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mardi 20 septembre 2016

Best cheap Android phones (September 2016)

There was a time, not all that long ago, that in order to own a powerful smartphone you would either need to commit to a two-year contract, or you would be expected to pay as much as $600 – $800. Thankfully, this has changed considerably in the last few years. There are now several manufacturers that offer handsets that bring quality specs and yet are priced low enough you don't need to take out a second mortgage or sign your life away to a carrier. In this article, we take a look at some of the best low-cost Android phones on the market.

Now, obviously the idea of "low-cost" is somewhat subjective. For some folks it is anything under $300, for others it might mean devices that are under $200. With this in mind, we'll bring you nine devices in all: three that are under $200, three that are under $300, and three that are under $400 — this way everyone wins.

As for how we'll 'rank' the phones? Basically we are looking at a number of factors though price/value ratio is probably among one of the highest factors here. It is also worth mentioning that all devices on this list will be full unlocked, and off contract. For those US readers looking for even cheaper phones and don't mind going with a locked-down handset through a prepaid carrier, you'll want to check out our Cricket, AT&T, Boost, T-Mobile and Verizon prepaid lists.

Editor's note – we will be updating this list as more devices hit the market. This article reflects things from a US/EU centric perspective, though many of these devices and pricing will apply to other international markets as well.
Update, September 2016: This month we removed the ASUS ZenFone 2 and BLU Life One X to make room for the Nexus 5X and Moto G4 Play.

Best phones under $200

#1 – Moto G4 Play

Lenovo's Moto G4 Play enters the market with a low price tag, solid specifications and a familiar design language we've all grown to love.

It sports a 5.0-inch HD display, solid Snapdragon 410 processor, 2GB of RAM, and an 8MP rear camera that's great for snapping the occasional photo. Plus, you get a removable 2800mAh battery, which is a feature many manufacturers have been leaving out of their phones lately.

Specs

  • 5.0-inch IPS LCD display with 1280 x 720 resolution, 294ppi
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor
  • 2GB of RAM
  • 16GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 256GB
  • 8MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
  • Removable 2800mAh battery
  • Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
  • 144.4 x 72 x 9.9mm, 137g

Read more

Buy now from Amazon

#2 – Motorola Moto G (2015)

The Moto G, one of the most beloved budget phones on the market, is now in its third iteration. This time around, the handset offers up a 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor and either 8GB storage and 1GB RAM, or 16GB storage and 2GB RAM. bother models include microSD support, a 13MP rear cam, a 5MP front cam, a 5-inch 720p LCD display, and a hefty 2470mAh non-removable battery. While the Moto G has never been about flashy extras, this year's model does introduce waterproofing and LTE to the mix.

For those that lust for customization, the Moto G also includes limited Moto Maker support. While this feature isn't as robust as you'd find with the Moto X Style (Pure Edition), it's still a great step in the right direction. As for software? The phone runs Lollipop out of the box, and it is likely only a matter of time before a Marshmallow upgrade makes its way into the hands of consumers.

It should be noted that only the model with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of on-board storage reaches the under-$200 price point. To get the higher end variant, you'll need to pay around $219 in most regions.

Specs

  • 5.0-inch LCD display with 720 x 1280 resolution, 294 ppi
  • 1.4 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor
  • 1/2 GB of RAM
  • 8/16 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 32 GB
  • 13 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
  • Non-removable 2470 mAh battery
  • Android 6.0 Marshmallow
  • 142.1 x 72.4 x 11.6 mm, 155 g

Read more

Buy now from Amazon

#3 – honor 5X

Huawei has finally announced its plans to break into the US market with the honor 5X. The honor 5X was announced a number of months ago, but it was just recently revealed that the dual-SIM budget handset would be coming to the United States for only $200.

Featuring an all-metal build and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, the 5X absolutely comes to market with a few features that we don't normally see on sub-$200 smartphones. It comes with a big 5.5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 616 processor, 16GB of storage and microSD expansion up to 128GB. It also comes with a 13MP rear camera, a pretty sizable 3000mAh battery, and runs Huawei's EMUI atop Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box. Huawei says the device will receive its update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow sometime soon, as well.

You can purchase the honor 5X from Amazon in Dark Grey, Daybreak Silver or Sunset Gold color options for only $199.99.

Specs

  • 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 401 ppi
  • 1.5 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 processor
  • 2 GB of RAM
  • 16 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 128 GB
  • 13 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
  • Non-removable 3000 mAh battery
  • Android 6.0 Marshmallow
  • 151.3 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm, 158 g

Read more

Buy now from Amazon

Best phones under $300

#1 – Moto G4 Plus

The Moto G series has always been among the best bang for your buck smartphones around, and things remain the same with Motorola's latest mid-ranger, the Moto G4 Plus. It has everything you'd want in an inexpensive smartphone: a big Full HD display, plenty of RAM and on-board storage, and also a great 16MP rear-facing camera. This G4 Plus model also comes with a fingerprint sensor, which is a first for the Moto G line.

The best part? It's available for just $250 through Moto Maker, so you'll be able to customize the colors, engraving on the back, greeting, and more.

Specs

  • 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 401ppi
  • Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor
  • 2/3/4GB of RAM
  • 16/32/64GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 256GB
  • 16MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
  • Non-removable 3000mAh battery
  • Android 6.0 Marshmallow
  • 153 x 76.6 x 9.8mm, 155g

Read more

Buy now from Motorola

#2 – Nexus 5X

Google chose to release two Nexus smartphones in 2015 – the higher-end Nexus 6P made by Huawei and the LG-made Nexus 5X, which is the true sequel to LG's beloved Nexus 5 from 2013. Both of these devices feature similar specifications, but they still manage to stand out drastically from one another. The Nexus 5X has one of the best processors on the market (the Snapdragon 808), a decent 2700mAh battery and a really great 12.3 megapixel rear-facing camera. It also boasts a fingerprint scanner on the back Google is calling Nexus Imprint, a front-facing speaker that provides decent audio quality and of course, this phone runs the latest version of Android.

In our full review, we had just a few gripes. While the Snapdragon 808 processor is very capable of performing just about everything you throw at it, the fact that the 5X comes with just 2GB of RAM makes us nervous for the future. It also only comes with 16 or 32GB of on-board storage with no microSD card expansion, so folks who are used to 32 or 64GB variants will need to rely on cloud storage when it comes to keeping media on the phone.
Considering that the Nexus 6P costed only $120 more than the 5X at launch, it was a tad difficult to recommend this smartphone at the start. Now that it's dropped in price, though, we really think this is one of the better phones you can buy at this price range.

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Specs

  • 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 423 ppi
  • 1.8 GHz hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor
  • 2 GB of RAM
  • 16/32 GB of on-board storage, no microSD card expansion
  • 12.3 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
  • Non-removable 2700 mAh battery
  • Android 6.0 Marshmallow
  • 147 x 72.6 x 7.9 mm, 136 g

Read more

Buy now from Amazon
Buy now from the Google Store

#3 – OnePlus X

The OnePlus X is one of the best budget devices you can purchase right now. It's compact, extremely fast, and boasts many of the same software features that come with its older brother, the OnePlus 2. It has an impressive 5.0-inch AMOLED display, a perfectly capable Snapdragon 801 processor, 3 gigabytes of RAM, microSD card expansion up to 128GB and two SIM card slots.

There are a few things to watch out for, though. If you want to activate the device on AT&T or T-Mobile's networks, you may not have great 4G LTE coverage, as the device is missing the appropriate bands. It also comes with no NFC on board, so you won't be able to use mobile payment methods like Android Pay.

If you're looking for a budget-friendly smartphone and don't mind spending a few extra bucks, get the OnePlus X. You can purchase it from OnePlus' website for $249.99.

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Specs

  • 5.0-inch AMOLED display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 441 ppi
  • 2.3 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor
  • 3 GB of RAM
  • 16 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 128 GB
  • 13 MP rear camera, 8 MP front camera
  • Non-removable 2525 mAh battery
  • Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
  • 140 x 69 x 6.9 mm, 138 g

Read more

Buy now from OnePlus

Best phones under $400

#1 – ZTE Axon 7

ZTE's Axon Pro from 2015 was a good phone, but it fell short in a few key areas. It came to market with only one storage option, no expandable memory, and the dual camera setup on the back of the device felt a bit gimmicky. Not only does the company's latest flagship fix all of those problems, it brings much more to the table.

It has a big 5.5-inch Quad HD AMOLED display, the latest Snapdragon processor, plenty of RAM, multiple storage options, and yes, expandable memory up to 256GB. It also sports some killer front-facing speakers, all-day battery life, a great camera, and a sleek, attractive design. While certain parts of the software could use a little more polish, the ZTE Axon 7 goes toe-to-toe with the best in the Android market. It's also inexpensive at only $400, making this an even more attractive option for folks looking to score a solid flagship device.

Specs

  • 5.5-inch AMOLED display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 538ppi
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
  • 4/6GB of RAM
  • 64/128GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 256GB
  • 20MP front camera, 8MP rear camera
  • Non-removable 3250mAh battery
  • Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
  • 151.7 x 75 x 7.9mm, 175g

Read more

Buy now from Amazon

#2 – OnePlus 3

OnePlus did a great job at hyping up its 2015 flagship, the OnePlus 2. After missing the mark in a few key areas like camera and software performance, though, it was very clear the company still had a lot of work to do.

Fast forward to 2016 and we now have the OnePlus 3. Not only does it fix many of the issues we had with the 2, it also brings some new software and camera features to the table that are definitely worth checking out.

With the OnePlus 3 you get a thin, all-metal unibody design, a Snapdragon 820 processor, a massive 6GB of RAM and a perfectly capable 16MP rear camera. The battery is a little smaller this time around, but it does come with Dash Charging technology that will be able to get you a 60% charge in just 30 minutes. Oh, it has NFC too!

The best part? You can buy it right now for just $399 without and invite. That's right – OnePlus has finally done away with the dreaded invite system for good.

Specs

  • 5.5-inch Optic AMOLED display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, 401ppi
  • 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor
  • 6GB of RAM
  • 64GB of on-board storage, no microSD expansion
  • 16MP rear camera, 8MP front camera
  • Non-removable 3,000mAh battery
  • Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
  • 152.7 x 74.7 x 7.35mm, 158g

Read more

Buy now from OnePlus

#3 – Motorola Moto X Pure Edition (aka Style)

The Moto X Pure Edition (or Moto X Style if you live outside the U.S.) boasts a big 5.7-inch Quad HD display, a powerful Snapdragon 808 processor, a really good 21MP rear camera and a big 3000mAh battery. You can also customize this device through Moto Maker, allowing you to choose whichever back plate, front plate and accent colors you'd like. Additionally, this is one of the first flagship devices other than Google's own Nexus phones to receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

It might not be the most high-end device on this list, but the combination of a cheap base price, customizability via Moto Maker and amazing software experience really helps set this phone apart from the rest. The Moto X Pure Edition can be yours starting at just $399.99 from Motorola or Amazon.

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Specs

  • 5.7-inch IPS LCD display with 2560 x 1440 resolution, 520 ppi
  • 1.8 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor
  • 3 GB of RAM
  • 16/32/64 GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 128 GB
  • 21 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera
  • Non-removable 3000 mAh battery
  • Android 6.0 Marshmallow
  • 153.9 x 76.2 x 11.06 mm, 179 g

Read more

Buy now from Motorola
Buy now from Amazon

So there you have it – our picks for the best budget-friendly options Android has to offer at the moment. Did we miss anything? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Next: Best prepaid phone plans



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10 best games like Pokemon for Android

pokemon go best games like pokemon
Pokemon is a force to be reckoned with. It's one of the most popular gaming franchises of all time and has fans all around the world. Mobile didn't have any Pokemon games until recently and even they aren't very close to the original concepts of the game. You can enjoy Pokemon in two ways which are the card game and the classic RPG. In the interest of variety, we've included both here on this list. Here are the best games like Pokemon for Android!


beastie bay best Android games like PokemonBeastie Bay

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Beastie Bay is developed by Kairosoft and it's one of the more underrated games like Pokemon. This game is a mixture of a monster catching game and a sim so you'll have quite a bit to do. The simulation side of it will have you building a city, planting crops, and managing all of its resources. You then go out into the wilderness, catch beasts, trade them, and battle them. There is a ton of game here and it should keep you busy for a long time. It's a freemium game, but most of these are going to be.

Download now on Google Play!

beastie bay best games like Pokemon

bulu monster best games like PokemonBulu Monster

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Bulu Monster is a little more in line with what you'd expect games like Pokemon to be like. You'll be tasked with capturing a variety of creatures and then pitting them against other players. It has 150 creatures that you can capture and level up and a lot of the interaction with other players comes against real people via online PvP. It also boasts a campaign mode, plenty of quests to go on, and you can even play the game offline. You should be able to have a good time with this one for a while, even if it's a freemium game.

Download now on Google Play!

clash royale best games like PokemonClash Royale

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Clash Royale is one of the most popular card games out there and it takes a lot of its cues from the Pokemon card games. Players are allowed to build decks from a large cache of available cards and then they duel it out against other people online. You'll earn chests that provide you with various resources along with new cards. It also has clan mechanics so you can join up with friends, duel them, lend them cards, and things like that. It's one of the better games like Pokemon if you enjoyed the card version of the game. The only downside is the in-app purchases.

Download now on Google Play!

digimon heroes best android games like pokemonDigimon Heroes

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Digimon and Pokemon grew up together and their card games play with very similar mechanics. Digimon Heroes is the latest mobile game in the franchise and it's actually pretty good. Players will engage in three-card battles against other players to see who can come out on top. It features over 1000 cards to collect, various fusion and evolve mechanics that are in line with the game, and there are special events to help keep things interesting. It's a freemium game and has a lot of those same pitfalls, but there is a lot of stuff here to keep you busy.

Download now on Google Play!

evocreo best games like PokemonEvoCreo

[Price: Free / $0.99 with in-app purchases]
EvoCreo is about as close to a Pokemon clone as you can get. In this jRPG title, you'll be tasked with collecting your monsters, battling other evokers (trainers), and making your way through the storyline. The developers boast that the campaign will take you about 40 hours and that you'll have 130 monsters that you can capture and evolve. It also features cross-platform multiplayer and the ability to customize your monsters to suit whatever strategy you cook up. It's a paid game with in-app purchases, but the in-app purchases are entirely optional.

Download now on Google Play!

best android gamesSee also: The best Android games, ever!182

hearthstone best android games like pokemonHearthstone Heroes of Warcraft

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Heartstone is another of the most popular card games out there. Players will have access to hundreds of cards to build a variety of decks to duel with other players online. Each deck that gets built can be saved for future use and most players manage multiple decks at once. There is a short campaign mode that helps you get into the game, but most of it takes place online against other people. It's worth noting that your saved files are linked to your Battle.net account which allows you to switch between mobile and PC play without much hassle. Their in-app purchase strategy is a little less irritating as well.

Download now on Google Play!

monstercrafter best games like pokemon on androidMonsterCrafter

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
MonsterCrafter is one of the more unique games like Pokemon. Instead of giving you a ton of monsters to catch, this game lets you make your own. It uses a similar graphical style as games like Minecraft which allows for a very modular and customizable experience. Players will be able to build their own creatures and then battle them against other creatures to see who can build the best one. It's a fun little premise with the only downside being the in-app purchases.

Download now on Google Play!

monstercrafter best games like pokemon

neo monsters best games like PokemonNeo Monsters

[Price: $0.99 with in-app purchases]
Neo Monsters is another fairly decent Pokemon clone. Players in this game will be tasked with exploring six different worlds which the developers boast could take you as long as 60 hours. Each world has its own league that you'll have to fight through to be the champion and there are also 140 optional missions that you can do online. The mechanics allow you to battle with four creatures at once and have a party of 16 which is pretty awesome. It's a pay-once game with some in-app purchases that allow you to directly buy monsters if you really want to. Otherwise, it's one of the more complete games like Pokemon.

Download now on Google Play!

neo monsters best games like Pokemon

Pokemon TCG Online games android games like pokemonPokemon TCG Online

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Pokemon TCG Online is an actual Pokemon game released by The Pokemon Company. Why play games like Pokemon when you can just play Pokemon, right? This one will have players starting out with a grass, water, or fire type deck and then building as you go. It features easy mechanics, deck customization, and practices matches against the AI that let you get better. You'll also be able to expand your collection by buying booster packs with real money, winning them as prizes, or even trading with other players. It's not bad, but it is freemium so beware of that.

Download now on Google Play!

pokemon GO best android games like pokemonPokemon Go

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
It doesn't get any closer to an actual Pokemon game than Pokemon Go. This augmented reality game was released in 2016 and is the most popular mobile game of all time. The game gives you the opportunity to live the life of a Pokemon trainer. You'll walk the actual world, catching and raising Pokemon as you go. Players can also hit up Pokestops for items and battle gyms for supremacy. There isn't a story mode or anything, but it's a good reason to get out of the house. The developer has also been working making things a little more interesting with new features that'll be out sooner or later.

Download now on Google Play!

pokemon go best games like pokemon

Related best app lists:

If we missed any of the best games like Pokemon for Android, tell us about them in the comments! To see our complete list of best app lists, click here.



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Samsung Pay getting iris scanning and cloud sync

Samsung Pay bakery

Samsung Pay is the Korean tech titan's mobile payment system that promises to let you check out essentially anywhere you would with card. They've made a big push to get users on board with the platform, and in addition to a formal ad campaign, this includes keeping the app updated with as many cool features as they can squeeze into it.

This latest version finally provides users with convenient cloud storage features that let you restore all your membership, gift, and Samsung Reward cards whenever you sign into a new device. They've also increased the number of membership cards supported by the platform, and increased the diversity of their gift cards.

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The most high tech feature to tag along in this update is iris authentication. Yes, it certainly is the future, now that our smartphones can identify us by our eyes alone. It's speculated that passwords and PINs will eventually vanish entirely in favor of biometric scanning, but that day is still far away. In fact, iris scanning for Samsung Pay isn't supported on any devices but the Note 7 right now – but you totally shouldn't use it, because you should have responsibly powered down your Note 7 if you own one.

Future devices from Samsung will support iris scanning as well, so this feature will be accessible by them in addition to the Note 7. In the meantime, let us know what you think of Samsung Pay and this most recent update in the comments below!

Get Samsung Pay
samsung-pay-demo-thumbPreviously: Samsung Pay exploit could let hackers steal your credit card28


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Moto Z and Moto Z Force Cases

The Moto Z represents a fairly big departure from the Motorola design of old, offering a new look that sports a modular design dubbed "Moto Mods". This new design is certainly one worthy of protecting. That metal body looks great, but if we know anything about said material, that's the fact it is very prone to scratches and dents. Let's also not forget that metal tends to be a bit on the slippery side.

Are you looking for a great looking case for your Moto Z or Moto Z Force? There are quite a few options out there, and we know it can be hard to find the best choice for your needs. With that in mind, we are sharing some of the best cases we were able to dig up. So let's jump right in and take a look.

Moto Z Force Cases

Motorola Swappable Backs

moto z force review aa (5 of 16)

The simplest of all the Moto Mods, these Motorola designed cases are available in a variety of different colors and styles. If you are into the feel of cloth, then there is the Herringbone Nylon, which is a black material with a zig-zag pattern. Or perhaps you are interested in Crimson Ballistic Nylon, a rich red color in a tightly woven pattern? If wood is your fancy, then perhaps you like the Silver Oak: a light-grey color with a fine grain texture. The list goes on and on.

Pricing varies depending on if you pick wood and fabric, at $19.99, or leather, at $29.99. And of course, being official cases, they are designed for the perfect snug fit.

Buy from Motorola

PLESON Ultra Slim Crystal Clear Case

71Y67p4DU4L._SL1000_

We live in a time where smartphone manufacturers are making powerful products that look really nice, so why should we cover up the industrial beauty of the Moto Z Force? With this case, you can feel better knowing that your phone can take an accidental drop while still looking great. Thin and lightweight, you will barely notice that the case is there. The case's material prevents slipping and a soft TPU bumper helps to survive falls. The phone is also designed to carefully fit around all the phones ports and is priced very reasonably at $7.95.

Buy now on Amazon

Cimo Moto Z Force Droid Case

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A little more variety never hurt anyone, and when the cases are inexpensive, why not get two? Cimo offers three cases with clear backs and colored edges: Black, Clear, and Blue; and also offer matte options in: Black, Blue, and Smoke. Like PLESON's other offerings, these are thin and lightweight and provide an anti-slip material and TPU border to protect against accidental drops. The bezels are raised slightly so you can place your phone upside down without worrying about scratches.

Pricing depends on if you get the hybrid variants at $9.98, or the more affordable matte variants at $7.98.

 

Buy now on Amazon

Speck CandyShell Grip Case

61r0toV1YOL._SL1500_

If you are taking a hike or are just prone to dropping your phone, then this may be the case for you. Speck has a history of providing cases that will keep your devices safe, and these are no different. Subjected to Military-Grade drop tests, these cases will keep your new Moto Z Force safe. A dual layer design means that the case is easy to put on and easy to take off. The CandyShell Grip Case comes in a variety of colours: Clear, Beaming Orchid (pink), Rainstorm Blue, and White/Black stripes.

The pricing varies dramatically, depending on the model. Right now you can get Beaming Orchid for just $9.99, with Rainstorm Blue at $27.37, White or Black at $28.46, and Clear is a pretty high $39.95.

 

Buy now on Amazon

Moto Z cases

POETIC Affinity Series

6153VcGI5rL._SL1000_

With a protective X-form design and Soft Shock TPU corners, make sure that your new Moto Z stays pristine. The special edges will help you to not drop your phone, and the bezels have been slightly raised to prevent accidental scratches when placing the phone upside down. View the industrial beauty of the Moto Z with these case's clear design.

There are two different versions, clear/black and totally clear, both at $9.95.

Buy now on Amazon

TUDIA Full-Matte Lightweight Case

71CS-9+jbHL._SL1200_

Made of high quality TPU, this case will compliment your Moto Z's style while protecting its thin profile from accidental bumps and tumbles. The soft touch material makes your Moto Z grippier and, like other cases, features a raised edge to avoid scratches when the Moto Z is lying on its front. Four flattering shades are available and each makes the Moto Z look fantastic: Frosted Clear, Black, Blue, and Grey.

Regardless of what color you get, they all offer the same $9.90 asking price.

Buy now on Amazon

Tauri Hybrid Defender Armor Protective Case Cover

61PwybJUdtL._SL1000_

If you are looking for a case with colors and protection that will make your Moto Z stand out, look no farther. The hard plastic outer shell comes in three shades: Black, Purple, and Rose Gold. The secondary inner layer is a strong TPU material, designed to absorb the shock of accidental drops. Precision cut-outs allow for full use of buttons and sensors, and a slim design retains the Moto Z's profile.

Pricing for all variants is at just $7.99.

Buy now on Amazon

PLESON Ultra Slim Crystal Clear Case

71Y67p4DU4L._SL1000_

We live in a time where smartphone manufacturers are making powerful products that look really nice, so why should we cover up the industrial beauty of the Moto Z? With this case, you can feel better knowing that your phone can take an accidental drop while still looking great. Thin and lightweight, you will barely notice that the case is there. The case's material prevents slipping and a soft TPU bumper helps to survive falls. The phone is also designed to carefully fit around all the phones ports and is priced very reasonably at $7.95.

Buy now on Amazon

Those are just a few of our favorites. Have any others worth recommending? Shout them out in the comments.



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Comcast is launching its own wireless service by mid-2017

comcast-logo-black

Comcast, the cable television company that's known for its reliable service and great customer service, will launch its own wireless service in 2017.

While Comcast has been rumored to launch its own wireless service for years, nothing has been confirmed until today. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, speaking at a Goldman Sachs event today, said that the company will launch its own wireless service offering by mid-2017 that runs on a combination of Verizon service and Wi-Fi hotspots. The wireless service launch is based on access included in a 2011 spectrum deal, which allows the cable company to sell wireless service using Verizon's network.

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As of right now details are scarce, though we do know the network will rely on the cable company's extensive list of Wi-Fi hotspots as well as Verizon's LTE network. Similar to how Google's Project Fi handles things, the wireless network will likely switch to Wi-Fi hotspots or Verizon cell towers depending on which offers better service in that particular area.

We'll be sure to update you as we learn more.



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Lenovo will be bringing the modular smartphone Moto Z to the India next month

moto z review aa (20 of 24)

On the sidelines of the launch of the Moto E3 Power in India, Sudhin Mathur, Director – Mobile Business Group at Lenovo India, shared that the Moto Z will be launched in India next month, just in time for the festive season.

"We will launch 8 new devices, of which six we have already announced, in this festive season… This includes the Moto Z," Mathur told PTI. While he declined to comment on the timeline of availability of Moto Z in India, it is likely to be launched in first half of October as the festive season in the country kicks off.

The Moto Z was unveiled in June earlier this year, and allows users to attach a set of accessories – Moto Mods – to add various functionalities to the device. Moto Z is already on sale in several markets globally in three variants – Moto Z Play, Moto Z, and Moto Z Force. You can check out our comprehensive review of the Moto Z and Moto Z Force.

After acquiring Motorola from Google in a $2.9 billion deal in 2014, Lenovo has made a pretty good headway in the Indian market – piggybacking on parallel success of both Lenovo and Motorola range of affordable smartphones. According to the latest IDC report, the company is number two smartphone maker in India by value and number three in terms of volumes.



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Now on Tap gets a new name in latest Google app beta, adds In Apps home screen shortcut

Google Now on Tap Discover mode-AA

If you're currently enrolled in the Google app beta testing program, you may notice a few changes after updating to the latest version.

Version 6.5 beta of the Google app is rolling out to beta testers as we speak, and, oddly enough, it brings a new name for Google Now on Tap, the company's contextual search feature. According to the folks at 9to5Google, Now on Tap has been renamed to 'Screen search', while Now Cards have been renamed to 'Feed' in the settings menu. Nothing has changed with the overall functionality of the feature. There's simply a new name that's a little more straightforward for the average user.

Google App Beta Screen Search9to5Google

Now everyone can access 'In Apps' from their home screens

There's one other change in the latest beta, too. First introduced last month, Google's new 'In Apps' search feature allows users to quickly search for information within the apps on their Android phones. To access it, all you need to do is navigate to the Google app on your phone, tap the In Apps tab, then start searching. If you think this seems like too many steps, you're in luck. A dedicated In Apps shortcut can now be added to your device's home screen, provided you're on v6.5 of the Google app. This shortcut first appeared on the LG V20, but now it's available for all users.

If you'd like to add the shortcut to your device, navigate to Settings>In Apps, then tap Add to home screen.

google now on tap aaRelated: Google Now on Tap update adds image search and text select17

If you'd like to jump on the Google app beta testing bandwagon, head to this link, select become a tester, then download the latest version of the Google app from the Play Store. Just remember it might take an hour or so before your beta status is confirmed, so you might need to wait a little while before testing out the new version.



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