Bombing Bastards Touch is a free-to-play Bomberman clone, without in-app purchases
Previously an exclusive to Android TV, Bombing Bastards has now arrived for all Android devices, with this new version designed with touchscreens in mind, and technically even a new name, billed as “Bombing Bastards: Touch!”. Probably the most exciting thing about this game, however, is that it is free, without in-app purchases.
I know you’re just waiting for me to mention a “catch”, so I will comply: there are no in-app purchases but if you die, you are asked to watch a small video ad before you are resurrected. Of course if you really hate in-app purchases and video ads, you don’t have to get resurrected and can instead start the level over reach time you die. Honestly, we’d say this is about as close to “100% free” as you could hope for, and way better than many apps that litter the screen with constant adds and have in-app purchases as well.
As for the game itself? It’s basically a fairly standard single-player Bomberman clone where you have to defeat enemies without blowing yourself up in the process, while clearing through stages and encountering bosses along the way. To help you make your way through the game, you’ll also find power ups and other goodies you can collect. If you enjoy this type of arcade blow-em-up experience, you’ll like what you find here.
What do you think, is this one worth the try considering its nearly ad/in-app free? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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iPhone 7 Predicted to Adopt Lightning Headphones Without Noise-Canceling Capabilities
Apple is likely to wait until 2017 and the “iPhone 7s” to introduce noise-canceling headphones, according to a Barclays analyst report posted today. In the report, analysts Blayne Curtis and Christopher Hemmelgarn believe that 2016’s iPhone 7 will include a Lightning-equipped headphone accessory, with the “potential” for a dynamic noise-canceling system to be introduced next year.
The analysts believe Apple will use a basic digital codec in 2016, allowing the company to introduce Lightning-connected headphones later in the year. This move will prepare Apple for the possibility of including Cirrus Logic’s (an Apple audio supplier) more advanced noise-cancellation smart codec in 2017, which requires a digital codec to be installed in the first place.
We still believe there is potential for AAPL to add ANC in the IP7S but believe AAPL is including just the digital headphone in the IP7 this year. Recent speculation surrounding the elimination of the headphone jack in the IP7 is consistent with this move as AAPL will need to provide a digital headset inbox but likely was not willing to spend the extra cost for the ANC functionality.
Rumors surrounding the exclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack in the iPhone 7 began earlier in the year, although it was unclear whether the accessory would ship in the box or be sold as a separate purchase under the Beats by Dre brand. According to the analysts in today’s report, the 3.5mm headphone jack will be replaced by another speaker thanks to an additional amp also provided by Cirrus Logic.
Other rumors have suggested that Apple is preparing a Bluetooth solution for an upcoming iPhone line, similar in vein to the Bragi Dash headphones, which are finally beginning to ship out to early pre-order customers after over a year of waiting. The headphones would be completely wireless, with two separate pods that require regular charging.
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X Labs looking for auto manufacturer expertise
Last year Google’s X Labs hired a former Hyundai and TrueCar executive to take the wheel of Google’s self-driving car project. John Krafcik brings not only automotive industry experience to the mix, he has a background in mechanical engineering for some technical expertise as well. Based on a review of Google’s human resources recruiting efforts, it appears X Labs is working on surrounding Krafcik with more auto industry expertise, which has people wondering whether the company may intend to produce driver-less cars themselves.
Some of the job postings listed on Google’s site include positions like a Manufacturing Process Engineer. As the description indicates, this position helps “develop and/or approve manufacturing process flows (assembly + test)” for products. Other positions are more closely related to developing systems that would be manufactured and used in actual vehicles, like a Mechatronics Engineer who would work on “a sensor enclosure cleaning system.”
The various jobs appears to point to an outcome where Google is producing their driver-less cars themselves as opposed to providing specifications and technical information for others to implement. If Google does make this move, this would be a significant change in their position from a year ago when they were working on partnerships with existing auto manufacturers to be able to produce self-driving cars.
Come comment on this article: X Labs looking for auto manufacturer expertise
Google’s Clock application adds a much-needed feature in its latest update
If you noticed that the clock widget on your homescreen changed in size recently, you’re not alone. Google pushed out a minor update to its Clock application yesterday bringing some fixes and adjustments.
Other than a few minor tweaks and bug fixes, there’s only one change in the new update for Google’s Clock application. It has to do with widgets. If you update apps regularly and have a widget for Google’s Clock app on your homescreen like me, you might have noticed a small adjustment. Google’s analog and digital clock widgets are now resizable. It’s hard to believe that this update just went into place now, but it’s the truth. When altering the size of the widget, the clock will now get bigger in size instead of just changing the alignment. You might also spot a new drop shadow, which has been added to the digital clock widget.
Version 4.3 of Google’s Clock application is now live in the Play Store. Grab it at the link below.
Come comment on this article: Google’s Clock application adds a much-needed feature in its latest update
Google’s Clock application adds a much-needed feature in its latest update
If you noticed that the clock widget on your homescreen changed in size recently, you’re not alone. Google pushed out a minor update to its Clock application yesterday bringing some fixes and adjustments.
Other than a few minor tweaks and bug fixes, there’s only one change in the new update for Google’s Clock application. It has to do with widgets. If you update apps regularly and have a widget for Google’s Clock app on your homescreen like me, you might have noticed a small adjustment. Google’s analog and digital clock widgets are now resizable. It’s hard to believe that this update just went into place now, but it’s the truth. When altering the size of the widget, the clock will now get bigger in size instead of just changing the alignment. You might also spot a new drop shadow, which has been added to the digital clock widget.
Version 4.3 of Google’s Clock application is now live in the Play Store. Grab it at the link below.
Come comment on this article: Google’s Clock application adds a much-needed feature in its latest update
Google’s Clock application adds a much-needed feature in its latest update
If you noticed that the clock widget on your homescreen changed in size recently, you’re not alone. Google pushed out a minor update to its Clock application yesterday bringing some fixes and adjustments.
Other than a few minor tweaks and bug fixes, there’s only one change in the new update for Google’s Clock application. It has to do with widgets. If you update apps regularly and have a widget for Google’s Clock app on your homescreen like me, you might have noticed a small adjustment. Google’s analog and digital clock widgets are now resizable. It’s hard to believe that this update just went into place now, but it’s the truth. When altering the size of the widget, the clock will now get bigger in size instead of just changing the alignment. You might also spot a new drop shadow, which has been added to the digital clock widget.
Version 4.3 of Google’s Clock application is now live in the Play Store. Grab it at the link below.
Come comment on this article: Google’s Clock application adds a much-needed feature in its latest update
AT&T releases 5G roadmap on way to next generation of wireless service
Late last week it was discovered that AT&T had filed a request with the FCC to test 5G wireless service in Austin, Texas. Today AT&T announced their roadmap for development of their 5G network that explains some of the steps that will take place to get them to the point where they are conducting field tests in Austin and what they see happening beyond that.
According to their plans, AT&T plans to start working with Intel and Ericsson in the lab starting in the second quarter of this year on implementing the technologies that have been under development for several years. The carrier will quickly move to outdoor testing and trials during the summer months. Assuming all goes smoothly, AT&T expects the 5G testing in Austin will commence before the end of 2016.
One of the key targets for AT&T is being ready for 5G standards being established in 2018. With development and testing starting now though, AT&T has to factor in how to be prepared to modify their own implementation to comply with the new standards. To do that, AT&T says they are employing software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) to separate the software components from the hardware components of the network. They expect this to make it easier to deploy changes to the network if necessary while keeping their hardware investment safe. AT&T Chief Strategy Officer John Donovan noted,
“5G will reach its full potential because we will built it on a software-centric architecture that can adapt quickly to new demands and give customers more control of their network services.”
AT&T says they expect the new 5G network to deliver speeds that are 10 to 100 times faster than today’s typical 4G LTE networks with speeds measured in gigabits per second instead of megabits per second. Another key factor for new networks will be the increasing number of devices expected to tap into the wireless network. This will include traditional user devices like smartphones and tablets. However, carriers are also looking at Internet of Things, wearables, sensing equipment, self-driving cars and other devices wanting their own connection.
AT&T noted that from 2007 to 2015 they saw data traffic on their network grow by over 150,000%. The majority of this growth was in video with that type of traffic now accounting for 60% of usage in 2015. This trend is expected to continue as 4K video is more widely adopted along with technologies like virtual reality. So besides the explosive growth in the number of devices connecting, carriers like AT&T also have to plan for some of the usage to bandwidth hungry.
source: AT&T
Come comment on this article: AT&T releases 5G roadmap on way to next generation of wireless service
Honor 5X now available exclusively at Three UK
The Honor 5X is now available in the UK through telecommunications provider Three UK.
Three UK interestingly has exclusivity on the handset, so you won’t be able to pick it up anywhere else in the UK. However, folks can still purchase the handset straight from Honor’s own online vMall store.
As a quick rundown on specifications, the Honor 5X is loaded with:
- 5.5-inch Full HD display
- Snapdragon 616 processor
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB ROM, microSD support
- 13-megapixel rear camera
- 8-megapixel front camera
- 3,000mAh battery
- Android 5.1 Lollipop with Huawei’s EMUI 3.1 skin
- WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
It’s overall a very nice smartphone that isn’t worth passing up. Plans at Three UK start out at £13 per month with no upfront cost to qualifying customers. £13 will get you 500MB of data to use per month, as well as 100 minutes of talk time and unlimited texts. For another £5 (a total £19/month), you can up that to 1GB of data and 300 minutes per month.
Anyone plan on picking one up?
source: Three UK
Come comment on this article: Honor 5X now available exclusively at Three UK
Honor 5X now available exclusively at Three UK
The Honor 5X is now available in the UK through telecommunications provider Three UK.
Three UK interestingly has exclusivity on the handset, so you won’t be able to pick it up anywhere else in the UK. However, folks can still purchase the handset straight from Honor’s own online vMall store.
As a quick rundown on specifications, the Honor 5X is loaded with:
- 5.5-inch Full HD display
- Snapdragon 616 processor
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB ROM, microSD support
- 13-megapixel rear camera
- 8-megapixel front camera
- 3,000mAh battery
- Android 5.1 Lollipop with Huawei’s EMUI 3.1 skin
- WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
It’s overall a very nice smartphone that isn’t worth passing up. Plans at Three UK start out at £13 per month with no upfront cost to qualifying customers. £13 will get you 500MB of data to use per month, as well as 100 minutes of talk time and unlimited texts. For another £5 (a total £19/month), you can up that to 1GB of data and 300 minutes per month.
Anyone plan on picking one up?
source: Three UK
Come comment on this article: Honor 5X now available exclusively at Three UK
Skype has Valentine’s Day video cards for you to send your loved one
Animated emoji with music composed by Paul McCartney is’t the only way Skype wants you to connect for Valentine’s Day this year. Today, the company is announcing a new series of video message Valentine’s Day cards that you can send to anyone you want. Just as it did over the holiday season last year, these video message cards let you record a quick message and add a variety of themed video filters over the top. While you’ll make the recording in Skype itself, you can send these any way you want. You can save the video to your phone and share with any of the services you have installed as well as just send it as a standard Skype message.
Microsoft said it was surprised at how popular the cards it made for Christmas were, so it decided to tackle the next big holiday on the calendar. If Valentine’s day cards do as well as the holiday season cards did, wouldn’t surprise us to see more themed cards roll out as the year goes on. You can go and create your own card and share it starting today using Skype on your mobile or on your computer.
Source: Skype
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