Google says Chrome is now installed on two billion devices

Google's Chrome browser is installed on 2 billion devices between mobile and desktop, Google has announced. The news was made public on stage at the 2016 Chrome developer summit by Darin Fisher, Chrome's Engineering Vice President.

Though it's installed on two billion devices, that's not to say Chrome is actively in use on all of them. In April, Google stated that there were one billion active Chrome users, but it didn't disclose what the figure stood at today.

Chrome was released in 2008 for Windows but has since been ported to most major operating systems, and comes pre-installed with Google's apps suite on many Android handsets.

See also:

Chrome for Android adds background media support as part of new update

3 weeks ago

Google now has seven products under its belt with more than one billion users: Gmail, Maps, Search, Youtube and the Google Play Store (as well as Android and Chrome).

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2fJof3B
via IFTTT

Deal: Nexbit Robin on sale at Amazon for only $169.99 (Now in Mint too)

Update, Nov 11th: If you've been putting off that discounted Nextbit Robin purchase, the Midnight black model can still be found at its cut down $169.99 price over at Amazon. Better yet, the $169.99 discount is now available on the rather swish looking Mint color option too, which is pictured above. By the way, that's a notable $130 off the suggested retail price.

Just like last time though, this phone won't work on CDMA networks such as Sprint and Verizon. Instead, only consider picking one up if you're planning to use the Robin on a GSM network like AT&T and T-Mobile. As before, the Mint model comes with 32GB of internal storage and acess to 100GB of cloud storage space too, at no extra cost. If you're still undecided about the handset, check out our full review below.

See also:

Nextbit Robin Review

February 18, 2016

Buy Mint Nextbit Robin

Original, Nov 3rd:

Nextbit Robin, a unique smartphone that launched on Kickstarter last year and passed its goal in just 10 hours, is currently on sale. You can grab one from Amazon for only $169.99, which is $130 less than the company's suggested retail price and $30 off Amazon's regular price. This really is a great deal, especially when you consider that the Robin was released last year for 400 bucks.

And what exactly makes it so unique you ask? Well, the Nexbit Robin, which raised over a million dollars on Kickstarter, mitigates the storage problems we all experience from time to time by uploading those less-frequently-used apps, as well as images and videos, to the cloud. In addition, the device also stands out thanks to its interesting rectangular design combined with a few circular elements (camera, speaker, proximity sensor, and flash), and popping colors.

The Robin is no slouch in the specs department either, as it offers a 5.2-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 808 processor, 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of onboard and 100 GB of cloud storage and a 2680 mAh battery. There's a 13 MP camera at the back of the device and a 5-megapixel selfie snapper at the front.

Interested in getting one? Head over to Amazon's product page while it's still in stock.

Buy now on Amazon

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2eCuowv
via IFTTT

Niantic: There’s a secret in Pokemon Go that nobody knows about

John Hanke, CEO of Pokemon Go developer Niantic, has revealed that there is a secret in the ever-popular app that nobody yet knows about. 

Speaking to GamesRadar regarding the mysteries of Pokemon Go, Hanke said: "There will always be secrets in the game that no one has found because we're always adding new secrets to the game," adding "There's one out there right now and we'll see how that plays out over the course of the next few weeks." 

See also:

The Pokémon Go "Nearby" tracker feature expands to a few new cities

6 days ago

When GamesRadar asked whether it was introduced with Pokemon Go's Halloween update, Hanke said that he wouldn't give away any more clues. It's possible that it relates to the elusive Ditto Pokemon which hasn't been seen since the game's launch. 

In other recent Pokemon Go news, a look at the code of its latest APK file revealed that an influx of 100 extra Pokemon could soon be on its way to the app.

What do you think this Pokemon secret relates to? Let us know in the comments.

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2eK5utW
via IFTTT

Buy a phone for £1 every hour from vMall [UK]

vMall, an officially licensed Huawei and Honor store, is running a sale which could see a customer bag one of four devices for £1 each hour until 8 PM BST today.

vMall will make the four devices – which include three smartphones and a smartwatch – available for £1 for the first person to purchase it. Those who try to make a purchase after the first person will be warned that the will now have to buy the device at the full price.

The four devices on offer are:

• Honor 8
• Honor 7
• Honor Band Z1
• Honor 7 Premium

The Honor 8 is currently the most valuable device on the list, with a price set at around £360. The products ship with free delivery, but you'll have to be fast if you want to beat the crowds and be the first person to the checkout each hour.

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2fImHF6
via IFTTT

Samsung offering $10,000 reward to Tizen app developers

Samsung is looking to boost app development inside its Tizen OS spin-off ecosystem with the launch of the company's new Tizen Mobile App Incentive Program. The program is designed to support the developer community in order to grow Samsung's ecosystem, and there's $10,000 up for grabs for developers who submit their apps.

The new program is scheduled to run from February 2017 through to October 2017, giving developers time to make a start on their app ideas. Samsung is looking for a wide range of apps, including gaming, social and lifestyle apps. Every month, each of the top 100 apps downloaded from the Tizen store which are registered with the program will win $10,000. In total, Samsung is looking to award $9 million in cash prizes over the program's 9 months running time.

"We're excited to launch this new incentive program to help develop and bring the best of mobile apps to the Tizen community as well as provide customers with a better mobile experience." – Woncheol Chai, VP of Global Product Management, Mobile Communications Business at Samsung

Tizen powered:

Samsung Gear S3 release date set for mid-November

3 weeks ago

Tizen is Samsung's open source operating system that is has developed to work across a wide range of its consumer electronics products, including smartwatches and even fridges. The Samsung Z series of smartphones is powered by the OS rather than Android, and it's these phones that developers should be targeting their apps at as part of the incentive program.

Apps that are already on the Tizen store can enter, as well as entirely new submissions. To register your app, head on over to incentive.tizenstore.com in January 2017, when registrations go live.

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2fqAT6v
via IFTTT

Amazon to partially reimburse parents for $86 million in unauthorized in-app purchases

A federal judge has ordered Amazon to partially reimburse the parents of children that made unauthorized in-app purchases (IAPs) to the tune of $86 million. Amazon was found liable in the case more than six months ago, but the verdict has only just been handed down by U.S. District Judge John Coughenour.

Amazon was accused of making it too easy for children to make IAPs without parental permission as far back as mid-2014 in games like "Ice Age Village" and "Pet Shop Story". Following this verdict, Amazon will be required to establish a notice-and-claims process, informing parents of their eligibility for reimbursement and issuing refunds.

See also:

State of IAPs: iOS vs Android

July 1, 2016

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) had originally requested damages of $26.5 million, but Judge Coughenour claimed that figure was too high. The judge also denied Amazon's request to issue the refunds as Amazon gift cards. The year-long refund process process will begin in early 2017.

With this verdict, Amazon joins the ranks of other tech giants like Apple and Google, that have also faced the wrath of the FTC in the past over unauthorized charges. In 2014, Apple was ordered to repay over $32 million dollars and Google coughing up around $19 million.

Have you ever had an unauthorized IAP made on your account?

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2fIrOac
via IFTTT

Deal: Save $120 on a Galaxy S7 with a free wireless fast charger

In the lead up to Black Friday there are already a bunch of great deals available. One of those is the Samsung Galaxy S7 in black or gold from Best Buy for just $549.99. That's a $120 discount on one of the best Android phones around today. But you'll also get a free wireless fast charging pad included in the discounted price, which usually sells for $69.99.

• Buy Samsung Galaxy S7 from Best Buy for $549.99

There's not much I can tell you about the Galaxy S7 you wouldn't already know, but in case you need a quick specs refresher:

• 5.1-inch QHD Super AMOLED display
• Snapdragon 820 chipset
• 4 GB of RAM
• 32 GB of built-in storage with microSD expansion
• 12 MP/5 MP camera combo with phase-detection autofocus and OIS on the main camera
• 3,000 mAh non-removable battery
• Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow

Are you planning to pick up a bargain on Black Friday? Or are you holding out for one of next year's phones?

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/2fDlyzU
via IFTTT