Welcome back to our weekly Top 10 Android App Updates column, where we take a look at the most frequently upgraded apps for the week. We’ve found that one of the best ways to discover useful apps is to find the ones that are actually being updated by the developers rather than selecting the apps with the most installs. As in the past, we’re going to filter out minor updates for the super-popular apps that have over 10 million installs, but we’ll make exceptions for apps that have had significant updates. We hope you enjoy this weekly feature and that you discover some apps that end up being useful.

Accuweather – Version 4.0.0

What’s new in this version:

• We have completely updated our interface utilising Google’s Material Design. Our fresh new design has clean lines, colours, and modern icons, making the digital experience more appealing, intuitive, and easier to read than ever before.

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

LastPass – Version 4.0.0

What’s new in this version:

• Emergency Access allows you to share your LastPass vault with your loved ones in case of an emergency.
• Improvements to automatic filling in Chrome, as well as better site matching when filling into apps.
• Updated appearance, with large icons and Material Design tweaks.

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

Telegram – Version 3.4.0

What’s new in this version:

• GIF revolution: up to 20x faster downloading, autoplay, dedicated tab for GIFs on the sticker panel. http://ift.tt/1mzGz0j
• Inline bots: A new way to add bot content to any chat. Type a bot’s username and your query in the text field to get instant results and send them. Try typing “@gif dog” in your next chat. Sample bots: @gif, @wiki, @pic, @vid, @bold.

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

AlarmPad – Version 1.9.1

What’s new in this version:

• Enjoy full Android Marshmallow support, with selective permissions, integrated backup and the ability to dismiss or snooze alarms with your fingerprint when the sensor is available
• Dismiss alarms by scanning a QR code
• New action buttons on the alarm screen: use the flashlight or temporarily mute the alarm
• Ignore your alarms on calendar holidays

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

AutoNotification – Version 2.9.1

What’s new in this version:

• Button Notifications: have notifications with as many buttons as you want!
• Replies: Reply to any messaging app directly and in the background
• Basic HTML Support: format your notifications with HTML
• Notification Updating: Update only the fields you want in a notification while leaving the rest intact
• Enhanced Notification Cancelling: cancel by app name, title or text

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

Camera MX – Version 3.4.0

What’s new in this version:

• Live Shots: Take vibrant, moving photos! (Android 4.3+)
• New Timeline View (gallery)

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

Alarm Clock Xtreme + Sleep – Version 5.1.0

What’s new in this version:

• Android 6 introduced standby mode that caused some alarm reliability issues. These are now fixed and alarms work as expected
• Weekends and weekdays are now properly detected for all locations
• Our sleep diary got a fresh new look making it easier to see your sleep behavior

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

Kore, Official Remote for Kodi – Version 2.0.0

What’s new in this version:

USAA Mobile – Version 8.7.0

What’s new in this version:

• ​​Now supporting fingerprint authentication for devices using Android Imprint.
• Full support for Android 6.0 Marshmallow, including permissions management.

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

Instagram – Version 7.13.1

What’s new in this version:

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

from Android and Me http://ift.tt/22QtssC
via IFTTT

TYLT is a company that’s always been at the top in regards to flash, design, and cutting edge charging technology. At CES 2016, they have not disappointed, introducing several updates to already popular TYLT devices. At Android and Me, we’ve been using and reviewing TYLT accessories for a while and have always been impressed, so we’re excited to get our hands on these new devices.

Here’s a list of what TYLT’s been showing off at CES 2016:

ENERGI Desktop Charging Station ($79.99) – Not the best-looking product I’ve seen TYLT produce, but it’s got a fancy feature that most desktop chargers don’t: It’s a 1 Amp output charger when in the station that turns into a 3,200mAh battery pack when you pull it out. There’s nothing better than a battery pack that’s charging when you’re not using it so that it’s ready when you need it.

VU 2.0 Wireless Charger ($79.99) – The original TYLT VU is by far my favorite Qi wireless charger. I have it on my nightstand and I use it every night. The VU 2.0 has an adjustable stand anext a 15W output for three times faster charging than the pre-2016 standard, as well as a pretty aluminum base. I’m assuming it requires a compatible Qi 1.2 device, so I won’t be getting faster charging any time soon. But when I do have a compatible device, I know where to throw my money.

VU SOLO 2.0 Wireless Charger ($49.99) – Another update to a fantastically-designed charger, the VU SOLO also offers 15W output for three times faster charging.

TURBO Portable Batteries ($29.99 – $89.99) – New battery packs from TYLT that range from 5,200mAh to 20,800mAh. These batteries offer Quick Charge 2.0 as well as USB Type-C, so you can charge the lastest phones and laptops super fast. They also have a new DualFuel technology that charges the batteries five times faster for less down time and more up time.

TURBO Smart Chargers ($39.99 – $99.99) – I love the original TYLT Smart Travel Charger; the convenience of being able to leave behind your wall charger and have both a charger and battery pack that pass-through charges is just great. However, it had a low capacity and charged slowly. Not anymore! The new TYLT TURBO Smart Chargers have high capacities, Quick Charge 2.0, and USB Type-C ports with built in microUSB or Lightning Cables. I’m pretty excited about these.

TYLT is also showing off their ENERGI+ Backpack 2.0, which includes a 20,000+mAh battery as well as USB-C RIBBN & USB-C Y-CHARGE Car Chargers. TYLT is staying true to form with new flashy designs to continue to make our mobile experience convenient.

Which new TYLT product are you most excited about?

Show Press Release

from Android and Me http://ift.tt/1ORLPt0
via IFTTT

HTC is getting a lot of good press at CES this week with the launch of the HTC Vive Pre developer kit and its UA HealthBox fitness gadgets, but the company if closing out the show by announcing some pretty disappointing sales number for the December and all of 2015. We will have to wait about a month before HTC releases its full-year earnings report for 2015, but revenue for the month of December plunged 57% when compared to December of 2014. In fact, HTC’s revenue for December is the lowest monthly revenue that HTC has posted since 2004.

With December’s figures recorded, HTC’s total revenue for 2015 is down 35% over 2014. HTC has been undergoing internal restructuring which has led to massive layoffs, but we suspect more HTC employees will be losing their jobs in the coming months is HTC fails to deliver a truly impressive flagship smartphone at Mobile World Congress next month. Rumors surrounding the HTC Perfume (aka the HTC One M10) seem promising, but HTC will need to accompany the phones launch with a massive marketing campaign or undercut the Samsung Galaxy S7′s price by $100 if it hopes to grab any attention.

What do you think HTC needs to do in 2016 if it wants to survive?

from Android and Me http://ift.tt/1IU4S3r
via IFTTT

After spending a couple of years as a developer-only effort, Project Tango is finally ready to go mainstream.

Lenovo and Google are collaborating on the first consumer Project Tango smartphone, and they’re going to release it this summer for less than $500. Little is known about the device, including its design, but Lenovo does say that it’ll be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

With Project Tango, Google hopes to help map indoor areas using a phones cameras and sensors. This can help you to navigate indoor areas, similar to how applications like Google Maps help you navigate the outdoors. Project Tango can also overlay information and objects into the real world, giving a sort of augmented reality experience on your device’s display.

Google has already released a smartphone and a tablet as part of Project Tango, but those were primarily aimed at developers. This new smartphone from Lenovo will be made available to us regular consumers, and the good news is that it won’t be crazy expensive for those of us that like to be on the bleeding edge.

Oh, and if you’re wondering what kind of app support this consumer Project Tango device will have, you’ll be glad to hear that Lenovo and Google are accepting developer proposals for Tango apps. Some devs will get funding to create their apps, and Lenovo says that it’ll even feature select apps on its Tango smartphone.

from Android and Me http://ift.tt/1MWCsAM
via IFTTT

We’ve seen a lot of carrier shake-ups recently, with Sprint making plenty of changes on its end. And according to a new leak, it looks as though Sprint is making another big move. A leaked internal document reveals that Sprint is ditching the traditional two-year contracts for smartphones. The company has moved further and further away from two-year contracts over the past couple of years, but customers have always had the option if they so desired. With this change, new customers will be required to lease, use a payment plan or pay the full retail price of the smartphone they’re looking to get.

Interestingly enough, Sprint is still offering a two-year contract option for tablets. That could change in the future, though that remains to be seen. The move to ditch two-year contracts for smartphones comes as part of Sprint’s timeline of changes designed to revitalize the carrier. Sprint promised that two-year contracts for smartphones would be gone by the end of 2015, so it came very close to meeting that deadline.

Which carrier are you currently using?

from Android and Me http://ift.tt/1Rn0aye
via IFTTT

A fateful day has arrived in mobile history, because Lenovo has announced that it will be will be phasing out the Motorola brand name later this year. Lenovo purchased Motorola Mobility for nearly $3 billion in 2014, but has continued to let the company function much the same under the new ownership. But as 2016 goes on, Lenovo will begin to drop the Motorola name from new devices.

Rather than using the Motorola name, the Lenovo and Motorola brands will be unified under the Lenovo name. Phones that come from the Motorola branch of the company will now be a part of the Moto line, as using the name that has garnered a strong reputation among enthusiasts. Thus, a new phone in 2016 would theoretically be named the Lenovo Moto X. The new Moto line will sit alongside of Lenovo’s existing Vibe line, which is currently not offered in the US.

The Motorola name won’t be completely forgotten, though, as there will still be a Motorola corporate division within Lenovo. But the name switch for devices allows Lenovo to expand its own brand in the US and other countries where Motorola has historically had a stronger foothold. Lenovo has also said that it will retain the iconic “M” logo for use on devices in the Moto line, though said devices will also feature the Lenovo logo.

Motorola is a brand that’s garnered a tremendous reputation in the mobile industry. It’s known for being one of the first mobile phone companies, particularly famous for the wildly popular Motorola Razr, which revolutionized the cell phone market in the mid-2000s. The name dropping from future products has great significance, especially in light of Motorola’s drop in prominence in the smartphone market. While the company’s devices are highly respected, the brand has been overshadowed by giants like Samsung and Apple.

Lenovo’s push to unify the brands is smart, as the company simply doesn’t carry a reputation for mobile products in the US. Utilizing the Moto line will help to change that and pave the way for Lenovo to introduce its own lines into the US. Motorola COO Rick Osterloh stated that Lenovo has plans to bring its Vibe line to the US, though the introduction likely won’t take place until 2017, allowing the company time to establish a name with the Moto line. The Vibe line focuses on unique devices as well as several extreme budget devices.

Say goodbye to Motorola. Say hello to Lenovo.

from Android and Me http://ift.tt/1mG89tw
via IFTTT

Announced this week during CES 2016 in Las Vegas, the Huawei Mate 8 is the latest flagship smartphone from Huawei. The device is running Android 6.0 with a 6-inch 1080p display, 2.3GHz Kirin 950 octa-core processor, 16-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization, an 8-megapixel front camera, a fingerprint scanner, and a beefy 4,000 mAh battery. As you can imagine, the 6-inch display on the Mate 8 makes the phone quite big, but Huawei has done a great job of trimming the bezels all around, making this phone smaller than most other 6-inch devices that are currently on the market.

The combination of the phone’s Kirin processor, 1080p display and 4GB of RAM make the Mate 8 incredibly fast. The 4,000mAh battery inside the device should allow some to get two full days of battery life out of it and Huawei’s quick charge technology should allow you to get a day’s worth of usage with only a 30 minute charge. The 32GB model with 3GB of RAM will be heading to Europe for 599 Euros while the 64GB model with 4GB of RAM will be selling for 599 Euros.

[thunbs]

from Android and Me http://ift.tt/1PhLgTB
via IFTTT

Quite a few people have been patiently waiting for the Moto 360 Sport to launch. It was a disappointment when it was nowhere in sight during the launch of the Moto 360 2015, but it’s finally here. Motorola has put up the fitness oriented Moto 360 Sport for sale!

The device differs from its classier brother by including a silicone strap with ventilation channels for sweat resistance and comfort. It also features a hybrid “Motorola AnyLight” display, which looks like a regular LCD indoors but reflects sunlight when outdoors for better visibility. It also features built-in GPS, which is a big deal for fitness.

The watch is currently available in black, white, and orange for a price of $299.99 from Motorola. For those of you waiting for it, hit the source link to buy it now!

from Android and Me http://ift.tt/1n6CuRW
via IFTTT

Welcome back to Android Gaming Weekly, our weekly recap of new game releases. We still plan to cover upcoming releases and games we’re playing, but this column is dedicated to new games that you can start playing right now. Check out our top picks and let us know in the comments section if you have any suggestions for next week’s post.

BattleHand

Description: Join the battle! Recruit your team of heroes, lead powerful attacks, and defeat the evil minions of Queen Amethyst in this addictive and free to play 3D action RPG! The dreaded Queen has awoken and with her, the foul creatures that lie beneath the peaceful land of FellCrest. But all is not lost!

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

Atlantic Fleet Lite

Description:  No Ads. No In Apps. No Pay-to-Progress. When you buy the full version: One Price = Full Game. Play the first 10 levels of both the Allied and Axis campaigns, 3 on 3 single battles with ships up to the Light Cruiser Class, 3 historical battles and the opening months of the dynamic campaign.

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

Worms 4

Description: Synchronous Multiplayer Matches: Battle against opponents from around the world with real time one on one online multiplayer matches! Shorter, more explosive matches to provide compelling bite sized gameplay. Streamlined menu systems to get you into game with a minimum of fuss. 

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

Defenders 2

Description: Meet the latest game in the legendary Prime Word: Defenders series, a unique combination of the Tower Defense and Collectible Card Game genres with more than 5 million players around the globe! Enter a mysterious land stricken by a vast cataclysm and now thriving with powerful artifacts and immense treasures guarded by furious monsters. Build up your defenses and brace for the assault!

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

The Talos Principle

Description: The Talos Principle is a first-person puzzle game in the tradition of philosophical science fiction. Made by Croteam, the creators of Serious Sam, and written by Tom Jubert (FTL, The Swapper) and Jonas Kyratzes (The Sea Will Claim Everything).

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

Swap (Free)

Description: From the winners of VIOPE GAME PROGRAMMING CONTEST 2012, comes this addictive, fast-paced, never ending game. Rumours abound that there are many valuable stars to be found in space! Help Squiggle and Butten on their journey to collect as many stars as possible. Guide Squiggle and Butten by matching them to the correct colours of the stars, while avoiding obstacles! 

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

Kings Kollege: Fillz

Description: Select tiles and drag and drop them to the highlighted target cells. You can select multiple adjacent tiles and move them together in their original positions.

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

Jump Warrior

Description:  Jump Warrior is a new type of one tap RPG for everyone. In this simple yet addictive game, your goal is to jump the warrior to the right direction with right amount of force, aiming to the monsters and trying to kill them all. Are you sure you can make a right jump?

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

Tap My Katamari

Description: Roll your Katamari ball from a tiny speck to a massive, unstoppable GIANT! You are the Prince, tasked by The King of All Cosmos to restore the universe and its stars. To do so, you’ve been given the Katamari, a magical ball that makes everything it touches stick to it. Grow your Katamari into a star and restore the universe!

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

Don’t Screw Up!

Description: WARNING: This game could insult your intelligence, providing you have some. Want to play nasty or want to play nice? It’s your choice. I’m just the moderator, a real sweet-pea, an occasionally cranky game-minder, a vicious, teeth-baring attack-dog… neatly rolled into one.

//playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js

from Android and Me http://ift.tt/1ZQw1IQ
via IFTTT

BLU Products has taken some time at CES 2016 to announce two new devices, the Vivo 5 and the Vivo XL. We’ll dive right into with the Vivo 5, which features a 5.5-inch 720p Super AMOLED display, 1.3GHz octa-core MediaTek processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage plus a microSD card slot, 13-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel front-facing camera and a 3150mAh battery. All of that is encased within a slim metal unibody that’s just 6.9mm thick. The Vivo 5 will be available in two color choices of Chic Gold and Liquid Silver.

The Vivo XL is the slightly lower-specced relative of the Vivo 5. BLU has outfitted the Vivo XL with a 5.5-inch 720p Super AMOLED display, 1.3GHz octa-core MediaTek processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage plus a microSD card slot, 13-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel front-facing camera and the same 3150mAh battery. The Vivo XL features a plastic build that clocks in at 7.5mm thick, which is still quite thin. The Vivo XL also features more color choices of Solid Gold, Chrome Silver, Midnight Blue and Liquid Pink.

Disappointingly, both the Vivo 5 and Vivo XL will launch with Android 5.1 Lollipop, placing them behind the times with software. Fortunately, BLU has stated that updates to Android 6.0 Marshmallow will be available for both devices, hopefully from the launch.

And even if you are worried about the software, you’ll likely be able to overlook it when you see the pricing. The BLU Vivo 5 will be priced at $199 and is launching in February. The BLU Vivo XL is priced even lower at $149 and is coming sooner, arriving later this month. Both phones will be available for purchase through Amazon and BestBuy.com.

from Android and Me http://ift.tt/22NHVWe
via IFTTT