Best Buy Sale Includes Up to $300 Off Select MacBook and MacBook Pro Models

Best Buy today has begun a two-day sale that includes discounts on a collection of Apple products, including the 2016 Touch Bar MacBook Pro, MacBook Pro Without Touch Bar, 12-inch MacBook, MacBook Air, iPhone 7, and iPad mini 2.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy and may earn commissions on purchases made through these links.

Touch Bar MacBook Pro

The retailer is offering the Touch Bar MacBook Pro at a discount of $100 on four models, but the 15-inch Touch Bar MacBook Pro is not listed in Best Buy’s sale.

• 13-inch Touch Bar MacBook Pro Intel Core i5/8GB RAM/256GB SSD in Silver – $1,699.99, $100 off
• 13-inch Touch Bar MacBook Pro Intel Core i5/8GB Ram/256GB SSD in Space Gray – $1,699.99, $100 off
• 13-inch Touch Bar MacBook Pro Intel Core i5/8GB Ram/512GB SSD in Silver – $1,899.99, $100 off
• 13-inch Touch Bar MacBook Pro Intel Core i5/8GB Ram/512GB SSD in Space Gray – $1,899.99, $100 off

MacBook Pro

A collection of non-Touch Bar MacBook Pro models are also on sale this weekend at Best Buy, including $225 off the latest update to the laptop that launched alongside the Touch Bar models in October.

• 13-inch MacBook Pro Intel Core i5/8GB RAM/128GB SSD in Silver (2015) – $1,099.99, $200 off
• 13-inch MacBook Pro Intel Core i5/8GB RAM/256GB SSD in Silver (2016) – $1,274.99, $225 off
• 13-inch MacBook Pro Intel Core i5/8GB RAM/256GB SSD in Space Gray (2016) – $1,274.99, $225 off
• 15-inch MacBook Pro Intel Core i7/16GB RAM/256GB SSD in Silver (2015) – $1,799.99, $200 off

12-Inch MacBook

The biggest collection on sale for a single MacBook line this weekend is the 12-inch MacBook, which Best Buy is discounting by $300 on two separate builds in all colorways.

• 12-inch MacBook Intel Core M3/8GB RAM/256GB SSD in Rose Gold – $999.99, $300 off
• 12-inch MacBook Intel Core M3/8GB RAM/256GB SSD in Silver – $999.99, $300 off
• 12-inch MacBook Intel Core M3/8GB RAM/256GB SSD in Space Gray – $999.99, $300 off
• 12-inch MacBook Intel Core M3/8GB RAM/256GB SSD in Gold – $999.99, $300 off
• 12-inch MacBook Intel Core M5/8GB RAM/512GB SSD in Rose Gold – $1,299.99, $300 off
• 12-inch MacBook Intel Core M5/8GB RAM/512GB SSD in Silver – $1,299.99, $300 off
• 12-inch MacBook Intel Core M5/8GB RAM/512GB SSD in Space Gray – $1,299.99, $300 off
• 12-inch MacBook Intel Core M5/8GB RAM/512GB SSD in Gold – $1,299.99, $300 off

MacBook Air

At the cheapest level of Best Buy’s sale this weekend is the MacBook Air, which the retailer has reduced in price by $200 on two models.

• 13-inch MacBook Air Intel Core i5/8GB RAM/128GB SSD in Silver – $799.99, $200 off
• 13-inch MacBook Air Intel Core i5/8GB RAM/256GB SSD in Silver – $999.99, $200 off

iPhone 7 and iPad mini 2

Rounding out all of the MacBook sales are discounts on the iPad mini 2 and iPhone 7. For the Wi-Fi only 32GB model of the iPad mini 2, users can pick up the tablet for $239.99, a $30 discount (Silver/White or Space Gray/Black).

When purchasing select iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus models at Best Buy during the sale, as well as signing up for a monthly installment plan, users can also receive up to a $200 Best Buy gift card.

The amount for each specific iPhone 7 model is listed below:

• iPhone 7 32GB: $50 gift card
• iPhone 7 128GB: $100 gift card
• iPhone 7 256GB: $200 gift card
• iPhone 7 Plus 256GB: $100 gift card

Check Best Buy’s sale page for details on eligible carriers and colors.

Anyone who wants to take advantage of the sales happening at Best Buy has through Saturday, January 21 before the deals expire.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
Tag: Best Buy
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LifeProof Debuts Slimmer NUUD Case for iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

Well-known case maker LifeProof today unveiled a new version of its waterproof NUUD iPhone case for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. The company put an emphasis on making a slimmer case while ensuring that it remained waterproof and drop proof (up to 6.6 feet), as well as dirt and snow proof.

Like previous NUUD cases, the iPhone 7’s screen is uncovered, providing direct display access “while adding minimal size and weight to the phone.” The company also noted that all features of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus remain accessible with the NUUD case on, “making LifeProof iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus cases a by-your-side necessity for any adventure.”

“Our engineers consider a lot of consumer feedback in the design process, and they set out to create the best NÜÜD ever,” said LifeProof CEO Jim Parke. “They’ve done just that. The new NÜÜD design for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus features a fully transparent back so you can show off your iPhone and enhanced audio to keep calls and music crystal clear. NÜÜD delivers an experience that’s in a league of its own.”

Other additions to the new case include a transparent back “so you can show off your iPhone,” as well as enhanced audio so phone calls and music remain crystal clear while the NUUD case is on the iPhone. The camera cover has also been redesigned to collect less dust so users won’t have to worry about debris getting caught and disrupting the lens field.

NUUD for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus is available to purchase for $99.99 on LifeProof’s website. Colors for both versions of the case include: Black, Mermaid Teal, Midnight Indigo Blue, and Plum Reef Purple.

Tag: LifeProof
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Google Pixel, three months later: Still going strong, still the best

Oh my, how time flies.

Somehow it has already been three months since we published our Google Pixel and Pixel XL review. Not only has time simply passed since we wrote that review, but I’ve also been actively using the Pixel as a primary phone since the review period. That gives a ton of extra perspective on a phone that’s at the top of people’s minds nowadays, regardless of whether they’re enthusiasts or just casual buyers.

Even three months after it became commercially available the Pixel (and XL in particular) is often still out of stock or not available in all configurations, showing that demand is at least strong enough to force supply constraints through some combination of factors. Google’s first in-house designed and sold phones are popular, it seems.

And as we know, companies don’t just sell phones in the first quarter after introduction — they count on sales throughout a full year after release. So now with the Pixel hitting its stride for the period that should bring the most rapid sales over its life, does it still stand up in the same way it did when it we first reviewed it? Here are some of my thoughts after three months using the Google Pixel.

Holds up … except for the glass

Pixel hardware with some age

The Pixel’s hardware didn’t exactly get unanimous approval at launch, with many reviews panning it as boring or uninspired. I was squarely in the opposite camp that found the Pixel’s simple and smooth metal body refreshing. It wasn’t trying to do too much, and appreciated how it was easy to hold and use. Three months later, I haven’t changed my views much.

Some say its hardware is boring, but I still enjoy it.

Speaking specifically about the smaller Pixel, it’s still a wonderful compact phone. Yes its bezels are a bit on the big side as a percentage of the overall size of the phone, but with the small screen it’s extremely comfortable. The top-to-bottom tapered “wedge” shape is subtle on the smaller Pixel, but has a positive influence on how easy it is to grip. No superfluous edges or “features” to get in the way here — very much in line with the rest of Google’s hardware design of 2016.

The only part of the Pixel’s hardware that hasn’t aged well for me is the glass back. I definitely wasn’t in the crowd that was initially worried about the longterm strength of the glass — and am still no more worried about it than my Galaxy S7 — but my glass has not aged well. The perfectly flat glass with curved edges and absolutely no protection is coated in fine swirly scratches, thankfully none of which have yet to extend over the camera sensor. I absolutely love the look of the glass and how it blends in perfectly to the metal around it, and understand its importance to the function of the phone, but it hasn’t held up in the three months I’ve been using it.

The back glass is the one weak point of this design.

I’m not particularly worried about a complete cracking of the glass, but it just doesn’t look great like it did the day I took it out of the box. I expected some scratches, but perhaps thought it’d be more of a graceful trasition. It only took about a week to get my first noticeable scratch on that back glass, and now there are too many to count. I actually have a case on my Pixel now out of necessity most times I leave the house, even though I prefer the feel of the cold metal in my hand.

No matter which size Pixel you prefer, I can say the display is right there with the best in the business. It isn’t quite Galaxy S7 good … but then again, nothing is. But whether I’m looking at the 5-inch 1080p or 5.5-inch QHD panel, I don’t have any complaints. Pixel density, colors and viewing angles all still meet my expectations for an industry-leading phone. Well-calibrated auto-brightness and Night Light color shifting are nice little touches as well.

So smooth

Pixel Software and performance

A common refrain when evaluating a phone a couple months after you first reviewed it is finding that the software has slowed down or crufted up. My Pixel thankfully hasn’t experienced this all-too-common deterioration. I absolutely gushed over the performance of the Pixel and Pixel XL for the first couple of weeks using the phones, and thankfully it has been retained even after being loaded up with apps, media and my own data.

Still just as fast as the day I took it out of its box.

The Pixel isn’t entirely perfect, though — I have managed to crash a couple of apps, and twice over the past three months trying to process several HDR+ photos at once has even forced a soft reboot of the phone. Those were two reminders that indeed no software is infallable (on an Android or otherwise), but reflecting on it this has to be the most stable Android phone I’ve ever used. General day-to-day performance is rock solid and more importantly extremely consistent. There’s no occasional lag, random slowdowns or times when the Pixel doesn’t respond the way I expect it to. The top-notch touch screen responsiveness also continues to impress.

The single flaw is the Pixel’s battery life — it’s just adequate.

Much like the hardware having a notable flaw in the glass back, the one ding on performance with the Pixel is its battery life. The 2770 mAh battery is acceptable; that’s about all I can say there. For a typical day I get through all of my necessary tasks and end the day with battery left to spare … but not every day is typical. Any extra work I need my Pixel to do — whether that’s running a hotspot, pulling navigation duty running Android Auto for a 30 minute drive, or doing some extra streaming — puts me on pace to have to charge during the day. It’s a common feeling among the AC editors, and it’s what has pushed many (who have access to both phones) to choose the Pixel XL instead.

This is one section where I can really call out the Pixel XL as offering a different experience entirely from the smaller Pixel. With the larger version, battery life is in no way an issue. Sure it isn’t an absolute marathon machine like the OnePlus 3T or HuaweI Mate 9, but the Pixel XL has enough in the tank to make it through even my toughest days — including traveling — without giving up. For a more typical day, my Pixel XL has 40% or more battery left over when I go to plug in at night.

Can’t put it down

Three months of photos

I’m still completely enamored with the Pixel’s camera, both in the quality of the photos but also the consistency from shot to shot. The time to launch and capture photos is still super quick, and though the HDR+ processing in the background could stand to get a touch faster it isn’t in any way an issue. Especially when the photos look this good in the end.

Do I wish it had a more complete software interface with manual controls like the Galaxy S7 or LG V20? Absolutely. Do I think it needs those controls to be considered the best smartphone camera available today? Not at all. I’m still consistently impressed by the photos I take with the Pixel, even after taking several hundred over the past few months.

Best available

Google Pixel, three months on

Whenever I can look back on a review three months later and come to the same conclusions, it’s a fantastic feeling. Google’s first Pixel phones are absolutely just as impressive after three months of use as they were in the first couple weeks, which isn’t a given even for high-end phones today. There is absolutely a reason why the Pixel is still our pick for the best overall Android phone.

That’s not to say that the Pixel and Pixel XL are perfect, of course. There’s always room to improve in a Pixel 2 (or whatever Google may call it), but you can know that the current models have staying power. They’re still just as worth the purchase today as they were when they first launched.

Google Pixel + Pixel XL

• Google Pixel and Pixel XL review
• Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
• Google Pixel FAQ: Should you upgrade?
• Pixel + Pixel XL specs
• Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
• Join the discussion in the forums!

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Samsung Gear VR vs Google Daydream View: Which should you buy?

Which is better, Samsung Gear VR or Google Daydream View?

Discovering that your phone can act as the brain for a VR headset is pretty great. You drop the phone into a headset, strap that headset to your face, and suddenly you have access to hundreds of apps and videos all uniquely built for virtual reality. Transforming your phone into a pocket theater on the Moon, an arcade full of unique games, and a portal to see just about every part of the world as though you’re actually standing there is both incredible and surprisingly affordable.

If your current phone doesn’t support the best VR experiences available right now, there’s a good chance your next phone will. The big question you need to answer for yourself is which VR platform you want to be a part of, the Oculus-powered experiences in the Samsung Gear VR or the Google-built platform inside Daydream View. It’s not an easy question to answer, but here’s everything you need to know about making this decision!

Read more at VR Heads!

Save 50% on Scrivener for Windows for a limited time!

Ever try creating a really long document in Microsoft Word or an online notepad? It’s not ideal, and odds are it isn’t something you will want to do more than once. There has to be a better way to do it right? One with more features aimed at those writing in longer form? Well, there is.

Meet Scrivener for Windows, the great long-form writing app that comes packed with features. It allows you to view and edit different sections by themselves or switch to a storyboard to view and arrange your project. Sounds expensive, huh? Well, right now you can save 50% on the purchase!

Some of the other great features include:

• View & edit different sections of your writing in isolation or as a whole
• Take a “snapshot” of a document, then edit & rewrite knowing you can restore an earlier revision at any time
• Easily storyboard & rearrange your project
• Utilize the fully-featured outliner to take control of the structure of your work
• Switch to scriptwriting mode for automatic or custom formatting—then export to a dedicated scriptwriting program such as Final Draft
• Use the name generator to create pseudonyms for interviewees or names for fictional characters
• Automatically back up your projects as zip files each time you open or close them

Save 50% right now! Learn More

Normally this would all set you back $40, but right now you can save half of that. At just $20 this is a hard program to pass up. You may think your current workflow is just fine, but once you invest a bit of money and try this out, you won’t want to turn back!

The Best Android Apps

Looking for the absolute best Android apps, utilities, and games, the Play Store has to offer? You’ve come to the right place!

There are a lot of Android apps out there, and we’ve rounded up the very best across each of the Play Store’s major categories. Keep in mind that these are our subjective choices, and are always welcome to hear about what you’re digging in the comments, so don’t be shy!

Best book & reference app for Android: Kindle

Amazon’s Kindle remains the de facto standard for e-reading and offers the widest marketplace for books and reference materials. The app includes a wide range of features, including definition look-up, text scaling, contrast adjustment, and location memory. You can even load Mobi and PDF files to be read in the Kindle app (though not ePub).

Download: Kindle (Free w/ IAPS)

Best business app for Android: Splashtop

Splashtop is a remote desktop access app that allows users to get access to everything they need on your home or work PC. So long as your computer is on, the desktop client is running, and you have an active subscription, you can use your Android device to click around your desktop, open applications, browse files, and make use of touch shortcuts to get more done faster. Encryption is enabled for business customers concerned about security.

Download: Splashtop (Free w/ subscription)

• Need more app recommendations to make your business run smoother? Check out these apps to help streamline collaboration.

Best comics app for Android: Comixology

In no uncertain terms, Comixology made comics on mobile popular. Issues are made available to purchase the same day they’re out on print. There are a bunch of free issues available, and the selection spans major publishers like Marvel, DC, IDW, and Disney. You’ll also find related news and podcasts tucked away in there.

Download: Comixology (Free w/ IAPs)

• This recommendation just not cutting it? Check out Best comic reader apps for Android for more options.

Best education app for Android: Lynda.com

Lynda remains a top source for current, high-quality instructional videos. Though the bulk of the service relies on a hefty $25/month subscription fee, there are a lot of free videos available. Many of the areas of subject matter are technical and surround certain types of software, but you’ll also find photography, music, art, and other major topics covered.

Download: Lynda.com (Monthly subscription required)

Best entertainment app for Android: IMDb

IMDb is an invaluable tool for figuring out which films and shows actors are from, digging up obscure quotes, and seeing which shows are topping the charts. After watching an HD trailer, you can find showtimes at theatres near you, or mark it on your watchlist to catch it later. Between the full photo galleries, recent news, and information on every movie under the sun, IMDb is insanely useful.

Download: IMDb (Free)

Best finance app for Android: Mint.com Personal Finance

Mint.com is an outstanding organizational app to stay on top of your budget. It plugs directly into your existing bank accounts and identifies transactions across broad categories so it can visualize the information in helpful way. You can set monthly budget limits for different types of activities, and manually add in transactions that aren’t using any of your bank cards. Investment totals made through your bank are displayed here as well.

Download: Mint (Free)

Best health & fitness app for Android: Endomondo Sports Tracker

Endomondo is still one of the best all-around fitness trackers available on Android. You can track speed, distance, and time for running, walking, cycling, or any other overland activity and share the results to your friends on Facebook. If you’re willing to go with the pro version, you’re able to enjoy goal setting features, an audio coach, and view detailed graphs for your progress throughout a workout. You’ll also find that a wide range of popular fitness bands and accessories will feed data into Endomondo.

Download: Endomondo (Free w/ IAPs, or $4.99 for Pro version

Best lifestyle app for Android: Tinder

Tinder is a hugely popular location-based dating app. Users log in with their Facebook credentials, which populates a Tinder profile with all of their interests and a profile image. You’re then presented with a stream of potential matches based on those nearby and with overlapping interests and common Facebook friends. With a swipe, users anonymously decide if they like someone or not, and they get a notification when someone they picked has picked them as well. Then it’s just a matter of using the chat system to taking things from there.

Download Tinder (Free)

Best media & video app for Android: Plex

Plex is a widely-respected media-sharing app that helps you get content on your Android device from your PC. Just run the media server software on your computer, and you can access music, video, and pictures from anywhere. Extra features, like Chromecast support and cloud saving, are available with a PlexPass subscription.

Download: Plex (Free w/subscription)

Best medical app for Android: Medscape

Medscape is a rich medical reference library that allows users to pour over thousands of procedures, drugs, and news articles. Specialities can be tagged so that relevant information can be made more prominent. The data is pulled in through WebMD, which is highly reputable in the sphere. One of the more useful sections for everyday users is a drug database and cross-referencing for potential interactions. For those really into medicine, there’s an educational section where you can read up on the latest research and catch embedded videos going over the content.

Download: Medscape (Free)

Best music & audio app for Android: Spotify

Spotify is arguably the best music streaming service out there, featuring a massive library of tracks, as well as a station generator and some curated, mood and genre based offerings if you don’t feel like making a playlist yourself.

There’s also a social emphasis with Spotify, giving users the option to share and play friend’s playlists to help them discover music and share what they’re listening to on social media sites. You can stream shuffled music for free (with ads) or subscribe for unlimited access to everything Spotify offers.

Download: Spotify (Free, $9.99/month for premium)

• Need more recommendations? These are our other favorite streaming music services.

Best news & magazine app for Android: Flipboard

Flipboard has become the new way people take in web content on their phone. Users build up a list of subscriptions, and content is fed into a beautiful interface. Swipes cause each page to turn smoothly, and a single tap on the header image takes you into the full text of an article. Though reading through your favorite sites is great, you can build your own magazines built from web content and share them with the Flipboard community at large.

Download: Flipboard (Free)

• There’s more than one way to stay informed. Check out the best news apps for Android for other great app options.

Best personalization app for Android: Action Launcher 3

Action Launcher brings a ton of thoughtful features plus lots of additional tweaks that you expect from a custom launcher. Replace the traditional app drawer with a slide-in Quickdrawer, maximize on-screen real estate with Shutters and tweak the home screen search bar with the customizable Quickbar. Beyond that, Action Launcher also offers theming options, suggestions for app icon replacements and a beta feature to normalize icon sizes.

The best features of Action Launcher 3 require a paid upgrade to the Plus version, but it’s worth every penny.

Download: Action Launcher 3 (Free)

• Looking for different launcher options? Check out the best launchers for Android for some other great recommendations.

Best photography app for Android: Snapseed

Snapseed is a highly polished photo editing app built smartly for touch input. Tapping navigation buttons along the bottom allow users to switch between tools, such as rotating, cropping, color correction, and filters. Then, swiping up and down on the picture lets you select the type of adjustment, and going left and right changes the amount of adjustment. It’s a great interface for smaller screens, and provides all the major editing you might need to do.

Download: Snapseed (Free)

• There’s plenty of great photography apps for Android. Check out the best photography apps for Android for more great options.

Best productivity app for Android: Trello

Trello is a task app the can scale as large as company-wide project handing, to as small as grocery lists. Set reminders, add labels, organize in collections called boards, assign other members, attach pictures and documents, and much more. Trello has a very good-looking web client too, making it easy to manage your tasks by PC as well.

Download Trello (Free)

Best shopping app for Android: Amazon Shopping

Amazon is the granddaddy of online retail. If you’re shopping for anything at all, it’s worth checking out to see what Amazon’s offering. They have crazy deals all the time, just about every physical object you could possibly want to acquire, and with Prime, you’ll get it on your doorstep lickety-split. A separate price check app can help by scanning barcodes of physical products and seeing if you can get it any cheaper on Amazon.

Download Amazon (Free)

Best social app for Android: Facebook

Like it or not, Facebook is the most ubiquitous social network out there. Everybody’s on it, sharing everything they do. With the Android app, you can quickly post status updates, share links through the browser, upload and tag pictures, send instant messages, and leave likes on your friends’ status updates. On many devices, Facebook information is tied to your address book, ensuring that their information is up-to-date and the image is their latest profile pic.

Download: Facebook (Free)

Best sports app for Android: theScore

theScore remains a high-quality, broad-field sports app that helps you get all the news you could possibly want. NFL, NBA, NHL, EPL, UFC, and more are covered with news, scores, pictures, and video clips. Users can mark teams or players as favorites so they can track what’s up more easily.

Download: theScore (Free)

Best tool app for Android: Tasker

Tasker lets you set up a wide range of tasks to execute automatically given certain circumstances. You can set antenna to go off when you leave a certain location, turn on an app after tapping an NFC tag, or mute your ringer after connecting to a specific Wi-Fi network. With the help of third parties plugging into Tasker, you have a ton of options for if/then statements here.

Download: Tasker ($2.99)

Best transport app for Android: Uber

Uber has become such a force in the sphere of transportation that it has displaced the entire taxi industry in many major cities. Uber acts as the go-between for pedestrians looking for a ride and a legion of private drivers. Uber drivers are vouched for by users to ensure security, and thanks to GPS, you can find the closest one easily. Prices are dictated by supply of drivers, which means you can get some very reasonable fares, though there are occasionally surges in pricing during busy periods. Payments are made through Uber, so there’s no need for cash at any stage. If you’re lucky enough to be in a city with Uber service, this is hands-down the way to get around.

Download: Uber (Free, plus fare)

Best travel & local app for Android: TripIt

TripIt lets you store all of your travel plans, including information about your itinerary, hotel, and car rental bookings in one convenient location. It can import this information direct from your email box, and you can easily share your travel plans with your family and friends. It’ll even add your trips to your calendar.

TripIt is a free app and service for a basic set of features, but the real benefits come in when you subscribe to TripIt Pro for $49 per year. You get updates on any changes to your flights such as delays or gate changes, and it will also inform you when a better flight becomes available and will let you change your flight plans in-app.

Download: TripIt (Free or $49.99/year subscription

• Are you a jet-setting world traveller? Check out the best travel apps for Android for more great apps to help plan your next great adventure.

Best weather app for Android: Accuweather

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.

Download: Accuweather (Free, or $2.99 for premium)

• Not satisfied? Check out the best weather apps for Android for more great app recommendations.

Best widget for Android: Beautiful Widgets

Beautiful Widgets is a full complement of home screen widgets, including weather, time, and battery. Though Android includes many of those natively, the real selling point with is that Beautiful Widgets has a whole store full of styles to chose from. Combination widgets which include multiple data types, such as weather and clock, can use different themes together to create a really unique look.

Download: Beautiful Widgets ($2.69)

• Want to customize the look of your phone? Check out the best theming apps for Android and tweak to your hearts content!

Best live wallpaper for Android: Muzei

Muzei is a simple, gorgeous way of livening up your wallpaper rotation. By default, the background is blurred, and with a double-tap, it leaps into focus. You can set how long it takes for a new wallpaper to come in, or decide to leave the wallpaper permanently in focus. An open framework allows other extension apps to find and pick wallpapers for you, either based on your location, social network, cloud collection, and many other sources.

Download: Muzei (Free)

Best keyboard for Android: Gboard

Google originally designed the Gboard for the iPhone, and they took their time making it available for Android. The wait was worth it, as Google Keyboard has been rebranded and updated with great new features including integrated web search. The Gboard is completely free, supports gesture typing for both individual words and entire sentences, a bounty of languages, and a modest choice of themes.

Download: GBoard (Free)

• Want more options to keep your thumbs happy? Check out the best keyboard for Android for more info.

Best podcast app for Android: Pocket Casts

Pocket Casts does what any good podcast player should do: it loads quickly, has great discovery tools, has effects for cutting down on silences, and it looks great doing it. Shifty Jelly, the company behind Pocket Casts, has put a lot of love into making the app as full-featured as possible without alienating beginners just looking for an easy-to-use podcast app.

With tablet support, Chromecast output, and easy ways to store content on microSD cards, Pocket Casts is our pick for the best podcast app on Android.

Download: Pocket Casts ($3.99)

• Looking for more podcast app recommendations? Check out the best podcasts for Android for more sound options.

Best arcade game for Android: PinOut

PinOut is a brilliant reimagining of the classic pinball action we’re all familiar with into an endless arcade format, created by the award-winning developers behind Smash Hit. The game features sharp, futuristic graphics and smooth controls as it pits you in a race against the clock to see how far you can make it on one ball.

PinOut is a free download from the Google Play Store, but you might want to spend $2.99 on the one-time upgrade to premium to unlock the ability to start from previous checkpoints you’ve reached.

Download: PinOut (Free w/ IAPs)

• Yearning to relive the golden era of arcade gaming? Check out the best arcade games for Android — no quarters required!

Best action game for Android: Sky Force: Reloaded

Sky Force Reloaded is, simply, one of the finest games on Android. Featuring frantic gameplay, dazzling graphics, and a deep upgrade system it will have you coming back and playing for hours on end.

The story picks up after the events of Sky Force 2014 with General Mantis’ daughter picking up the cause of her fallen father. Most stages feature an epic boss battle with her in a massive warship, but first you have to shoot and navigate your way through intense waves of laser-blasting tanks, turrets, and helicopters. New missions are unlocked by collecting medals, which are earned by saving all the humans, destroying all enemies, and staying untouched through a mission.

Download: Sky Force: Reloaded (Free)

• Want more action in your life (or on your phone, at least)? Check out the best action games for Android for more great game recommendations!

Best cards and casino game for Android: PokerStars Poker: Texas Hold’Em

Fans of Texas Hold ’em will be familiar with PokerStars. It stacked with features you’ll love: millions of online players, frequent tournaments, multiple game styles to choose from and in-game table chat. Actual gambling apps aren’t available through the Google Play Store, so you’re playing with play money here — which you can buy through in-app purchases, or you can hold out for a free spin at the slots to get some starting funds once you’re out.

Download: PokerStars Poker: Texas Hold’em (Free w/ IAPs)

• Looking for more card games to play on the go? Check out the best card games for Android for more recommendations.

Best racing game for Android: Asphalt 8

Asphalt 8 is an over-the-top, white-knuckled racing game for Android. Power-ups litter the fantastic courses set in real-world locations, which can help you launch off ramps for amazing (and physically unlikely) stunts. Hopefully in the process you can trash some of the competition in explosively cinematic crashes. Some freemium elements are employed, such as purchasable currency and premium power-ups, but on the whole, the game is entirely playable without spending a cent.

Download: Asphalt 8: Airborne (Free, IAPs)

• Got a serious need for speed? Check out the best racing games for Android for more recommendations.

Best sports game for Android: FIFA Mobile

FIFA Mobile offers all of the excitement of a live footie match to your Android device. There are four game modes to choose from: you start out with Live Events and Attack Mode, and unlock Leagues and Season once your profile reaches level five. Controls include the standard virtual button and joystick layout, or you can try out some great finger-friendly gesture controls. No doubt soccer fans will appreciate the top-notch graphics and real player models.

Download: FIFA Mobile (Free, IAPs)

• Are you a sports fanatic? Check out the best sports games for Android for more great options.

Your favorite Android apps?

Those are our picks for the very best apps for Android, but there are a lot of apps out there and new ones are coming out all the time. Leave a comment with your favorites!

The Pixel is selling out because Google finally got its ads right

The Pixel is off to a good, if not great, start.

Google’s Pixels made up 12.3% of activations at Verizon stores during the holiday quarter, a number that should make both companies very happy in the quest to unseat the dominance of Samsung and Apple.

According to data captured by several research firms and compiled by Bloomberg, Google reportedly sold 552,000 Pixels in the fourth quarter, which was higher than the company anticipated, and has made it difficult to replenish stock both online at at carriers.

Google reportedly sold 552,000 Pixels in the fourth quarter, which was higher than the company anticipated.

Most Americans still buy their phones through carriers, despite the availability of low- or no-interest financing options from the manufacturers themselves; it is an entrenched practice after years of purchasing devices through subsidies and contracts.

Of course, selling fewer than a million Pixels isn’t a triumph when compared directly to the aforementioned juggernauts of the Galaxy S7 and iPhone 7 series, both of which reportedly sold millions of units during the same fourth quarter period, but for a new brand with very little retail presence, there is much for Google to celebrate.

The mindshare was directly related to the ubiquity of ads shown throughout North America, from billboards to television spots to subway takeovers. And while back in November, some analysts predicted sales three times their actual amounts — three million as opposed to the approximately one million altogether — demand is still higher than availability, and will continue to be for some time.

Google reportedly spent more than twice its average TV budget — over $100 million — to promote the Pixel, with Verizon following with more than $50 million to grow awareness of the new brand for its stores.

Given that the Pixel is a high-end phone with the same starting $649 price tag of the Galaxy S7, it’s clear that Google is on to something, and will continue to reap the benefits of an ad campaign well run — even as it struggles to fill demand on the supply side.

Google Pixel + Pixel XL

• Google Pixel and Pixel XL review
• Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
• Google Pixel FAQ: Should you upgrade?
• Pixel + Pixel XL specs
• Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
• Join the discussion in the forums!

Google Store
Verizon

Best Wall Chargers for Android Phones

The best charger for your Android depends on which phone you have.

Real talk: Android phone quick-charging standards are kind of a mess. Sure, just about anything which can supply power over USB will juice up your phone to full power, given enough time. But identifying the thing that’ll let you charge your phone as fast as possible — even if it’s packaged with your phone in the box — isn’t always easy. Sometimes you need a special charger. Sometimes a special cable. Sometimes both!

Fortunately, we’ve rounded up a handful of the best go-to chargers for some of the most popular brands. Reads on to find out how to power up as fast as humanly possible.

Best charger for Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony, Moto (inc. Nexus 6)

(and other Qualcomm Quick Charge phones)

For phones using Qualcomm Quick Charge, we recommend Aukey’s dual-port Quick Charge 3.0 plug. It supports the latest rapid-charging standard used in LG, HTC, Sony and Moto phones, and is backwards-compatible with Quick Charge 2.0 (branded as “Adaptive Fast Charging” in Samsung phones.)

This charger has two Quick Charge 3.0-capable ports, so you can charge two devices at full speed simultaneously!

See at Amazon

Best charger for OnePlus 3 / 3T

If you’re rocking a OnePlus 3 or 3T, you’ll want to use the company’s Dash Charge setup for maximum energization, and the best place to get hold of the proprietary charger (and cable) is OnePlus’s own storefront.

Remember you’ll need both the Dash Charge wall plug and USB-C to USB-A charging cable for Dash Charge to work as intended.

OnePlus’s Dash Power Bundle includes both necessary components, with the choice of 100cm or 150cm leads.

See at OnePlus

Best charger for Huawei phones

The latest Huawei handsets like the Mate 9 use Huawei SuperCharge — a new charging standard that requires Huawei’s own proprietary cable and charging brick — that’s the one bundled in the box.

At present this isn’t readily available online, but the earlier Huawei Fast Charger — supported by Huawei P9/P9 Plus, Honor 8 and similar phones — is up for sale on Amazon, and will charge supported phones at up to 9V/2.1A. That’s not SuperCharge territory, but still pretty darn fast.

See at Amazon

Best charger for Google Nexus 5X/6P/Pixel/Pixel XL

The past couple of generations of Google phones are right at home of the USB-PD charging standard. The last generation of Nexuses will charge at 5A/3V, while the Pixels also support that, in addition 9V/2A through USB-PD.

The easiest way to get a reliable fast charging experience on these phones is to just stump up the cash for Google’s 18W power adapter, which can provide both generations of phone with enough juice to quickly reach a full charge.

See at Google Store

What’s your go-to charging method? USB? Wireless? Quick Charge? Hand crank? Psychic induction? Shout out in the comments and let us know!

ICYMI: Lasers of the future will create an atmospheric lens

Today on In Case You Missed It: A new company called BAE Systems is touting its Laser Developed Atmospheric Lens tech, which aims to use particles in the atmosphere to make a big magnifying glass. They admit we are many years from actual application of the idea, but that doesn’t make the video any less cool.

Meanwhile NASA is booking rides on Russia’s space transport vehicle, the Soyuz, through 2019, since SpaceX and Boeing are both behind on their plans for a vehicle to get American astronauts to the International Space Agency. The America’s Funniest Home Videos compilation is here. As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.

DirecTV will show soccer in 4K this weekend

NBC Sports and AT&T are teaming up to offer the first live American broadcast of a Premier League match in ultra high-definition. In fact, two games will be pumped out in 4K this weekend, assuming you’re a DirecTV subscriber with the right hardware. The first will be on Saturday, with Manchester City taking on Tottenham, while Sunday’s game is Arsenal’s deeply-exciting tussle with Burnley.

This weekend may be the first to showcase the higher-resolution format, but you can rest assured that it won’t be the last. For the rest of the 2016-2017 season, NBC Sports will broadcast “select Premier League matches” in 4K via DirecTV. That way you’ll be able to watch every bead of sweat dripping from a player’s hands as they cover their face in agony after feeling a strong breeze.

Source: NBC