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jeudi 1 décembre 2016

Samorost 3, a beautiful new adventure game, makes its Android debut

samorset-3

samorset-3

Looking for a new adventure game that features beautiful graphics and a unique gameplay style? You may want to check out Samorost 3. The game, from Machinarium developer Amanita Design, was released for the PC earlier this year and is now out for Android in the Google Play Store.

See also:

The best adventure games for Android

June 23, 2016

Samorost 3 may be the third game in this series, but the previous installment, Samorost 2, was launched way back in 2005. Needless to say, the third game has taken a while to complete. It centers on a space gnome who sets out on a journey across several planets, helping others along the way. He's also trying to figure out what the deal is with a magical flute that was discovered near his home.

The game has a very unique art style that looks much like early 20th century fantasy illustrations. It's worth noting that Samorost 3 does not use any dialog; instead, you see characters "speak" through the use of animated thought bubbles. Again, if you are looking for a game that isn't the typical shooter or RPG, Samorost 3 might be worth looking into. It can be purchased from the Google Play Store now for $4.99.

Get it at Google Play


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Google’s Daydream View in Crimson and Snow color options now available for pre-order

google-daydream-view-24

google-daydream-view-24

This post originally appeared on our sister site, VRSource.

When Google first announced its new Daydream View VR headset a few months ago, it revealed three unique color options: Slate, Crimson and Snow. It seems people were most excited to get their hands (or faces) on the Crimson and Snow colors, but unfortunately those units were delayed. If you've been waiting to buy one of these headsets in Crimson or Snow, we're happy to say that your wait is finally over.

Google's Daydream View headset in Crimson and Snow is now up for pre-order at the Google Store for $79. Both color options are slated to ship out by Thursday, December 8, just in time for the holidays.

See also:

Google Daydream View review

3 weeks ago

Both the Crimson and Snow color options are identical to the Slate model, aside from the change in color. All three units come with a wireless controller for easier navigation while in VR, as well as a wrist strap for the controller.

As a refresher, you'll need a Daydream-compatible smartphone to use these VR headsets. As of right now, your options are limited to the Pixel, Pixel XL, Moto Z or Moto Z Force, though more phones will certainly be added to the list in the future.

Interested? Follow the Google Store link below to place your pre-order. So, who's buying?

Get it from the Google Store


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SwiftKey is no longer charging for its keyboard themes on Android and iOS

swiftkey-themes

swiftkey-themes

If you've ever wanted to change the theme on your SwiftKey keyboard app, you may have had to pay some extra cash in the past. Thankfully, that era is no more. SwiftKey has announced that it's making all of its themes – over 100 of them – free. Yes, free.

See also:

The best Android keyboards

May 2, 2016

In addition to themes now being offered for free, the company has added some new themes, too. The new "Vivid" family of themes (pictured above) consists of bright colors, which will certainly make your keyboard stand out from the rest.

If you happen to be using the SwiftKey app for Android, you can access all of the optional, and free, themes by tapping or sliding on the hamburger menu on the left of the prediction bar, which will take you to the SwiftKey Hub. From there, tap on the Themes panel, then the 'SwiftKey Store' to check out all of the themes.

The SwiftKey app itself turned from a paid to a free app a couple years ago, and it appears that this move to ditch charging for themes could be a result of the company being acquired by Microsoft earlier this year. In other words, the app no longer really needs any extra charges under the wing of its parent company to support itself.

Are you glad you don't have to pay for themes anymore with SwiftKey? Which theme is your favorite?

Get it at Google Play


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Nokia’s new Android phones made in “close partnership” with Google

Nokia-3410-Throw-Back-Thursday-Hands-On-AA-(3-of-11)

Nokia-3410-Throw-Back-Thursday-Hands-On-AA-(3-of-11)

While it will come as no surprise that Nokia-branded smartphones will be available in H1, 2017, it might be a little surprising to hear that Google has had significant input into them. HMD Global Oy, the Finnish 'startup' founded by industry veterans to bring Nokia feature phones and smartphones to market in 2017, has officially entered the market today.

While feature phones are the only Nokia-branded phones currently available on Nokia's site, the switch to Android in 2017 will see Nokia phones exposed to a vast new audience. But HMD hopes to expand that audience even further by convincing loyal Nokia feature phone owners to finally upgrade to a new Nokia smartphone when they become available.

HMD hopes to convince loyal Nokia feature phone owners to finally make the leap to a smartphone: a Nokia smartphone.

According to its press release, "HMD has a significant global foothold including Americas, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, India and China from day one."

If the company manages to not only tap into the strong nostalgia for the Nokia brand held by current smartphone owners but also to encourage Nokia loyalists to take the plunge into the smartphone world, they could have a winning strategy on their hands.

Nokia-1

Nokia-1

HMD's strategy

But HMD isn't relying simply on goodwill and the Nokia feature phone business, which it also acquired in its 10-year exclusive licensing arrangement with Nokia Oyj, as its key ingredients for success. HMD Global CEO Arto Nummela told Reuters that its first forays into the Android smartphone world have been conducted in close partnership with Google.

The details of that partnership are not public, but it would be easy to guess the kinds of advice Google would have for a new player in the Android space, especially one that casts as long a shadow as Nokia. For instance, if we see a Moto-esque "stock Android+" on the new Nokias, with a few custom tweaks on top, I wouldn't be at all surprised.

We will be extremely true to the Nokia brand. The Nokia brand is known for simplicity, ease of use, reliability and quality.

As Nummela told Bloomberg, "we will be extremely true to the Nokia brand. The Nokia brand is known for simplicity, ease of use, reliability and quality. These are the elements that we will deliver together with amazing industrial design."

The new Nokia need only focus on three much-loved Nokia characteristics to get back in the game and stand out: best-in-class battery life, outstanding durability and user friendliness. Extensive customizations to stock Android will only make things more complicated and slow down the update process.

No one wants to see a Nokia phone cast in the same mold as the ill-fated BlackBerry Priv.

The era of pointless software gimmicks is gone (or should be) and no one wants to see a Nokia phone cast in the same mold as the ill-fated BlackBerry Priv. As great as that phone was, it tried too hard to do too much and ended up falling short.

Fortunately, Nokia doesn't have as much legacy software baggage to bring to the Android platform with it as BlackBerry did.  As much as Nokia needs a firm break from Microsoft, some aspects of that period in the company's long life should absolutely remain, like the Nokia Lumia's excellent camera reputation.

nokia-1020

nokia-1020

But will it work?

HMD, in my opinion, need simply focus on bringing what Nokia has always done well to the Android platform. That alone will garner it a significant following and reduce the risk of expensive and possibly poorly-thought-out "innovations" that might derail Nokia's successful return to the smartphone market. (Of course, some folks think Nokia should innovate rather than play it safe.)

Whatever HMD decides to focus on, manufacturing shouldn't be a problem, with iPhone assembler Foxconn handling the manufacturing of the new Nokia phones. HMD Global will focus purely on design, distribution and marketing. With 40 offices globally already, HMD is clearly not taking things slowly and the company has committed $500 million to marketing the new devices over the next three years.

HMD Global may just be able to pull off the resurrection of the decade.

With pre-existing relationships to retailers and carriers, a highly experienced management team, one of the strongest brands in the telecommunications industry, strategic partnerships with the likes of Google, Foxconn and Nokia itself, and an aggressive global approach supported by a still significant, if steadily declining, feature phone business, HMD Global may just be able to pull off the resurrection of the decade.

What would it take to make you buy a Nokia Android phone?



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These are Google Play’s best apps and games of 2016

best free android apps

best free android apps

It's December already… crazy, right? As the year 2016 winds down, it's time to look back at what new and notable apps and games made a splash in the Google Play Store.

To help us look back at what was most popular in 2016, Google Play has released its "Best of 2016" list for apps and games. It's certainly no surprise that Pokémon Go and Nintendo's Miitomo games made the list, though there are a handful of titles on the list that may not have been on everyone's radar.

Below you'll find Google Play's "Best of 2016" global lists for trending apps and games. Which ones came out on top this year? Find out below:

Google Play's top trending apps and games of 2016 (Global)

Top trending apps of 2016

  1. Face Changer 2
  2. Lumyer – Photo & Selfie Editor
  3. Castbox – Podcast Radio Music
  4. Emoji Keyboard Pro
  5. MSQRD

Top trending games of 2016

  1. Pokémon GO
  2. Clash Royale
  3. Traffic Rider
  4. slither.io
  5. Dream League Soccer

So that was a look at what's been trending in 2016 on a global level. If you're curious about all the notable apps and games in the U.S., we've got you covered on that front, too. Below you'll find Google Play's top trending apps and games in the United States, plus awards for the most innovative and best indie games of 2016. Without any further delay, check out the lists below:

Google Play's best apps and games of 2016 (U.S.)

Top trending games of 2016

  1. Candy Crush Jelly Saga
  2. Clash Royale
  3. Pokémon GO
  4. slither.io
  5. Color Switch

Most innovative games of 2016

  1. Reigns
  2. Pokémon GO
  3. Her Story
  4. Rodeo Stampede: Sky Zoo Safari
  5. The Trail

Best indie games of 2016

  1. The Last Vikings
  2. Rolling Sky
  3. Abyssrium
  4. PewDiePie's Tuber Simulator
  5. Riptide GP: Renegade

Top trending apps of 2016

  1. Miitomo
  2. Google Duo
  3. MSQRD
  4. Reddit: The Official App
  5. Opera News Lab

There you have it, Google Play's best apps and games of 2016. Are there any apps or games you feel should have made the list? Be sure to speak up in the comments below!



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Why your passwords are probably terrible

The AAPicks team writes about things we think you'll like, and we may see a share of revenue from any purchases made through affiliate links

smartphone privacy security 3smartphone privacy security 3 Shutterstock

Online security concerns are at an all time high. Indeed, it's becoming the case that the field of security experts and ethical hackers is growing at a rate that far exceeds the number of applicants qualified for the available jobs.

Nevertheless, millions of users navigate this shark tank of nefarious cyber criminals every day with full confidence in their standard security measures. The problem? Their security measures frankly suck. And statistically, you're probably one of these people.

It's true. More than 50 percent of internet users pick terrible passwords that are downright dangerous and could lead to personal financial loss.

But the first step to solving any problem is admitting that one exists. So lets take a look at the few reasons why you are most likely not being wise with your login credentials.

You probably aren't particularly creative

common-passwordscommon-passwords

One reason your passwords could be terrible is that you may think you are cleverer than you actually are.

Indeed, last year XATO cautiously released ten million passwords, and redditors quickly discovered that a simply mind-boggling number of users had the same ostensibly clever passwords.

Think 1qazxsw2 looks like a pretty secure password? Take a glance at your keyboard and think again.

Hundreds of thousands of people have come up with the same dumb trick.

Equally startling is the number of people who are still using their birthdates, anniversaries, or names of family members as passwords.

You probably suck at coming up with strong passwords

xkcd-passwords

xkcd-passwords

If your idea of a strong password is [word][number], then I've got some bad news. You're at the very bottom of the barrel in terms of password security.

However, it might be the case that you're the smug type who incorporates leetspeak letter replacement and symbols into your passwords. As the above XKCD comic famously pointed out, you're not really doing much better.

The comic's creator Randall Munroe points out:

Through 20 years of effort, we've successfully trained everyone to use passwords that are hard for humans to remember but easy for computers to guess.

You probably use the same password on multiple accounts

The White Hat Hacker Bundle

The White Hat Hacker Bundle

This is the deadliest of sins. The majority of computer users employ the same password across most if not all of their accounts. The majority.

If you're in this category, that means that even if just one dumb account with a humor website is compromised, then your identity and bank account could follow suit before you can even say "hunter2".

These days, we use an increasing number of accounts for a variety of services. It's difficult to come up with new, strong passwords for every single one of these, so it's natural that so many people would fall back on an old standby.

This is, however, unspeakably insecure. Stop it.

How to stop being terrible at passwords

smartphone privacy security 4

smartphone privacy security 4Shutterstock

 

Honestly, you need help. Unless you only have a handful of social media accounts and an online banking service and you're able to create and mentally keep track of strong, unique passwords for each one of them, then the only way to get secure is to conscript assistance.

Sticky Password is an intriguing password manager that uses a robust random password generator and also autofills online forms without third-party cloud intervention. You can use the subscription service on virtually any device.

Sticky Password also supports biometric confirmation, meaning you can use your device's fingerprint scanner to authenticate your identity.

Although this service normally requires a monthly subscription, the company is currently offering lifetime access at an 80% discount for $29.99, a membership which normally costs $150. Definitely worth checking out.

sticky-passwordsticky-password

Stop being terrible at passwords. Click the button below to check out Sticky Password and get your accounts secured!

Get Sticky Password for 80% off

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Lenovo Q2 revenue down, but claims Moto Z has iPhone momentum

Lenovo-K5-Note-review-AA2

Lenovo-K5-Note-review-AA2

Lenovo has just unveiled its financial results for the second quarter of 2016 and it makes for some mixed reading. While year-on-year revenue has dropped by 8 percent, quarter-on-quarter profits are up 12 percent, the company says that its mobile division is on track to turn back around come the middle of 2017.

As a quick overview of the financial situation, Lenovo pulled in $11.2 billion in revenue in Q2, down 8 percent on last year. However, net income reached a healthy $157 million, a vast improvement on the $714 million loss that the company posted in Q2 2015. It's not a pristine picture, but Lenovo's cost saving and restructuring strategies are beginning to help its bottom line.

Mobile shipments YoY have remained mostly flat, registering 359 million in Q2 2015 and a 0.4 percent increase to 361 million in Q2 2016. While sales may not be growing, Lenovo says that it has managed to save $1 billion in mobile expenses over the past 18 months, which is helping to return the division to sustained profitability. Lenovo's mobile division has been struggling to product a profit since its expensive aquisition of Motorola from Google, although this purchase may be beginning to pay off. This year's Moto Z flagship seems to have been one of the company's more successful launches, and is helping to keep the division on track.

moto-z-launch-momentum

moto-z-launch-momentumLenovo expects that the Moto Z will sell 3 million units in its first 12 months, which has led the company to ramp up production to 60,000 units per month. The company suggests that the Moto Z saw similar sales momentum to the launch of the iPhone (although it doesn't say which model) in their first three months, with the former achieving 1.06 million shipments, while the iPhone edged ahead with 1.12 million. That sounds like a pretty notable achievement for a flagship launch, and it will be interesting to see if the company keeps with its modular design for future devices now. Especially as LG has decided to ditch its modular approach after the poor performance of the G5.

"Market conditions remained challenging but we delivered solid results. Our PCSD business maintained leadership and strong profitability, our Mobile business had good quarter-to-quarter volume growth and margin improvement" – Yang Yuanqing, Chairman and CEO, Lenovo

As for its other divisions, Lenovo's PC shipments saw a 4.8 percent year-on-year fall to 67 million devices, and the tablet market is showing an even steeper decline of 14.7 percent over the same period. That being said, PC profits actually increased by 3 percent YoY. Tablet shipments came in at just 43 million units for the quarter, suggesting the smartphones are becoming an increasingly important sector for Lenovo's consumer electronics arm. Despite the PC and tablet markets' continued slowdown, Lenovo is now the biggest brand in the combined market, capturing a 15.6 percent PC + tablet market share, followed by Apple on 12.9 percent in Q2.

Along with the financial statement, Lenovo has announced three new appointments to lead some of the company's divisions. Kirk Skaugen joins as Executive Vice President (EVP) and President of Data Center Group, Laura Quatela is the new Chief Legal Officer and SVP, and Dr. Yong Rui comes in as Chief Technology Officer and SVP.



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