Microsoft launches program to take on Chromebooks in schools

In an effort to stem the academic migration to simpler, cheaper Chromebooks, Microsoft has launched the Intune for Education program. Based on the company’s corporate Intune service, it helps educators manage and set up student Windows 10 PCs and apps. As part of the initiative, the software giant revealed some cheap new laptops starting at $189 from Acer, HP, Lenovo and, for emerging markets, a company called JP.IK.

The timing of the announcement isn’t serendipitous, as Google for Education just unveiled two Chromebook models from Asus and Acer. Microsoft is making no bones about the program’s raison d’etre, saying educators can get “the power, performance and security [of Windows] … at the same price as Chromebooks, with none of the compromises.”

With the program, companies can “put devices in classrooms and not touch them again for the rest of the school year,” Microsoft says. As such, it includes an express setup feature, letting admins apply over 150 settings to hardware, apps, browsers, antivirus programs and more, all assigned to individual students when they log in.

It also includes School Data Sync, letting educators set up groups based on schools, classes or departments without a lot of effort. “For example, if a student is added to a photography class in the school roster, they will automatically be added to the group in Intune for Education and get the relevant apps,” Microsoft wrote.

One of Chromebook’s big advantages is the initial cost of the laptops. So, along with existing low-cost models like the $189 HP Stream 11 Pro G3 for education, Microsoft has unveiled some new models that better compete on price.

That includes the 11.6-inch Acer Travelmate Spin B118 convertible (above), equipped with a stylus and touchscreen, coming in the next quarter for $299. Lenovo, meanwhile, revealed the ThinkPad 11e in a regular or Yoga form factor, with 11 hours of battery life and a stylus, along with the N24, a similar model with 360 degree screen rotation. There’s no pricing or available for that model yet.

Finally, there’s the Turn T201 from JP.IK, a company that’s primarily an educational distributor. The oddball device (below) is a 360-degree convertible PC with an active stylus pen, but it’s also equipped with a rectractable handle so students are less likely to drop it. Aimed at ages 12-18, it comes with a basic microscope and a thermal probe for science experiments. There’s no word on price or availability yet, but Microsoft described it as an “emerging market” product, so it should be relatively cheap.

Microsoft’s Intune for Education service is $30 per device, exactly what Google charges for its own cloud-based educational services. In its post earlier today, Google touted lower ownership costs and said its system requires less time and labor to deploy and support. With the new program, Microsoft appears to have at least pulled closer in those areas.

Schools will have to consider factors other than cost, like whether students should learn Microsoft Office 365, rather than Google’s suite, including Docs and Sheets. In terms of training for future careers, corporations tend to prefer Microsoft, while startups (and young workers in general) would lean toward Google, according to a recent IT survey.

Another Google intangible is simplicity. Because they run in a the Chrome OS ecosystem, with limited apps, Chromebooks are harder for students to break than Windows PCs. They’re also easier to use, arguably, since most programs have common user interfaces and features. All that certainly gives educators more to think about, but more choice is always better, right?

Source: Microsoft

Gamevice Reveals New and Improved Gaming Controllers for iPhone 7, iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini

Accessory maker Gamevice today debuted a collection of new mobile gaming controllers for the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPad Pro 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch, iPad Air, and iPad mini, which all come with updated thumbsticks, improved buttons, a lighter build, and a Lightning connector for simple connection to each iOS device. The original version of the controller launched for the iPhone 6s in 2015.

The iPhone 7 Plus Gamevice controller
Gamevice’s controllers work by placing an iPhone or iPad into the space between each side of the controller, and connecting the smartphone or tablet to the accessory with the iPhone’s Lightning port. The controller itself also has a Lightning port on the outside, so users can keep their iOS device charged while playing. When not connected to power, the controller is powered directly from the battery of the iPhone or iPad.

Like traditional gaming controllers, Gamevice includes two thumbsticks, a directional pad, shoulder buttons, four ABYX face buttons, and a menu button. The thumbsticks on Gamevice’s controllers are horizontally aligned, similar to those on the PlayStation DualShock controllers. In addition to these features, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus versions of the controller have a headphone jack.

The iPad Pro 12.9-inch Gamevice controller
The full list of updates includes:

• It’s lighter. The iPhone now powers Gamevice, meaning that it doesn’t need its own battery. What’s more, it draws no more power than headphones do.
• It’s got Lightning. Out goes USB port, in comes a Lightning port – meaning that you can charge your iPhone and your Gamevice at the same time.
• It’s ‘thumbier’. The thumb sticks have been upgraded to be more ergonomic and comfortable, giving improved control.
• Full support for iPhone 7. Gamevice for iPhone now supports every iPhone since iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Its patented design turns your iPhone into a mobile video game console.

Within its own app on the iOS App Store, called Gamevice Live [Direct Link], the company has curated a collection of apps that support its controllers, now reaching over 900 games. Titles include Minecraft: Pocket Edition, Assassin’s Creed: Identity, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, Bully: Anniversary Edition, and more.

The iPad Pro and iPad Air Gamevice controllers are available today on Apple.com, and the iPhone 7 and iPad mini versions will launch on January 31. All models cost $99.95.

The iPad mini Gamevice controller
Some users have noted on Twitter that the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus Gamevice controllers have already begun appearing in some Apple retail stores ahead of their January 31 launch date.

Related Roundups: iPad Air 2, iPad Pro, iPhone 7
Tag: Gamevice
Buyer’s Guide: 9.7″ iPad Pro (Caution), 12.9″ iPad Pro (Caution)
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The Pokémon Company Releases New ‘Pokémon Duel’ Strategy Game for iOS

The Pokémon Company today launched its newest game designed for iOS devices, debuting Pokémon Duel. Pokémon Duel is a strategy board game where the goal is to collect a range of different Amiibo-style Pokémon figures, each of which has unique abilities.

Six Pokémon figures are used to build a deck, and with a deck, players can compete with other gamers around the world in ranked League Matches.

According to the app’s description, the object of each game is to be the first player to get a figure to the other player’s goal, carefully choosing a route and using strategy to outmaneuver an opponent.

The rules are simple! The object is to be the first player to get one of your figures to your opponent’s goal. How will you get to the goal? You’ll need to carefully choose your route! In duels, you and your opponent take turns moving your figures. Set up a strategic formation and attack your opponent, or simply block their path–it’s all about tactics! Plan your strategy and defeat your opponents in this game of cat and mouse!

Pokémon Duel is compatible with iPhones and iPads running iOS 8 or higher. The game is free to play, but includes gems that can be purchased in-app to speed up and enhance gameplay.

Pokémon Duel was previously available to iOS users in Japan, but is today expanding to the United States and other countries around the world.

Pokémon Duel can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
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Apple Seeds First Beta of iOS 10.3 With ‘Find My AirPods’ to Developers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming iOS 10.3 update to developers, marking the third major update to the iOS 10 operating system that was released in September. The first iOS 10.3 beta comes more than a month after the release of iOS 10.2.

Registered developers can download the new iOS 10.3 beta from the Apple Developer Center or over-the-air with the proper configuration profile installed.

As a 10.x update, iOS 10.3 likely brings bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features to iOS 10. While we won’t know what’s in the update until developers begin discovering changes, it is rumored to include a new “Theatre” mode with a “popcorn-shaped” icon in the Control Center.

What the rumored Theatre mode does is unclear, but should it be included in iOS 10.3, we’ll find out its purpose soon enough. We’ll update this post with new features that are found in the update.

Update: Apple has shared release details with several sites, outlining features that are included in the update. While the main feature is a new “Find My AirPods” option, there are also several smaller updates.

What’s new in iOS 10.3:

– There’s a new “Find My AirPods” tool to help users locate lost AirPods.
– SiriKit can be used to pay bills, check on the status of payments, and schedule future rides.
– The weather icon in the Maps app includes 3D Touch to show hourly forecasts.
– CarPlay includes new shortcuts for launching recently used apps.
– CarPlay’s Maps now features EV charging station locations.
– HomeKit supports programmable light switches.
– Conversation View in the Mail app features navigation improvements.
– When installing iOS 10.3, it will update the file system to Apple File System (APFS), so it’s important to make a backup before updating.

Related Roundup: iOS 10
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Seeds First Beta of tvOS 10.2 to Developers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming tvOS 10.2 update to developers for testing purposes, one month after releasing tvOS 10.1, the first major update to the tvOS 10 operating system. tvOS 10.2 comes a day after Apple released tvOS 10.1.1.

Designed for the fourth-generation Apple TV, the tvOS 10.2 beta can be obtained by connecting the Apple TV to a computer with a USB-C to USB-A cable, downloading and installing the software from a registered developer account via iTunes or Apple Configurator.

Given the tricky installation requirements, tvOS betas are limited to developers and will not be provided to the public.

We don’t yet know what’s included in tvOS 10.2, but as a 10.x update, it could potentially include new features and design changes above and beyond the standard bug fixes and performance improvements. We’ll update this post should any new features be discovered in the tvOS 10.2 update.

What’s New in tvOS 10.2:

According to Apple’s release notes, there’s an accelerated scrolling option that allows users to scroll through content much more quickly, as described below:

Scroll views with a lot of content now have a behavior that allows users to scroll through them much more quickly. Several large swipes of the Siri remote will automatically switch into this mode. Additionally, users can swipe on the far right side of the remote to navigate specific indexes. If you see any unexpected behavior in your applications from this feature, please file a bug.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 10
Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Don’t Buy)
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Apple Seeds First macOS Sierra 10.12.4 Beta With New Night Shift Mode to Developers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming macOS Sierra 10.12.4 update to developers, more than one month after releasing macOS Sierra 10.12.2 and four months since the debut of the new macOS Sierra operating system. macOS Sierra 10.12.4 one day after Apple released macOS Sierra 10.12.3.

The first macOS Sierra 10.12.4 beta is available for download through the Apple Developer Center or the software update mechanism in the Mac App Store. A public beta will likely be available for public beta testers later this week.

We don’t yet know exactly what features, bug fixes, or changes will be introduced in the macOS Sierra 10.12.4 beta, but because it accompanies iOS 10.3, it could be a more significant update that focuses on changes beyond bug fixes. According to Apple, the update includes a new Night Shift mode that automatically shifts the display color to the warmer end of the spectrum after night, offering Mac users an alternative to F.lux. Night Shift has been available on iOS devices since iOS 9.3.

macOS Sierra 10.12.4 also includes Shanghainese dictation support for converting text to speech, and Siri will soon gain the ability to display cricket scores.

Related Roundup: macOS Sierra
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You can grab HP’s Chromebook for just $149 right now!

Best Buy is currently offering the HP Chromebook for just $149, a savings of $50 from its regular price. Equipped with an 11.6-inch display, this Chromebook has 4GB of RAM and 16GB of internal flash storage, all while weighing in at just 2.5 pounds. Running Google’s Chrome OS, you’ll have built-in cloud support for accessing your documents wherever you are, as well as automatic downloads and security updates to keep your work on schedule.

This deal is only good for today, January 24, so be sure to act quickly if you are interested. If you’ve been thinking about checking out a Chromebook but didn’t want to spend a ton to do so, this is the deal for you.

See at Best Buy

Best games according to the AC Community

We want to know what games you’re playing!

Let’s face it, with hundreds of thousands of games in the Google Play Store, it can be tough to give every worthwhile game the attention and praise it deserves. We try to shine a light on what we consider to be the best games available for Android, and we’re always excited to read the comments and see which games we may have overlooked.

In an effort to strengthen that two-way street of mutual respect, we’re hoping to go one step further and extend an opportunity to you, our valued readers, to share your opinions on the best games to play, right on the AC front page.

We’ve started a thread in the AC Forums as a place to share your opinions on games you think more people should be playing.

To kick things off, we’ve looked through some of the comments left on our gaming articles and pulled together three RPGs that were great recommendations, each offering a distinct gaming experience

Submit your gaming reviews and opinions here!

Star Wars: KOTOR

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR for short) was recommended by user Beigealini. SW:KOTOR was first released on the original Xbox back in 2003 and was universally acclaimed by critics and gamers alike. It’s one of those games that was incredibly influential in its time and laid the groundwork for other acclaimed RPGs to come, including the Mass Effect trilogy.

As the story progresses, you build up your character depending on their character class and, later on, choose a Jedi subclass. New skills and Force powers are unlocked as you level up, and you must choose your actions and words carefully as they will either lead you towards the light or dark side of the Force.

Given the resurgence in popularity surrounding Star Wars, it’s definitely worth revisiting this classic again — whether you played it back in the day or will be coming in with fresh eyes. You get the full game here with no compromises, as found in other mobile games, and the graphics don’t look as old and outdated as they are when scaled down to a 5-inch screen.

Download: Star Wars: KOTOR ($9.99)

Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius

Fans of Final Fantasy and/or Brave Frontier should absolutely check out Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius if you haven’t already. As recommended by user Zardos, this free-to-play RPG was published by SquareEnix itself and features that classic 16-bit RPG look that fans will love, with gorgeous pixel art setting the mood and controls optimized to play on mobile.

This is a full-fledged RPG with all the bells and whistles fans have come to expect from the genre. You play as Rain, a brave knight who must stand up to the wicked power of the Visions in order to bring peace back to the land.

Uh, just a word of warning: Brave Exvius is undergoing a global event wherein you can unlock and use a character based on popstar Ariana Grande. It’s… bizarre to say the least, but does goes to show that the game is still receiving regular attention from the developers.

Download: Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius (Free w/ IAPs)

Arcane Quest 3

Arcane Quest 3 tackles the more traditional dungeon-exploring themes found in classic RPGs, but gameplay-wise, it blends role-playing, action, and strategy elements into a solid experience, as recommended by user ZoneofJhay.

As he implied in his original comment, this one isn’t for ‘casual gamers’. You control a character from adventurers representing 10 unique classes, as you work your way through dungeons, vanquishing hordes of orcs, undead, evil sorcerers, and a lot more. There’s a huge amount of upgrading available, with over 150 different types of equipment available to be discovered and used by your characters, as well as powerful spells to help you on your journey.

Beyond that, there’s also an online multiplayer element that allows you to connect and play with friends. There’s also a free level editor included, which pretty much guarantees an endless amount of replayability. If you’re serious about classic RPG gaming, Arcane Quest 3 delivers the goods.

Download: Arcane Quest 3 (Free w/ IAPs)

Let us know what you’re playing!

We would love to see this as a regularly occurring column but that will only happen with your help! Check out the forum post and start discussing your favorite games, or you can email me directly with your questions or reviews at marc@androidcentral.com.

Submit your gaming reviews and opinions here!

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The LG G6 needs to be about way more than its choice of Snapdragon chips to win 2017

The LG G6 needs to do a lot of things really well. Not having the latest Snapdragon chip is not a great start.

We were so excited. Well, we’re still excited, but less so. See, a Forbes contributor, Ben Sin, splashed water on the idea that the LG G6, which is expected to be announced at MWC in February and debut in March, will not have the newer Snapdragon 835 chip, but rather the older-yet-still-excellent-but-not-quite-ideal Snapdragon 821. Yes, the Snapdragon 821 inside the Pixel phones and OnePlus 3T, all of which are excellent performers.

The question, though, is whether, by duffing its G5 flagship as much as it did, it’s too far behind Samsung in the ways that matter.

After this week’s leak, which shows LG’s flagship at its sleekest and most forward-thinking, it’s unfortunate that the hardcore user base is probably not going to be able to see past this decision, if it was a decision at all. With LG (mostly) eschewing gimmickry in favor of a phone that just works, it seems 2017 is off to a better start than last year for the South Korean giant.

The question, though, is whether, by duffing its G5 flagship as much as it did, it’s too far behind Samsung in the ways that matter. Ignoring for a moment the fact that Samsung had its own troubles last year, the company still managed to sell upwards of 40 million Galaxy S7s, and dozens more millions more of its low-to-midrange devices in the Galaxy A and Galaxy J series. While LG has never really been competitive against Samsung in units sold and market share, there’s always been a perception that the two companies were at least technologically well-matched. Beautiful LCD vs. stunning SuperAMOLED. Smart camera vs. smart camera. Sleek design vs. sleek design.

The G4 may not have been as aesthetically significant as the metal-and-glass overhaul of the Galaxy S6 back in 2015, but it had its fans, me among them. The G5 was supposed to be that radical reinvention to take on the more sedate, mature pivot of the Galaxy S7, but it failed. Hard. That’s OK, there’s always next year, and LG appears to be well on its way to correcting course. The V20 was already showing what it’s capable of doing with a legacy form factor and a bit of focus, but it looks like LG is positioning the V series as the performance-heavy entrant in the series.

Building the equivalent of the Galaxy S7 in 2017 is not a bad idea for LG.

So now we have the G6, and we know a few things: it will have a tall 5.7-inch screen with an unusual 2:1 aspect ratio. It will have teeny tiny bezels that will certainly attract the minimalists out there. And it will be made of metal and glass, much like the Galaxy S7, while retaining the G5’s dual-camera-and-fingerprint-sensor on the back. It’s probably going to be waterproof, too, because all flagships need to be waterproof in 2017.

Building the equivalent of the Galaxy S7 in 2017 is not a bad idea for LG, but Samsung is now a year ahead, about to release the Galaxy S8 with what appears to be the fastest SoC on the market and a reinvigorated commitment to safety and security. And AI. The good news is that LG has typically been able to eke better day-to-day performance from its flagships than Samsung, mainly by optimizing software and incorporating fewer gimmicks. But Samsung is doing the same thing, so this year should be very interesting for flagship smartphones.

Can LG keep up? Let us know in the comments!

Best Cases for Honor 6X

Even cheap smartphones deserve protection.

You may have dropped only a few Benjamins on the Honor 6X, but that doesn’t mean you have to throw it around and scratch it up! Before you hit the purchase button on Amazon, here are a few cases to consider placing in your shopping cart to protect your new purchase.

OMOTON Dual-Layer Case

The first thing you want to do with the Honor 6X after you take it out of its box is place it inside a protective case. Be sure to add this one to your cart if you plan to purchase the budget device. The OMOTON Honor 6X case is the bare minimum in terms of style and functionality, but it’s affordable enough that you’d be a fool not to buy one to protect your new purchase. It also comes in a very attractive rose gold color, which pairs particularly nicely with the gold Honor 6X.

See at Amazon

TUDIA Slim-Fit Heavy Duty Rugged Case

This is another one of those Really Cheap Cases that’s actually really effective. The TUDIA heavy duty case features a polycarbonate outer layer in addition to a rubberized gel skin that protects the device from major impact. The layers of the case have been molded together so that all you have to do to install it on the Honor 6X is snap it on.

The case is available in four different colors, including black, mint, and rose gold.

See at Amazon

Wellci Ultra Slim Folio Flip Cover

It’s slim pickings for cases for the Honor 6X for its U.S. launch, but this off-brand case should suffice until more come down the pipeline.

The Wellci Ultra Slim Folio Cover case does not snap on, nor does it boast the ultimate in protective covering. It is merely a folio case, made to shield both the Honor 6X’s aluminum backside and its 1080p display, while doing so stylishly. There is a cutout on the back of the case to make room for the fingerprint scanner and rear-facing camera sensor and the case also folds so that you can easily prop it up to watch a video.

As is the norm with some Amazon listings, this particular one features the option to purchase several others cases that are not the wallet case. Do ensure that you’ve chosen the right option before purchasing!

See at Amazon

We’ll be adding more cases here as they become available.

Do you have a different option?

Are you using a case that we didn’t mention? Love it? Hate it? Let us know in the comments below!