google Play store if you’re up for a fun and colorful challenge.

color glide play store

Say hi to Nokia’s first comeback smartphone, it runs Android 7.0 Nougat

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Earlier this week we told you Nokia is expected to launch 6 to 7 new Android smartphones this year. Well it seems the deluge has already been unleashed. HMD, the Finnish company that holds the rights over the Nokia brand has announced the first all-new Nokia smartphone.

And as previous rumors indicated, the freshly squeezed handset called Nokia 6 is a budget-friendly device, albeit advertised as “premium”.

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Our ambition is to deliver a premium product, which meets consumer needs at every price point, in every market”.

With the Nokia 6, HMD targets the Chinese market – the largest and most competitive smartphone market in the world. The Finnish device maker has partnered up with JD.com to bring the phone in the country – a seller with an upwardly mobile consumer base, which has been a massive supporter of the Nokia brand in China.

Now you’re probably pretty curious about what the Nokia 6 is all about, so we’re going to go straight to the juicy party. The phone comes equipped with a 5.5-inch 2.5D display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. A Snapdragon 430 with Adreno 505 GPU are nestled under the hood and keep the device working. HMD also throws in 4GB of RAM and 64GB of native storage.

In the photo department, the mid-ranger features a sensible 16MP main camera with f/2.0 aperture plus PDAF laser auto-focus plus an 8MP selfie snapper with the same aperture. The device runs Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box, which is pretty good news.

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The Nokia 6 will launch in China as a JD.com exclusive in the first part of the year. It will be priced at $245. No word whether the Nokia 6 will make it into the US, but we guess it’s not going to make it state side any time soon.

No official images of the device were revealed, but we do have a video teasing the device for you to look at (and now some pictures):

Previously, HMD announced the Nokia 150 feature phone which is destined for Europe, Asia and Africa markets. Come MWC 2017, HMD will probably announce a global Nokia product, so stay tuned.

Udemy offering $10 courses to help you stick to your new year’s resolution

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So 2017 is going to be your year, eh? You’re going to lose some weight, kick a nasty habit, learn how to take better pictures, and develop the next big mobile game. That’s awesome stuff, sure, but you might need a little bit of help along the way.

Udemy, an affiliate partner of ours that we’ve highlighted a few times over the years, is here to help you start and stick to your new year’s resolution. No matter what you plan to do, chances are very high that Udemy has a course to help. With some tens of thousands to choose from, they’ve got expert training and resources to assist in any area of life, especially self improvement.

Udemy is currently running a promotion which sees its classes discounted to only $10 each. Normally priced up to $200 each, this means you’re getting them at a 95% discount. You’ll have to act fast, though, if you want purchase some courses. The deal only runs through January 10 and then it’s back up to the typical rates.

We’ve gathered up a handful of some of the most popular personal development courses offered at Udemy. Additionally, we’ve collected some mobile-related and Android developer-based classes as well.

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Top 10 Personal Development

  1. Art Therapy: Drawing, Painting and Self-Exploration (Part 1) ($200 Value)
  2. Become a SuperLearner 2: Learn Speed Reading & Boost Memory ($145 Value)
  3. Reiki Level I, II and Master/Teacher Certification ($195 Value)
  4. Crystal Reiki Master/Teacher Certification ($95 Value)
  5. Art Therapy: Drawing, Painting and Self-Exploration (Part 2) ($200 Value)
  6. The Complete Job, Interview, Resume/LinkedIn & Network Guide ($200 Value)
  7. Body Language for Entrepreneurs ($200 Value)
  8. Awaken Your Heart, Creativity & Wisdom with Tara Brach ($145 Value)
  9. 30 Day Challenge to a More Productive and Much Happier You! ($200 Value)
  10. Sounds True Presents: Good Medicine ($80 Value)

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Mobile-Related Courses

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Android and Mobile Development Courses

Corning Gorilla Glass is now available for cars

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Gorilla Glass – the specialized toughened glass produced by Corning to makes your smartphone and tablet’s display unbreakable – is expanding its reach.

At CES 2017 in Las Vegas Corning unveiled the first “glass-enabled concept car.” The automobile features a lightweight Gorilla Glass hybrid windshield, sunroof and lights, as well as full-length dashboard. So now, if someone throws a rock at your car, the vehicle might actually come out of it unharmed.

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The Ford GT sports car is the first model to take advantage of Corning Gorilla Glass for Automotive in windshield. Corning has a futuristic vision of how cars are going to look like in a few years, so the concept car takes advantage of a heads-up display embedded in the windshield which can bring up real-time traffic updates and other relevant information.

Corning’s leading position in mobile device cover glass has provided an excellent launch pad for glass solutions enabling smart-phone like connectivity in cars. We are excited to be demonstrating all of these new technologies and opportunities in a custom-built connected car, shown for the first time at CES.

Corning’s chief strategy officer Dr. Jeffrey Evenson said the Gorilla Automotive Glass is thinner, lighter and stronger than normal automotive glass. And apparently, these properties enable the car to be more energy efficient.

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Corning’s latest announcement proves the firm’s growing interest in piercing markets outside the consumer electronics niche. Back in July, Corning announced Gorilla Glass 5 with 18% more gorilla for smartphones. The main improvement advertised was increased resistance to impact damage.

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The company also announced a partnership with glass-maker Saint Gobain in order to start producing Gorilla Glass Automotive windshields right away.

Healbe’s new GoBe 2 wearable is designed to help you lose that extra weight

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Wearables these days claim to offer pretty Sci-Fi features. Take the new GoBe 2 which was unveiled at CES 2017. The device maker says the tracker is the first of its kind that can measure calorie intake, hydration levels and…emotional states (quite a complicated task if you ask us).

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Launched by the Healbe Corp. the GoBe 2 is mainly targeting individuals who wish to lose weight. However, health enthusiasts are welcomed to try the GoBe 2 too.

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The wearable uses the so-called Healbe FLOW Technology and an impedance sensor to monitor calorie intake and hydration levels. How does the wearable achieve that you might be wondering? By measuring certain parameters on the user’s writ.

A nine-axis accelerometer has been embedded to track movement, while the skin galvanic response receptor is in charge of monitoring stress levels and emotional state in real-time.

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The second-generation GoBe 2 has been improved to be sleeker and lighter than the previous GoBe. The wearable securely sends lifestyle, behavior and physical condition data to a paired smartphone via Bluetooth LE to be viewed by the GoBe app or GoBe website accounts.

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We should also note, the GeBe 2 is water-resistant (but not waterproof). Even so, Healbe says you can take the wearable for a swim (but not in saltwater) or take a shower or even go bathing. The battery nestled inside can sustain the device for 48 hours of life.

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The GoBe 2 will be available in mid-January in the US and China from ProductHunt.com. Customers will be able to purchase the weight tracker from Amazon, BestBuy and Healbe in late January for $179.95.

New ZEE Smart Core phone case delivers more power, memory and LED lighting show

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If you always find your smartphone is running out of battery during the day and might benefit from a little bit of extra storage, then maybe you might be interested in Hello ZEE’s new smartcase called the ZEE Smart Core which was unveiled at CES 2017.

The ZEE Smart Core works with iPhones/iPads but also with Android phones and tablets and GoPro cameras and any other devices featuring a USB, miroUSB or lightning port.

The Smart Core bundles a 2,600 mAh smart battery and offers wireless charging, microUSB charging capabilities, up to 128GB of extra internal memory and an additional LED light to help users take qualitative photos and videos regardless of lightning conditions.

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The Smart Core pairs with the ZEE Core app to offer users a customized experience. For example, customers can set for how long their phone should charge or create a personalize LED light show.

The app can detect when the mobile device paired to it is running low on juice and initiate charging automatically. For those who prefer wireless charging, the Smart Core also offers this option via a built-in module. Just place your phone/tablet on any QI charge pad to get things going. A dual use microUSB charging port is also available for traditional charging.

The Smart Core also doubles as a portable storage device. You can get it in 32GB in Gun Metal, 64GB in Silver or 128GB in Gold. Using the ZEE Core app users can easily manage transferred files across many platforms.

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Perhaps Smart Core’s most enjoyable feature is the ZEE LED Light which is fully programmable via the ZEE Core app. The 5600 Lumen LED Light build from 6X 2W Smart LED diodes can flash in multiple ways, even to the beat of music via Party Mode.

Hello ZEE officially launched the line yesterday, but a quick look at their website reveals the accessory producer had a Kickstarter campaign running for the Smart Core which is now canceled.

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A pledge of $100 would have gotten users a ZEE Smart Core 32GB + ZEE Cover (only for iPhone/iPad), T-Shirt and Personalized Thank You Letter and ZEE Sticker. The estimated delivery dates for all bundles is listed September 16, so we don’t really have an eye when the ZEE Smart Core will ship out.

The Hello ZEE website mentions that if you sign-up with your email, you’ll get the opportunity to win a free Smart Core case.

Kodak Ektra camera phone comes to the US in April for $549

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You might remember Kodak’s latest photography centric Ektra smartphone which was released on the European market in December 2016 for €499 a pop.

Well at CES 2017 Kodak announced it will be bringing the device to the US and Canada, so customers looking for an apt camera phone should watch out for Ektra. Kodak says the photography-led smartphone will be available for pre-order in the two countries starting April for $549 a pop.

For those who are really curious about the device, Kodak has put the Ektra on display at CES 2017 in Las Vegas.

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In case you don’t remember, let us tell you a few things about the handset. In order to produce the Ektra, the iconic photo company has partnered up with British smartphone manufacturer, Bullitt. The phone’s design is inspired by the 1941 Kodak camera bearing the same name, so don’t expect it to be extremely thin.

The phone offers the services of a 5-inch display with 1080p resolution and bundles a MediaTek Helio X20 chipset under the hood. There’s also 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, but a microSD card slot is provided for memory expansion for those who want more.

The photo department is where the Ektra shines. The device boasts a main 21MP sensor with f/2.0 lens, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Phase Detection AF, 4K video recording and dual LED flash.

As for the selfies, everything is taken care of by a 13MP selfie camera. Kodak also bundled the Ektra will lots of edition options and manual features are also provided, so you almost get the feeling you’re using an analog camera and not a handset.

Last but not least, the Ektra draws power from a 3,000 mAh battery and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box. But customers should probably not get their hopes up about Android 7.0 Nougat.

Kodak also offers a camera case to make it look like you’re carrying an old school camera instead of a phone. To celebrate CES 2017, Kodak has also shared with us a few image samples taken with the Ektra, so users can see for themselves the wonders it can achieve.

Braven redefines its Outdoor Series of rugged speakers with new, smarter models

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Braven today introduced the next iteration of its rugged Outdoor Series of Bluetooth speakers with a number of new models. Moreover, the fresh batch also include Bluetooth Smart technology to facilitate power, customization, control, and connectivity.

Known for their ability to withstand water, dust, and other elements, Braven’s speakers often employ aircraft-grade aluminum and other tough materials. Until today, the Outdoor lineup consisted of various BRV models that range from ultra portable to bigger-than-boombox proportions. As you’d expect, the price differs, going anywhere from about $99 up to around $350.

The new Ready line of speakers, as well as a refreshed BRV-XXL, continue on the same path. Prices are right about the same, however the speakers are smarter than in the past. Each of the new units are expected to arrive in the second quarter of the year.

Here’s a breakdown of the new models in Braven’s 2017 Outdoor Series of portable speakers.

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READY PRO

  • Bluetooth® Smart integration offers full speaker and sound control via App
  • Designed with an aircraft-grade aluminum grill, shockproof over-molded cabinet complete with an IP67 waterproof rating
  • Omni-directional passive subwoofer generates big bass and supports a 16-hour playtime
  • Integrated 2600mAh power bank for charging mobile devices
  • Includes action mount and tie-down strap for added portability
  • Equipped with a small Multi Tool Hang Tag, to support users with essential tools including a bottle opener, Philips Screw driver, Carabiner Clip and more
  • MSRP $149.99 USD

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READY PRIME

  • Bluetooth® Smart enabled, Ready Prime™ offers users customizable sound and full control via App compatibility
  • Designed with two large drivers and dual passive radiators to deliver rich bass and a long-lasting 18-hour playtime
  • IP67 waterproof rated with an aircraft-grade aluminum grill and shockproof exterior
  • Built-in 4000mAh power bank for charging USB-enabled devices
  • Includes tie-down bars and carry strap for added transportability
  • Equipped with a large Multi Tool Hang Tag, to support users with essential tools including a bottle opener, fishing line cutter, Ruler, Philips Screw driver, and more
  • MSRP $199.99 USD

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READY ELITE

  • Bluetooth® Smart integration and App-compatibility supports wireless control of Ready Elite™ power and sound
  • Internal design features two large drivers and dual passive radiators generating rich bass and a 12-hour playtime
  • Features an all over IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating and shockproof drop-proof exterior
  • Empowered with a built in 10,000mAh power bank to continuously charge mobile devices
  • Includes tie-down bars and carry strap for added usability
  • Equipped with a large Multi Tool Hang Tool, to support users with essential tools including a bottle opener, fishing line cutter, ruler, Philips Screw driver, and more
  • MSRP $299.99 USD

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READY SOLO

  • Compact IP67 waterproof rated design with aircraft-grade aluminum grill and shockproof exterior
  • Omni-directional subwoofer generates decadent bass and supports a 12-hour playtime
  • Integrated 2200mAh power bank for charging smartphones on-the-go
  • Includes action mount and tie-down strap for added portability
  • Equipped with a small Multi Tool Hang Tag to support users with essential tools including a bottle opener, Philips Screw driver, Carabiner Clip and more
  • MSRP $99.99 USD

As to what makes these speakers smarter than their predecessors, that revolves around the BRAVEN Smart App. Available for Android and iOS devices, it gives listeners more control over the sound experience. One can, for instance, remotely turn the speakers on and offor  adjust equalizer settings. Additionally, the Smart Lock features can be toggled to product buttons from accidental pressing or interruption.

Google Calendar gets better at helping you keep your health goals

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Now that the holiday season is over, we can really start contemplating our New Year resolutions in order to create strategies to help us keep them. In a recent article we offered you a list of apps that will help with this important task.

Now Google wants to help you achieve your goals too, so this week the search giant is adding a number of new ways to motivate you to keep up the good work via an update to Google Calendar.

The Goals in Google Calendar app, which was launched last year helps you make time for the activities that matter to you. This tool is design to record your goals and find time in your schedule, so you can put theory into practice. Users can set duration and frequency of activities and the app will send notifications alerting you when its time.

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With the new update, users can see in the Calendar app health data from wearables and fitness trackers, as well as connect goals from Google Fit and Apple Health. Prior to the update, users had to mark goals as done manually in Google Calendar, even if they were using a fitness app to track their progress.

Now don’t go thinking that if you miss an appointment, you’re off the hook. Calendar will now reschedule them for you, so if you are set to go for a run at 6.30, but are unable to get going until 7.15, Calendar will make sure the goal is rescheduled.

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A new visual performance tracker has been added to allow users to see their progress, because as Google theorizes “if you’re setting out to achieve a goal, seeing progress can be a great motivation.”

Scosche and Rockstar reveal lineup of rugged accessories for active users

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Accessory designer Scosche signed a licensing deal with Rockstar – the popular energy-drink maker – to put the Rockstar brand on its consumer technology products including Bluetooth speakers, headphones and such back in April.

Both brands share common demographics, meaning they are designed for people who lead active lifestyles, from athletes to rock stars. At CES 2017 Scosche has pulled the veil off a lineup of rugged Rockstar branded consumer tech products which includes a pair of earbuds, headphones, speakers and more. Let’s take them each and see what they are all about.

BoomBuoy

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This is a small, portable 3W 50mm speaker and passive radiator which was designed for sports fans who love going out for a bike ride or hiking. The device features IP67 certification for dust resistance and water proof and rechargeable lithium-ion battery capable of lasting up 7 hours of playtime.

If dropped in water by accident, the BoomBuoy will float face up thus allowing users to quickly retrieve it to safety. The speaker also comes with a carbineer that allows users to attach it to a tent and microSD cable. It sells for $39.99 a pop.

BoomBottle

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The BoomBottle might look like a bottle you can drink from during a hike, but it’s actually the speaker you will want to take with your during all your adventures. It’s small and light, but also rugged.

The speaker is IP67-rated and has been tested to meet military standards. Its main features include integrated front panel control buttons, EQ function to improve sound quality in outdoors environment and 6,000 mAh rechargeable battery which sustains up to 15h of playtime. Furthermore, the power box can be used to charge your smartphone and other mobile devices, while music is still playing. The BoomBottle will become available in Q1 2017 for $199.

ThudBuds

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ThudBuds are a pair of ear buds that feature 10.5mm drivers for a rich reproduction of the user’s favorite tunes. The ThudBuds feature sweat resistant jackets, so the earphone drivers should remain unharmed over time. The ear buds are available in three versions: small, medium and large in three color options including black, black/yellow and white/yellow. Customers can purchase a pair for $19.99.

RH1060RS Bluetooth Stereo Headphones with Controls and SHPRS1 On-ear Headphones

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Scosche also released two on-ear headphone options. The first one comes equipped with 40mm divers in order to provide an advanced audio experience. Users can control play, pause, skip track from the headphones. The RH1060RS Bluetooth Stereo Headphones with Controls will be available later in Q1 2017 I black, white, gold for $199.

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The second pair of headphones takes advantage of a light headband and a 3.5 connector that aids with strain relief and superior signal transfer. The SHPRS1 On-ear Headphones can be ordered now for $39.99 a pop.

goBAT 10K

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Worried you might run of battery on your phone while you’re out on the mountains hiking? Sosche has your back. The goBAT is a portable two-port backup battery built to last thanks to its IP67-rated design. The external battery comes pre-charged and allows a fully drained iPhone 6 to charge up to five times. You can get it now for $79.99.

syncABLE HD and strikeLINE HD

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Last but not least comes the syncABLE HD four-foot reversible microUSB charger and Sync Cable designed to allow users to quickly charge their drained devices.

The strikeLINE HD is a four-foot, heavy-duty Lightning USB Cable with MFI certification, so customers can both charge and sync their devices. The two devices come with a 3-year warranty and will become available for purchase in Q1 for $19.99 and $24.99 respectively.