Deal: learn to make apps with the Hot Java Android 6.0 Coding Bundle for $29
Gone are the days when you had to go to school for years just to learn how to put together a mobile application. Though going through that process still helps, there are now online courses and tools that can give you the skills required to start your new coding career.
Want to learn how to make great Android apps, games and more? The AA Deals Store has an offer on some great courses to get you started, and for very cheap! You can now buy the Hot Java Android 6.0 Coding Bundle for only $29. That would be a 95% discount over the $657 price these courses originally cost! The bundle includes over 60 hours of training and 5 classes that range between $67 and $199 in value.
Here are the courses and their real value:
- Learn Android Lollipop Development – $199 value
- The Complete Java Developer Course – $197 value
- Learn How to Reskin, Upload & Publish an Android Game – $97 value
- Play Framework Development with Java – $97 value
- Reskin Games for App Stores (No Coding Required) – $67 value
The only requirement is that you have internet access. Users will also need an Android device for the first class (real or virtual).
Join the developer party, guys! Once again – this bundle is only $29. You have nothing to lose, yet so much to win. And remember, you could share this deal through your social networks for the chance to win $10, so the deal may get even better. Just click the button below to get all the details.
Ditch carrier contracts with these smartphones
Carriers are expensive, and they’re only getting worse. Two-year contracts are on their way out in favor of device payment plans, thanks to revolutionary initiatives from T-Mobile. These payment plans, however, are essentially the same thing as the two-year contract options, only more expensive.
It looks cheaper on surface level, but carriers are making up for those lower prices through additional charges, upgrade fees, and so on. That begs the question: how can you ditch your carrier and save thousands of dollars on your phone bill?
It’s common knowledge that we’re paying out thousands of dollars for our smartphones over the course of a two-year contract, but, unfortunately, it’s hard to break way from that since many off-contract phones just don’t offer a premium package similar to that of the Galaxy S6 Edge+ or LG G4.
While that may be true, there’re now some devices out there that do offer that same premium quality.
Google Nexus 6
Google’s Nexus 6 features a 6-inch 2560 x 1440 AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 805 chipset, a 2.7GHz quad-core Krait 450 processor, 3GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel camera, and it comes in 32/64GB storage sizes. As with all Nexus devices, it’s running the latest version of Android Lollipop, and will receive quick and timely updates.
Starting at $499, it’s a steep price, but that’s the only price you’ll be paying for this premium package. No contracts, no device fees, and so on. It’s 100% yours and you can take it to any of the big four carriers in the United States to find yourself the cheapest data package.
Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3
Alcatel OneTouch’s Idol 3 features a 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 IPS LCD display, a Snapdragon 615 chipset, a quad-core 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 and quad-core 1GHz Cortex-A53 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel rear camera, and it comes in 16/32GB storage options with microSD support up to 128GB.
As far as performance goes, it’s definitely up there with the Google Nexus 6, especially with how clean Alcatel OneTouch left the software on this device. It’s also significantly cheaper at $249 while still offering a premium package.
Be sure to check out our review here.
Motorola Moto G
The Motorola Moto G (2015) features a 5-inch 1280 x 720 IPS LCD display, has a Snapdragon 410 chipset, a quad-core 1.4GHz Cortex-A53 processor, a 13-megapixel rear camera and comes in two options: 8GB of storage with 1GB of RAM or 16GB of storage with 2GB of RAM. The device also supports microSD cards up to 128GB.
Prices start at a meager $179.99 for this mid-range unlocked device, and while it may not have the sheer processing power of a higher-end phone, do you really need all that power for your basic smartphone tasks?
Be sure to check out our review here.
Making the leap
Making the leap to the off-contract life can be difficult, especially if you’re in the process of a two-year contract or device payment plan. Early termination fees or paying off the remainder of your balance can be expensive all in one chunk, especially if you want to purchase a new, unlocked smartphone immediately after.
You have two options: wait your contract out or bite the bullet and pay that lump sum. In doing the latter, you’ll save a lot of money on all sorts of fees, interest, and so on, but you won’t notice the affects of this saving for a few months down the road.
If contracts or device payment plans aren’t an issue for you, the obvious first step is to pick out and buy a smartphone.
Setting up your new smartphone
Setting up an unlocked device is extremely easy. In most cases, if you have a SIM card already, you can just pop your old one into your new smartphone, given that it’s the same size. On AT&T, I swapped the SIM out of my LG G3 and put it in the Idol 3–it worked right away, no setup involved.
If you don’t have the correct size SIM card, it’s as simple as heading to your chosen carrier’s website and ordering one of the correct size.
It may be a bit trickier to get it to work on a CDMA carrier like Verizon, however, the company has recently made it an easier process. Unfortunately, you still have to be cautious when bringing your own device to Verizon, as many phones don’t have all the necessary CDMA and LTE radios to work properly with the carrier. The same goes for Sprint.
Closing
The Wall Street Journal reported in 2012 that the average household spends $1226 annually on smartphone plans, and that’s no doubt increased in the past three years. I personally spend around $350/mo on my smartphone plan with AT&T, and by going off-contract, you could be spending as little as $30 per line, no matter what carrier you choose.
Prices do vary depending on how much data you need, but it still ends up being cheaper than a contract or device payment plan, as most prepaid plans for smartphones are without all of the added fees.
While it doesn’t look like much, over the next few years you could see thousands of dollars in savings. And for many of us, that couple thousand could go to things much more important.
Come comment on this article: Ditch carrier contracts with these smartphones
ICYMI: User-generated Golf ads, motocross bionics and machine gun traps
Today on In Case You Missed It, Volkswagen releases a new commercial for its Golf R that changes depending on what sound effects the viewer makes. We also take a look at a bionic knee from “Monster” Mike Schultz designed for Moto-crossing lower-leg amputees. The Mythbusters find out if Walter White’s machine gun trap could actually work (hint: omfg, does it ever) and a Parakeet learns to speak droid because Star Wars just won’t go away.
If you come across any interesting videos, we’d love to see them. Just tweet us with the #ICYMI hashtag @engadget or @mskerryd. And if you just want to heap praise on your handsome guest host, feel free to hit him up @mr_trout.
Tags: bionics, breakingbad, Golf, icymi, incaseyoumissedit, ItsATrap, knee, M60, machinegun, motocross, mythbusters, traps, volkswagen
Dell revives the Alienware 18, upgrades its smaller gaming laptops
It’s a rare, satisfying feeling when a community rallies together to ask a company to bring back a discontinued product and it actually works. Today is one of those days: Dell announced at PAX that it’s bringing back the Alienware 18 — the most powerful portable gaming machine the company’s ever made. The revived 18-inch rig is being touted as a ‘special edition’ and will pack in a 4th Generation Intel i7 processor, up to 32GB of RAM, a 1TB HDD (with an optional 512GB SSD) dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970M or 980M graphics, depending on the configuration. Too big? Too much? No worries — Alienware is refreshing its 13-, 15- and 17-inch laptops, too.
These updated laptops are packed to the brim overdue hardware updates, including support for PCIe SSDs with 4GB/s transfer speeds, updated Killer wireless and ethernet controllers, and a USB Type-C connector with USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt 3 support. The Alienware 13 will also be getting a larger 62Whr battery. Dell isn’t saying much about the line-up’s CPU options right now, but the company typically keeps pace with Intel when it launches next-gen processors. All three models will be rocking NVIDIA’s latest GTX GPUs except the Alienware 15, which will optionally ship with the AMD Radeon HD R0 M395X, instead.
The Alienware team is adding PCIe SSD support to its X51 desktop unit, as well as slots for DDR4 RAM and a new CPU liquid cooling system — but that’s not what makes the refreshed tower interesting. No, that would be the X51’s newfound support for the Alienware Graphics Amplifier, a separate chassis that lets gamers hook desktop-class graphics cards up to Alienware laptops. So, why is Dell adding AGA support to a desktop? To accommodate larger graphics cards: the X51’s case is just barely large enough to cram in a NVIDA GTX 960. If you want something like the Geforce GTX Titan X, you’ll need a Amplifier.
Finally, Dell announced its first two gaming-centric computer monitors, an $800 27-inch display with NVIDIA’s G-Sync II technology and a 144Hz refresh rate, and a $400 curved 27-inch display optimized for a “wrap around” viewing experience. There’s no word yet on the screens’ native resolutions, but Dell says they’ll be available in September and October, respectively.
Enough news for you? No? Then check out Dell’s website for more details — the laptop’s product pages should be available for your viewing pleasure right now.
Filed under:
Gaming, Laptops, Dell
Tags: Alienware, alienware13, alienware15, alienware17, alienware18, alienwaregraphicsamplifier, alienwarex51, dell, gaming, gaminglaptop, gamingpc, pax, pax-prime
‘Rapture’ game soundtrack pulled from out-of-touch UK charts
Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is a post-apocalyptic game with a difference. Instead of a nuclear wasteland, you’re tasked with exploring an idyllic, but empty town in the middle of the English countryside. There’s little dialogue, but the sweeping soundtrack sets a wonderfully melancholic tone. Composed by the game’s director Jessica Curry, these original tracks are excellent examples of modern classical music. And clearly they’ve resonated with people — earlier this month, the soundtrack placed eighth in the UK’s “Official Classical Artist Albums Chart.” Curry and the rest of her studio, The Chinese Room, were delighted. That is, until it disappeared from the chart the following week.
Very sad that the UK official charts have withdrawn my Rapture score from the classical charts- think it would have hit no. 1 this week 
— Jessica Curry (@jessicacurry2) August 25, 2015
According to the UK’s Official Charts Company, its inclusion was a mistake. The rules for this particular chart, which were drawn up in partnership with the classical music industry, state that original soundtracks performed by single and various artists are ineligible. The decision applies not just to Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, but to all video games and movies. Curry and The Chinese Room have been voicing their disapproval on Twitter — the developer has called it “bullshit” and “snobbery in action.” Fans of the game have, understandably, leapt to their defence and even Shuhei Yoshida, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, has called the decision “unfortunate.”
So @officialcharts denied the Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture OST by @jessicacurry2 it’s rightful chart placement. Just snobbery in action.
— The Chinese Room (@ChineseRoom) August 25, 2015
To make matters worse, the Official Charts Company has made another blunder in the Official Classical Artist Albums Chart. In this week’s listings, The Complete Harry Potter Film Music by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra is ranked 29th. Just like Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, this is an original soundtrack. A spokesperson for the Official Charts Company told us: “It’s an error. It shouldn’t be in there either and will be corrected (taken out) this Friday. We’re already aware of it.” For fans of the game and Curry’s music, however, its inclusion has only added to their sense of anger and frustration.
@ChineseRoom @officialcharts That’s ridiculous. How is original music composed for a game any different from music composed for a film?
— Foucauld Escaillet (@MisterFooks) August 25, 2015
But even once the Harry Potter soundtrack is removed, the greater question remains: why are original scores ineligible? We’re yet to hear a definitive answer. Whatever the reason, it means these albums are represented elsewhere; in the Official Soundtrack Albums Chart and the Official Classic FM Chart, which is a combined classical chart published on the radio station’s website. Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture features in both, but you could argue that the level of recognition they offer isn’t quite the same. To confuse matters further, the Official Charts Company has told Eurogamer that it considers Curry’s record “a bona fide classical album.” That’s why it features prominently in the Classic FM Chart — but again, this doesn’t explain its ineligibility for the Official Classical Artist Albums Chart.
No matter where you stand, the reality is that this decision doesn’t affect the quality of our favourite soundtracks. It’s just a shame all classical music can’t be treated equal — whether it’s written specifically for an album, or to accompany a movie, TV show or video game, it either fits the genre or it doesn’t. If you think these composers are being treated unfairly, the best course of action — as always — is to support their work with your wallet.
https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/182090636&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=falsehttps://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/154085103&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false
Filed under:
Gaming
Source:
Jessica Curry (Twitter)
Tags: classicalmusic, EverybodysGoneToTheRapture, jessicacurry, OfficialChartsCompany, OriginalSoundTrack, ost, soundtrack, thechineseroom
Major UK music body sues SoundCloud over unpaid royalties
With 175 million unique listeners each month, SoundCloud has established itself as a major player in the streaming space. Despite its size, the company has faced an uphill battle to convert its huge community into customers who are willing to pay for “unprecedented access to the world’s largest community of music & audio creators.” SoundCloud has struck deals with some major labels and independent artists, but in the UK, the Performing Rights Society for Music (PRS) has decided to take legal action against the music sharing service for allegedly not paying artists the royalties they deserve.
In an email sent to members, PRS for Music notes: “Following five years of unsuccessful negotiations, we now find ourselves in a situation where we have no alternative but to commence legal proceedings.” It believes that SoundCloud should acquire a license to offer music created by its 111,000 members and says that while it has asked the company “numerous times to recognise their responsibilities,” its demands “have not been met.”
PRS for Music also documents proof of SoundCloud’s non-compliance. It says that the streaming service only removed 250 “posts” when it was provided with a list of 4,500 musical works created by its members. When asked for comment, SoundCloud acknowledged that while it takes PRS for Music’s claims “extremely seriously”, the legal notice is “entirely devoid of merit and foundation, and it is our intention to vigorously defend and contest the claim.”
“SoundCloud is a platform by creators, for creators. We respect creators and their work, and give all copyright owners full control over their content on the platform,” it adds. “We are working hard to create a platform where all creators can be paid for their work, and already have deals in place with thousands of copyright owners, including record labels, publishers and independent artists.”
Therein lies the rub. While SoundCloud may host some infringing content, most creators willingly choose to upload and share new music on the service. If someone is unhappy that they’re not getting paid, they can choose to remove tracks from the site. However, with SoundCloud now recognized as one of the primary sources of new music, artists often upload early versions of their work to gauge opinion and interact with fans before releasing them via a label.
“It is regrettable that PRS has chosen to reconsider continuing its commercial negotiations,” says SoundCloud. “We believe this approach does not serve the best interests of any of the parties involved.” PRS for Music is steadfast in its belief that “all digital services should obtain a licence which grants them permission to use [its] members’ music and repertoire” (services like Spotify and Rdio have already struck deals) — even if it could negatively affect the bond between an artist and their fans.
Source:
Record Of The Day
Tags: copyright, hdpostcross, music, prs, prs for music, royalties, soundcloud
Mini review video: our verdict of the Galaxy Note 5 in under a minute
Samsung’s pen-toting Galaxy Note series has never been for everyone, and still isn’t, but the latest iteration, the Note 5, might just be refined enough to change a few minds. Though the fifth-generation version has a large 5.7-inch, QHD screen, it’s actually the smallest Note to date and, not surprisingly, the most comfortable to hold. Under the hood, it brings enough software tweaks that the S Pen feels less like a gimmick than it used to. Even if you never use the pen, though, you’ll enjoy the excellent camera, fast performance, brilliant screen and long battery life. Hopefully, you can see why we scored it 91 out of 100, though for some folks, the lack of expandable storage and a 128GB storage option will be dealbreakers. That’s the gist of the abridged mini review video we have for you today, but if you have time, head on over to our full review for a much deeper dive.
Filed under:
Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
Tags: mobilepostcross, review, samsung, video
IDC Estimates Apple Watch Sales Totaled 3.6 Million in Second Quarter
The latest data from market research firm IDC estimates Apple Watch sales totaled 3.6 million worldwide in the second quarter of 2015, making it the second most popular wearable device during the three-month period ending June 30. Apple was within striking distance of market leader Fitbit, which sold an estimated 4.4 million fitness trackers in the second quarter.
IDC estimates that Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi trailed in third place with 3.1 million wearables shipped in the quarter, representing 17.1% market share. Garmin and Samsung rounded off the top with 700,000 (3.9%) and 600,000 (3.3%) wearables shipped respectively, while all other vendors accounted for a combined 5.7 million shipments and 31.5% market share.
Last month, Strategy Analytics estimated 4 million Apple Watch sales in the second quarter, so IDC’s estimate is within close range. Apple has not disclosed Apple Watch sales numbers since it launched in April, instead grouping the wrist-worn device with iPod, Apple TV and Beats Electronics accessories under an “Other Products” category in quarterly earnings reports.
Apple CEO Tim Cook vaguely mentioned that Apple Watch sales have “exceeded expectations” during an earnings call last month.
‘iPhone 6s’ Display Panel With Mystery Chip Is Slightly Heavier and Thicker Than iPhone 6 Version
Following our look at a partially functioning “iPhone 6s” built from parts earlier this week, we’re now getting some more details on the iPhone 6s display assembly itself. While the part has been seen in a few leaks over the past several weeks, a source has now provided us with some new information and high-quality photos of the part.
Display assemblies from iPhone 6 (left) and iPhone 6s (right)
Numerous rumors have pointed toward the iPhone 6s including support for Force Touch, which will allow the device to sense how hard the user is pressing on the screen and present different interface options or functionality based on the amount of pressure. We’ve yet to see confirmation that such functionality is present in these display assemblies that have been circulating, but there are some tantalizing differences from the corresponding iPhone 6 part.
Top portion of iPhone 6s display assembly with unknown chip
The first is a small rectangular chip visible on the rear of the display. It has been seen in all leaked parts seen so far, and its function remains unconfirmed, but our source suspects it is indeed related to Force Touch. The chip is visible due to a cutout in the metal shielding behind the display.
Read more 
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 possibly heading to India
Samsung seemed to have upset a few of its customers when it announced that the Galaxy Note 5 wouldn’t be launching in every region right away, but Indian consumers may be a little luckier. SamMobile has come across some test firmware for an Indian version of the handset with a build date created recently in August.
The build, version number N920GDDU1AOH2 (where H is apparently for August), is said to still be a work in progress for the Galaxy Note 5. However, the fact that development is still ongoing is a promising sign that Samsung may be planning to launch the device in India sometime soon. The country was not mentioned on the official list of launch regions, and Samsung decline to confirm or deny the rumor, so make of this what you will.
A similar work in progress build has previously been spotted for Europe, but it was last updated back in June, suggesting that development has been paused, at least for now. This certainly doesn’t mean that a European launch won’t happen at some point, but it likely won’t take place before any Indian launch.
Galaxy Note 5 videos:
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Although Samsung’s decision not to globally launch the Note 5 may be infuriating for some potential customers, Samsung apparently misjudged and struggled to meet demand for its smaller S6 Edge display earlier in the year. Perhaps this is Samsung’s way of keeping tighter control over its display supply this time around?
Do you think that the Galaxy Note 5 would go down well in India?
AIVAnet 