YouTube TV adds 16 Starz channels as a $9 add-on

That’s a lot of movies.

YouTube TV gained another optional add-on, bringing some 16 channels of Starz for $9 a month. As always, you’ll get a free seven-day trial before being charged, so you can test things out to see if you actually want to purchase the movie network.

That includes the East and West feeds of the main Starz and Starz encore channels, along with other offshoots of each.

Here’s the full breakdown of what you’ll get:

• Starz (East)
• Starz (West)
• Starz Edge
• Starz in Black
• Starz Comedy
• Starz Cinema
• Starz Kids & Family
• Starz Encore (East)
• Starz Encore (West)
• Starz Encore Action
• Starz Encore Classic
• Starz Encore Black
• Starz Encore Family
• Starz Encore Suspense
• Starz Encore Westerns
• Starz Encore Español

To add the new Starz channels — or any of the other add-ons for YouTube TV, which include Showtime, Fox Soccer Plus, Shudder and Sundance Now — you’ll need to go into your YouTube TV settings (which you can get to directly through this link if you’re logged in) and select the package you want to add.

Just be sure to cancel before the trial runs out if you decide Starz isn’t your thing.

Introducing CordCutters.com

• The hardware you need
• All about streaming services
• What channels are on which service
• FREE over-the-air TV
• How to watch sports
• Join the discussion

Get the latest deals

Adobe’s Project Rush brings ‘all-in-one’ video editing to all your devices

Project Rush brings together elements of Premiere Pro, Audition, and After Effects in one cross-platform package.

Adobe today took the wraps off of Project Rush, a new video editing tool that works across platforms and brings elements from several apps in Adobe’s suite together in one package.

The highlight of Project Rush is its ability to work across your devices. According to Adobe, the video editor will be available across both desktop and mobile devices. And you’ll be able to easily pick up where you left off, too: Rush will automatically sync stuff you’re working on to the cloud. So, if you start editing on your desktop and need to head out the door, you can continue your project on your phone.

In terms of features, Adobe is calling Project Rush an “all-in-one” video editor. The company has combined elements of Premiere Pro, Audition, After Effects, and Adobe Stock to allow editors to do anything they need to without worrying about switching apps. Within the app, you’ll find familiar controls for adding filters, optimizing audio, color correction, and much more. When you’re done, Project Rush will be able to publish to multiple social platforms with a click, Adobe says.

Going forward, Adobe says it plans to focus on social platforms, making it easier create different versions of a video that are optimized for each platform you’ll be publishing to.

As for an official release, things are still up in the are. At the moment, Project Rush is only available as a beta, and you have to apply for a chance to test it. Still, for content creators, Project Rush looks like it will be worth giving a gander once it lands.

What is Project Fi, how does it work, and why do I want it?

Google’s own carrier offering definitely has appealing features.

If you’re an Android enthusiast, you likely know about Project Fi. But that doesn’t mean you necessarily know everything about it. And for everyone out there who doesn’t have one of the handful of phones that work with the carrier are unlikely to have looked into Project Fi deeply. So we’re here to give you the high-level view at the carrier option that comes directly from Google. Namely, just what the heck it is, how it works compared to other carriers and maybe a few reasons why you’d want to try it.

See at Project Fi

The latest Project Fi news

June 19, 2018 — LG G7 and V35 now available for pre-order

LG’s first Project Fi phones, the G7 and V35, are now available for pre-order!

The G7 is the more affordable of the two at $749 outright or $31.21/month for 24 months, whereas the V35 will set you back a hefty $899 or $37.46/month for 24 months.

No matter which one you choose, Google’s offering a $100 Fi credit when you pre-order either one. This is a limited time offer and will only be available through July 7, 2018, at 11:59 PM PT.

See at Project Fi

June 5, 2018 — You can now add kids under 13-years-old to your family plan

Leveraging its Family Link suite of digital parental tools, Google now allows you to add kids to your Project Fi family plan that are under 13-years-old.

After making a Google account for your kiddo(s) through Family Link, you’ll be able to add them to your Project Fi plan like any other adult user. They’ll have access to all of the features everyone else on your plan has, but of course, you can limit how much time they spend on their phone through the Family Link app.

Kids also cost the same at $15/month for the Fi Basics (calling and texting) and then $10 per GB of data they use.

You can now add kids under 13 to Project Fi group plans via Family Link

What you need to know about Project Fi

What is Project Fi?

At the highest level, Project Fi is a phone carrier operated by Google. It works by giving you mobile data service on three mobile networks, which your phone will intelligently switch between — it also uses Wi-Fi to make calls and send texts whenever available. Project Fi is a “prepaid” carrier, meaning you pay upfront for your service in the trailing month, which is the opposite of a traditional carrier (Verizon, AT&T, etc.) that bills you after you use the service.

It’s all about simplified billing with no hidden fees or overages.

Project Fi is focused on simplified billing. You pay $20 per month for unlimited talk and texting, and a flat rate of $10 per gigabyte of data used. At the start of each month you simply estimate how much data you’ll use (by the gigabyte) and pay for that amount — at the end of the month you’ll receive either a refund for data you didn’t use, or pay a little extra on the next bill for data overages. You’ll always pay at the same $10 per gigabyte rate either way. Bill Protection applies to international data usage the same as home usage.

The only time that doesn’t apply is when you hit a level called “Bill Protection” — effectively an unlimited plan tier for Fi. Once you’ve used 6GB ($60) of data in a given month, your bill is then capped at that point for the month but you continue to get data service. You can use as much data as you want for the month without paying over $80 total ($20 base + $60 data). The only caveat here is that once you hit 15GB of total data usage, your speeds are slowed to 256kbps — alternatively, at the 15GB point you can choose to start paying $10 per GB again for full-speed data if needed.

The huge benefit here is that you don’t have to pay for an “unlimited” plan every month — it’s simply there if you use beyond 6GB of data in a month. All other months when you use less than 6GB of data your bill will be less than $80.

You can also set up a “Group Plan” on Project Fi for up to six people to share a single account and billing source. With a Group Plan, all of the same features of an individual plan apply, but you save $5 per person per month on the base plan charge. Billing is handled centrally by the account owner, along with data limitations for each user (if needed) — Bill Protection data usage limits are also handled on a per-person basis. Project Fi charges the group owner for everyone’s bill collectively, but can also facilitate payments back to the account admin from each member to pay their share. Individuals can come and go from a Group Plan as they wish, without any contract.

Unlike most other prepaid carriers, Project Fi is available for just a handful of phones: the Google Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 2, Moto X4, Pixel XL, Pixel, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6. You can also use a data-only SIM card with any tablet that supports the T-Mobile network.

How does it work?

Project Fi works with a special SIM card — and a little software on your phone — that can authenticate you on T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular, and switch between them on the fly based on a variety of factors. On the new Pixel 2 and 2 XL, an integrated eSIM lets you use Project Fi without a physical SIM card and quickly switch between Project Fi and another carrier’s SIM.

Using Wi-Fi for calls and texts, you can keep using your phone in places where mobile data isn’t that great. Extra software called a “Wi-Fi assistant” will automatically connect your phone to open Wi-Fi access points when you’re out of the house, reducing your data usage without any intervention on your part.

You get the power of three mobile networks, plus Wi-Fi, in a single SIM

When you use Project Fi, you also get some of the same features that have made Google Voice popular over the years. You can forward phone calls to your Fi number to any phone you want, as well as view voicemail, make calls and send texts with that number from any device using the Hangouts app and website.

Project Fi also works internationally in 120 countries around the world with no additional cost for data use or texting. You can call at a flat rate to any number while on the cellular networks abroad, or pay much lower rates when calling on Wi-Fi. You can also call back home to the U.S. on Wi-Fi for free. Data used internationally just comes out of your standard $10 per gigabyte bucket, but speeds can vary depending on the country you’re in.

What phones are available?

When Project Fi launched in 2015, the only phone that supported it was the Nexus 6. Google’s been expanding this list over the years, and while the list of compatible phones isn’t nearly on the same level as carriers such as T-Mobile and Verizon, it’s one that’s growing all the time.

Along with Google’s own Pixel 2 and 2 XL, other phones that work on Project Fi include the Moto G6, LG G7, LG V35, and others.

These phones work on Project Fi

Why do I want it?

Well, this is really a personal question of whether you actually want to try Project Fi. Chances are if you’re reading Android Central you’re at least one step closer to being the target audience for the Google-powered carrier, but there are a few other boxes to check that make it the right choice for you.

Simplicity in the service and billing are paramount to the experience.

The only big issue for most people is the limited phone choices. Google lets you use its latest phones, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, on Project Fi, in addition to a small selection of handsets from Motorola and LG — including the Moto G6, LG G7, and a couple others.

If you’re okay with that limitation, you don’t have many other hurdles to jump over. You can sign up for Project Fi online in minutes, and you can either buy a Pixel phone at the same time or Google will send you a SIM card to put in your existing Pixel or Nexus. Once it arrives, you can start the typical porting process of bringing your current phone number to Fi, or can start fresh with a new number. You can use Project Fi for as long or short as you want, as there aren’t any contracts or commitments involved.

There are lots of cool features that make Project Fi a good choice, like the simplified billing, included international features and improved network coverage through the use of three carriers and Wi-Fi networks. Each one will have a different amount of draw for different people, though.

Project Fi’s pricing isn’t dramatically lower than other carriers out there, and whether it makes a good choice financially for you depends on your data usage and which features you want. We encourage you to do your pricing research before choosing which carrier is the best.

And whether you’re still on the fence or just curious about it, be sure to follow all of our Project Fi coverage here at Android Central!

See at Project Fi

Google Project Fi

• What is Project Fi?
• Get the latest Project Fi news
• Google Pixel 2 review
• Moto X4 review
• Discuss Project Fi in our forums
• Sign up for Project Fi!

Update June 19, 2018: Started a blog roll for the latest Project Fi news and added a section about the available phones.

Bluetooth speakers, all-in-one computers, speedy SSDs, and more are all discounted today

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

We found plenty of great deals today that include big discounts on the Logitech UE Megaboom Bluetooth speaker, the WD Black 500GB SSD, Apple’s iMac all-in-one computers, and more! Time’s running out to take advantage of these prices, so hurry!

View the rest of the deals

If you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you’ll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!

Spigen Liquid Crystal case for Galaxy S9 review: A clear winner

Not every case needs to be expensive to be functional and protective.

Since just a few days after I got my Galaxy S9, I’ve been using Samsung’s official Alcantara case and loving it. It’s soft, and it lets me keep the phone mostly protected without sacrificing the premium look and feel. But here’s the thing: I paid $50 for a thin case that doesn’t even cover the bottom of the phone.

Cases don’t have to be expensive or be made out of fancy materials like Alcantara or leather to fulfill their purpose, though. First and foremost, a case serves to protect your phone from the inevitable scratches and drops it’ll encounter over the months and years to come. Ideally, it looks good too, and doesn’t add too much thickness to your phone so it still fits comfortably in your hand and pocket. The Spigen Liquid Crystal case checks all of those boxes for only $10.99.

Spigen Liquid Crystal case for Galaxy S9

Price: $10.99

Bottom line: This is a slim, clear case that shows off the color of your phone and doesn’t break the bank.

The Good

• Thin, clear design that lets you see your phone’s design
• Tactile button covers
• Smooth bottom edge with wide port cutouts
• Available in 7 total finishes

The Bad

• Front edge is a little sharp
• Not as protective as some thicker cases in Spigen’s lineup

See at Amazon

Thin and clear

Spigen Liquid Crystal What I like

For $11, there’s not much to complain about here. The Liquid Crystal case is simple in design, covering the back, sides, and bottom of the phone in a thin layer of TPU (that’s thermoplastic polyurethane — basically plastic). There’s a bit of branding along the case — a Spigen logo, manufacturing details, and a callout to the case’s Air Cushion technology that, in theory, absorbs the shock from drops and protects your phone from damage.

The Liquid Crystal case is just one of Spigen’s many cases for the Galaxy S9, and it’s one of the thinnest in the selection at just 0.4 inches. I got the clear finish, but the Liquid Crystal is also available in matte black, along with a collection of flashier designs with glitter or floral print. No matter which finish you get, it comes lined with a small dotted pattern inside, which adds a bit of visual texture and prevents weird bubbling patterns.

To be totally honest, I wasn’t expecting much from a cheap, thin case like this. The last clear case I got years ago had horribly stiff buttons and sharp edges along the port cutouts on the bottom, but none of that is true with the Liquid Crystal. The buttons are still very tactile and clicky, and the bottom of the case is smooth, which is especially important if you’re the type to hold your phone in one hand with the bemoaned pinky shelf. There’s also plenty of space around the camera cutout, where a sloped design guides your finger straight to the fingerprint sensor — it’s by far my favorite part of the case.

Rough around the edges

Spigen Liquid Crystal What doesn’t work

My only gripe with the case is that it’s a bit rough along the front edge. It’s nothing terrible and it certainly won’t scratch your hand, but it can be a bit annoying to feel when your thumb slides from the case to the screen. One of the corners is also a bit sharp around the back — again, nothing serious, but the fact that only one corner is like this makes me question Spigen’s consistency when making this case. Still, for how little you’re paying, a few slight imperfections are forgivable.

clearly a good deal

Spigen Liquid Crystal case for Galaxy S9

For $11, the Liquid Crystal case definitely blew through my expectations. It’s got just enough material to protect your phone from damage — at least, in the event of a minor fall — but it’s thin enough that you’ll barely notice it’s there. Especially since I have the blue Galaxy S9, I really appreciate being able to see the finish of my phone clearly through the case, which is something my more expensive Alcantara case can’t offer, beyond the exposed bottom edge.

4
out of 5

Unless you need something more protective (in which case Spigen’s Pro Guard series may be a better fit), the Crystal Clear case is a fantastic option for Galaxy S9 owners that won’t break the bank. Of course, there’s also a larger model available for the Galaxy S9+, as well as most other popular phones. I’m not entirely sure that it’ll replace my Alcantara case, but … I’m also not sure that it won’t.

See at Amazon

Get up to $35 off a new Amazon Fire TV Cube by trading in your old streaming device

Got a Chromecast or Roku sitting around collecting dust?

Trade in whatever media streaming player you own and Amazon will give you up to $35 in credit towards a new Fire TV Cube or 4K Fire TV. Amazon only recently announced the Fire TV Cube, and it’s currently set to come out on June 21. You can get a huge discount off the price with this trade-in offer and go from an older, streaming device, to one that syncs easily with your smart home and streams in 4K. If you want to get your hands on Amazon’s newest device, this is best deal we’re going to see on it for quite some time.

So the way this works is you trade in any Roku, Apple or Google streaming device and Amazon will give you up to $2.99 as an Amazon gift card. This works with pretty much any device, whether it’s an old Roku streaming stick or Google Chromecast Ultra. Once your trade-in is accepted by Amazon, add a Fire TV Cube or 4K Fire TV to your cart and bonus savings up to $35 will be taken out automatically during checkout. The money you get depends on the condition of the product, but Amazon will tell you the maximum amount you’re eligible for on the final screen before you confirm the trade-in. For example, the Roku streaming stick will get you $25 off either the 4K Fire TV or Fire TV Cube, and the Chromecast Ultra can get you $25 off the first but up to $35 off the Cube.

Sending in the device is easy, too. Pick the device you want to trade in from Amazon’s list, answer a question about the condition of the device, and then print the shipping label Amazon creates for you. You have seven days from when you submit the trade-in to mail it to Amazon.

The Fire TV Cube is a big deal. Essentially, imagine the way you use an Echo Dot now to control all the wirelessly connected appliances around your home. Then imagine that control plugged into your TV so you can control everything plugged in there with your voice as well. That’s what you get with this new device. It’s a way to turn on the TV, play your favorite DVD, adjust the volume on your home audio system, dim the lights, and get your microwave to cook some popcorn all without moving from the best spot on the couch.

See on Amazon

Moto Z3 Play: Everything you need to know!

Motorola packs a punch for round three of the Z Play.

Motorola’s Moto Z Play line has gone through a lot of changes in the few short years it’s existed. The original Z Play was an excellent alternative to the much more expensive Moto Z and offered tremendous battery life with support to take it even further with Moto Mods.

The Z2 Play decreased the battery capacity while increasing the price by $50, and this year with the Z3 Play, we’re met with the same 3,000 mAh battery and $499 price tag of its predecessor while also getting dual cameras, a full glass back, and a new on-screen gesture system.

If your interest has been peaked by the Z3 Play, here’s everything you need to know!

Check out our hands-on preview

If you want to know what it’s like to play around with the Moto Z3 Play, why not take a look at our hands-on coverage?

AC’s Daniel Bader got a chance to go up close and personal with the Z3 Play, and you can read and watch his thoughts in both written and video form ✍️📺.

Moto Z3 Play hands-on preview: Three’s company

Review the specs

If you like playing the numbers game, the Moto Z3 Play does a pretty solid job at holding its own compared to other phones in its price range. Some of the highlights include a Snapdragon 636 processor, Android 8.1, and a healthy 4GB RAM.

To learn even more about what makes the Z3 Play tick, check out our full spec rundown below.

Moto Z3 Play Specifications

See how it compares to the Z2 Play

The Moto Z3 Play might be newer and flashier than last year’s Z2 Play, but should owners of its predecessor shell out another $499 to upgrade?

You’ll find a lot of improvements with the Z3 Play, such as a newer processor and slimmer bezels, but the Z2 Play still puts up a fight in mid-2018 with a 3.5mm headphone jack (something the Z3 Play doesn’t have), a more traditional fingerprint sensor, and sturdier aluminum back.

This one’s a toss-up in a lot of ways, so be sure to give our detailed, hands-on comparison a look.

Moto Z3 Play vs. Moto Z2 Play: Should you upgrade?

Motorola’s toying with a new on-screen gesture system

Previous Moto phones have featured a unique navigation system that replaces Google’s on-screen buttons in favor of a series of swipes performed on the front-facing fingerprint sensor.

With the Z3 Play, Motorola’s evolving that idea and taking some inspiration from Android P by moving those gestures from the fingerprint sensor and making them on-screen. Swiping left goes back, Swiping right brings up your recent apps, and a single tap takes you home.

It’s unclear if Motorola will continue to offer this once Android P rolls around, but it’s a fun and unique way to make your way around the phone.

The fingerprint sensor is in a unique place

A quick glance at the Z3 Play might lead you to believe that Motorola forgot to include a fingerprint sensor, but there is one there if you know where to look.

An indented area on the right side of the phone is where the Z3 Play’s fingerprint sensor lies, and because of its position, the power/lock button has been moved to the left.

This positioning of buttons could cause for some confusion/irritation in day-to-day use, but at the very least, it’s a unique implementation we really don’t see all that often.

There are dual cameras

One of the biggest upgrades to the Z3 Play over its predecessors lies with its camera. This is the first entry in the Z Play lineup to come equipped with dual rear cameras, and on the Z3 Play, we’ve got a 12MP and 5MP combo.

Motorola’s upgraded processing should allow for improved low-light photos compared to the Z2 Play and the secondary lens allows for much better (if not the best) portrait shots.

You’ll also find features such as 4K video recording at 30 FPS and a built-in cinemagraph tool.

It’s compatible with all existing Moto Mods

Motorola promised its lineup of Moto Mods would work on Moto Z phones for three full years, and it’s keeping that promise with the Z3 Play.

This is the last Z Play phone that’ll work with all existing Moto Mods, and in mid-2018, you have a lot of them to choose from.

Motorola’s done a great job at building up its library of Mods over the years, with some of the highlights including a Nintendo Switch-like gamepad, external speaker, an assortment of battery packs, and much more.

Here’s every Moto Mod you can buy for the Moto Z series

You’ll pay $499 to own the Z3 Play

If you’re interested in picking up the Moto Z3 Play, Motorola’s charging $499 for it.

For comparison’s sake, the Moto G6 offers a vastly similar experience for around $260 less and the OnePlus 6 costs $30 more while offering a much more capable processor, better cameras, and a headphone jack.

The Z3 Play certainly isn’t a bad phone, but unless you plan on making full use of the Moto Mod ecosystem, don’t be afraid to broaden your horizon’s and see what else is out there.

See at Motorola

Verizon and AT&T will stop selling real-time location data of its users

T-Mobile’s conducting an “internal review” into the matter.

Last May, U.S. carriers came under fire after it was discovered that they were tracking real-time location info of their subscribers and then selling that information to third parties. Following a heap of backlash over security and privacy concerns, both Verizon and AT&T have confirmed they’re ending this practice.

First reported by The Associated Press, Verizon sent a letter to Oregon Democratic Senator Ron Wyden (who’s been particularly critical of this topic) on June 15 announcing that it would stop selling this data to brokers who then sell it to other companies.

Shortly after Verizon made this announcement, AT&T followed suit and confirmed it was doing the same thing.

As for T-Mobile and Sprint, things are still up in the air. Although T-Mobile hasn’t permanently stopped selling real-time user location, it did say in a statement to The Verge that:

While we continue to review the facts and determine next steps, as of May 25th we have suspended all services with LocationSmart. Our ongoing internal review also includes our relationship with Zumigo and, if warranted, we will take additional action.

Sprint hasn’t made any official statement on the matter, but if/when that changes, we’ll update this article accordingly.

While @Verizon & @ATT have now pledged to stop selling customer location data to shady middlemen, @TMobile & @sprint seem content to keep selling customers’ private information, Americans’ privacy be damned.

— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) June 19, 2018

LocationSmart, one of the companies Verizon, AT&T, and other carriers sell location info to, can use this information to pinpoint the real-time location of someone in just under 15 seconds. The data is obtained using cell towers, and while it’s slower and less accurate than GPS, allows the tracking to happen seamlessly in the background without alerting the person in question.

This is a huge move from Verizon and AT&T, and I expect we’ll hear from T-Mobile and Sprint following in their footsteps shortly. U.S. carriers are still going to collect your location info, but the fact that they’re no longer selling it to other businesses is a big step forward.

What do you think of this news?

All major U.S. carriers give your real-time location info to third parties

Carriers

• Which unlimited plan should you buy?
• Verizon’s Unlimited plans: Everything you need to know
• Everything you need to know about the T-Mobile ONE unlimited plan
• Everything you need to know about the AT&T Unlimited plan
• Everything you need to know about Sprint’s Unlimited Freedom plan
• Join the Discussion

Jump Force for PlayStation 4: Everything you need to know

Naruto, Goku, and more are coming to the same fighting game.

Anime fans know all too well how heated discussions over crossover battles can get. Can anyone beat Naruto? Is Goku the strongest Super Saiyan? What would happen if these two iconic characters clash?

While we’re often left to our own devices to imagine these things – there’s a whole YouTube series on it, even – Bandai Namco is finally making it possible to let you figure it out in video game form. That’s thanks to Jump Force, a new fighting game that features popular anime characters from the weekly Shonen Jump manga publication. Let’s jump right into everything you need to know about it!

What is Jump Force?

Jump Force is an anime lover’s dream. Nostalgic feelings of those Saturday mornings you spent watching Goku charge up his powers for 8 episodes of Dragon Ball Z or Naruto finally getting a handle on his nine-tailed fox rush through your veins. You live for those anime fights.

And until now, those anime fights were mostly contained within their own universes. Now you can bring these characters into the same fighting game and have them battle it out for real.

Anime showdown

For now, we know that Jump Force features characters from four popular anime and manga series. Those would be Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, and Death Note. You’ll be able to fight with various popular characters from those series, with Naruto and Sasuke from Naruto, Goku and Frieza from Dragon Ball Z, and Luffy and Zoro from One Piece being confirmed.

Ryuk and Light Yagami from Death Note are confirmed as in-game characters, however, it’s noted that they won’t be playable. We’re not sure what sort of role they’ll have in the game. They could be support characters that you call on to help you during battle, but there has been no specific mention of their exact intent.

The characters emerge with a high degree of detail and a mouth-watering graphical art style. It’s weird to see some of these characters in 3D for the first time – the 3D version of Luffy, for instance, felt like a big shock – but Bandai Namco has seemingly done an excellent job with character modeling to make each character feel familiar. It’s also impressive how cohesive everything looks despite these characters coming from vastly different styles of animation and art.

Inviting gameplay

Jump Force is a 3vs3 Tag Battle fighting game played on a circular 3D plane akin to the Naruto Storm games, meaning you will select an opening fighter and two other characters to be tagged in at any time during a fight. Curiously enough, all three of your fighters share the same health bar, so tagging fighters in is less about extending your health pool and more about allowing you to pull off cool tag team combos or managing matchups.

To that end, Jump Force won’t be difficult for anyone to get into. Early gameplay shows that it’s an approachable fighting game. You can button mash and pull off some meaty combos if you’re not big on learning the intricacies of fighting game mechanics. Each face button on the controller can be mashed to pull off different moves.

That’s not to say there won’t be an opportunity for more engaging combat, though. Advanced mechanics such as tag juggling and a special meter will give more serious players an edge, though it doesn’t look like it’ll be so much of an edge that a newcomer will feel oppressed.

Some may write Jump Force off for that reason, and that’s fine. But it’s clear that Bandai Namco found it important to let even the most casual anime fan enjoy this rare mashup game.

When can you play it?

Jump Force is scheduled to launch in 2019. There’s no hard release date set just yet, but we do know it’ll be available on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC once it finally arrives. You can pre-order the game at Amazon.com right now for $59.99.

See at Amazon

Be sure to keep it tuned here for further updates about the game as we’re sure to learn more about the roster, fighting mechanics, and pre-order bonuses as we inch toward release.

MacRumors Exclusives: Save 20% on Elevation Lab’s ‘DraftTable’ and 40% on RAVPower’s 7.5W Charger

There are a few exclusive deals we have to share today, beginning with a partnership with accessory company Elevation Lab. Over on Amazon, our readers can purchase Elevation Lab’s DraftTable or DraftTable Kit for 20 percent off, marking the accessories down to $39.96 and $55.96 respectively. Just head to Amazon and enter the code MACLAB20 during the checkout process before the code expires on Friday, June 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

DraftTables work with all sizes of iPad Pro (and even accommodate the iPad mini) and are designed to ensure a rock-solid base for working on Apple’s tablet, with wide angle adjustment that ensures comfort for all-day workflows. The slightly more expensive DraftTable Kit also includes Elevation Lab’s ArmRest so you can draw for hours without fatigue and the PencilStand which locks to a flat surface so it can’t tip over.

In our second exclusive deal this week, we’ve partnered with RAVPower to kick off a string of exclusive discounts that will be launching every week over the course of the summer. Things are starting with a 40 percent discount on RAVPower’s 7.5W HyperAir Fast Wireless Charging Pad that’s compatible with iPhone X, 8, and 8 Plus, and can be purchased for just $23.99 with code MACRUMP34, down from $39.99 — the best price in the accessory’s history according to the company.

This sale will last through next Monday, June 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT, and then one week from today we’ll continue the RAVPower sale event with another exclusive discount for our readers. We’ll be keeping a tab on the sale in our Deals Roundup as it continues, so be sure to head there for the latest information.

In other RAVPower discount news, the company also released a new collection of exclusive discount codes for our readers, with savings as high as 36 percent off:

• Dual USB Car Charger with 3ft Lightning Cable – $8.39 with code RUMORS025, down from $11.99
• Ultra-Slim Wireless Charging Pad – $8.49 with code RUMORS083, down from $11.99
• 2-Pack 3ft + 6ft MFi Certified iPhone Cables – $11.99 with code RUMORS003, down from $15.99
• 40W 4-Port USB Wall Charger – $13.99 with code RUMORSC26, down from $17.99
• 10,000 mAh Portable Charger – $20.99 with code RUMORS077, down from $29.99
• 10,000 mAh Solar Portable Charger – $23.99 with code RUMORS082, down from $29.99
• 10W Fast Wireless Charging Pad – $23.99 with code RUMORS066, down from $37.99
• 22,000 mAh Power Bank with USB-C – $37.49 with code RUMORS009, down from $49.99
• 10,400 mAh 7.5W Portable Charger – $49.99 with code RUMORS080, down from $65.99
• 27,000 mAh AC Plug Universal Power Bank – $99.99 with code RUMORS055, down from $129.99

These codes will be available for our readers for most of the summer, expiring on July 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT. As usual, you can head over to our full Deals Roundup for even more sales going on this week, including discounts on Mac software from StackSocial, a one-day Amazon Gold Box deal on a Late 2015 5K iMac, and more.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
Discuss this article in our forums