So, someone has spent $1 million on ‘free-to-play’ mobile title Game of War

A 45-year old California-based man has admitted to spending an estimated $1 million on mobile title Game of War: Fire Age through money embezzled from his employer. The man, Kevin Lee Co, confessed to stealing nearly $5 million through his position at heavy-equipment company 'Holt California' between May 2008 to March 2015, which he also spent on plastic surgery and season tickets to the San Francisco 49ers.

Game of War is a fantasy strategy title developed by Machine Zone available on Android and iOS. It employs a common mobile monetization method which offers players in-game items in return for cash, the current costs of which range from $1.99 to $399.99 per item. As these items are consumable, there's no limit to the amount of money one could spend on the title.

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According to a report from VentureBeat last April, Game of War "draws an average of $549.69 per paying user [per year]. That's more than any other mobile game, and that's enough to make the game one of the top-grossing apps in the $34.8 billion gaming business on iOS and Android."

Game of War has also invested significantly in its marketing campaigns, creating a Super Bowl commercial featuring supermodel Kate Upton and tapping Mariah Carey for its Hero ad.

How much do you spend on in-app purchased in mobile games? Let us know in the comments.

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Deal: Grab a Chromecast for just $25 for a limited time

If you're looking for a tech Christmas gift for a loved one (or yourself), you might want to consider buying Google's media streaming Chromecast device. Normally available for $35, the device is now on sale for $25 over at Best Buy, Google Store, Walmart, Target, and Staples. As always, the offer is available for a limited time only — until December 24.

In addition to the $10 discount, you'll also get a free 3-month subscription to HBO Now along with the Chromecast purchase, but only if you're a new user. In case you already have an HBO Now subscription, you won't get an additional 3-month access to the service.

Just in case you don't know, Chromecast is a device that basically turns your regular TV into a smart TV. You can stream content from Netflix, YouTube, HBO Now and a bunch of other services to your big screen whenever you decide to do so.

$25 at Google Store $25 at Best Buy

It's a very useful and quite popular device, so if your interested in buying it now that it's on sale, click the buttons above. And if you do decide to get it, do let us know by posting a comment down below.

 

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Google testing new search suggestions for Play Store apps

Google is reportedly testing a new search feature in the Google Play Store which helps users find the most relevant selection of apps for them. The new UI element presents additional suggestions following a Google Play search to narrow the available options.

For example, in a search for "wallpapers", the interface could present related search terms like "live", "Christmas" and "3D" to help direct a user to the particular app for them (as seen in this image uploaded in a comments section over at Android Police).

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Google Play Store testing separate Apps and Games sections for some users

5 days ago

The suggested terms – which currently appear to be in testing for only a select number of users – are found below the App Store search box and above the first listing, in the Play Store apps section's typical green color.

This type of search service has been successfully deployed in other Google products before, such as in Google image searches, so it seems likely that the feature will be officially rolled out at some point in the future if it tests well.

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Netflix VR is now available for Google’s Daydream View

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Netflix has launched yet another app in the Play Store, this time specifically for Google's Daydream virtual reality headset.

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If you own Google's VR headset, the Daydream View, you can go to the Play Store to download Netflix VR, which allows users to enjoy all their favourite movies and shows in a more immersive and fun way. The new Netflix app adds a VR twist to the already-existing app that most of us are familiar with. However, this means that you have two separate apps: one for your mobile device and one for Daydream.

The app doesn't add too much in terms of functionality. Essentially, you are taken to a cozy virtual room with a TV screen, on which you will be able to select your movie or show. If you look up, you will find various settings by clicking on the chandelier (which could have been made clearer, to be honest). There you can increase the size of the screen and adjust the view so that you can continue watching while lying down.

Unfortunately, Netflix VR is exclusively for Google's Daydream platform for now, it seems. So for those with Samsung's Gear VR, you will have to stick to the one that's available in the Oculus Store.

One thing to note, however, is that many users are complaining about their Pixel phones overheating after thirty minutes or so of using the app. That is slightly concerning especially after the Galaxy Note 7 disaster; the last thing you want is a device exploding right in front of your eyes. Although there are no official words from Netflix, we are fairly certain that an update is on its way to address the issue.

One thing to note, however, is that many users are complaining about their Pixel phones overheating after thirty minutes or so of using the app.

Click the button below to try the app:

Download Netflix VR from Play Store

Are you a Daydream View owner? Will you be downloading Netflix VR? Let us know what your thoughts are by leaving a comment down below!

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Google Home receiving support for Netflix and Google Photos

Google is rolling out support for Photos and Netflix to its Google Home speaker. The update allows users to ask the Google Home to play Netflix content, or display their uploaded photos, on a Chromecast or Chromecast-compatible device.

A new 'Videos and Photos' section can be found in the Google Assistant settings of the Google Home app, giving users the opportunity to link their Netflix account or enable/disable the Google Photos integration.

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Developers can now write apps for the Assistant on Google Home

4 days ago

Despite the Netflix option making an appearance, however, it's reported that the functionality hasn't yet been finalized. If you find it in your Google Assistant settings, it may be sitting dormant for the time being. Google could make an official announcement about the new services before they go live.

The news follows the recent introduction of 'Actions on Google' which allows third-party developers to integrate voice support for their own products through Google Assistant. You can learn more about that over at the Google Developers blog.

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Retro Winter Sports 1986 coming to Android next month with 80s vibes (Update: now available!)

Update (12/11): If you've been waiting to get your hands on some winter sports action, your wait is over! Headup Games has just brought Retro Winter Sports 1986 to the Play Store. The game can be yours for just $1.99, so head to the link below for the download. Get it from Google Play

Original post (11/15): Headup Games announced today that they would be releasing Retro Winter Sports 1986 for iOS and Android some time in December.

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15 best retro games for Android

June 21, 2016

If you grew up in the 80s, you are probably particularly fond of classic games; after all, it was during this time period that we saw the births of insanely popular games like Pac-Man and Tetris. Well, if you're feeling nostalgic about the good old days, you might want to check out Headup's new retro game.

Coming to Android early next month, Retro Winter Sports 1986 lets "players enjoy the retro charm from way back when on their mobile devices, of course with retro-awesome graphics and a seasonable 4:3 ratio." As the name suggests, you will have the chance to compete in different winter sports: Ski Jump, Biathlon, Bobsled, Speed Skating, curling, and Slalom. You can either compete against the computer or your friend, and the game will support up to eight players.

As the name suggests, you will have the chance to compete in different winter sports: Ski Jump, Biathlon, Bobsled, Speed Skating, curling, and Slalom. You can either compete against the computer or your friend, and the game will support up to eight players.

These are the features of the upcoming game, according to Headup Games:

• Six winter sport events: Ski Jump, Biathlon, Bobsled, Speed Skating, Curling, Slalom
• Compete against friends (up to 8 players in hot seat mode) or the computer
• Unique controls perfectly fitted to mobile devices
• Choose between 12 different nations
• Leaderboards and achievements
• Handcrafted code by The Bitfather, the retro minds behind Pixel Heroes: Byte & Magic!

According to the company, the review codes for Retro Winter Sports 1986 will be available soon, and you can request an early access to the game via email. If you're an 80s kid and are fond of your childhood memories, I think this game is definitely worth a try. We'll be sure to let you know when the game lands in the Play Store.

Will you be downloading Retro Winter Sports 1986 when it comes out? Let us know by leaving a comment down below!

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Crowdfunding project of the week: the MATRIX PowerWatch runs on body heat

We are back with yet another 'Crowdfunding project of the week', where we highlight the hottest tech from sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo. We know you don't have time to be searching through hundreds of campaigns, so we are doing the hard work for you. Shall we get right to this week's featured project?

• BumpOut portable audio system
• Gryphon is a fast, safe and super simple router
• The Sevenhugs Smart Remote can control everything

Do you think charging is a hassle? I sure do; especially when you have to do it very often. You are lucky to get 2 days of battery life from current smartwatches. This is manageable, but not optimal. Don't you wish there was a smartwatch you never need to charge? The MATRIX PowerWatch make this idea more than just wishful thinking.

The MATRIX PowerWatch's trick is that it is literally powered by you. All you need to do is wear it, as it uses thermo-electric technology to harness energy from your body heat, which you obviously don't run out of. Once you take it off, the gadget will go to sleep after backing its information to the official app.

Active users will like that there is one specific benefit to using this technology – it can measure calories burned more accurately. Your body turns burned calories into heat, something the MATRIX PowerWatch uses to power itself.

Because the device never needs to charge, it has no ports and can be very well sealed. You can take it to depths of up to 50 meters under water.

But how much of a smartwatch is this? The truth is it is not up to par with something like Android Wear, but it has some cool capabilities. For starters, it is a great activity tracker. The device keeps a record of your step count, calories burned and sleep. The watch also features some "micro-applications", which include a stopwatch, a timer, music controls and more.

It's pretty basic as far as smartwatches go, but you get some benefits… the main one being infinite battery life. And some people simply don't need all those fancy features, right?

Want to sign up? The early bird special is still available, so you can put your name to a MATRIX PowerWatch by backing the campaign with as low as $129. That's also pretty affordable! The only downside is you will have to wait until September 2017 for it to ship.

Check out the MATRIX PowerWatch on Indiegogo

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