Pokémon Quest for Android: Everything you need to know

A new Pokémon adventure is coming to Android!

Pokémon Quest is a brand new mobile RPG that was first released for Nintendo Switch on May 29 and will be arriving on Android devices this week.

Set in a world where all your favorite Pokémon from Kanto region (think Pokémon Blue and Red) have turned to cubes on Tumblecube Island. You’re tasked with befriending these Pokémon and exploring the island to discover hidden secrets scattered multiple areas.

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What’s there to do in this game?

This is not the “traditional” Pokémon RPG that you remember from your childhood. While you do start out by selecting your first Pokémon from a familiar roster of starters — Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, or Eevee. Each starter has a unique attack and HP stat, but unlike previous games, your Pokémon’s type won’t have a special effect based on the traditional type strengths and weaknesses.

Once you start out, you’ll begin exploring the different areas and each starter Pokémon has an early stage area that’s designed to be a bit easier for them to ease you into the game. From there, the core mechanics of this game revolve around befriending new Pokémon, adding and upgrading them to your team, then taking your team out on expeditions to find loot and battle wild Pokémon. Each area’s difficulty level is represented by a number which you’ll compare to your team’s power level to determine your chance of success.

#PokemonQuest allows Trainers of all ages to get in on the action! In this free-to-start game, you can face off against wild Pokémon and embark on many exciting expeditions. pic.twitter.com/CZ57iGKWMX

— Pokémon (@Pokemon) May 30, 2018

Once you’re out exploring, your Pokémon engage in battles automatically. It’s nothing like the battling found in the other Pokémon RPG’s you’ve played, as you have had limited control over your Pokémon. You are able to tap their special abilities to give your team the edge in even battles, but there’s a cooldown timer so you can’t just frantically tap your way to victory.

Another core element of the game is the ability to cook meals using different ingredients you’ll collect as you play. The meals you cook are unique and will attract different types of Pokémon, so an important aspect of the game will be experimenting at your cooking pot by trying out different recipes and seeing what Pokémon they attract. A good portion of your time playing Pokémon Quest will be spent cooking and upgrading your campsite with fun decorations.

It’s a free-to-play adventure

As you might expect, Pokémon Quest will be free-to-play on mobile with in-app purchases likely available to buy more PM tickets, the in-game currency which you can spend on upgrades that cut down on cook time for your recipes along with other upgrades available from the shop.

Will it run on my phone?

The system requirements for Pokémonn Quest are pretty basic, only requiring a phone running Android OS 4.4 or newer and 2GB of RAM meaning this game should work on practically any Android phone released in the past three years with no issues.

When will it be available on Android

The release date is set for June 27, 2018. We’ll be sure to update this guide with more detailed information once the game is officially released.

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Google Maps’ major redesign is now rolling out to all users

There are also new features for finding the perfect taco place 🌮

Back at Google I/O this past May, Google announced a lot of big changes for Google Maps — including a refreshed user interface and a heap of shiny features. Today, all of that is rolling out to everyone around the globe.

You’ll know you’ve received the update as soon as you open the app. Upon opening Maps, you’ll be placed on a completely rethought Explore tab. There are quick buttons for finding restaurants, events, and more, and swiping up will showcase even more tools for finding exactly what you’re in the mood for.

The Foodie List is one of the first things you’ll see and it highlights top restaurants to check out. If you want to try visiting all of the ones that are there, Maps will keep track of the places you visit so you can check them off one-by-one.

As you scroll through the Explore tab, you’ll also see what’s currently trending, upcoming events, and can filter everything by today, tomorrow, etc.

If you tap on the new For You tab, you’ll see recommended restaurants to check out, get updated on newly opened businesses, be alerted of upcoming events, and more for your home, work, and a town/city you frequently visit.

Last but not least, restaurants/bars now show a rating out of 100 showing how likely Google thinks you’ll like a place based on your preferences and past reviews.

All of this should be live in Google Maps right now, but if it’s not showing up for you, tap that button below to make sure you’ve got the latest update.

Download: Google Maps (free)

Devil May Cry 5 for PlayStation 4: Everything you need to know

The demon invasion can’t withstand the wrath of Dante and Nero.

At E3 2018, Capcom announced the continuance of the Devil May Cry series. If its reveal trailer has you wanting to know more, look no further. Everything you need to know about Devil May Cry 5 is straight ahead.

What is Devil May Cry 5?

At E3 2018, Capcom announced the continuance of the Devil May Cry series. Devil May Cry 5 picks up where the fourth main game left off.

This series is known for high-octane, fast-paced action combat, with the player being graded after every mission for actual style points. It’s all about pulling off flashy combos and stringing together tons of kills, and the better you can do it, the better your grade is.

That’s not to mention an ongoing story that keeps fans at the edge of their seats. The series has seen several playable characters over the years, but none more common than Dante, a demon hunter who has made a business out of kicking butt and looking good doing it.

What’s the story so far?

We’re not exactly sure what’s going to happen in Devil May Cry 5 just yet. What we do know is that a supposed “Prince of Darkness” will serve as the game’s main antagonist, and that the events take place five years after the conclusion of Devil May Cry 4.

In that game, you played as Nero, a teenager imbued with demonic powers who was on a mission to stop Dante on orders from a demon-worshipping church. Despite the affiliation, Nero never fully believed in their practices. Dante picks up on this and eventually convinces Nero to turn on the church after learning that they have hurt far more people than they helped.

Here’s Capcom’s quick synopsis of what’s going down in the sequel:

The demonic invasion begins with the seeds of a “demon tree” taking root in Red Grave City. This hellish incursion attracts the attention of the young demon hunter, Nero, an ally of Dante who now finds himself without his demonic arm, the source of much of his power.

As Nero heads to Red Grave City in his motorhome named Devil May Cry with his partner Nico, he ruminates on how everything started. The loss of his demonic arm, the demonic invasion, and Dante’s unknown whereabouts. Things must be settled once and for all.

There’s not much to know about Nico so far, other than the fact that she’s a weapons expert, and she’s the one who provides Nero with all the cool weapons he uses. We also know that Nero’s demonic arm is called the Devil Breaker, and that there may be multiple arms he can draw power from throughout the game.

Who do you play as?

There have been several playable characters in the Devil May Cry series over the years, chief among them being Nero and Dante. We know that you’ll be able to play as both of those guys once more, with a third character – Vergil, who is Dante’s brother – being added into the mix.

When will we know more?

Capcom’s E3 reveal was light on details, but we’re said to be getting a much deeper look at Devil May Cry 5 during Gamescom 2018. That event will take place in August.

When can you play it?

There’s no hard release date for Devil May Cry 5 just yet, with Capcom only giving a vague “Spring 2019” expectation. It’ll launch on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

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LG V40 ThinQ: News, Rumors, Release Date, Specs, and More!

This is LG’s most powerful phone of 2018.

Last year saw a big shift for LG’s V series. Unlike the V10 and V20 that experimented with metal designs, removable batteries, and secondary ticker displays, the V30 introduced a slick glass back, incredibly slim bezels, and a pOLED screen made by LG itself.

We’re anticipating the V40 to share a lot of similarities to its predecessor and this year’s recently announced LG V35, and as new information trickles in, we’ll be regularly updating this guide to help keep you up-date on everything that’s going on.

Without further delay, here’s everything we know about the LG V40!

The latest LG V40 news

June 26, 2018 — The V40 will reportedly have a total of five cameras, a notch in its display, and face unlock system

News dump alert! Our friends at Android Police recently spoke with a source that’s apparently familiar with the V40’s development, and as such, we’ve got some juicy new details about the phone.

First and foremost, it’s reported that the LG V40 will ship with a total of five cameras. We can’t say with 100% certainty how these will be positioned on the phone, but it’s likely we’ll get two on the front and three on the back. Speaking of cameras, LG’s working on a new face unlock system that could feature 3D mapping technology, not unlike the iPhone X’s Face ID.

Something else to take note of is the fact that the V40 is said to come with a notch in its display. LG will allow you to use software to hide the notch just like it does on the G7, but as expected, this is a trend you just can’t escape for the time being.

Other reported features are the Snapdragon 845, rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a dedicated Google Assistant button next to the volume rocker.

May 2, 2018 —It’ll probably use an OLED display

Shortly after the G7 ThinQ was announced, LG confirmed something rather interesting — it only uses OLED screens for phones in its V series.

In other words, that’s about as close of a confirmation as we’ll get that the V40 will come equipped with an OLED panel. We don’t know what the resolution will be or if it’ll have a notch, but OLED is pretty much a guarantee at this point.

What specs can we expect?

Talk about the V40’s specs is still relatively quiet, but even so, we can make a few guesses about what it’ll come equipped with.

At the heart of the V40 will likely be Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 processor. This has been the chipset of choice for most 2018 flagships, and as we’ve seen before, the 845 is a beast when it comes to performance, camera processing, battery life, and more.

Something else the V40 will likely carry is an OLED display. In May, LG confirmed that it reserves its OLED panels for entries in the V series. Unless something has radically changed since then, this is a sure bet that the V40 will be graced with an OLED screen.

Lastly, the V40 will come with at least two cameras on the back. We don’t know what kind of sensors will be used or what the aperture rating will be like, but similar to past LG flagships, we should get a primary lens with a regular focal length and a secondary, wide angle one.

When will the LG V40 be released?

According to current sources, the V40 is scheduled for a release in either the late summer or early fall of this year. If accurate, this will see it launched during a similar window compared to the September 21 release of the V30.

We don’t have a specific month or day at the moment, but I’d imagine the V40 makes its appearance at some point between August and September.

How much will it cost?

We have a pretty good idea as to when the V40 will be released, but what about its price?

Details on this are still few and far between, but to make an educated guess, let’s first look at past retail pricing for other entries in the V series.

• LG V10 — $600
• LG V20 — $830
• LG V30 — $800
• LG V30S — $930
• LG V35 — $900

LG’s been steadily increasing the price of its V phones with just about every release, and based on the most recent V30S and V35, I think it’s safe to say that the V40 will cost around $900 and possibly cross that $1000 threshold.

The V series has never been cheap and the V40 won’t be an exception to that rule.

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Apple’s iTunes Remote App Gains iPhone X Support, New Look

Apple today updated its iTunes Remote app for iOS devices to version 4.4, introducing a redesigned look and support for the iPhone X, Apple’s newest flagship device.

The iTunes Remote app is designed to allow iPad and iPhone users to control their iTunes libraries from anywhere in the home, accessing music, TV shows, movies, Podcasts, playlists, and more. The app can be used to send music to AirPlay speakers and group speakers together to play music in multiple rooms at the same time.

Apple recommends that customers who download the Remote 4.4 update pair it with iTunes 12.7.5, which is the latest version of iTunes on the Mac.

In addition to a redesigned look, the iTunes Remote app update offers unspecified stability and performance improvements.

iTunes Remote can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

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Apple Begins Production of iPhone 6s in India

Apple has begun commercial production on the iPhone 6s in India as of last week, according to a new report by The Economic Times, following local manufacturing for the iPhone SE that kicked off in India last year. Production on the 6s started at the Wistron facility in Bangalore, and the model was chosen due to its “sales potential,” two senior industry executives reportedly said.

Due to the locally-made devices, Apple will now be able to exempt the iPhone 6s from import duties placed on imported smartphones and their components, which has been an ongoing struggle for the company. A few months ago in February, India announced the latest tax increase on imported mobile phones from 15 percent to 20 percent, and it came under two months after the previous increase.

The tax increases are related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” program, which aims to promote the country’s domestic manufacturing so that more companies build products there. After the iPhone SE plant was set up in early 2017, the iPhone 6s was rumored to be the next of Apple’s smartphones to get an “Assembled in India” stamp on the back of each device.

Now, iPhone 6s production in Bangalore has begun and retail availability in the country is expected sometime “soon.”

“The made-in-India iPhone 6s will be only sold in India like iPhone SE since it will take time to scale up capacity. In fact, Apple will continue with the import of iPhone 6s until capacity improves. Hence, there will be no price correction for the locally manufactured units. The made-in-India iPhone 6s model will hit the stores soon,” an executive said. Apple India did not comment.”

On the software side of things, earlier this year users in the country spoke about the poor performance of services like Apple Maps and Siri. One user in Bangalore, Mihir Sharma, told CNBC that “Apple Maps is a joke in India,” and many users reported that Siri “often struggles” to make sense and correctly respond to Indian accents. Analyst Faisal Kawoosa said, “There is no denial that the Apple ecosystem isn’t aligned much to the usage and value of Indian users,” and until Apple can expand its hardware footprint in India most customers believe it will stay that way.

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Kuo Details 2018, 2019 iPhones, Expects Cheaper MacBook Air, Face ID iPads, and Larger-Screen Apple Watches Later This Year

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who now works at research firm TF International Securities, has issued a new research note today with a wealth of information about Apple’s upcoming products and the company’s overall outlook.

Highlights from the research note, obtained by MacRumors:

• Kuo believes 2019 iPhones will have “marked innovations,” but notes it could take until September or October of this year at the earliest until the exact designs and features become clearer.
• Nevertheless, among new iPhones introduced in 2019, Kuo expects shipments of LCD-based models to outpace models with OLED displays. He also notes that, if any 2019 iPhones have triple-lens rear cameras, it would unsurprisingly benefit camera-related companies in Apple’s supply chain.
• In the second half of 2018, Kuo still expects the releases of new iPad models equipped with Face ID, a new lower-price MacBook Air, and new Apple Watch models equipped with larger displays.
• Kuo also still expects three new iPhones in 2018: a second-generation iPhone X, a larger 6.5-inch version dubbed the iPhone X Plus, and a 6.1-inch version that will essentially be a budget iPhone X.
• Kuo expects the 6.1-inch iPhone to be available in stores in September of this year, despite entering mass production later than the second-generation iPhone X and so-called iPhone X Plus. This means all three new iPhones in 2018 will be both announced and released in September.
• Kuo believes the 6.1-inch iPhone will incentivize customers with older iPhones to upgrade due to it being equipped with similar features as the iPhone X and at a more competitive price of $600 to $700 in the United States.
• Kuo on potential impact on Apple of the trade war between the United States and China: “We believe it is unlikely that Apple will be directly impacted by the trade war because it plays an important role in both China and US economy. It is worth monitoring whether Chinese consumers will reject buying Apple’s products due to anti-American sentiment.”
• Kuo on how Apple can grow under fiercer competition: “In the high-end market, Apple’s real competitor is itself, which implies that it needs to offer new models that appeal to consumers to boost replacement demands. We attribute the iPhone’s slow growth in recent years to there being no significant replacement demands boosted by new models after the iPhone 6.”
• Kuo on Apple’s innovation: “We believe that Apple is still the leading company in the consumer electronics sector and has surpassed its competitors by a wide margin in terms of innovative user experience and ecosystem development. The leading advantages will benefit it when innovating with new applications,” like augmented reality.

Much of this reiterates Kuo’s previous predictions and information shared by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman over the past several months.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, MacBook Air, Apple Watch, watchOS 4, watchOS 5, 2018 iPhonesTags: Ming-Chi Kuo, TF International SecuritiesBuyer’s Guide: 10.5″ iPad Pro (Don’t Buy), MacBook Air (Don’t Buy), Apple Watch (Neutral), 12.9″ iPad Pro (Caution)
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Apple Retail Stores in Seattle and Palo Alto to See Grand Openings This Saturday, June 30

Apple has confirmed that its new retail location at the open air University Village mall in Seattle will open to the public at 9:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, June 30. Apple University Village will replace the current Apple retail store in University Village, which it has occupied since 2003.

The new location is a standalone structure and will include all of the highlights and amenities of Apple’s current crop of next-generation retail stores. Reports from GeekWire indicate the store takes up about 14,000 square feet of a former parking lot that measures 23,000 square feet. Of that amount, 8,000 square feet will be dedicated to a sales floor and sit-down areas for Today at Apple sessions.

Photo of Apple University Village taken by Nat Levy via GeekWire
On the same day, Apple has also announced its location in Palo Alto, California will see a grand reopening at 10:00 a.m. local time this Saturday. This location originally closed for renovations just over a month ago on May 13.

In an interview at Cannes Lions last week, Apple senior vice president of retail Angela Ahrendts said that “retail isn’t going away” or “dying,” but it will have to “evolve” as time passes. In its own efforts to evolve retail, Ahrendts mentioned that Apple tries to “humanize technology” with next-generation layouts that emphasize communal gathering and encourage interactivity during Today at Apple sessions.

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Apple Releases First Public Beta of macOS Mojave to Public Beta Testers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming macOS Mojave update to its public beta testing group, giving non-developers a chance to try out the software ahead of its fall public release. Today’s public beta should be the same as the second developer beta, released last week.

Beta testers who have signed up for Apple’s beta testing program will be able to download the macOS Mojave beta through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store. As a word of warning, though, subsequent betas are installed in a different way, using the Software Update icon in System Preferences.

Those who want to be a part of Apple’s beta testing program can sign up to participate through the beta testing website, which gives users access to iOS, macOS, and tvOS betas.

Potential beta testers should make a full Time Machine backup before installing macOS Mojave, and it should not be installed on a primary machine because betas are unstable and often have many bugs.

macOS Mojave’s main new feature is a systemwide Dark Mode, which gives Mac users a new way to view the operating system. A revamped Mac App Store makes it easier than ever to discover great apps, while Dynamic Desktops give you wallpapers that subtly change throughout the day.

An improved Finder window with Gallery View, Sidebar, Quick Look, and Quick Actions makes it easier to manipulate, edit, and organize your files, while Desktop Stacks organizes all of the files on your desktop.

The Apple News, Stocks, Home, and Voice Memos apps have made their way to the Mac in Mojave, and for the first time, you can use Siri on Mac to control HomeKit products. Group FaceTime, an iOS 12 feature, is also available in Mojave and lets you chat with up to 32 people at one time.

Apple is keeping your data safer than ever with new security and privacy improvements, and Safari in macOS Mojave makes it much easier to track you through share/like buttons and via your system configuration.

macOS Mojave is compatible with 2015 and newer MacBooks, 2012 and newer MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac models, the 2017 iMac Pro, and Mac Pro models from late 2013 and mid-2010 and mid-2012 models with Metal-capable GPUs.

Mojave will be available in a beta capacity for the next several months so Apple can work out bugs ahead of a fall release.

Related Roundup: macOS Mojave
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The best Moto E5 Play cases

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

If you’re looking for a solid phone at a low price, then Motorola‘s phones constitute some of your best choices. The Moto E5 Play stands out as one of the best in that range, offering solid performance in basic tasks, as well as decent battery life for the price. It’s a good phone that’s built to be durable, but one slip or fall onto a hard surface is all it takes to damage your phone. If you want it to last until your next upgrade, don’t take the chance — wrap your phone in a protective case to keep it safe. Here are some of the best Moto E5 Play cases.

CoverON Clear FlexGuard Case ($8)

Not keen on big, bulky cases with traditionally “rugged” style? Then lay your peepers on this clear case from CoverON. The FlexGuard cover is made from flexible TPU that is shock-absorbent and should provide good resistance against bumps and similar hazards. The corners are often the part of a phone that hits the ground first, and it’s for that reason CoverON has added elevated bumpers to each corner, adding extra resistance. The soft material enhances your grip and there are a series of textured grips on the edges of the case. It’s thin, protective, and allows you to show off your phone to the world.

Buy it now from:

CoverON Amazon

Otterbox Prefix Case ($25)

Otterbox is more usually known for its bulky rugged cases, but it also makes some really good slim gel cases. The Prefix is made from slim TPU, and that soft and flexible material is extremely shock-resistant — something Otterbox has further improved upon with an especially absorbent inner core. It’s slim and low profile, making it easy to slip out of a pocket and it has a style that fits into almost any situation. It comes in a series of colors too, so if you’re not a fan of the straight-up black, there is also a glittery pink and smoky black. It’s not the cheapest case around, but when it’s got Otterbox’s name on it, you know it’s good.

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Otterbox

Leegu Dual Layer Gear Wheel case ($8)

Who says rugged cases can’t also be stylish? This case from Leegu is a dual layer case, and it uses a shock-absorbing TPU bumper with a hard shell of polycarbonate (PC) clipped over the top to supply a hard backbone. That should make this case extremely resistant to most damage, but it’s the style that has really caught our attention, and even if you’re not taken by the Gear Wheel design we’ve highlighted, there are other designs to pick from, including Blue Flower, and the humorous Don’t Touch My Phone. These sorts of patterned cases aren’t for everyone, but if you’re a fan of these sorts of designs and really want to keep your phone protected, this is the case for you.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Aeska Heavy Duty Defender Case ($9)

Another dual-layer case, this heavy duty case from Aeska is a very cool looking rugged case. It’s made from a TPU inner core and a hard PC outer shell, for that great combination of shock-resistance and hard protection. It also comes with a pair of carbon fiber-style panels at either end of the case, and those lend an air of sci-fi futurism. The corners are extra chunky for extra protection, and large button covers and dust covers for ports help to keep those areas safe. It’s light and thin, and it should help to keep your phone protected for a bargain price.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Zizo Ion Series Case ($15)

All-around protection can be hard to get a hold of, but Zizo‘s Ion case is a quick and easy way to protect as much of your phone as possible. The Ion case is made from a flexible and absorbent TPU inner core, coupled with a hard PC faceplate and backplate to keep your phone rigid and protected. The case is surrounded by a series of raised circles to aid grip, and the raised edges keep your phone from resting on surfaces. The all-around protection is completed with the free addition of one of Zizo’s tempered glass screen protectors, which stop scratches in their tracks, and can stop your display from smashing. If you want all-around light protection at a great price, this is a great case for you.

Buy it now from:

Zizo Amazon

NageBee Heavy Duty Clip Case ($7)

They’re not for everyone, but if you’ve got a job that takes you out and about, then a clip-on case can be a seriously useful addition to your phone. This case from NageBee also comes with a hard PC clip that your phone slides into, making it easy to quickly holster your phone when it’s not needed. It also helps to keep your phone well sealed away from potential hazards. It’s a strong protective option, too, and the case is dual-layer, providing strong protection against a variety of threats. It also has a rugged style that aids grip on your device and a screen protector. As if that wasn’t enough, there is a kickstand on the back of the case which makes it easy to watch videos on the move.

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Amazon

Poetic Revolution Tough Case ($17)

Poetic is an up-and-coming name in protective options, and the Revolution case is the perfect example of why that’s the case. It’s another dual-layer case, and the Revolution uses a full inner core of TPU, combined with a complete armor of hard PC wrapped around the Moto E5 Play. You will find textured hand-grips around the sides of the case, as well as dust plugs for each of the ports. It’s compliant with military standards for drop protection, and it also comes with a built-in screen protector, fully protecting your phone’s display, and ensuring it’s covered from every angle.

Buy it now from:

Poetic Amazon

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