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mercredi 30 novembre 2016

Afterpulse, the action-packed third-person shooter has soft-launched on Android

afterpulse

afterpulse

Great news for all you gamers out there. Afterpulse, the action-packed game first released on iOS last year, is now available to a few (but not all) Android users. The competitive multiplayer third-person shooter, which was developed by Gamevil and has won quite a few awards worldwide, was recently soft-launched on Google's mobile platform.

It's currently available in 14 countries around the world — Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. Users in other countries will be able to download the game when it launches globally, which will hopefully happen in a few months time.

See also:

15 best Android games of 2016

4 weeks ago

In Afterpulse, you take on the role of a soldier who is trying to restore peace in the world. The game offers quite a few customization options, as you're able to personalize the headgear, full body armor, and equipment of the character.

You can also power up and increase your chances of survival with the help of over 800 primary and secondary weapons. There's also Training mode available, so you're able to brush up on your skills before you head into the real battle.

The game is free to download and play but does offer in-app purchases, which will probably make your chances of defeating enemies a lot higher. So, if you live in one of the above-mentioned countries and want to try the game out, click on the button below and download it to your device. If you live anywhere else, you'll just have to be patient and wait for the game's global release.

And don't worry, when that happens, we'll be sure to let you know. But in the meantime, feel free to check out our list of the best action games on Android.

Download Afterpulse


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mardi 29 novembre 2016

Sony begins rolling out Nougat update for Xperia X Performance

Sony Xperia X Performance-20

Sony Xperia X Performance-20

The Sony Xperia X Performance is the first in the Xperia lineup of smartphones to begin getting the over-the-air update to Android 7.0 Nougat. The update has reportedly begun rolling out in some sections of the world for the phone, along with its Dual SIM variant.

See also:

Android 7.1 Nougat Developer Preview 2 goes live

1 week ago

The report comes from the unofficial Xperia Blog, which says the firmware number for the Nougat update is 39.2.A.0.327. There's no word on which regions of the world are getting the update for the Xperia X Performance, but we hopefully will learn more information soon.

This is just the latest example of Android 7.0 Nougat OTA updates hitting smartphones. It has started rolling out to the LG G5 on T-Mobile earlier this week, and a few days ago owners of the unlocked HTC 10 began to receive the same download. Samsung began beta testing its Nougat update for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge a few weeks ago, and the third beta version began rolling out a few days ago.

Do you own the Sony Xperia X Performance and, if so, have you started downloading and installing the Android 7.0 Nougat update?



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Google Hangouts adds GIF keyboard for Android 7.1 Nougat users

google-hangouts-app-shortcuts

google-hangouts-app-shortcuts

Fans of Google's Hangouts chat client can expect to see a new 15.0 version of the app to roll out this week. The new version's major addition is just for the very few smartphone owners who have Android 7.1 Nougat installed, as it adds the GIF keyboard to the app.

See also:

This is Nougat on the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

1 day ago

The GIF keyboard made its debut in the Android 7.1 Developer Preview a few weeks ago on Google's Messenger app. The addition of the same keyboard in Hangouts 15.0 will apparently not work for Google Voice messages in the app, according to 9to5Google. Aside from that new feature, the only other thing about Hangouts 15.0 is the fixing of a bug from 14.0 that was showing the sender of a single person's name twice in notifications.

hangouts-git-keyboard

hangouts-git-keyboard

Again, this update for Hangouts has apparently just started rolling out in the Google Play Store, so it may take a few days to reach all Android users. If you happen to have both this update and Android 7.1 Nougat installed, what do you think of the addition of the GIF keyboard?

Get it at Google Play


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Android Nougat-based MIUI 8 beta applications begin for the Xiaomi Mi 5

Xiaomi Mi 5-7

Xiaomi Mi 5-7

If you own a Xiaomi Mi 5, you can now apply to be a beta tester for company's latest custom interface, MIUI 8, which will be updated to Android 7.0 Nougat. The beta testing is for the global ROM owners of the phone.

See also:

MIUI 8 global rollout kicks off

August 23, 2016

As with the earlier testing period for people in China, people who own the global ROM version of the Mi 5 will need to use a PC to apply for testing at the MIUI website. Besides the requirement of owning this phone, interested testers must have at least some knowledge about ROMs and be active in the forums. They also must be willing to chat with other members about their experience in the QQ alpha group and forums. Finally, they must use the QQ app.

In addition to the Nougat testing for the Mi 5, Xiaomi is also accepting applications for people who own the global Mi Max 32GB and the Redmi 3S/Prime phones to beta test their versions of MIUI 8. However, those phones will not be getting the Android 7.0 beta; that's reserved, at least for now, for Mi 5 owners. The application deadline is Wednesday, November 30, so you don't have a ton of time to sign up for the beta.

Apply at Xiaomi's MIUI site

Thanks to Gowtham Ram for the tip!



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Google is finding and taking down fake reviews in the Play Store

Play Store Top Charts

Play Store Top Charts

The number of fake reviews and rankings for apps and other content in the Google Play Store may be taking a big drop in the near future. The company announced today it has made some improvements to the backend that will allow it to find and take down those kinds of reviews.

See also:

How to get a refund for apps purchased from the Google Play Store

September 6, 2016

A few weeks ago, Google announced it would be going after apps who generate a lot of recorded installs through fraudulent means. Today, the company said that actual fake reviews, or reviews that have been created by people who have been paid to do so, will be identified and removed from the Play Store. Obviously, Google does not want to reveal exactly how it is making these removal decisions.

The company also mentioned once again that any Android apps in the Play Store must abide by its Developer Policy. That means app reviews must come from people who have actually used the app they are writing about, and that those users should not have been paid or given any other incentives to write their review. In this era where "fake news" has now become a buzzword, it's a relief to know that Google is trying its best to keep reviews of apps in the Play Store honest.



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10 best new Android apps of November 2016!

App developers are pushing the envelope on a daily basis trying to improve and enhance our smartphone and tablet experiences. In fact, so many Android apps come out every day that it's difficult to keep track of them all. It's difficult to usurp the best of the best but if you're getting bored with what you've got and want to try something new, check out the best new Android apps from the last month! You can watch the videos from passed months by clicking here!


adobe photoshop fix best new android appsadobe photoshop fix best new android appsAdobe Apps

[Price: Free (may require Adobe CC subscription)]
Adobe released three new apps in the month of November. The first was Photoshop Fix. This app lets you retouch photos and it also comes with some restoration features. The second was Adobe Photoshop Sketch. As the name implies, this app gives you a variety of tools to sketch and create original pieces of artwork that can then be ported to Adobe's desktop apps. The last one is Adobe Comp CC. This one allows you to design wireframes using images, text, shapes, and fonts. They're all free to download, but you'll need an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription to use all of the features.
Download Adobe Photoshop Fix from Google Play!
Get Adobe Photoshop Sketch from Google Play!

Download Comp CC on Google Play!

android auto best new android appsandroid auto best new android appsAndroid Auto

[Price: Free]
Android Auto was released to the world this last month. It was out previously but only for a few devices whereas this release is for pretty much everybody. It integrates Android Auto directly into your device so you won't need a smart car in order to use it. You'll be able to to a basic set of tasks including checking and sending messages, navigation, and listening to music and playlists, and more. It still needs quite a bit of work. That said, it is free and we expect the platform to get better sooner rather than later.

Download now on Google Play!

autotools best new android appsautotools best new android appsAutoTools

[Price: Free / $2.99]
AutoTools is a no-root extension for Tasker. It allows you to easily create some stuff in Tasker that would otherwise be a little more tedious or difficult. You can have it create toasts, badges, time calculations, and even gestures. AutoTools also has support for data processing, Chrome Custom Tabs, a flashlight, and more. You can try the app out for free for 30 days. After that, you can buy the app for $2.99.

Download now on Google Play!

brave browser best new android appsbrave browser best new android appsBrave Browser

[Price: Free]
Brave Browser had actually been out for a while. However, it was re-re-branded as Link Bubble and a new Brave Browser was released in its stead. This browser comes with built-in ad-block as well as a range of security features and battery optimizations to help keep things running smoothly. Along with that, it supports the usual range of features, including private tabs, bookmarks, history, and more. It's a fairly decent little browser if you're in the market for one.

Download now on Google Play!

brave browser best new android appsbrave browser best new android apps

fingerprint gestures best new android appsfingerprint gestures best new android appsFingerprint Gestures

[Price: Free / Optional donation]
Fingerprint Gestures is a fun little customization app. It allows you to use your fingerprint sensor as a sort of track pad. You'll be able to assign gestures along with various tap patterns to perform various tasks. For instance, you can have it show your notifications if you swipe down. It seems to work well for the most part, although some devices have better luck with it than others. It's a free download so you can see if it works for you. You'll need a device running Android 6.0 Marshmallow at the very least.

Download now on Google Play!

fingerprint gestures best new android appsfingerprint gestures best new android apps
See also:

Best Android phones!

4 weeks ago

learn how to draw best new android appslearn how to draw best new android appsLearn How to Draw

[Price: Free / $0.99]
Learn How to Draw is a simply named app that, to the surprise to no one, helps teach you how to draw. It features lessons for beginners, intermediates, and even some advanced lessons if you already know a little bit about drawing. The tutorials were created by Will Sliney who is a known comic book artist. There are hundreds of tutorials to go through. The app is reasonably priced and you can try it out for free before you dropping the $0.99 to get the full version.

Download now on Google Play!

microsoft selfie best new android appsmicrosoft selfie best new android appsMicrosoft Selfie

[Price: Free]
Microsoft Selfie is a simple camera app that takes selfies. It features a very simple interface that allows you to get in, take your selfie, and then send it where it needs to go. It has an editing tool that lets you move a slider back and forth. According to Microsoft, the slider is backed by technology that takes into account things like age, skin tone, gender, lighting, and other variables. It works pretty well if you need something simple.

Download now on Google Play!

microsoft selfie best new android appsmicrosoft selfie best new android apps

photoscan best new android appsphotoscan best new android appsPhotoScan

[Price: Free]
PhotoScan is an app by Google that helps you port your actual photographs into your device. Basically, it's a scanner app that you use to scan your photographs. It has a tool that lets you outline the photo so you can easily remove things like the frame or any background that you may get. Once it's digital, you can back it up or post it to social media if you want to. It takes a moment to get used to, but otherwise it's a simple app to use. It also works pretty well.

Download now on Google Play!

pulse best new android appspulse best new android appsPulse SMS

[Price: Free / Subscription / $10.99]
Pulse is an SMS application that also has cross-platform support. On its own, on a single device, it functions like a simple SMS app. However, you can install it on your computer, tablet, and other devices and sync your SMS between all of them. You can pay a recurring monthly subscription for multiple device support or you can buy a lifetime license for $10.99 and not have to worry about it again. It works pretty well although there are some bugs as you'd expect with a newer app. It's worth a shot.

Download now on Google Play!

snipback best new android appssnipback best new android appsSnipBack

[Price: Free]
SnipBack is a voice recording app with some unique features. It gets the basics right. You can record your voice, share or backup that recording, and recordings are listed by session for easy organization. However, the app also includes background noise reduction and the ability to record audio before the app starts running. It runs as a service and you can actually recover the last 30 seconds of audio even if you're not recording. It works well enough, although running it as a constant service may not always be the best idea.

Download now on Google Play!

Related best app lists:

If we missed any great new Android apps, tell us about them in the comments! To see our complete list of best app lists, click here.



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Cyber Monday 2016 brought in over $1 billion in mobile shopping revenues

cyber monday sales deals

cyber monday sales dealsShutterstock

A few days ago, Adobe issued a report that Black Friday 2016 brought in a total of $3.34 billion from online shopping sources in the US, with $1.2 billion of that number from mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. At the time, Adobe thought there was a chance that the online revenues from Black Friday would top those from Cyber Monday, which traditionally has been the top online shopping day of the year.

See also:

Best Cyber Week deals on headphones

3 days ago

As it turns out, Monday, November 28 showed that online shopping numbers just beat those of Black Friday. Adobe said today that revenues for Cyber Monday 2016 hit a new record of $3.39 billion, narrowly ahead of Black Friday's numbers. Of that $3.39 billion, $1.19 billion in online shopping came from smartphones and tablets, which is a 48-percent increase from 2015, but still slightly lower than the numbers from Black Friday 2016.

The majority of visits to retail websites during Cyber Monday were from mobile devices, with 44 percent coming from smartphones and 9 percent from tablets, for a total of 53 percent. Actual direct online sales from mobile devices are still lower; Adobe says they accounted for 35 percent of all online sales on Monday, with 25 percent from smartphones, and 10 percent from tablets.

Overall, online shopping revenues in the US over the entire Thanksgiving weekend (November 24-27) came in at $9.36 billion, a 16.4 percent increase compared to 2015. It goes to show that more and more people might be abandoning the rush to go to a physical store during that busy shopping season in favor of spotting deals online.

Did you spend the majority of your holiday shopping this past week online or in stores?



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