Lifelike video closer to reality as Facebook upgrades Live 360 with 4K support

Why it matters to you

Facebook’s Live 360 application now offers much higher-quality video for all to enjoy.

Facebook has upgraded its Facebook Live platform with new support for 4K video in 360 degrees, so you can record higher-quality video than ever before for viewing on smart devices and VR headsets. Taking things a step further, it’s also enabled live playback for Gear VR users, as well as added a new camera certification program.

Although 360-degree video has the potential to become the video standard of the future, with much greater presence than fixed-perspective, 2D video, it’s currently a nascent technology. Part of that is due to a lack of proliferation of platforms to experience it on, but a lack of resolution of recording devices doesn’t help either. A 1080p resolution might be great for standard video, but when stretched throughout 360 degrees, it doesn’t look so good.

To help people find the right kind of high-quality, 360-degree camera for them, Facebook’s new certification program will give the thumbs up to certain devices, citing them as “Life 360 Ready.” As TechCrunch highlights, current standout recommendations include the Garmin VIRB 360, Giroptic iO 360, Insta360 Nano, and Nokia Ozoa Orah 4i, among others.

Some of the recommended cameras can record at 4K resolution, too, so Facebook now supports that on its Live broadcasting platform, making it easier to record and view high-quality, 360-degree video. To improve the experience further, it’s also added the ability to view those broadcasts on its Facebook 360 app using a Gear VR headset.

One issue with watching video in a virtual reality headset, though, is that a change in perspective can make it quite uncomfortable viewing. Although edited cuts are one thing, general shakiness is an unpleasant side effect of portable 360-degree cameras and accessories. To that end, Facebook is also introducing a new stabilizing effect, which will be offered at the end of a live-stream. After a recording is complete, if Facebook detects much shake in the video, it will give streamers a chance to automatically stabilize it.

Content creators will soon be able to see heatmaps of when and where their videos saw the most user engagement too, helping them target videos at specific user groups. Other changes include the addition of new fundraising buttons for charity streams and the ability to schedule live-streams to generate hype for upcoming broadcasts.

Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest iOS app deals available from the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

Quotiful

Quotiful brings you curated quote collections that are specially designed to mirror what you’re experiencing in life or trying to achieve. Get motivated and get Quotiful.

Available on:

iOS

Photosets

This app combines a camera, editor, and slow-motion video camera to help you capture bursts of photos at up to 30 photos per second. Photosets are stored only within the app.

Available on:

iOS

Voltage Divider

A handy engineering utility, this app solves for voltages or resistor values in a common voltage divider circuit. Enter three terms (out of Vin, Vout, R1 or R2) and this app will solve for the fourth term automatically.

Available on:

iOS

Blink

These powerful and beautifully designed tools will help you add beautiful frames, filters, text, and so much more to your photos, in the most creative and playful way.

Available on:

iOS

Gloomlogue

Transform your photos into stunning, illustrated gloom paints. The clean, intuitive interface, paired with powerful and robust tools, will give you the look you want in seconds.

Available on:

iOS

Call Pro

This app offers texting, calls, and video calls to anyone in the world, and claims to be both unlimited and free. It will work over both Wi-Fi and cellular networks.

Available on:

iOS

Best bluetooth trackers to ensure you never lose your keys again

Keys are still an invaluable part of most people’s lives. We rely on keys to gain access to our cars, houses, apartments, backyard sheds, and maybe even our mailboxes. We all do our best to keep track of them all, but there are inevitably moments when you simply can’t find them — even though you’re positive you put them back in their proper place. They usually turn up eventually, sure, but it’s no fun searching for them. Fortunately, there are iOS and Android-compatible Bluetooth trackers that make it easier to locate your keys, wallet, backpacks, and all the other important doodads in your life. Forget about pulling all of the cushions off the sofa — the right tracker can point you straight to your missing keys. Below are some of the best Bluetooth trackers available, along with everything you need to know regarding their pricing and compatibility.

Pixie ($40+)

The Pixie isn’t like other Bluetooth trackers on the market. Rather than rely on your phone’s proximity to identify its relative location, the Pixie creates a local mesh network that enables precise, GPS-like triangulation of each unit within a certain radius (150 feet outdoors and 50 feet indoors). In contrast to some competing Bluetooth trackers on the market, it doesn’t make sacrifices for compactness — each Pixie measures 1.9 x 1.4 x 0.1 inches, and last 12 months on a single charge.

But the app is where the Pixie really shines. An augmented reality view shows bright-colored pixels overlaid atop each Pixie’s location, even through walls and furniture. And audio cues let you know when you’re getting close. Read our first impressions here.

Buy now from:

Amazon Pixie

Tile Mate ($25)

You can attach the Tile Mate to any object you wish to locate, but for the purposes of finding your keys, you probably want to slip it on your key ring. In the event that you do lose your keys, you can use the official iOS or Android app to trigger the Mate’s 88-decibel alarm, or bring up a map showing your key’s last known location. If your missing keys don’t appear on the map, you can set the app to notify you when someone else with the Tile app comes near them. You can also use the Mate to find your misplaced phone by pressing the center of it. Once it’s attached, you won’t need to maintain or charge the key finder, as it is designed to last for an entire year. Even after it bites the dust, you can get a brand new one for 50-percent off using Tile’s reTile program.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

HButler Orbit ($30)

The average battery life of the Orbit is roughly six months, but unlike the aforementioned Tile Mate, you can open it up and replace the battery using the supplied tools. The device enables you to find your lost keys using a companion app for iOS and Android devices, which activates a 90-decibel alarm that comes directly from the Orbit’s built-in speaker. The last known location of your keys is also marked on a map to make it easier to find them. You can use the Orbit to find your phone as well, and it works as a selfie remote. There’s even a useful separation alert that will sound off if you leave your keys behind.

Buy one now from:

HButler

TrackR Bravo ($27)

The TrackR does everything you’d want a Bluetooth tracker to do. There’s a companion app for both iOS and Android, you can use the TrackR to locate your phone, and it has the same separation alert feature as the Orbit. TrackR also lets you know how close you are to your lost keys, and more than one phone can ring and track them. If you have an Amazon Echo at your disposal or another Alexa-compatible device, you can even ask the digital assistant for assistance in finding your keys, potentially shortening the time it would take you to find them with the tracker’s 92-decibel alarm. You can also have your TrackR engraved with your information, which only boosts your chances of recovering the tracker. Watch our video review.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Pebblebee Finder ($30)

Pebblebee’s Finder touts an impressive tracking range of 200 feet, a distance that’s a bit longer than other Bluetooth trackers on our list. The tracker’s stainless-steel design adds to its durability, and you can even replace the device’s year-long battery once it’s depleted. In addition to the loud buzzer, the tracker also features a bright LED that pulses, so you have a better chance of finding your keys in low-light situations. The Pebblebee Finder does require iOS 9 or later, however, or Android version 5.0 or above. It works without the need for an app to run in the background, so you don’t have to worry about it draining your phone’s battery.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Pebblebee

Chipolo ($30)

Chipolo’s Bluetooth tracker comes in two variations: the Chipolo Plus and the Chipolo Classic. Both offer the same set of features — you can trigger a remote alarm, for instance, or check the last known location of your device — but they differ in terms of hardware. The Chipolo Plus is water-resistant, comes in several colors, and has an alarm volume of 100 decibels. The Classic, on the other hand, is a bit smaller and a features a 90-decibel alarm. You can also open the latter and replace the battery, though the same can’t be said for the Plus model. It really comes down to personal preference, however, given both can be had for the same price.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Chipolo

Update: Added Pixie to the list.

Best bluetooth trackers to ensure you never lose your keys again

Keys are still an invaluable part of most people’s lives. We rely on keys to gain access to our cars, houses, apartments, backyard sheds, and maybe even our mailboxes. We all do our best to keep track of them all, but there are inevitably moments when you simply can’t find them — even though you’re positive you put them back in their proper place. They usually turn up eventually, sure, but it’s no fun searching for them. Fortunately, there are iOS and Android-compatible Bluetooth trackers that make it easier to locate your keys, wallet, backpacks, and all the other important doodads in your life. Forget about pulling all of the cushions off the sofa — the right tracker can point you straight to your missing keys. Below are some of the best Bluetooth trackers available, along with everything you need to know regarding their pricing and compatibility.

Pixie ($40+)

The Pixie isn’t like other Bluetooth trackers on the market. Rather than rely on your phone’s proximity to identify its relative location, the Pixie creates a local mesh network that enables precise, GPS-like triangulation of each unit within a certain radius (150 feet outdoors and 50 feet indoors). In contrast to some competing Bluetooth trackers on the market, it doesn’t make sacrifices for compactness — each Pixie measures 1.9 x 1.4 x 0.1 inches, and last 12 months on a single charge.

But the app is where the Pixie really shines. An augmented reality view shows bright-colored pixels overlaid atop each Pixie’s location, even through walls and furniture. And audio cues let you know when you’re getting close. Read our first impressions here.

Buy now from:

Amazon Pixie

Tile Mate ($25)

You can attach the Tile Mate to any object you wish to locate, but for the purposes of finding your keys, you probably want to slip it on your key ring. In the event that you do lose your keys, you can use the official iOS or Android app to trigger the Mate’s 88-decibel alarm, or bring up a map showing your key’s last known location. If your missing keys don’t appear on the map, you can set the app to notify you when someone else with the Tile app comes near them. You can also use the Mate to find your misplaced phone by pressing the center of it. Once it’s attached, you won’t need to maintain or charge the key finder, as it is designed to last for an entire year. Even after it bites the dust, you can get a brand new one for 50-percent off using Tile’s reTile program.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

HButler Orbit ($30)

The average battery life of the Orbit is roughly six months, but unlike the aforementioned Tile Mate, you can open it up and replace the battery using the supplied tools. The device enables you to find your lost keys using a companion app for iOS and Android devices, which activates a 90-decibel alarm that comes directly from the Orbit’s built-in speaker. The last known location of your keys is also marked on a map to make it easier to find them. You can use the Orbit to find your phone as well, and it works as a selfie remote. There’s even a useful separation alert that will sound off if you leave your keys behind.

Buy one now from:

HButler

TrackR Bravo ($27)

The TrackR does everything you’d want a Bluetooth tracker to do. There’s a companion app for both iOS and Android, you can use the TrackR to locate your phone, and it has the same separation alert feature as the Orbit. TrackR also lets you know how close you are to your lost keys, and more than one phone can ring and track them. If you have an Amazon Echo at your disposal or another Alexa-compatible device, you can even ask the digital assistant for assistance in finding your keys, potentially shortening the time it would take you to find them with the tracker’s 92-decibel alarm. You can also have your TrackR engraved with your information, which only boosts your chances of recovering the tracker. Watch our video review.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Pebblebee Finder ($30)

Pebblebee’s Finder touts an impressive tracking range of 200 feet, a distance that’s a bit longer than other Bluetooth trackers on our list. The tracker’s stainless-steel design adds to its durability, and you can even replace the device’s year-long battery once it’s depleted. In addition to the loud buzzer, the tracker also features a bright LED that pulses, so you have a better chance of finding your keys in low-light situations. The Pebblebee Finder does require iOS 9 or later, however, or Android version 5.0 or above. It works without the need for an app to run in the background, so you don’t have to worry about it draining your phone’s battery.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Pebblebee

Chipolo ($30)

Chipolo’s Bluetooth tracker comes in two variations: the Chipolo Plus and the Chipolo Classic. Both offer the same set of features — you can trigger a remote alarm, for instance, or check the last known location of your device — but they differ in terms of hardware. The Chipolo Plus is water-resistant, comes in several colors, and has an alarm volume of 100 decibels. The Classic, on the other hand, is a bit smaller and a features a 90-decibel alarm. You can also open the latter and replace the battery, though the same can’t be said for the Plus model. It really comes down to personal preference, however, given both can be had for the same price.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Chipolo

Update: Added Pixie to the list.

How to use the archive feature in Google Photos

Archive pictures on Google Photos to keep your main screen free from clutter.

Google has been steadily adding features to Google Photos, and a recent addition is the ability to archive images from your main stream. The feature comes in handy if you’re looking to get your pictures more organized within Photos, or if you want to move a few images off the main view.

You can manually archive photos, and Google will also notify you to clear the clutter if it notifies a lot of duplicate images in your timeline. Archived photos still show up in albums and search, but it’s an easy way to keep your main timeline free of clutter.

• How to archive a photo in Google Photos
• How to access archived photos in Google Photos

How to archive a photo in Google Photos

Open Google Photos from the app drawer or home screen.
Long-press on an image to select it, and continue to select all the images you want to archive
Tap the action overflow button (three vertical dots on the top right corner).

Tap Archive.

How to access archived photos in Google Photos

Open Google Photos from the app drawer or home screen.
Tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines on the top left corner).

Tap the Archive tab to see all the archived photos.

You can also add images to the archive by selecting the Add to archive button.
Tap on the images you want to archive.

Tap Done to archive the pictures.

How do you manage your photo library on Google Photos? Let us know in the comments below.

Allo: Everything you need to know

Everything you need to know to get started with Google’s messaging service.

Allo is a smart messaging service that relies on the Google Assistant to serve up contextual suggestions. Assistant lives on as a chatbot within Allo, and you can invoke it to offer recommendations on nearby points of interest, tell jokes, play games, and much more. It’ll also suggest contextual replies in conversations, provide you with score updates for your sports teams, along with weather and news updates, and so on.

Interactions with Google Assistant are designed to be conversational in nature, and it’ll also tell the best bad jokes. If you’re just getting started with Google’s new messaging service, we have you covered.

Setting up Allo

Haven’t gotten around to downloading Allo just yet? Here’s the Play Store link. Once you’re done downloading the app, it’s a straightforward process to register using your phone number. We’ve covered the basics of getting started with the app below:

How to install and set up Allo

Allo and text messages

First off, Allo isn’t a Hangouts replacement. You can’t set the messaging service as the default SMS client on your phone. It does offer the ability to message a contact that doesn’t have Allo installed through Play Services, but that’s about it. You can also talk to contacts over SMS, with the message itself routed through Google’s servers, but Allo isn’t an SMS service by design. In this regard, it has more similarities to WhatsApp than iMessage.

Allo is mobile-first, which means that right now, there’s no way to access it over the web. A desktop client is in the works, but there’s no timeframe on when Google will release it. Allo requires your phone number to register, and you can only use it on one device at a time.

• Here’s how Allo handles text messages
• Here’s what you need to know about Allo and phone numbers

All the features of Allo

Allo is loaded with functionality that differentiates it from the slew of messaging services available today. First up is Google Assistant, which offers contextual information within chats, reply suggestions, emoji parties, and much more. Assistant is always running in the background, and is there to assist when needed. Sharing a picture of food? It’ll ask if you want to take a look at restaurants nearby. Interested in going out? It’ll offer a list of nearby attractions, events, and movies right there in the chat window.

The messaging service also offers an incognito mode for private chats, and you can choose from a variety of stickers for when words just aren’t enough. You can also initiate Duo calls from within Allo, and make sticker packs based on your own caricature.

These are the top Allo features you need to know

Traveling with Allo

Allo is tied to your main phone number, but you can switch your SIM card out while traveling and continue to use the service without any issues. As long as you don’t active Allo on another device with the same number, you’ll be able to access the service.

Here’s how SIM card switching works in Allo

Should you use Allo?

Allo certainly has a lot to offer, but interest in the messaging service has plateaued over the last few months. The app has over 10 million installs, and Google is rolling out new features like personalized sticker packs based on your selfies, the ability to react to messages within a chat, and the option to sync history across devices.

Allo has matured into a more robust messaging platform following its debut, but so have its rivals. WhatsApp has added voice and video calls, and has picked up a slew of new sharing options over the course of the last year. Facebook Messenger has also picked up new features, with the platform also focusing on chatbots for everything from travel recommendations to news updates.

The lack of a desktop client is still Allo’s main drawback, but with Google releasing new features at a steady cadence, the web-based client should arrive sooner rather than later.

Are you using Allo? Share your thoughts of the messaging service in the comments!

Updated in July 2017 with details on selfie stickers, Duo integration, and the imminent launch of a desktop client.

Prime members can grab the Philips Hue Starter Kit for just $54 today

Our friends at Thrifter are back again, this time with a new low price on the Philips Hue White Starter Kit!

Amazon is offering an additional discount on the Philips Hue White Starter Kit to Prime members, dropping it to its new lowest price. You can pick one up for just $53.62 for a limited time, which is a discount of around $11 from its everyday price. Retailers like Walmart, Home Depot, and Best Buy are currently selling the kit for $65.

If you’ve been looking to get into the whole smart home lighting game, and have yet to make the move because of price, this deal may be the best one out there. The Starter Kit comes with two white bulbs and the hub that’s required for them to work.

• Enhance your home with soft white lighting, controlled remotely wherever you are. Set timers and light schedules, automating your lights to make it seem like someone is home even when you are away.
• With everything you need to get started, this easy-to-use kit comes with two A19 LED smart bulbs, able to fit standard table lamps and the Philips Hue Bridge that can control up to 50 lights.
• Install the LED lights as you would install ordinary bulbs. They are pre-paired with the Hue Bridge, which allows you to control smart-bulb-equipped lamps and overhead lights via the Philips Hue App.
• Easily expand your lighting system with accessories (sold separately), such as a Hue Dimmer Switch, Hue Tap, or Hue Motion Sensor. Pair it for automation with your existing Nest or SmartThings system.
• With voice control for Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Assistant, each kit includes two dimmable soft white A19 bulbs, a Hue Bridge, ethernet cable, power adapter, manual, and three-year warranty.

If you aren’t already an Amazon Prime member, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial right now, and then you’ll be able to grab this at the discounted pricing.

See at Amazon

More from Thrifter:

• This Fox Business article about Prime Day doesn’t matter
• Here are some of the best AmazonBasics products to buy

For more great deals be sure to check out our friends at Thrifter now!

Best RPGs for Android

What are the best Android RPGs?

Role-playing games are wonderful, story-driven experiences that complement the mobile gaming experience nicely. Despite the relatively tiny mobile screens we’re used to (yes, 5.7 inches is still small by gaming standards) RPGs allow us to get lost in fanciful worlds for a while.

In the case of some games, especially those ported over from PC, that “while” could be 20 or 30 hours! This makes the best RPGs worth their price in the Google Play Store. There are some duds in there, so we’ve hand-picked the best of the best to save you the trouble of digging.

If you’re looking for more than just RPGs, be sure to check out our roundup of the best Android games of the year!

• Final Fantasy
• Evoland
• Arcane Quest 3
• Crashlands
• Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn
• The Bard’s Tale
• Pocket Mortys
• Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
• Dragon Quest VIII
• Eternium Mage and Minions
• Dungeon Hunter 5

Final Fantasy

One of the most beloved RPG sagas is on mobile in the form of 12 Final Fantasy games:

• Final Fantasy
• Final Fantasy II
• Final Fantasy III
• Final Fantasy IV
• Final Fantasy IV: The After Years
• Final Fantasy V
• Final Fantasy VI
• Final Fantasy VII
• Final Fantasy IX
• Final Fantasy Dimensions
• Final Fantasy Tactics
• Final Fantasy Brave Exvius

If you have any love in your heart for the series, then you’ll definitely want at least one of these titles on your phone or tablet. Play your way through the entire sci-fi/fantasy saga if you want to and help Cloud stop Sephiroth, help Cecil stop Golbez, and help defeat Queen Brahne alongside Zidane.

Most of the adventures and a few spin-offs are there for you to spend hours and hours with, which makes them worth the cash (they can be as much as $20.99!). Just note that these games can take up a LOT of space, like upwards of 2 gigs. That being said, you’re getting the full game with all of these, so 2GB doesn’t really seem all the huge. You may have seen ads for Final Fantasy XV, but do note that game was not directly developed by Square Enix and is full of pay-to-win mechanics.

Whether you’re up for medieval fantasy or futuristic sci-fi action, Final Fantasy has something for everyone, easily making them some of the best RPGs around for Android or any platform for that matter!

Download: Final Fantasy (Free-$20.99)

Evoland

Evoland isn’t the most original game of all time, borrowing elements from the Legend of Zelda, Diablo, and Final Fantasy to create a classic RPG adventure that might be a bit of a knock-off, but it’s as fun as any of the originals, and there’s a damn-good reason for its pilfering of the classics.

This game is all about the evolution of video games, starting you off with two colors and a 2D character. As you progress, you unlock new technologies and new graphics until you reach the modern, 3D/HD age.

Your sort of meta-journey is punctuated by references to classic RPGs and movies, so keep a sharp eye out and enjoy the Easter eggs thrown in as you battle and loot and level up.

If you love RPGs, no matter when they were made, then you’ll love Evoland.

Download: Evoland ($5.49)

Arcane Quest 3

Arcane Quest 3 is a mobile RPG game for fans of classic tabletop games. It’s a turn-based RPG that mixes adventure, role-playing, and stragegy elements to tell an epic story of revenge and redemption. You create your adventurer from your choice of 10 unique classes as you battle hordes of orcs and other undead enemies as you fight to restore the honor of your guild and save your people.

On top of the main storyline, there are real-time multiplayer quests so you can team up with your friends and other players from around the world and unlock fantastic rewards. There’s also a quest editor that lets you create, publish, and share your custom-made quests, as well as options to play quests created by other players.

There are hours of gameplay to be had there that’s sure to please the hardcore RPG gamer, and all without implementing a pay-to-win mechanic. Definitely worth checking out for any RPG fans looking for a new time sink!

Download: Arcane Quest 3 (Free w/ IAPs)

Crashlands

Butterscotch Shenanigans makes some quirky and hilarious games and Crashlands is no exception. In what might be the funniest mobile RPG to date, you play as Flux Dabes, a space trucker who’s forced to crash-land (get it?) on an alien planet thanks to an alien jerk named Hewgodooko.

As you try to survive on this strange planet, you must craft your way through repairing your ship, build bases, tame wildlife to be pets, and fight the locals while crafting weapons and items from their corpses (it sounds morbid, but it’s great).

If you love witty dialogue, a fun story, quirky games, and crafting over 468 items, then you should be playing Crashlands.

Download: Crashlands ($4.99)

Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn

If you’re a D&D fan, then you’re going to want the Baldur’s Gate games on your phone ASAP. They use a modified version of the Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition rules and the original Baldur’s Gate was credited with the computer RPG renaissance in 1998.

These are your classic fantasy games, wherein you start off knowing only the walls of the castle in which you were born, but are thrust into a war-torn world under mysterious circumstances. Venture off and take on mythical creatures, as well as real ones (like rats!)

If you like a good old fashioned romp around a medieval realm, clearing dungeons and slaying beasts, all while creating potions and bettering your character, then the Baldur’s Gate games should be right up your alley.

Download: Baldur’s Gate ($9.99, with in-app purchases)

Download: Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn ($9.99, with in-app purchases)

Pocket Mortys

Like Pokémon? Love Rick and Morty? Does the Pope have lips? Is a chicken Catholic? At their core, the original Pokémon games were glorious RPGs and Pocket Mortys is about as close as you can get to (legally) playing the classic Pokémon games on your phone. (Yeah, Pokémon Go is a thing, but it’s just not the same!)

You get to control Rick, who’s just doing science in his garage when Mysterious Rick comes through a portal and challenges him to a Morty battle. After, Rick goes through the portal to the Council of Ricks, who confiscate his portal gun.

To get it back, you have to defeat the six Ricks sitting on the council, but before you can battle them, you must battle the Ricks from other dimensions and claim their badges. After all that’s through, you have to go and capture every type of Morty.

This is probably the most twisted take on Pokémon you’ll come across, but it’s fun and branded with the cartoon’s signature humor, making it a game that just makes you wanna get schwifty.

Download Pocket Mortys and SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT.

Download: Pocket Mortys (Free, with in-app purchases)

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

This is the full K.O.T.O.R. experience, so if you’re a Star Wars fan, this is definitely the mobile game you’re looking for. It’s a huge download, at 2.4GB, but you get all the force-wielding, lightsaber-swinging, Republic-saving goodness that the console games dazzled us with.

You get to choose your party from nine types of characters, travel to eight planets on the Ebon Hawk, and learn to use the Force, including over 40 powers. You also get to build your own lightsaber!

Knights of the Republic is the epitome of a classic Star Wars RPG and this port is totally worth the cash. This game even supports controllers if you prefer to play that way. As the Jedi’s last hope, you decide the fate of the galaxy as you battle your way to becoming a hero or falling to the temptation of the Dark Side.

You decide!

Download: Star Wars: Knight of the Old Republic ($9.99)

Dragon Quest

Possibly the most popular game in the Dragon Quest series, Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is available for Android in all its cell-shaded beauty. It was the first widely released Dragon Quest title, being the first to hit the PAL region and the first to be called Dragon Quest in North America, where it was always called Dragon Warrior. (You can check out the earlier Dragon Quest games on Android as well)

In this version, you play as the Hero, a Trodain guard, who embarks on a quest to reclaim a stolen scepter from the evil court jester, Dhoulmagus, who has cursed Trodain castle, turning the king into a troll, the princess into a horse, and everyone else into plants.

This is the full PS2 game, so it’s 1.4GB, taking up quite a bit of space on your phone. But you get everything the original has to offer: epic, turn-based battles, crafting via the Alchemy Pot, and classic fantasy, presented in a gorgeous 3D anime style. If you loved Dragon Quest VIII on PS2, you’ll love it on Android too.

Download: Dragon Quest VIII ($19.99)

Eternium Mage and Minions

Claiming to be the first RPG truly designed for controls, Mage and Minions is an excellent fantasy RPG that really does feel great to play. The controls are smooth and make sense to the mobile experience and the gameplay is fun and immersive.

You and your party are off on a quest to prevent Ragadam from taking over the world and ultimately destroying it, all the while battling skeletons and demons, collecting loot, crafting items and weapons, and casting spells to get the job done. The spell-casting controls are particularly cool, since you have to draw symbols on your screen to summon different spells.

If you’re looking for an RPG experience similar to dungeon crawlers like Diablo that was truly meant for mobile, then indulge in Eternium Mage and Minions.

Download: Mage and Minions (Free, with in-app purchases)

Dungeon Hunter 5

This is one of the deepest RPGs on this list, featuring a story mode, an online mode, and co-op mode wherein you hack and slash your way through dungeons, all the while leveling up and unlocking new weapons, armor, and other upgrades you can craft to create even stronger weapons.

This game is HUGE. The initial download is 33MB, but you’ll eventually be downloading gigs of data, since there are over 900 weapons to wield and hundreds of different spells and skills to acquire.

While online, you get to develop your own dungeons where your precious loot resides, defended by minions that you recruit and craft from Minion Shards. As an added defense, you get to build Trap Rooms within your dungeons in order to thwart those that might steal your treasure. Just be careful; you’ll likely be on the receiving end fairly often!

Dungeon Hunter 5 is a big, immersive, versatile RPG that sucks you in and before you know it, it’s the year 2100 and you’re a pile of dust, still battling your way to herodom or riches (because apparently heroes don’t get paid).

If you’re looking for an awesome free RPG that you can play until Ragnarok, then dive into Dungeon Hunter 5 and definitely keep an eye on your data usage!

Download: Dungeon Hunter 5 (Free, with in-app purchases)

Did we miss anything?

What’s your favorite RPG for Android? Did it make our list? Sound off in the comments below!

Update July 2017: Added Arcane Quest 3 to our list and updated the other entries as needed.

Xiaomi’s answer to Alexa is a $45 smart speaker

Xiaomi’s Mi division, which sells some accessories in the US but still no phones, is getting into smart speakers. It just unveiled the Mi AI Speaker, its equivalent to Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home and other personal assistant-type models. However, it play music and take voice commands for a lot less, costing just 299 RMB or around $45 when it hits shelves in China starting next month.

It features “high-quality” sound and a six microphone array to detect voice commands from any direction and distance like its rivals. More importantly, it has artificial intelligence built-in, so you can order it to play streaming music and act as a personal assistant, giving you weather, calendar reminders, news and so on. (Xiaomi also unveiled a “Smart assistant” built into its MIUI Android variant, but that’s merely a quick launcher.)

The Mi AI Speaker will accept third-party apps, much like Alexa’s Skills via its “Platform Waterdrop.” It’ll also be able to control other Mi products like the Mi TV, Mi Box and Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner, or even dumb appliances using Mi’s Smart Plug or Smart Strip.

Along with the AI Speaker, Mi also unveiled the Mi 5X phone, a 5.5-inch mid-range model with pretty nice specs. That includes 4GB of RAM, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, dual 12-megapixel cameras with wide and telephoto lenses and an HD screen — not bad for 1,499 RMB ($222). That will be powered by Xiaomi’s new MIUI 9 Android OS, featuring the aforementioned Smart Assistant and a few other new upgrades.

If you’re in China and lucky enough to be one of the first 1,000 in the Mi AI Speaker beta, you’ll be able to get it for a mere one yuan, provided you’re willing to help train it. After that, it will go for 299 RMB, or $45. There’s no word on US or UK availability yet for either the Mi 5X or AI Speaker, but as with other Xiaomi products, don’t count on it.

Apple ordered to pay university a tiny $506 million patent fine

Apple is no stranger to patent lawsuits, but the tech giant has been dragged through the mud again after a judge added a hefty additional fine to a case originally heard in 2015. The company has been ordered to pay the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) $506 million for infringing on a patent involving processors found in some versions of the iPhone. The patent was obtained by WARF in 1998.

The damages initially imposed on Apple by a jury totaled $234 million, but US District Judge William Conley added $272 million after Apple continued to infringe the patent until it expired in December 2016. The huge sum will barely make a dent in Apple’s finances, but the company is said to be appealing the ruling. It’s not the first time WARF has proven to be a thorn in the industry’s side, either. The foundation filed a case against Intel in 2008 for using the same patent, and not long after making the original infringement claim it filed another lawsuit against Apple over the company’s A9 CPUs.

Via: Reuters