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mercredi 12 octobre 2016

Great Android games on sale today include Grim Fandango and République

grim fandango one

There are some great games on sale right now if you need an escape from the daily hurt and pain of your girlfriend leaving you for that aspiring Olympic swimmer (just me then, is it?). Among them are some super fine adventure games from, ahem, Double Fine and the critically acclaimed Lost Echo, which also happens to have the most boring launch trailer I've literally ever seen for any product, ever. Here's the list:

If you've never played Grim Fandango, I still recommend it for the fantastic story despite its age. And if steep discounts aren't good enough, you can also pick up the old-school classic Carmageddon for free. Despite an appreciated portmanteau, Carmageddon's writing is surprisingly not as good as Grim Fandango's. 



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Samsung Pay now supports USAA-issued Visa cards in the US

Samsung-Pay-1

Samsung is constantly expanding the lineup of cards supported by its mobile payment system Samsung Pay, and USAA Bank is the latest card issuer to jump on the bandwagon.

The financial services company has introduced Samsung Pay for its VISA debit and credit card holders. It's a logical step forward, says USAA mobile payments lead Kiyanna Garland, as the financial services firm already supports Apple Pay and Android Pay.

Samsung Pay bakerySee also: For its first birthday, Samsung Pay brings us coupons and prizes17

For Samsung, the addition of USAA to its Samsung Pay-supported cards is a remarkable feat for a mobile payment platform that had an initially limited support from banking institutions, not to mention the recent security issues. Security researchers recently found an exploit in Samsung Pay that could allow hackers to steal credit card information. Samsung downplayed worries by saying the bad actors must first hurdle certain conditions before they could exploit the vulnerability.

The security concerns did not seem to dampen interest in Samsung Pay as the platform registered nearly 100 million transactions as of August 2016.

  • Android Pay vs Apple Pay vs ...
  • Samsung Pay: What is it, how...

Garland cites a couple of factors that prompted USAA to launch Samsung Pay for its VISA credit and debit cards. One is the platform's compatibility with almost all payment terminals and the ease with which merchants can facilitate payments through Samsung Pay. Another is member demand, suggesting that Samsung Pay is growing in popularity at least among USAA card holders.

It should be noted that Samsung is pushing the update to Samsung Pay on the server side, meaning USAA members must wait for the update to arrive on their devices.

Additionally, USAA also announced that it will add Android Pay support for its USAA Visa debit cards.



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Amazon launches Music Unlimited starting from $4 per month

amazon music unlimited

Amazon has launched Music Unlimited, an on-demand music streaming service featuring 'tens of millions' of songs. The new service, available in the US from today, comes with a standard $9.99 monthly subscription fee, a $7.99 per-month subscription for Prime members, or $3.99 per month to listen exclusively with an Amazon Echo device.

The anticipated streaming service provides a number of music-streaming staples like offline and ad-free listening, access to thousands of playlists, as well as compatibility with Mac, Windows, Android, iOS and a slew of Amazon's own products. The Amazon Music app has also received an overhaul following the introduction of the new service.   

Amazon Echo Dot white

A family subscription plan is set to arrive later in the year for $14.99 per month, or $149 per year, for up to six people. Prime members can claim the deal for $79 per year instead. For comparison, Spotify and Apple Music family subscriptions cost $14.99 for the same 6-person deal.

Amazon is clearly keen to drive adoption of its connected home speaker range, which comprises the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot, and this could prove to be one of the USP's of Music Unlimited's otherwise fairly standard feature list. 

Amazon Echo DotSee also: Amazon unveils the Echo Dot and Tap, two new Alexa-enabled devices4

While the listening experience might be underwhelming on the diminutive Dot, you could theoretically buy it for 50 bucks simply to access the cheaper subscription tier and then hook it up to your speakers or headphones via its 3.5 mm jack port or Bluetooth. What's more, the Echo products are driven by Amazon's machine learning A.I. Alexa, which becomes more personalized over time. That said, usage would be restricted to your home and the Echo range's user-interface won't allow for the same experience as a smartphone or computer does. 

Alexa will work much like a DJ on the Echo – using just your voice, you'll be able to request tracks from a specific artist, or from an era, your favorite genre, or even one that matches your current mood.

Amazon Music Unlimited is only available in the US for now but it will roll out to other territories before the end of the year. Let us know in the comments if Amazon has done enough to tempt you into Music Unlimited.



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Huawei launches Honor Holly 3, their first ‘Made in India’ smartphone

honor-india

On the sidelines of the launch of Honor 8 and Honor 8 Smart at a press event in India, Huawei also unveiled the new Honor Holly 3, the company's first 'made in India' smartphone.

Honor Holly 3 Specifications

  • Operating System: Android 6.0 Marshmallow with EMUI 4.1
  • Display: 13.97cms (5.5-inch) HD
  • Processor: 1.2Ghz octa-core 64-bit Kirin 620 processor
  • RAM: 2GB
  • Internal Storage: 16GB; expandable up to 128GB with microSD card
  • Rear Camera: 13MP | f/2.0 aperture
  • Front Camera: 8MP | f/2.0 aperture
  • Battery: 3100mAh

The budget smartphone is available in three color variants – Black, White, and Gold – and is priced at ₹9,999 ($150). The Honor Holly 3 will be sold online at Amazon, Flipkart, and official Honor stores as well as via offline retailers.



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Huawei launches Honor 8 in India, along with Honor 8 Smart

Huawei honor 8-20

First unveiled in China in July this year, Huawei's sub-brand's flagship smartphone, the Honor 8 has been launched in India in a press event in New Delhi.

The highlight of the Honor 8 is its dual camera setup with dual 12-megapixel rear cameras, one with monochrome and other with color sensor to capture more detailed photos. While in China the company launched three memory/storage variants – 3GB/32GB, 4GB/32GB, and 4GB/64GB – in India, they're only launching one variant with 4GB RAM and 32GB in-built storage.

Honor 8 Specifications

  • Operating System: Android 6.0 Marshmallow with EMUI 4.1
  • Display: 5.2-inch Full HD (1080 x 1920) LTPS LCD | 423ppi
  • Processor: 1.8GHz octa-core Kirin 950
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Internal Storage: 32GB; expandable up to 128GB with microSD card
  • Rear Camera: Dual 12MP cameras | Dual-tine LED flash | Laser Autofocus | f/2.2 aperture
  • Front Camera: 8MP
  • Battery: 3000mAh
  • Dimensions: 145.5 x 71 x 7.45mm
  • Weight: 153 grams
honor-8-reviewSee also: Honor 8 Review7

Priced at ₹29,999 ($450), Honor 8 is available in four color variants – Pearl White, Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue, and Sunrise Gold – and will be available online on Amazon, Flipkart, and the official Honor store as well as via offline retailers. All Honor 8 buyers will enjoy the company's VIP Services which include extended warranty (24 months), 3 months replacement warranty for accidental screen damage, 3 months replacement service for manufacturing defects, and pan-India pick and drop service.

The company also announced a lower spec'd variant – Honor 8 Smart – powered by a 2GHz octa-core 64-bit Kirin 650 processor with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage (expandable up to 128GB with microSD card). With a 5.2-inch Full HD (1080 x 1920) display, it boasts of a 13MP rear camera and 8MP front camera and packs in 3000mAh battery. The Honor 8 Smart is priced at ₹19,999 ($300).

What do you think of the new flagship Honor smartphone and its pricing? Tell us in the comments!



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mardi 11 octobre 2016

Guide for returning Samsung Galaxy Note 7 in the USA

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 (Notetaking)-15

We welcomed the day with the news that the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has been permanently discontinued, causing $17 billion in lost revenue for Samsung. It seems like the best option after seeing defective devices catch fire and going through a tough recall. Things got even worse when the Note 7 replacement units (arguably "fixed") started lighting up.

Samsung is urging stores to cease sales of all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 units, and customers should immediately power them off to go get it exchanged or refunded. But how do you go about doing this? What should you know?

In this post we will list the main US carriers and retailers, their contact number and how they are handling these returns. Keep in mind Samsung is offering a nice incentive to stick with them. Those who exchange their Galaxy Note 7 devices for another Samsung phone will get $25 in store credit.

Also read:

Let's not keep you waiting, though. You have a phone to return!


Samsung

It may be a bit rare, but some of you probably got the Galaxy Note 7 straight from Samsung. The Korean manufacturer is handling exchanges for Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge handsets. Of course, it's also an option to request a full refund for the phone and any accessories you may have purchased with it.

Phone number: 1-844-365-6197


AT&T

Got your Galaxy Note 7 from AT&T? The popular carrier is handling exchanges and refunds as expected. You can take your phone into any AT&T retail store and take care of business. Those who exchange their Notes for other Samsung devices will see the $25 credit in their bills within 2 cycles.

Phone number: 1-800-331-0500


Verizon Wireless

Verizon is not being very communicative about this recall, but the same deal should apply. Take your device and accessories into any store and you can either exchange it for another device or get a refund.

Phone number: 1-800-922-0204


T-Mobile

T-Mobile customers are getting a bargain. Those who got any promotional content or accessories (such as free Netflix subscriptions, a Gear Fit or an SD card) will get to keep what they already redeemed. All they have to do is waltz into a T-Mobile store and get an exchange or refund for their phone and accessories. Those who opt for another Samsung phone will see the $25 credit within two billing cycles.

Phone number: 1-844-275-9309


Sprint

Sprint is also making sure this is taken care of to the best of their ability. They mention a full return will be honored regardless of phone condition or return policies. You can get a refund or exchange for another device. If this "other device" is a Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge, you will see a $25 credit hit your bill within 3 billing cycles.

Phone number: 1-888-211-4727


US Cellular

US Cellular hasn't updated its website to show anything regarding the discontinuation of the Note 7, but we assume they will follow along with the rest of the industry. You can always call to get more official details!

Phone number: 1-888-944-9400


Best Buy

Best Buy also mentions they are accepting returns and exchanges. You will be able to take any freebies, and full refunds for accessories are also to be honored. The retailer is also waiving the restocking fee, so no need to worry about that.

The only tricky part is that they mention users will only see that $25 credit if they are with AT&T or Sprint. Does that mean other Galaxy Note 7 customers won't get anything from Best Buy if they choose to go with a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 Edge?

Phone number: 1-888-237-8289


LG V20 vs Samsung Galaxy Note7 Quick Look-2See also: Returning your Galaxy Note 7? Here are some other great Android phones you should check out74

Go take care of this ASAP! Samsung, US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and all involved parties urge you to stop using your Galaxy Note 7 right away and get the exchange or return squared away. How many of you already did this? Was the process as smooth as it seems?



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BlackBerry DTEK60 is now available for pre-order in US

blackberry priv review aa (27 of 32)

Although the BlackBerry DTEK60 is yet to be officially announced by the Canadian company, it is already up for pre-order in Canada and now the US.

We saw a leak on the official BlackBerry website last month, and just a few weeks ago, the DTEK60 – or Argon as it is known internally – passed through the FCC in the US. Well, what do you know: the yet-to-be-announced phone is now up for pre-order through B&H, and it will set you back $499.99.

Just to refresh your memory, the BlackBerry DTEK60 will come with a 5.5-inch Quad HD display, a 21-megapixel rear camera, and an 8-megapixel selfie-shooter. The phone is powered by none other than the Snapdragon 820 processor coupled with 4GB of RAM. The 3,000 mAh battery sounds pretty standard for a phone with that kind of screen size and resolution. And as is the norm with BlackBerry now, the phone will run on Android Marshmallow. In terms of design, there is nothing jaw-dropping here (and if the DTEK50 is any indication, the DTEK60 probably isn't even designed by BlackBerry).

After a long period of struggle, BlackBerry shrewdly jumped into the Android market with the Priv. Although it was beautifully-crafted and although it came with all the security perks that every BlackBerry boasted in its glory days, the Priv didn't do all that well, unfortunately. The Canadian company didn't stop there though. It was just a few months ago that it launched the DTEK50 – perhaps the most unmemorable smartphone name ever.

We weren't too impressed with it quite frankly: it may be a secure phone, but the screen was underwhelming, the camera was bad, and the battery life was poor. However, it seems like the upcoming DTEK60 is supposed to be a higher-end smartphone. It would be interesting to see how the 21-megapixel camera fares against some of the most powerful snappers out there like the Galaxy S7 and the Pixel phones.

If you want to place your order, you can head on over to B&H. One thing to note, however, is that this particular device will be GSM-compatible only, meaning Sprint and Verizon users in the US won't be able to use it.

One thing to note, however, is that this particular device will be GSM-compatible only, meaning Sprint and Verizon users in the US won't be able to use it.

With BlackBerry shifting its focus on software, the DTEK60 may be the last "BlackBerry" phone ever. Are you interested in buying one? Let us know by leaving a comment below!



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