Log in to your Google account on the PC using your phone, no password needed
If you’re anything like me, at any given time you probably have close to a dozen or more accounts online (email, memberships to services, bank accounts, etc), all of which require a password. That means you have at least a few different passwords to memorize, as using the same password for everything isn’t exactly the most secure route to take. While a completely password-free life isn’t quite attainable just yet, Google is testing out a method that can free us from one of these passwords at least.
According to a post from Reddit user rp1226, Google is apparently testing a new feature that allows users to log into a Google account on their PC without having to input a password. As an alternative, you simply enter your email and your phone will get a notification telling you someone is trying to sign in from another device. If you let your phone know that this person is you, it’ll automatically authorize the entry – no need to enter a password.
Obviously this feature doesn’t just magically work, it first needs to be set up. For rp1225, he first got an email letting him opt into the program, and then he had to set up the option by authorizing a compatible device. After the one-time setup, he was good to go.
There’s still several unknowns to this new login option. First, it’s unclear if this feature will be rolled out to everyone in short order, or if rp1226 was just lucky enough to be given early access. Second, it’s hard to say what devices are on the compatibility list. This particular user happens to have the Nexus 6p, and it’s certainly possible that this could have been the reason he was chosen as a tester.
Regardless, this is a pretty cool feature. Personally, I don’t mind entering a password and see this as more time-consuming, but for those constantly changing passwords or those that have trouble remembering them, this could certainly come in handy.
What do you think, is this something you could see yourself using? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments below.
10 best Android games released in 2015!
It wasn’t long ago that the best Android games included titles like Angry Birds, Temple Run, and various card games. We’ve come a long way since then and 2015 was a year that only saw the mobile gaming market improve. In-app purchases are in the public eye and developers are pumping out longer, better, and more engaging games than ever before. We’re going to take a look at the best Android games released in 2015 so let’s get started!
Broken Age
[Price: $4.99]
Broken Age is a puzzle-adventure game with a fun twist. You play as two teenagers who are dealing with all kinds of ridiculous shenanigans. The game comes with unique, hand-drawn graphics along with an all-star cast of voice actors that include Elijah Wood, Wil Wheaton, Jennifer Hale, Jack Black, and others. The music is pretty good, too. It’s a pay-once game with no in-app purchases and it’s one of the more complete games released this year.
Get it now on Google Play!
Chaos Rings III
[Price: $19.99]
Chaos Rings III is an RPG published by Square Enix and this game is huge. It features a full-fledged story line complete with a ton of side missions that’ll keep you going for at least a couple of dozen hours. There is also an arena mode where you can earn new items and upgrade your characters even further. It comes complete with fantastic graphics, an above average soundtrack, and even cut scenes. This is one of the few games I’ve ever played on mobile that doesn’t feel like a mobile game.
Get it now on Google Play!
Fallout Shelter
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Fallout Shelter is one of only two Freemium games that made it on this year’s list. The hype for this game was absolutely ridiculous and it quickly became one of the most popular games of the year. The game itself is a survival-simulator where you must recruit a group of dwellers as you build, maintain, and protect your shelter. There are a variety of jobs and tasks to perform and Bethesda has done a good job so far preserving the quirky feeling of the Fallout franchise.
Get it now on Google Play!
Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions
[Price: $13.99]
When Square Enix released Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions, it almost jumped to the top of the strategy RPG list. This is a port of the PSP version of the game and comes complete with the extra content, jobs, and even movies from the PSP remake. Of course, it’s been optimized for touch screens. About the only bad thing about it is a lack of Google Play Games services, but it wouldn’t be the first time if Square Enix eventually added that in later.
Get it now on Google Play!
Lara Croft GO
[Price: $4.99 with in-app purchases]
Lara Croft GO is another Square Enix title that almost no one has had a problem with. It’s a tap-and-swipe puzzle adventure game where you must guide Lara through a bunch of obstacles in order to collect various relics and complete levels. It’s surprisingly fun considering that it isn’t a full-fledged Tomb Raider game and the developers have already begun adding new content. It has Google Play Games services and a 4.7 rating in the Google Play Store.
Get it now on Google Play!
See also: The best free Android games
Limbo
[Price: $4.99]
Limbo is a 2D puzzle game that’s unlike anything else released this year. You play as a boy as you delve into the depths of Limbo to rescue your sister. Along the way are a variety of puzzles that will likely kill you repeatedly. It’s been hailed by pundits and gamers alike as one of the best mobile games released this year thanks to its subtle, but good looking graphics, challenging puzzles, and fun concept. There are also no in-app purchases.
Get it now on Google Play!
Minecraft: Story Mode
[Price: $4.99 with in-app purchases]
Minecraft: Story Mode was the marquee release from Telltale Games this year, a game studio that dominated our lists last year. In this title, you play as a girl named Jesse as you venture forth through all the various worlds from Minecraft, including the Nether and the End. It features an all-star cast of voice actors including Patton Oswalt, Ashley Johnson, Corey Feldman, and Brian Posehn. If you’re a fan of Minecraft, this is a game you definitely don’t want to miss.
Get it now on Google Play!
Prune
[Price: $3.99]
Prune is an atmospheric puzzle that was released later in the year, but it has already amassed some pretty serious critical acclaim. With this title, your job is to cut and cultivate trees to help them reach sunlight in order to grow, blossom, and become pretty. The graphics are fairly bare bones and the mechanics are pretty simple, but it’s a strangely fun game to play and you only have to pay for it once.
Get it now on Google Play!
UNKILLED
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
UNKILLED is the second of two freemium titles that made our best list this year. This one was done up by MADFINGER Games, a studio you may recognize for their work doing Dead Trigger and Shadowgun. In this thrilling zombie shooter, you, well, shoot a whole bunch of zombies. There are 300 missions to complete, tons of weapons to collect, and it’s all wrapped up in some of the best graphics we’ve seen all year. It’d definitely worth checking out, especially if you like shooters.
Get it now on Google Play!
The best Android game of 2015:This War of Mine
[Price: $14.99]
It didn’t take long before This War of Mine became one of the must-have games of 2015. It’s a survival game where you must lead people around while trying to avoid soldiers in a besieged city. You must avoid snipers, make life or death decisions, and operate on a night and day basis in order to simply survive. It’s and unrepentant, gruesome, and merciless rollercoaster ride that manages to succeed in almost every possible way. This game is among the precious few that properly showcase what a mobile game can really be and that’s why it’s our pick for the best Android game of 2015.
Get it now on Google Play!
Related best app lists:
If we missed any amazing games released in 2015 that you think should be on this list, we’d love to hear about them in the comments below! To see our complete list of best app lists, click here.
Google launches new promotion, all albums are 50% off from the Play Store in select countries
Google is offering a special treat for Play Store goers, allowing those in select countries to take 50% off any single album, including some recent big hits, such as Adele’s new album, 25.
The deal is fairly straightforward to use: just add any album you’ve been dying to get to your cart, and at checkout, Google will apply the 50% off discount.
Unlike most promotional offers from Google, this one in particular isn’t limited to the US region; consumers in the UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, Brazil, France, Japan, Mexico, and Russia can all participate, too.
Google is running the promotion starting today and stated that it will last through January 4.
Come comment on this article: Google launches new promotion, all albums are 50% off from the Play Store in select countries
Zen Mobile’s Cinemax 2 launches in India with exclusive Flipkart partnership
Zen Mobile announced today that it’s bringing the Cinemax 2 to the India market by forming an exclusive partnership with popular online India retailer Flipkart.
The Cinemax 2 is a decidedly mid-range smartphone, sporting a 5.5-inch 960 x 540 display, a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, and 1GB of RAM. It also has a 5-megapixel rear camera, 8GB of internal storage, and a large 2,900mAh battery, as well as Android 5.1 Lollipop straight out of the box.
There’s currently no official word whether this device will get Android 6.0 Marshmallow or not.
As far as connectivity goes, the Cinemax 2 supports 3G networks, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, A-GPS and your standard micro-USB connector.
Zen Mobile’s Cinemax 2 can be purchased from Flipkart for ₹4,199.
Come comment on this article: Zen Mobile’s Cinemax 2 launches in India with exclusive Flipkart partnership
Samsung to build chips for AMD
Korea’s Electronic Times is reporting that Samsung will manufacture CPU and GPU chips for AMD beginning next year.
Electronic Times posits that AMD’s incoming CPUs could be more competitive with Intel thanks to the 14-nanometer process by which the CPUs will be manufactured and could be as much as 40% more efficient than the current generation. Additionally, if Samsung continues to work with AMD, it could potentially get a leg up on Intel in the PC market. Electronic Times is saying Samsung is planning to ship more efficient 10-nanometer chips in 2016, while Intel has said it won’t ship 10-nanometer chips until 2017.
At the moment, all of AMD’s chips are manufactured by Abu Dhabi-based GlobalFoundries, a firm that once belonged to AMD.
Samsung manufactures chips for Apple devices (though it has been struggling against Apple in the smartphone sales arena) and also builds GPUs for NVIDIA. Meanwhile, AMD lags behind Intel and NVIDIA in CPU and GPU sales, respectively, and is reportedly struggling financially.
Source: Electronic Times
Via: Engadget
Come comment on this article: Samsung to build chips for AMD
New leak reveals internal heat pipe for Moto X (2016)
Although the next generation Motorola flagship, the Moto X (2016), is thought to be on track for a second half of 2016 release, the rumors and leaked images are already getting started. We have already seen one leak that revealed a radical departure may be in store from Motorola as they head down the path of a metal and glass chassis for the next version Moto X. A newly leaked image shows some innovative thinking on Motorola’s part, this time with regards to the internals of the device which appears to incorporate a heat pipe.
Heat pipes are not a new technology, but there have been few applications in mobile devices, although Samsung is reportedly looking at the same concept for the Galaxy S7. The need for some creative cooling solutions may be traced back to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chip that is the rumored selection for the the Moto X (2016). Smartphone manufacturers already went through one round of heat “issues” with the Snapdragon 810.
Supposedly the Snapdragon 820 was going to avoid that situation, but thus far indications are that heat management is still a significant issue. Thus we see designers exploring solutions like heat pipes. In the case of Motorola, managing heat may also be part of the reason to shift to a metal and glass chassis design.
On a related note, sources have compared this latest leaked image with the last one and have noted the rear-facing speaker grille seems to match up between the two devices. Since this is likely an early prototype, that could still change for the final design.
source: TechWeb
via: G for Games
Come comment on this article: New leak reveals internal heat pipe for Moto X (2016)
Apple Obsoletes Select Early 2008 to Late 2009 Macs
Apple has updated its vintage and obsolete products list with various older products that have not been manufactured for at least five years, including select Macs manufactured between early 2008 and late 2009, the second-generation Time Capsule and the 32GB original iPod touch.
Apple products on the vintage and obsolete list are no longer eligible for hardware service, with a few exceptions. Apple defines vintage products as those that have not been manufactured for more than five and less than seven years ago, while obsolete products are those that were discontinued more than seven years ago.
Only the new additions are reflected below.
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009)
iMac (27-inch, Late 2009)
MacBook Air (Mid 2009)
Mac Pro (Early 2009)
Time Capsule 802.11n (2nd generation)
Macintosh products obsolete in the U.S., Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Latin America
Apple Cinema Display (23-inch, DVI, Early 2007)
Apple Cinema Display (30-inch DVI)
MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2008)
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2008)
Time Capsule 802.11n (1st generation)
iPod products obsolete in the U.S., Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Latin America
iPod touch with Jan SW UPG 32GB
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Stratos’ universal credit card lives on with a new owner
Like a certain Monty Python Black Knight, the all-in-one credit card company Stratos is still clinging to life. Yesterday we heard that it was going out of business after only six months, but now TechCrunch reports that it was sold at the last minute to Ciright One, which is developing a smart credit card of its own. Ciright will now manage Stratos sales and management of its existing service, but it’s unclear how long that will last. After all, it doesn’t make sense for it to have two universal credit card products. Most likely, one of those cards will eventually shut down, but Ciright will still be equipped with Stratos’ technology and design work. It looks like the all-in-one credit card battle is now between Ciright and Coin.
Source: TechCrunch
Unofficial Apple museum shows decades worth of gear
Apple isn’t about to open a museum any time soon, but that isn’t stopping fans from making one of their own. Prague’s newly opened Apple Museum showcases what’s billed as the “biggest” private collection of Apple gear, ranging from some of the earliest systems to models you can find in stores today. The collection includes some relatively hard-to-find items, too, including the Lisa, the Twentieth Anniversary Mac and a Beatles Collector’s Box (complete with iPod and rip-it-yourself CD library). The tributes to the company are over the top at times — expect to see a lot of Steve Jobs quotes — but it might be worth the trip if you’re in town and have a penchant for Apple gear.
[Image credit: Apple Museum, Imgur]
Source: Apple Museum, Imgur
What to binge-watch over the holidays
If you’ve been struggling to keep up with the mammoth amount of television these days, 2015 didn’t do you any favors. We saw more original series than ever from Netflix (most of which are definitely worth a watch), as well as a slew of great shows from established networks. Some call this the era of peak television — we just like to think of it as the age of binge watching.
All of our recommendations from last year still stand, though some might now be available on different streaming platforms. We’ve also tried to focus on shows readily available on services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, but in some cases you’ll actually have to (gasp!) buy individual bits of content. Now onto the selection:
A Very Murray Christmas
While this special seems like a Netflix gimmick to cash in on Bill Murray’s celebrity, it’s actually something much more. Murray plays himself, dreading an upcoming Christmas show that’s taking place amid a terrible blizzard in New York City. With no guests to be seen, he ends up making the best of the situation with the other unfortunate souls stuck in his hotel. It’s simply charming and sweet, with a hint of melancholy. We already see ourselves revisiting it over the next few years.
Where to watch: Netflix
Watch if you like: Bill Murray, A Charlie Brown Christmas
Fargo
No, it doesn’t really make sense to remake the Coen brother’s seminal slow-burn crime film as a TV series. But it turns out, that’s not what the show’s creator, Noah Hawley, has in mind at all. Fargo’s first season shares some basic story details with the 1996 film, but it veers off into completely different territory as it remixes other elements from the Coen’s backlog. If you liked No Country for Old Men’s unstoppable villain Anton Chigur, you’ll love Billy Bob Thornton in this.
Fargo’s first season was a breath of fresh air. But its second season is even better, with a stronger cast (including Friday Night Lights’ Jesse Plemons, Patrick Wilson and Kirsten Dunst), and a story that does a surprisingly great job of exploring family and gender roles (with habit of weirdness thrown in). Also, there are shootouts. Lots of them.
Where to watch: Hulu (season 1); iTunes/Amazon (Season 2); FX
Watch if you like: Justified, Westerns, and the Coen’s crime films
The Leftovers
Give Damon Lindelof a break already. We get it, you were disappointed with how Lost turned out. And you probably blame him for some of the issues with the new Star Trek films. But it’s time to move on — which, fittingly enough, is one of the major themes in The Leftovers. The first season introduced us to a world where a small portion of the world’s population simply disappeared, in a Rapture-like event. But instead of trying to figure that mystery out, we followed how it affects people in a small town. Families are torn apart. Cults are formed. The nature of reality is questioned.
It’s definitely a tough show to watch, but it’s the sort of cathartic experience that makes you reassess what’s important in life. The first season takes a while to get going, but it’s worth watching for several incredible standalone episodes, as well as a strong second half. With the second season, Lindelof and his writers have crafted one of the most poignant and unpredictable television experiences ever. Consider him redeemed.
Where to watch: HBO Now/Go
Watch if you like: The X-Files, Lost, Twin Peaks
The Great British Baking Show
Rebadged for American audiences (it’s called The Great British Bakeoff elsewhere), this is a cooking competition show that’s as comforting as drinking hot chocolate while curled up under a blanket on a winter morning. What makes the show truly different is its lavish production (everyone is baking in a countryside tent), sugary sweet tone and creative challenges.
Where to watch: Netflix, PBS
Watch if you like: Chopped, Top Chef
Master of None
Aziz Ansari’s Netflix series is indeed hilarious, yet it’s also a wonderfully real portrayal of thirty-something life and relationships today. It follows his dating life as a young actor in New York City, but it also touches on his relationship with his immigrant parents, and the surprising trend of Hollywood “brown facing” white actors to play South Asians. Ansari has crafted something truly unique in the guise of yet another show portraying NYC as a magical wonderland for affluent, disaffected young people.
Where to watch: Netflix
Watch if you like: Parks and Recreation, Girls, Aziz Ansari
Review
“Life. It’s literally all we have. But is it any good?” So begins every episode of Comedy Central’s Review. If you’re reading this site, you’re probably familiar with the idea of reviewing products. But Review, instead, aims to put a score on actual life experiences. And for host Forrest MacNeil (played by comedian Andy Daly), that includes things like stealing, road rage and even divorce.
As you can imagine, these situations don’t usually end up too well for him. Review starts off pretty straightforward, but it quickly reveals itself to be a dark comedy that revels in pushing Forrest to the brink. The extent to which he destroys his life for a dumb TV show is admirable. And hilarious. (Also, it’s strangely reminiscent of the lives of gadget reviewers.)
Where to watch: Comedy Central, Hulu
Watch if you like: Curb Your Enthusiasm, The League, Arrested Development
Rectify
How do you piece together a normal life after spending 19 years on death row? Is it even possible? And how does coming home affect your family? Rectify isn’t your typical TV drama. It’s full of quiet whispers and methodical self-reflection. There are few soapy plot twists or big action scenes. The result is an achingly beautiful story that doesn’t feel like anything else on television.
Where to watch: Netflix (Seasons 1-2); iTunes, Amazon
Watch if you like: Enlightened, The Wire
Rick and Morty
If you haven’t caught on to the mad brilliance of Rick and Morty yet, now’s the perfect time. It’s pretty much like Doctor Who or Back to the Future on acid, starring a nebbish teenager and his alcoholic mad scientist grandfather. Hopping between dimensions has never been so hilarious. You can watch the entire first season on Hulu now, but it’s the second season where it really matured into something surprisingly meaningful amidst the insanity. It’s worth the iTunes blind buy, trust me.
Where to watch: Hulu; iTunes/Amazon (Season 2)
Watch if you like: Futurama, Doctor Who, The Simpsons
Better Call Saul
The minds behind Breaking Bad give us a closer look at how that show’s criminal lawyer Saul Goodman got his start — and the results are surprisingly entertaining. We follow his progression from a small-time lawyer named Jimmy McGill who’s simply attempting to do good, to someone pushed towards more extraordinary measures. We expected it to be funny, but we didn’t expect the show to end up being one of the best dramas of the year.
Where to watch: AMC; For purchase on iTunes, Amazon
Watch if you like: Breaking Bad, Justify
Mr. Robot
Finally, a show that at least tries to get hacking right. Mr. Robot takes the vibe of Fight Club and pairs it with a disaffected techie who gets wrapped up in a scheme to take down the global financial system. It’s surprisingly stylish for a USA show, and while it can be a bit campy at times, there’s enough memorable material to make it worth a watch. Rami Malek is the real star, but it’s also a great reminder of why Christian Slater can be pretty darn great.
Where to watch: Hulu, USA
Watch if you like: Fight Club, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, technology in general
Casual
This show’s about another sort of modern family: A thirty-something guy and his divorced sister, along with her teenage daughter, all living in the same house. Yes, it’s another show about relationship issues, but it’s a unique spin on that formula, with different generations going through their own problems.
Where to watch: Hulu
Watch if you like: Juno, Young Adult
One-Punch Man
The problem with ultimate power? Life can get pretty boring. That’s the dilemma facing Saitama, an amateur superhero who’s trained so hard he can defeat anything with a single punch. In his quest to find a suitable opponent, he ends up joining an organization of heroes who fight off the monsters/kaiju/aliens that plague his city. It’s a fun, action-packed series on its own, but it’s particularly hilarious if you catch the many anime tropes it’s making fun of.
Where to watch: Hulu
Watch if you like: Dragonball Z, Bleach, Naruto
Steven Universe
The story of a young boy who joins a trio of aliens to fight monsters and save his town/planet (as one does), Steven Universe deftly evolves into a show about childhood, friendship and being a decent human being. It pulls plenty of influence from anime, especially classic shows like Revolutionary Girl Utena with a hint of Sailor Moon, but it also delves into entirely new territory for kids television. Also, the music is simply fantastic.
Where to watch: Hulu, Cartoon Network
Watch if you like: Anime, Dragonball (before Z), joy
Honorable mentions
Here are a few other choice selections from the Engadget staff:
- Fireplace for Your Home (Netflix): It wouldn’t be the holidays without this.
- The Man in the High Castle (Amazon Prime): This Philip K. Dick adaptation explores a world where Germany and Japan won World War II.
- Catastrophe (Amazon Prime): A sweet-yet-vulgar look at a modern relationship.
- The Affair (Showtime)
- Penny Dreadful (Showtime): One of the most sumptuous shows on television, it’s a must for fans of classic monsters.
- Bojack Horseman (Netflix): The second season of this Netflix animated series matures into something truly great.
- Bob’s Burgers (Fox, Hulu, Netflix): This show takes over the mantle of the best animated family series from The Simpsons.
- Longmire (Netflix): If you’re a fan of Westerns, you need to be watching this.
AIVAnet 