Pay what you want for a 10-course coding bundle!

To become a successful coder these days, it pays to have a well-rounded education. Only knowing one or two languages just won’t cut it anymore, but it can be difficult to amass this type of knowledge without spending a ton of money.

Right now, however, Android Central Digital Offers has a deal on a huge 10-course coding bundle. Valued at $1,479, you instead get to pay whatever you want. If you beat the average price, you get to take home all 10 courses. If you don’t beat the price, you still get to take home an Introduction to R Programming course.

The other nine courses include:

• Complete Python Web Course: Build 8 Python Web Apps
• How to Make a Freaking iPhone App: iOS 11 and Swift 4
• JavaScript for Beginners
• The Complete PHP MySQL Professional Course
• Learn React by Building Real Projects
• Programming for Complete Beginners in C#
• The Complete Java 9 Masterclass: Beginner to Expert
• Beginner Full Stack Web Development: HTML, CSS, React & Node
• Angular Crash Course for Busy Developers

If you’re at all interested in becoming a learned coder, this bundle is no doubt quite appealing. The longer you wait, the higher the average price will climb; don’t hesitate!

See at Android Central Digital Offers

How to set up PlayStation VR

Get the best start in life with PlayStation VR with our handy set up guide!

So you’ve picked up a shiny new PlayStation VR, and brought it home, excited about the possibilities of having a VR headset run on your PlayStation 4 console. Before you can put the headset on, and jump into your favorite game, you’ll need to get everything set up. Everything that you need to get set up is sitting right inside that big blue box.

While Sony does include a fairly conclusive set of instructions in the box, there are some tips and tricks to ensure that your setup process is as simple and easy as possible.

Read more at VRHeads

Here are leaked images of Alcatel’s higher-end lineup for 2018

A quick look at some of Alcatel’s offerings for 2018.

Alcatel’s not the most popular phone brand around, but the company has proven to be able to kick out some really solid handsets for not a lot of cash (one of the most recent examples being the Alcatel Idol 5). Evan Blass shared an image of the company’s higher-end lineup for 2018 back in October, but we now have higher-resolution shots of all the handsets that were previously leaked.

(Left to right) Alcatel 5, 3V, 3X

The devices include the Alcatel 5, 3V, 3X, 3, 3C, and 1X – ranging from highest to lowest-end in that order. There aren’t any accompanying specifications to go along with the images, but that doesn’t mean we can’t infer anything about what’s being shown off here.

In regards to the most premium of the bunch, the Idol 5 features a pretty unique design that should help it to stand out a fair bit. There’s a pretty large top bezel, but very slim ones on the bottom and sides. The phone appears to be made out of metal, but strangely enough, there’s only a single camera. If you want dual cameras, you’ll have to go with either the Alcatel 3V or 3X.

(Left to right) Alcatel 3, 3C, 1X

A glass construction appears to be present for the 3V, 3X, 3, and 3C, but the cheaper 1X features a plastic one. The 1X is also the only phone of the bunch that doesn’t have a fingerprint sensor.

It’s unclear when in 2018 Alcatel will release these phones or how much they’ll cost, but if past devices are anything to go by, we’ll be looking at competent Android handsets that are very competitively priced.

Alcatel Idol 5 review: One of Cricket’s best

Get a DualShock 4 controller in black or camo for just $39 right now

Replace an old controller or just have an extra for some couch-based multiplayer.

This Sony DualShock 4 wireless controller is down to $39 on Amazon in Jet Black and Green Camouflage. The Jet Black version regularly sells for $44, and the Green Camo one sells closer to $49.

Most retailers plan to offer the controller for around $40 on Black Friday, and it’s also a regular sale price we’ve shared a couple times before. However, it’s limited to two colors right now. Best Buy, for example, is promising Magma Red controllers at $40, which might entice you to wait. But I imagine we’ll see that on sale online, too, before next Friday.

Features of the DualShock 4 controller include:

• Precision controller enhanced to offer players absolute control for all games on PlayStation 4.
• Improved feel, shape, and sensitivity of dual analog sticks and trigger buttons
• New multi-touch and clickable touch pad on the face of the DualShock 4 Wireless Controller opens up worlds of new gameplay possibilities for both newcomers and veteran gamers.
• DualShock 4 Wireless Controller features a built-in speaker and stereo headset jack, putting several new audio options in the player’s hands.

See at Amazon

Google’s fabric case for Pixel 2 is my favorite accessory in years

Google’s fabric case for the Pixel 2 is expensive and maybe not the most practical, but it sure is a joy to use.

When it comes to materials used on phones these days, things have gotten pretty boring. More manufacturers are opting for glass and metal than ever before, and while this does make phones more “premium” in some people’s eyes, it comes at the expense of devices that all end up looking and feeling the same after a while.

Becuase of this trend, I immediately fell in love with the Pixel 2 as soon as I picked it up for the first time. Although technically made out of aluminum, the special coating on the back allows for fantastic grip that’s surprisingly difficult to find on a modern flagship. I didn’t initially think the Pixel 2 could look or feel any better, but then I slapped on Google’s fabric case.

This. Thing. Rocks.

If you’ve been following Google’s products over the past year, you’ve likely noticed that a lot of them are made out of fabric. The Daydream View and Google Home that debuted in 2016 were the first to introduce this design trend, and that style was continued this year with the Home Mini, Home Max, and Pixel Buds. And, of course, the Pixel 2’s fabric case.

Simply referred to as the “Pixel 2 Case” on the Google Store, you can buy the accessory in Carbon, Cement, Midnight, and Coral for the Pixel 2 and 2 XL. I opted for the Carbon (black) variant, and after using it on my Pixel 2 for the past few days, I can’t remember the last time I was this impressed with a phone case.

Fabric might be impractical, but it sure does look and feel amazing.

One of the biggest reasons for this is, well, the use of fabric. Look — I get that this isn’t the most durable material in the world and that it’ll probably start showing noticeable signs of use after a couple of months. You know what, though? I don’t care. Holding a material like this in my hands each and every time I pick up my phone is such a unique experience, and it’s something you simply can’t find with any other device (at least not to this quality). It’s soft, decently grippy, and a pure joy to use.

The volume rocker is covered by the same fabric, but the power button cover is made out of a hard plastic. Not only do both buttons still feel great to press, but the different material choice between the two makes it easy to determine which one your finger is resting on without having to glance at your phone.

Google’s Coral and Midnight colors for this case are particularly striking, but I’ve been really impressed with how good the Carbon option looks. The fabric material is still very noticeable even from a distance, but it does this while also looking classy and not overly flashy.

The only possible annoyance is the fingerprint scanner cutout.

Two other strong points for this case are that it’s compatible with the Pixel 2’s Active Edge feature and the slightly raised edges around the front help protect your screen in the event of a drop. My only real nitpick with the case is with the cutout for the fingerprint scanner. Because of the added thickness, it does feel like you have to “dip your finger in the hole” rather than just tap it on the back.

So, should you buy the fabric case for the Pixel 2?

I’ll be the first to admit that the $40 asking price is a bit much, but it’s well worth it. This is one of the most unique-looking and awesome-feeling cases I’ve ever had the pleasure of using, and it’s currently one of the best ways to outfit Google’s latest.

See at Google Store

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

Google Store
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Verizon
Best Buy

YouTube TV app now available for Samsung and LG smart TVs

Google’s live television service continues its big screen expansion.

Earlier this month, Google finally released a YouTube TV app for Android TV and Xbox One consoles after months of patiently waiting. It was announced that the app would be making its way to more devices in the near future, and the latest ones to join the bunch include smart TVs from Samsung and LG.

Smart TVs from Samsung and LG that came out in either 2016 or 2017 can now get the YouTube TV app, and downloading it is pretty simple.

If you’re in camp Samsung, go to “Apps” within the app launcher, head over to the list of recommended applications you can download, and find YouTube TV. For LG televisions, go to the LG Content Store, search for “YouTube TV”, and download it once you’ve found it.

You can’t currently sign up for YouTube TV from the TV app, so you’ll need to first do so on your phone or computer if you don’t already have an account.

Also, if you own older televisions from Samsung or LG that were released in 2014 or 2015, Google says a YouTube TV app will be available soon for them as well.

YouTube TV finally gets a proper Android TV app

The Razer Phone is now available to order for $700

If you’ve been waiting to get your hands on a Razer Phone, now’s your chance.

The Razer Phone, the gaming company’s first step into the smartphone arena, is now on sale. The phone for gamers, as Razer calls it, is available to order now directly from Razer for $699.99.

Borne out of Razer’s acquisition of smartphone startup Nextbit, the Razer Phone is meant to carry Razer’s gaming gravitas into the mobile world. The highlight of that effort is the device’s 5.72-inch 2560 x 1440 display, which boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and a wide color gamut. That means the Razer Phone can support higher framerates throughout the interface and while playing games, making the whole thing feel smoother than most other devices.

In terms of specs, the Razer Phone is powered by a Snapdragon 835, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. Support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ is here, allowing the 4,000 mAh battery to be charged up in a flash. Two stereo speakers are mounted on the front, each with a discrete amplifier powered by Dolby Atmos. The Razer Phone lacks a headphone jack, but it does include a USB Type-C dongle that packs a THX-certified DAC for an extra boost to sound quality.

Rounding things out is a dual 12MP camera setup around back, an 8MP shooter up front, and a fingerprint scanner on the side power button. In terms of games, Razer has included a “game booster” that it says will help you squeeze out every drop of performance while gaming. The company has also teamed up with developers behind games like Final Fantasy XV Pocket Editions and World of Tanks Blitz to ensure they are optimized for the device.

If you’re eager to snag a Razer Phone, you can pick one up now directly from Razer. And if you’re on the fence, be sure to give our hands-on a look.

See at Razer

Facebook tests VR in News Feed with ‘Jumanji’ experience

Since adding 360 videos to News Feeds in June 2016, Facebook has spent this year significantly invested in the format. It enabling 360 livestreaming and then added that functionality within its apps, and even boosted the back end with automatic image correction. But the social network isn’t stopping its immersive push at flat imagery. Today Facebook announced it has started testing VR experiences in users’ News Feeds, and its first experiment is a ‘scavenger hunt’ game for the upcoming Jumanji film.

Built on the WebVR-based React VR developer kit that Facebook released in April, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle works with both 360 video and virtual reality headsets. Viewers can roam around the mysterious jungle collecting tchotchkes and learning about the movie’s world. If you saw this morning’s Rampage trailer and can’t get enough Dwayne Johnson, click here in a VR browser.

The Jumanji scavenger hunt is one in a roster of content created with React VR that Facebook-owned Oculus announced today, from a tour of the British Museum to a Dubai Tourism-sponsored experience and a USA Today walkthrough of a Kentucky distillery. Crucially, most of these seem to be shot in 360 video and then edited into virtual reality experiences using React VR and Oculus’ tools, which fits with the social network’s efforts to bring VR to the News Feed.

“We’re also excited to share that we’ve started testing native React VR integration and experience playback within Facebook News Feed. Although we’re still in the experimentation phase, we’re inspired by the potential to let even more people experience quality VR content — wherever they may be.”

Facebook doesn’t just want companies building VR projects for the News Feed — it wants users to join in, too. Last month, the company announced it will add creative tools to its virtual reality lounge, Spaces, including the ability to create and share ‘3D posts’ to News Feeds.

Source: Oculus blog: New WebVR experiences, Oculus blog: Introducing ‘Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle’

MoviePass offers an even bigger discount if you pay for a year upfront

MoviePass is dropping its price point yet again. In August, the company reduced its subscription cost to just $10 per month — down from $15 to $21 depending on where you lived — and upped the amount of movies its subscribers could see from two per month to one per day. Now, if you’re willing to pay for the whole year up front, you can snag the no contract, subscription for $7 per month.

When the company dropped its prices in August, it had so many new customers flocking to sign up that it struggled to mail out the subscription cards in a timely manner. It had to hire a slew of additional people in order to keep up. But that consumer popularity doesn’t necessarily reflect how theaters execs feel about the service. AMC said earlier this year that it was looking into how it could block the use of MoviePass subscriptions at its theaters even though the service pays theaters full price for movie tickets.

The new pricing plan is only around for a limited time, though the company doesn’t say what that timeframe is. Including the processing fee, the one-time payment for a full year of movie going is $90.

Source: MoviePass

Apple delays HomePod smart speaker until early 2018

We hope you weren’t counting on giving (or getting) a HomePod for the holidays — Apple has delayed the release of the Siri-powered speaker from December to early 2018. In a statement, the company said it needed a “little more time” before the device was ready for its initial release in Australia, the UK and the US. It’s not yet clear how this will affect releases in other countries (we’ve asked the company if it can elaborate), but we wouldn’t be surprised if it pushed back their releases slightly as well. They were already being asked to wait until early 2018.

You can read the full statement below.

While the exact reasons for the delay aren’t clear, it’s not completely surprising. This is Apple’s first entry into the smart speaker realm, and it has to nail the experience if it’s going to compete. At the same time, Apple is effectively ceding holiday sales to a wave of new higher-end speakers like Amazon’s Echo Plus, Google’s Home Max and the Sonos One. The HomePod isn’t necessarily in trouble (Amazon and Sonos can only sell fully-featured devices in countries where Alexa works), but it may face a tougher battle than it did beforehand.

“We can’t wait for people to experience HomePod, Apple’s breakthrough wireless speaker for the home, but we need a little more time before it’s ready for our customers. We’ll start shipping in the US, UK and Australia in early 2018.”

Source: John Paczkowski (Twitter)