Monday, October 31, 2016

Samsung launching gorgeous 'blue coral' Galaxy S7 edge in the U.S. for the holidays

A mid-cycle color refresh for the phone taking over the Note 7's sales.

If you lusted after the bright blue-and-pink "blue coral" Note 7 back when it was on sale, you're in luck: the color is being reintroduced on the Galaxy S7 edge in the U.S. later this year. Blue coral was originally a Note 7-exclusive color, but will now sit alongside black, gold and silver as color options for the GS7 edge a "major wireless providers" in the States.

For those who wanted to stand out a bit the blue coral Note 7 was certainly enticing, with its amazingly flashy blue body being accented by a light pink metal trim that looked like no other phone on the market. The Galaxy S7 edge stands to be just as stunning in the color, even set next to the gold and silver options.

Though people with a Galaxy S7 edge aren't going to be swapping out their current phone for the new color, at the very least the blue color option will help it stand out a bit on store shelves for holiday phone buyers. Together with pricing incentives in the final quarter of the year, Samsung is hoping that the Galaxy S7 edge (in all colors) will pick up some of the sales slack created by the Note 7's recall.



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Daily Briefing: Your next cheap phone will stream in 4K

Write this down: Here's the news for Monday, October 31.

Do you write anymore? I mean physically, on paper. It recently occurred to me that I often go weeks without writing more than a signature on a contract or an incoming delivery (or a check, another anachronism).

In our Note 7 recall survey, the number one answer people gave to "What feature will you miss most on the Note 7?" was the S Pen. And I miss it, too: I always prefer to take written notes in meetings instead of typing on a screen, especially if it's a one-on-one interview or a small group. Pen-and-paper just feels more personal, and closer to the subject matter. As someone who spends his whole day writing, I often miss that connection. And yet even at my most studious, back in college, I probably couldn't have written by hand all the essays and papers I was expected to turn in. If I had, they would have been shorter and, conversely, more succinct. The keyboard (and to a lesser extent the typewriter) gave us the opportunity to be more verbose, and considerably more long-winded.

I think that's been both a blessing and a curse.

ARM's new Mali combo promises better graphics and video streaming in cheaper phones

After debuting its high-end Mali-G71 GPU back in May, UK-based ARM, which just got bought by Japan's Softbank for a cool $31 billion, is back with another big announcement.

The company unveiled the mid-range Mali-G51 GPU alongside its V61 video processing unit. The former is based on the same Bifrost architecture as its more expensive counterpart, but will be aimed at cheaper phones that still want to meet those 60fps goals on 1080p displays. The V61 on the other hand promises less bandwidth-intensive 4K streaming video through more efficient codecs. Both promise power savings over their predecessors, and will be available in phones next year.

Twitter tries some Nougat, likes it

Over the weekend (remember those, workaholics?) Twitter added a bunch of Android Nougat-based features to its alpha client. Specifically, support for multi window (Android 7.0+) and app shortcuts (Android 7.1+). Oh, and there's also a rounded icon for those running 7.1, too. Want in? Sign up for the Twitter Alpha.

Android Pay now supported by more banks

The list of banks supporting Android Pay has grown again. Android Police notes that the official list of banks has been updated once again and now First Flight FCU, Bristol County Savings Bank, Capitol One and others have been added. Earlier this year Capitol One showed up on the list but it was then removed, so hopefully it is here to stay this time.

Google handing out $50 Play Store credits for late Pixel deliveries

Google is reportedly sending emails to Pixel owners, particularly those who wanted the larger Pixel XL, whose delivery dates were pushed back due to manufacturing delays.

According to several threads on Reddit (via Techcrunch), Google has generously offered $50 in Play Store credit to anyone affected by Pixel delivery issues. Good going, Goog.

BlackBerry inks deal with Ford to improve connected cars

"We have the best embedded software and security engineers in the world, and Canada is pretty great!" That's how Marty Beard, BlackBerry's Chief Operating Officer, closed his blog post last week after debunking rumors that Apple was raiding QNX's staff to work on its car platform.

Today, BlackBerry made a significant announcement to reinforce that claim, inking a deal with Ford to continue powering the technology behind its SYNC dashboard. Specifically, BlackBerry will dedicate a portion of its QNX team to work only on Ford products going forward. No terms were disclosed for the deal, but it's certainly going to help BlackBerry reach its revenue targets for FY17.

Sony's newest flagship is now $50 less ridiculously overpriced

I kid, I kid. Sony's Xperia XZ flagship, which arrived in September, now sells for $649 USD on Amazon, a nice $50 reduction. We liked the device when it debuted, but have trouble recommending it over the similarly-priced Pixel. See at Amazon

Samsung is going to sell its weirdest mobile accessories in the U.S.

A wireless, water bottle-shaped speaker? Sure, why not? Samsung has announced that it will bring a number of its formerly Korean-only accessories, such as the aforementioned Wireless Speaker Bottle, a dual Wireless Charger Tray, and a USB-based LED light, to the U.S. They're all coming to Samsung's online store, and will be available in brick-and-mortar equivalents in early November.

Motorola cuts $150 from its Moto Z line, for now

If you were waiting to buy a Moto Z, Z Force or Z Play from Motorola, you can now save up to $150 on the whole kit — until November 18th. Pretty good deal for a fantastic set of phones.

Help us out, take a survey!

Feel like sharing a bit about how you use your phone, and on what carrier? Take our State of the Mobile Nations Phones Survey for a chance to win $600 towards a new phone! Thanks!


Happy Halloween, everyone! Be safe out there. Oh, and if you haven't played today's Google Doodle game, do so immediately. It's amazing.



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Take the State of the Mobile Nations Phones Survey for your chance to win $600 towards a new phone!

Silly season for new phones and gadgets is on us — it feels like we can't go a week without a major release as the calendar races into the holidays. There are a bunch of new phones out there and we wanted to get an idea about what's important to you in a phone and in a cellular carrier. Thus, this survey.

We get a little detailed, but that's because we want to suss out what it is that drives your decisions in purchasing a new phone or picking a new carrier. These are expensive and long-term choices, and your answers will help to influence what we write. This survey is your chance to help guide and inform how we approach answering your most important technology questions for years to come!

And because we love you, one random respondent to this survey will win $600 to buy the new phone of your dreams — or to pay for the next several months of your mobile service!

Hit up the survey below (or click here to open in a new window); it should take about 10-15 minutes to complete.



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Best Chromebook for Students

The ASUS Chromebook Flip is the best Chromebook for a student.

Best overall

ASUS Chromebook Flip (C100)

See at Amazon

If you are a student in the market for a Chromebook or if you're buying for someone who is, the ASUS Chromebook Flip is our top pick. While not the most powerful available, it still has plenty enough where it counts so it can do everything a student or graduate needs in the perfect form factor for someone on the go.

The bottom line: Small and portable, the Chromebook Flip is great for a busy student. Its excellent app support means you'll be able to use it to get things done and be able to play games or watch video during the downtime.

Why the ASUS Chromebook Flip is the best

The 10.1-inch ASUS Chromebook Flip convertible — the screen folds back to provide a tablet experience — has a 1080p touch screen, great battery life, and can run apps from the Chrome Web Store and Google Play. Whether it's Google Docs, Wikipedia or Facebook, the Chromebook Flip will serve you or the student in your life well. The best part is that you'll find one under $300.

The MediaTek processor and 2 or 4GB of RAM (we recommend the 4GB version) can surf the web, watch full-screen videos, and play some of your favorite Android games from Google Play. Of course, Google Docs and Microsoft's Office apps for Chrome or Android also run very well so the schoolwork can get done, too. The small size and long battery life mean you'll be able to take it with you from class to class or to a coffee shop for lunch or quiet time.

The budget-friendly and super-portable Chromebook Flip just ticks all the boxes for anyone in school.

Best big screen

Acer Chromebook R13

See at Amazon

The Acer Chromebook R13 was announced in September 2016 as the new mid-range offering from the company. The R13 represents the future of Chromebooks, carrying on from the ASUS Chromebook Flip. It has a 1080p IPS touch screen for interaction with Android apps, can fold back into various modes for an all-touch experience, and charges using the new USB-C standard rather than an older connector.

Beyond that, the Chromebook R13 offers a lot for its higher-than-average price. It has a solid metal build and nice-looking screen, with a solid (but quite standard) keyboard and trackpad. It isn't particularly light, but much of that is because of its large battery. The only real concern here is performance and configuration options, as you're getting a MediaTek ARM processor and can only choose to get 16, 32 or 64GB of storage — there's no choice to get a higher-end processor or more RAM.

Bottom line: If you're happy with the base configuration and don't need something that's hyper-portable, this is going to be a great choice for a student who want's something a little larger than the ASUS Chromebook Flip.

Best high end

HP Chromebook 13 G1

See at HP

The HP Chromebook 13 G1 is nominally designed for the enterprise, so it's a step above most Chromebooks when it comes to quality and performance. No matter what model you get you're going to be using a full-metal laptop that comes in under three pounds, a crazy 3200x1800 touch screen, a backlit keyboard, and it charges up over USB-C (there's an additional USB-C port as well).

But here's the thing: you don't have to settle for the base model at $499. If you want more, you can have more — you can configure the Chromebook 13 G1 with up to 16GB of RAM and a top-end Intel Core m7 processor if you really need more performance.

The downside? Price. The base model at $499 is pretty good, but it's easy to configure this laptop and spend over $1,000. That's a lot of money to spend on a Chromebook, even when it's as nice as the HP is. When using Chrome OS as shipped on the HP Chromebook G1, the minor performance gains make it hard to justify the cost. But for a student who is also a tinkerer or Computer Science major, this is the Chromebook to buy if you're going to install an alternative operating system like Ubuntu.

Bottom line: If you have the money to spend, you're getting a great Chromebook with some of the best specs of any laptop. If you need that kind of power — or just want something that's incredibly well built — the HP Chromebook 13 G1 is the one to get.

Conclusion

A Chromebook is a great — and familiar — experience for anybody in school. The ASUS Chromebook Flip seems like it was specially built for a busy student, but there are also great options with a bigger screen or the ultimate high-end experience. We think these three are your top picks for 2016.

Best overall

ASUS Chromebook Flip (C100)

See at Amazon

If you are a student in the market for a Chromebook or if you're buying for someone who is, the ASUS Chromebook Flip is our top pick. While not the most powerful available, it still has plenty enough where it counts so it can do everything a student or graduate needs in the perfect form factor for someone on the go.

The bottom line: Small and portable, the Chromebook Flip is great for a busy student. Its excellent app support means you'll be able to use it to get things done and be able to play games or watch video during the downtime.



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Best Heavy Duty Cases for Google Pixel

What are the best rugged cases for the Google Pixel?

The Google Pixel is quite possibly the best phone of 2016. It's a beautifully designed phone (and rather expensive to boot). If you've got one, you'll want to make sure you keep it protected.

And therein lies the problem with any new phone — should you forgo a case and risk scratches and scuffs or keep it looking brand new with a rugged case? If you fall into the latter category, we've got some great options for you and your new phone.

Note: These are cases designed for the 5-inch Pixel, not the larger Pixel XL.

Spigen Rugged Armor

We trust the cases Spigen makes, and you should too. Spigen's durable Rugged Armor cases are typically among the best heavy duty cases you can buy for your phone. For their Pixel case, Spigen has gone an extra step in incorporating some of the unique design elements of the Pixel right into the case.

Along with the tough TPU providing edge-to-edge protection of scratches and scuffs and military-grade drop protection in the corners, the back of the case around the fingerprint scanner is designed to look like the iconic glass sheet on the top third of the Pixel. That way people in the know will recognize you're using a Pixel even when you've got it covered in a case. This is the only one-piece case on this list, so if you'd prefer the added protection of a two-piece design keep reading.

For protection that's stylin', Spigen's got what you need.

See at Amazon

OtterBox Commuter

OtterBox is another trusted name in phone cases, and their Commuter case for the Pixel is equal parts rugged and stylish.

This two-piece case features a rubber slipcover and a polycarbonate shell to offer superior protection for both drops and scratches. On the back, the case features a smart, ergonomically-designed channel to help your finger quickly find the fingerprint scanner.

Amazon provides your best deal on this case, but as of writing it is currently out of stock. If you're not patient enough to wait, you should be able to get one right away from OtterBox .

See at Amazon

YOUMAKER Rugged Belt Clip

If protection is your top priority, this option from YOUMAKER offers layers of full-body protection along with an included belt clip if that's your style.

With a thick TPU shell on the back, and a hard polycarbonate front plate featuring a built-in screen protector, this case is as rugged as they come. Clipped into the belt clip, your phone is fully protected from everything, making this a great option if you work on your feet and need the phone to be accessible and protected. Precise cutouts keep all the ports and buttons accessible, and the big loop around the fingerprint scanner makes it quick to find without looking. It's a great option for those looking for quality protection and features at a reasonable price.

See at Amazon

Wellci Hybrid Dual Layer Armor

Sometimes the best way to prevent your phone from suffering drop damage is to make it harder to drop. The first thing you'll notice about this case from Wellci is the pattern on the back of the polycarbonate shell, which helps to make this one of the grippier heavy duty cases you can get for your Pixel.

The shell works with the TPU slipcover to provide impact resistance and protection against scratches and scuffs. It's also the cheapest case on this list, making it a great frugal option if you're still looking for quality protection for your new Pixel.

See at Amazon

Lifeproof FRE

One of the glaring features omitted from the Pixel's design was waterproofing. Considering the latest iPhone and Samsung devices have included it, some were a little disappointed Google didn't match those specs with the Pixel.

A guide to waterproofing your Pixel

If the threat of water ruining your phone is a major concern for you, you'll want to get a Lifeproof case. Their cases are some of the best you can get if you're willing to spend top dollar to keep your phone protected. Currently, the Lifeproof FRE is not yet available for the Pixel, but you can learn about it and sign up for an email alert when it's ready to ship.

Learn more at Lifeproof

Protection or style: What do you prioritize?

Are you the type to buy a case as soon as you get a new phone? Or do you prefer to show it off in it's full splendor? Let us know in the comments!



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Google is officially cracking down on Play Store fraud

Integrity is a loaded word, but it's one that Google takes particularly seriously given the skeptics who have questioned the reliability of Android's Play Store.

Google has announced that it's rolling out improved detection and filtering systems to help rid the visibility of less-than-stellar applications in Android's app marketplace. This includes apps from developers who may have attempted to manipulate the placement of their apps through illegitimate means such as fraudulent installs, fake reviews, and even incentivized ratings. As written in the Android Developers Blog:

These attempts not only violate the Google Play Developer Policy but also harm our community of developers by hindering their chances of being discovered or recommended through our systems. Ultimately, they put the end users at risk of making wrong decisions based on inaccurate, unauthentic information.

As a user, you won't have to worry about much on your end. If there's an app in the Play Store that's engaging in unethical practices, Google's systems will detect it and filter it out of your search results. Developers will also be fine as long as they continue to abide by the Google Play Developer Policy. Google also asks that developers take caution with third-party marketing agencies that promote apps to ensure that they also follow the rules.



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LeEco's first U.S. flash sale is Nov 2 — here's what you need to know

Get to know LeEco ahead of its first flash sale in the U.S.

LeEco is trying to make its way into the U.S. after a (relatively) long history selling products in China and India, and it's kicking things off by selling a few of its top products via a "flash sale" on November 2. It's an unfamiliar model for most people in the U.S., but the products offer enticing value propositions with very attractive pricing.

Before the sale kicks off, here's an introduction to LeEco, its products, the LeMall store and its interesting consumer sales model.

What's LeEco all about?

Chances are you haven't heard of LeEco, or if you know the name you don't really know its business. LeEco is a rather large company based in China that started as a TV maker but has over the years expanded into several different industries, including phones, virtual reality, bicycles, cars, television and movie production, content distribution networks and so much more. Before coming to the U.S. in an official capacity, LeEco also purchased TV maker Vizio, though it has chosen to launch its own LeEco-branded TVs here.

LeEco sells its products directly to consumers through its LeMall website; a model that will continue as it launches in the U.S. Part of its reasoning for the direct sales is to create a feedback loop with its customers, soliciting responses and reviews of its products through the "UP2U" program.

For a robust primer on LeEco, be sure to read our introduction to the company right here.

What products are coming to the U.S.?

LeEco makes a lot of products across a diverse set of industries, but to start it's only bringing a couple of them to the U.S.

Most interesting to the Android Central readership will be the two phones, the Le Pro3 and Le S3 — one high-specced phone priced at $399 and a mid-ranger priced at $249. The phones aren't particularly exciting in terms of external hardware, but offer good specs and quality for the money. The phones run Android 6.0 with LeEco's EUI, or Ecosystem User Interface, which ties them together nicely with LeEco's other products. The big selling point for these phones is the vast amount of video content and services available.

More: LeEco Le Pro3 and Le S3 hands-on

Secondarily, LeEco is also bringing its line of aggressively priced Super4 4K HDR smart TV sets to the States. Starting at $649 for the 43-inch model up to $4999 for the 85-inch "uMax" model, they offer a lot for the money. The TVs run Android with LeEco's consistent interface and access to its content ecosystem — under the hood they have quad-core processors, 3GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, putting them a step above your average smart TV.

Rounding out the product offering, LeEco is also selling its range of accessories, including headphones, speakers, batteries, chargers and the like — all with consistent designs and attractive prices to match.

What are LeRewards and the flash sale?

So here's the thing: you can't just go to the LeMall store and buy these products whenever you want. Following the popular model used regularly in Asia, LeEco has "flash sales" for its products in which a limited stock is made available at a specific date and time for fans to buy while supplies last. In order to participate, you have to sign up for the "LeRewards" program at LeMall.com — then, on November 2 and 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET the sale is on.

You can make your purchases while supplies last — which could last as short as a few minutes — and as a LeRewards member you get instant discounts on the products. The discounts range from $100 off of a Le S3 phone (dropping the price to $150) up to $1000 off the uMax85 TV (dropping to $3999). If you miss out on the flash sale, you can register the day after for the next round of sales and claim instant rebates once again.



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Best weather app for Android

Accuweather is a feature-rich simple to navigate weather app that has great support and incredibly detailed local data thanks to its weather station network.

Best overall

Accuweather

$2.99

See on Google Play

You might be using Accuweather right now on your Android, whether you know it or not. The longtime weather service powers the weather data on many apps and widgets, including those pre-loaded on many handsets by manufacturers. They use Accuweather for a reason: it's dependable and damn accurate.

And why should you use Accuweather? That accuracy here is combined with a clean, concise app that is easy to navigate and easy to understand.

Bottom-line: Accuweather is the forecasting brains behind many a weather app, but its own app is simple, stable, and gets the job done in style.

One more thing: Accuweather's Minutecast is a marvel and while it's easy to find and read on the main app, it's omitted from its Android Wear app, where it really would do the most good.

Why Accuweather is the best

AccuWeather is one of the more established weather sites out there today, and it has a sizable Android following not only because of a simple yet feature-rich app, but also because AccuWeather powers a plethora of widgets and third-party weather apps. AccuWeather's first-party app is a bright affair, with the simple white (or black) background broken up with big pictures, charts, and ads, though those can be removed by upgrading to AccuWeather Platinum.

The detailed charts for both hourly and daily temperatures also scored big, making it easy for users to judge coming conditions more quickly and easily than reading a slew of numbers. AccuWeather also has regional video forecasts a la The Weather Channel and support for Android Wear, putting the forecast and conditions on your wrist for your convenience.

Best for widget users

1Weather

$1.99

See on Google Play

1Weather got a big update at the beginning of September, bringing the app at last to Material Design. 1Weather has always been a beautiful weather app, featuring one of the best dark themes we have encountered… but that dark theme is now broken up with Material Design's bland white cards. These cards aren't themeable like the rest of the app, as you can change the background theme, you can change the icon set from white to black, and you can theme the widgets a multitude of ways… but we can't switch the cards from white back to that beautiful black.

Functionally, there are very few flaws we've found in our extended use of 1Weather, and most of them can be attributed to the horizontal, tabbed layout 1Weather uses, such as the disconnect between reaching the map and interacting with it, as you have to tap an expand button before you can zoom or move the map. There are ads in 1Weather that can be removed with a one-time in-app purchase. It even has Android Wear support, though rather than an app it comes in the form of three-card notifications for current conditions and immediate forecast and one-card notifications for alerts, each with customized background images.

Bottom-line: 1Weather is a beautiful weather app with a layout to match, featuring the best weather widgets for anywhere in the world that isn't Walt Disney World.

One more thing: If you have a child that's interested in what the weather terms we often look at mean, 1Weather is an app that can help teach them a bit more about the weather. When you tap on any of the stats on the bottom of the main page, it will give you explanations of that term and some helpful hints as to what they mean — for instance, that when barometric pressure is dropping there's a good chance a storm is coming.

Best for visual weather

Yahoo Weather

Free

See on Google Play

Yahoo takes the honor in this humble writer's eyes for being the prettiest weather app, but when it comes to weather apps, pretty can't be all it has. Yahoo Weather is powered by Weather Underground, so it's forecasts and data have the accuracy of its nationwide network of personal weather stations.

The background images for the app are pulled from Flickr, Yahoo's picture service, so if you're looking at picturesque locations like New York City or Walt Disney World, you're likely to get a new and beautiful image every time to go into the app. If you're in a more remote location, those pictures will be more generic. The layout for Yahoo Weather is nice if you like to check multiple locations quickly, as you scroll up and down for the data about one location, then scroll side to side to switch between locations.

Bottom-line: Beautiful and backed by WeatherUnderground's robust network of weather stations, Yahoo is a visual marvel and great for users looking to check weather in multiple places quickly.

One more thing: Yahoo doesn't allow you to get rid of ads, but there are at least not that many of them, with a single ad between the forecast and radar and then a list of Yahoo's many Android apps in the menu shade between your locations and settings.

Best Layout

Dark Sky

$2.99/year

See on Google Play

Dark Sky is one of the most popular weather apps for ... that other platform ... and it finally came to Android earlier this year. Dark Sky's claim to fame is that its "hyperlocal" accuracy can tell you within minutes of when it's actually going to rain. In addition to that it's got your basic weather information — current temperature, highs and lows, what it actually feels like, etc. You also get precipitation information, windspeed, humidity and UV index.

You can get detailed information on the week ahead, hour by hour. A handy map feature shows you where the rain (and snow) is, worldwide, at any given time. And you've got a wealth of notification options, including a daily summary, next-hour precipitation, severe weather alerts, and custom alerts based off your own variables. Also, Dark Sky features a dedicated do-not-disturb mode so you won't be bothered in the middle of the night (but as someone living in Tornado Alley, I highly advise against it).

Bottom-line: Dark Sky is a bright, brainy weather app that can go beyond how the weather looks by the numbers and tell you how it feels.

One more thing: Dark Sky is free, but some of the more up-to-the-minute options will require a $2.99-a-year (that's $3 every 365 days) subscription. When the app launched on Android, this model drew quite a lot ire, but detailed weather information and a well-supported weather app all year for the price of a large cup of coffee is a bargain.

Best Simple App

The Weather Channel

Free

See on Google Play

The Weather Channel app has undergone some changes in recent times, and most of them have improved the app greatly. The layout is much slicker and simpler than before, having ditched its previous UI for one big, long continuous scroll.

As you scroll you get to more detailed information, like daily forecasts, radar, even social options and what the weather is like in some ski resorts. The Weather Channel is one of the most well known sources of forecast information on the planet, and their latest Android app takes out the complicated and makes it ultra simple to see what you need to see.

Bottom-line: The Weather Channel is one of the most recognized and trusted names in weather, and their app is simple without skimping on details.

One more thing: Like Yahoo, The Weather Channel has no paid/premium version to get rid of the ads. Unlike Yahoo, The Weather Channel slips in ad after ad as you scroll.

Best overall

Accuweather

$2.99

See on Google Play

You might be using Accuweather right now on your Android, whether you know it or not. The longtime weather service powers the weather data on many apps and widgets, including those pre-loaded on many handsets by manufacturers. They use Accuweather for a reason: it's dependable and damn accurate.

And why should you use Accuweather? That accuracy here is combined with a clean, concise app that is easy to navigate and easy to understand.

Bottom-line: Accuweather is the forecasting brains behind many a weather app, but its own app is simple, stable, and gets the job done in style.

One more thing: Accuweather's Minutecast is a marvel and while it's easy to find and read on the main app, it's omitted from its Android Wear app, where it really would do the most good.



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Best Drones Under $300

You don't need to break the bank to buy a fun, reliable drone.

If you're looking to buy your first drone, whether for racing or just for the fun of it, searching for the top-rated drones might result in sticker shock. Sure, the DJI Inspire 1 looks AMAZING, but at nearly $3,000, it's not worth the investment if you're a novice hobbyist.

If you're a beginner, you'll want a drone that's easy enough to fly to get a handle on everything but also tough enough to survive a crash caused by human error or technical malfunction. Fortunately, there are a number of great drone options out there for under $300. They often include cameras (of lesser-quality, of course) and first-person view (FPV) flying options, as well as bumpers to protect the blades and hardware while you're still learning the basics. Then, once you're confident in your skills as a drone pilot, you can decide whether to upgrade to a more expensive, professional drone.

Two of these drones fall below the FAA requirements for registration, which only costs $5 per aircraft and will save you from dealing with fines (or worse) if the authorities catch you flying an unregistered drone.

DBPOWER Hawkeye III

The Hawkeye II features all the bells and whistles you'd want from your first drone, in a slick package. It has a headless control feature, which just means that it's easy to maintain control, regardless of where the "front" is facing.

Once you've got the basics down, this is just a downright fun drone to fly. It's got stunt buttons built in to the controller, so you're able to pull off awesome flips at the press of a button. Its bigger size means it handles well, even on windy days. You also have the option to use FPV through a smartphone app using a VR headset (not included), but, given the camera quality, you're probably not going to feel comfortable flying it in first-person. Also, keep in mind that using the camera will cut into the overall flight time, since it drains the battery.

One thing to consider about this drone is the color. It sure looks sharp in all-white, but if you're flying it high in the sky on a cloudy day, you might find yourself losing visual contact with it.

See at Amazon

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 13.2" x 13.2" x 7.3"
  • Weight: 3.5 lbs
  • Camera: Yes (1MP, 720p)
  • Average flight time: 10 minutes (without camera)
  • FAA registration required?: Yes

Microdrone 3.0

The MicroDrone 3.0 raised over $3 million on IndieGoGo and, like the name suggests, is the smallest drone on this list, but don't let its small size fool you. This is a fully-capable drone with a ton of features jam-packed into a small, minimalist package.

Included in the full set combo, available on the Microdrone website, you get the drone, a 2.4 GHz handset, propeller guards, four replacement blades, four blades for inverted flying, the Wi-Fi Camera module, a smartphone holder that attaches to the handset, as well as a VR headset that holds most smartphones for FPV flying. Basically, it's everything you need to get started.

It's a capable flyer with three control modes (slow, fast, and insane), as well as a toggle switch for stunt mode, which lets you perform impressive flips and rolls. The camera literally snaps on in a second thanks to proprietary magnets that also deliver power to the camera. Connect your phone to the camera's Wi-Fi and control and record video through the Microdrone app.

Note that the folks behind the Microdrone are still working to fulfill their crowdfunding backers first, so you'll probably end up having to wait some time before it arrives.

See at Amazon

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 5.7" x 5.7" x 1.9"
  • Weight: .12 lbs (56 g) without camera, .16 lbs (71 g) with camera
  • Camera: Yes — removable, shoots 720 x 1080 HD at 30 FPS
  • Average flight time: 10 minutes (without camera)
  • FAA registration required?: No

Syma X8G

This is another great option for beginners. It flies well right out of the box with a gradual learning curve and a build that's reportedly strong enough to survive multiple crashes into trees. It's also the biggest drone on the list and comes with the best camera with the ability to swap in a GoPro.

You'll get up to eight minutes of flight time on a full battery charge, but you'll want to invest in multiple batteries because it takes up to 3 hours to charge the 2000mAh battery, which is by far the biggest drawback for this drone. Otherwise, given the build, size, and price, this is a fantastic option for a novice drone pilot or someone looking to get sweet aerial shots on the cheap.

See at Amazon

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 19.7" x 19.7" x 7.5"
  • Weight: 3.4 lbs
  • Camera: Yes — removable, 8 MP, 120p and 1080p video quality. Also compatible with GoPro cameras
  • Average flight time: 5-8 minutes
  • FAA registration required?: Yes

Walkera Runner 250

If you're interested in the emerging world of drone racing, this would be the drone to start with — but it's not recommended for beginners. Made from lightweight carbon fiber, it's built to take a licking and keep on ticking. It doesn't look as pretty as the other drones on this list, but again, this one is built for speed over style and sure delivers on that front.

The Runner 250 is capable of going extremely fast — up to 24 miles per hour — while still offering good control with up to 1000 meters of range. Flying at those speeds, you'll want to make sure the battery is well secured, as it's been reported to come loose and cut power to the camera after major crashes. Everything comes assembled in the box, along with a tool set for making repairs as needed. Happy racing!

See at Amazon

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 18.5" x 11.3" x 5.2"
  • Weight: 1.1 lbs
  • Camera: Yes (800TVL built-in)
  • Average flight time: 12-15 minutes
  • FAA registration required?: Yes

Parrot AR.Drone 2.0 Elite Edition

Parrot is a trusted name in drones, and the AR 2.0 is a fantastic entry point for someone interested in the hobby.

Unlike other drones on this list, this one is controlled strictly via a Wi-Fi connection with your smartphone; no handset is included. Simply download the Parrot control app to your phone and you're able to control and record video in 720p. There's also an optional Director Mode available for purchase within the app that allows you to set up cinematic shots if you fancy yourself an amateur filmmaker. There's even a USB plug in the base of the drone so you can record video straight to a removable drive.

The built-in sensors and navigation system allow the AR 2.0 to maintain stability, even in winds gusting up to 15 miles per hour, so you shouldn't lose control of your drone on a windy day. Even if you do, simply attach the foam blade protectors to help take the brunt of any crashes. Oh, and the Elite Edition means it comes styled in your choice of camo: jungle, desert, or snow.

See at Amazon

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 23" x 23" x 5"
  • Weight: 4 lbs
  • Camera: Yes — 720p HD video
  • Average flight time: 11 minutes
  • FAA registration required?:

LaTrax Alias Quadcopter

This one is a fine option for beginners and experts alike. Built with a solid, molded composite frame, this thing is both rugged and extremely lightweight.

Including a 2.4 GHz handset for controls, this thing is built for speed and stunting. There's no camera or options, so if that's an important feature for you, you'll have to look elsewhere. It does come with multiple flying modes, from easy mode that keeps the speed in check, to a full manual mode that puts you in full control of stabilization and everything.

While the LaTrax Alias lacks features found in other options on this list, the build design and price make this a great option for someone looking for something fast, cheap, and fun to fly.

See at Amazon

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 12" x 12" x 1.6"
  • Weight: .22 lbs (100g)
  • Camera: No
  • Average flight time: 10 minutes
  • FAA registration required?: No

What did we miss?

Are you a drone enthusiast? Got any experience with the drones we've listed here? Got a suggestion for one that we missed? Leave a comment below and let us know!



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Halloween Home Screen Theme Roundup

This is Halloween! This is Halloween! Smartphones scream in the dead of night!

This is Halloween, everybody pick a theme! Trick or treat till the app is gonna crash in fright!

You've probably got a costume for tonight, right? Well, do you have one for your phone? You don't want to leave your most important device out of the fun, do you? Especially when you can make your Android phone look like anything, from an old iPhone to a Pokedex and everything in between. Android themes are amazing, and there's no better time to try one of our many Android themes than Halloween! So dress up your phone! Who knows? Maybe you'll like it so much you keep these decorations up 'til Christmas.

Star Wars

Speaking of Christmas, we've got Rogue One coming up, and while we're saving some new themes for closer to release day, there's nothing saying you can't rock our Rebel Alliance themes until then! We've also got a Sith theme for our friends on the dark side, and the most adorable BB-8 theme you can raise a torch to!

Star Wars Themes

Pokémon Go

Valor, Instinct, Mystic, we love all trainers and their Pokémon, though some are clearly better than others. (coughcoughMysticcoughcough) In this spirit, we have home screen themes to show off your team spirit as you enjoy the spirited event going on right now in the game. And for those seeking peace between the teams, we have a little something for you, too!

Pokémon Go Themes

Finding Dory

Want a theme for your phone that's both adorable and functional? This Finding Dory theme takes advantage of Google Keep's colors and widgets to make a theme that'll help you be a little less forgetful than Dory as you struggle to remember which houses you still need to hit and which to avoid.

Finding Dory Theme

Captain America Civil War

We got Cap. We got Iron Man. We got Spidey. We got Panther. We got Widow. Whichever side of Marvel's Civil War you fall on, there's a theme for you, and these themes are amazing every single day of the year, but they add an extra touch of AWESOME to your costumes for tonight.

Captain America Civil War Themes

. Superman

It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's ANDROID! Okay, these themes don't come with utility belts or capes, but they are amazing themes for the Dark Knight and Man of Steel that you can rock on Halloween or any other night of the year. Because you're Batman!

Batman vs. Superman Themes

Suicide Squad

I dunno if anyone else is still humming the soundtrack from Suicide Squad of if it's just me, but Harley's theme is playful, colorful, and ever so slightly crazy, so it's perfect for Halloween! Deadshot's muted theme is both deadly efficient and drop-dead beautiful. So be a bad guy this holiday and get your Suicide Squad on with these lovely themes.

Suicide Squad Themes

Deadpool

Deadpool treats every day like it's Halloween: he dresses up in a sexy costume, tricks a bunch of bad guys, and tries stealing treats from everyone he can. This is perhaps the most complex theme we've ever done, but hey, if you're willing to give Maximum Effort, this fourth-wall-breaking theme might just be for you.

Deadpool Theme

iPhone

Halloween's a wonderful night for getting in costume and tricking people, so grab your Android, slap this iPhone theme on it, and go see how long it takes your friends to realize they've been had. Bonus points if you can show them how awesome Android's home screens can look by switching back to a more creative theme once their minds have been blown.

iPhone Theme

Windows Phone

Say what you will about Windows Phone, dressing your Android up as one for Halloween can also lead to some fun pranks. Also, considering the robust Android offering Microsoft offers, this could also be a gateway into some of their apps you'd never considered (or known). No Ninja Cat costume is complete without one!

Windows Phone Theme

MrMobile

Our favorite tech reviewing YouTuber MrMobile was honored with his own home screen theme shortly after his launch earlier this year. If you wanna go to a party as MrMobile, get some gel in your hair, a Star Trek communicator and this theme on your phone. Stay mobile, my friends.

MrMobile Theme



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