Huawei’s GPU Turbo update is coming to the Mate 10 and P20 this August

Other phones will follow suit throughout the year.

Just about every OEM is eager to release new hardware that’s faster and more powerful than past releases, but Huawei’s announced plans to go a slightly different route this year. Starting this August, it’ll begin rolling out its free GPU Turbo update that dramatically boots the graphical performance for a number of its existing phones.

Huawei says GPU Turbo works similar to the turbocharger in a car, noting that it’s “able to accelerate performance by optimizing system utilization of software and hardware resources.” When the update lands on a phone, it’ll see a 60% increase in graphics processing and a 30% reduction in power consumption — resulting in better gaming performance and longer battery life.

Huawei needs to work with developers to ensure GPU Turbo is properly taken advantage of, and out of the box, the update will be noticeable in PUBG Mobile and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

The current rollout schedule for the GPU Turbo update is as follows:

• Huawei Mate 10, Mate 10 Pro, Mate RS — Coming August 2018 to Europe, Russia, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa
• Huawei P20 and P20 Pro — Coming August 2018 to Europe, Russia, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa
• Huawei Mate 10 Lite — Coming September 2018 to all markets
• Huawei Nova 2i — Coming September 2018 to all markets
• Huawei P Smart — Coming September 2018 to all markets
• Huawei P20 Lite — Coming September 2018 to Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa
• Huawei Y9 (2018) — Coming September 2018 to all markets
• Huawei Mate 9 and Mate 9 Pro — Coming November 2018 to all markets
• Huawei P10 and P10 Plus — Coming November 2018 to all markets

If you’ve got any of the above phones, are you excited for the GPU Turbo update?

These are all the Huawei/Honor phones coming out in 2018

Huawei P20 + P20 Pro

• Huawei P20 and P20 Pro hands-on
• Huawei P20 and P20 Pro specs
• The Porsche Design Mate RS is a P20 Pro that costs $2000
• Join the discussion in the forums

Fortnite for Android: Everything You Need to Know!

The hottest game of 2018 will be coming to Android soon.

Fortnite has been blowing up lately. Millions of people have become obsessed with the game, both as players and just watching popular Twitch streamers play the game.

Interested to learn more about what the heck Fortnite is all about? Just keep reading.

What’s new with Fortnite?

July 16, 2018 — Season 5 Battle Pass has begun, still no official Android launch date set

We’re midway through July and still no word from Epic Games as to when specifically Fortnite will be released for Android this summer.

Meanwhile, the Season 5 Battle Pass has begun for all other platforms that Fortnite is available on, which either means that the Android version is imminent or we’re going to have to wait for this season to wrap up and hope it’s released ahead of Season 6. Battle Pass seasons typically last around 10 weeks, which would mean Season 5 should wrap up around the third week of September which lines up nicely with the Autumnal equinox and the official end of summer.

Speculation on the Fortnite forums is rampant, with some posters confident the Android version will be released imminently in the coming weeks, while others are prepared to wait until September. We’ll be sure to let you know as soon as a more concrete date is set.

May 18, 2018 — The Android version will be here “this summer.”

Fortnite’s iOS version has been out for a hot minute now, and to ensure the experience is as good as can be, Epic outlined a heap of improvements coming to the game — including a customizable HUD, voice chat, improved controls, and more.

You can read through all the changes here, but the most exciting news has to do with Fortnite’s Android release. Epic notes that the game will be here “this summer”, and while that’s not as specific as we’d like, it’s still a step in the right direction.

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What is Fortnite?

Fortnite is what would happen if you combined two of the most addictive games out there — Minecraft and PUBG.

Fortnite offers a free 100-player Player Vs Player (PvP) Battle Royale game mode. Just like PUBG, you’re dropped onto the large island map and must arm yourself and outlive your competition. But in Fortnite, you always start out armed with a pickaxe which can be used as a melee weapon or for harvest raw supplies for building walls, ramps, and shelters.

It certainly adds extra layers of strategy to the format, creating essentially a perfect storm of addictive gaming action that’s as fun to watch as it is to play. Oh, speaking of storms all the action takes place in the eye of a deadly electrical storm meaning you can’t just hunker down and hide out the whole game. You got to keep moving.

How do you play the game?

Just like PUBG, your goal is to be the last man standing — with up to 100 players involved in each match, that’s no small task.

Each game starts with the players jumping out of the flying “Battle Bus” and parachuting down onto a giant island. Once landed, you must loot nearby buildings for items, guns, and ammo to defend yourself and attack other players.

You also need to keep an eye on the map, as every few minutes the storm closes in on the play area. If you’re caught in the storm, you slowly die so you do not want to forget to regularly check where you are on the map. Eventually, the play constricts to a tiny area for the final showdown between the remaining players — there can only be one winner!

Unlike PUBG, you’re able to carry more than two guns. Instead, you’re limited to the number of weapons and items you can carry at one time. Also, guns are color coded to denote their rarity — from grey (common) to orange (legendary) — and the rarer the gun, the deadlier it is.

Then there’s the crafting element. Every player starts out with a pickaxe which can be used as a melee weapon or used to break down trees and buildings to harvest the raw resources. You can then use these raw resources to build your own structures, whether it be a defensive wall to provide cover from an advancing enemy, a set of stairs to reach the second floor of a building or your own watchtower to snipe players from across the map. The resources you mine will determine the strength. Steel is stronger than brick, which is stronger than wood.

The latest update to the game for the Season 5 Battle Pass has introduced a slew of new map areas and gameplay features including the All-Terrain Kart (ATK) which let you and your squad move around the map faster than ever before. You can read more about the latest tweaks in the full release notes.

When will it be available for Android?

Fortnite has been available for PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 for a few months now, and is now widely available on iOS devices after a brief invite-only beta.

There have been no firm dates set for an Android release by Fortnite’s developer, Epic Games, but they have said to expect Fortnite Mobile to launch on Android sometime this summer. For now, Android users can head on over to Epic Games, log in or create your Fortnite Account, and then let the developers know which device you plan to play on which will also add you to the mailing list to be informed when the game eventually drops.

Until then, at least we’ve got PUBG to tide us over.

Yeah, but I found this site that offered an APK file for…

Stop. The game is not out for Android yet, so any website you see offering a version of Fortnite for Android is a scam.

Since Epic Games announced the Summer release window for Fortnite on Android, a bunch of fake websites have popped up claiming to offer an early version of the APK. I’m not going to link to them but unless you see an announcement from Epig Games themselves or we report it here, don’t fall for the scam.

If you want to be notified from the developers as soon as the game is available, you can sign up at the Fortnite Mobile website.

Will it be free to play?

Epic Games has so far released the PvP Battle Royale game for free across all platforms including the mobile version for iOS. The console version also has a paid game mode called Save The World that’s Player vs Environment (PvE). Save The World plays more like Minecraft, where you’re harvesting more resources and stocking up on loot to survive waves of AI enemies in a sort of tower defense-style of gameplay.

The PvE mode will not be available in Fortnite Mobile due to CPU limitations and, frankly, it’s the PvP mode that everyone is crazy for so that’s quite alright with us.

However, the mobile version will offers in-app purchases for cosmetic items to customize your player and people sure have been buying stuff. According to this report from Sensor Tower analtyics, Fortnite Mobile players spent more than $1 million during the first 72 hours of its release on iOS. Wow.

So, to answer the question, you have the option to spend money on Fortnite if you want a cool looking character, but the game is free to play and you won’t need to pay to win.

Will there be support for Bluetooth controls?

Epic Games has indicated that Bluetooth controller support will be coming later, but as of right now only touchscreen controls are available.

Is it cross-platform?

Epic Games have indicated that you will be able to play Fortnite across all platforms. Your Fortnite profile can be connected to all the platforms you play on so you can add to your stats however you connect to the game.

Don’t be worried about getting mismatched as the one mobile player in a server of PC and console players. If you’re playing solo on mobile, you will only be matched up against other mobile players. If you join a squad with friends playing on another platform, then that squad will be matched against a multi-platform population, essentially making cross-platform play opt-in.

• Learn more about Fortnite Mobile

Are you hyped for Fortnite?

We’ll be sure to let you know when the game launches for Android. Until then, you can create your Epic Games account and start playing on one of the other platforms to start getting a handle on the game

Android Gaming

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• Best action games for Android
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Spend $20 on books and get $5 off with this Prime Day coupon code

Prime Day doesn’t officially start until 3PM ET, but the deals have already begun.

Prime members, you can score $5 off a book purchase of $20 or more when you use code PRIMEBOOKS18 during checkout.

If you don’t already have an Amazon Prime membership, today’s not going to be very fun for you. Luckily, you can click here for a free 30-day trial.

The code is valid on books sold by Amazon.com. May I suggest the Dungeon Master’s Guide for D&D nights? Or perhaps The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck to help you live your best life? How to Win Friends & Influence People is a good option for that, too.

You have literally millions of items to choose from, but only through the end of the day.

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FIFA ’19 for PlayStation 4: Everything you need to know!

Champions League comes to FIFA for the first time ever.

Football. Fútbol. Soccer. Whatever you call it, FIFA has long been one of the best games to play to get your fix if you can’t hit the pitch yourself. FIFA ’19 is on its way out of the door, and it figures to be the biggest, most authentic entry in the series yet. Read ahead to learn everything you need to know.

What is FIFA ’19?

EA decided long ago that they wanted to challenge the kings of soccer video games (mostly Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer) with a game of their own. That game was FIFA, and while it couldn’t hold a candle to some of the incumbent titles in its earlier years, it has grown into a series that produces some of the best soccer gameplay you’ll find.

It’s 2019, and the wheels keep on turning with FIFA ’19. The game will offer its usual core features, including an Ultimate Team mode that lets you collect stars to build a team and compete against other players, as well as a deep club management mode.

The Champions and Europa leagues are finally here

One of the big deals with FIFA ’19 is that they finally have access to the UEFA license. What this means is that they can now include teams and players from the Champions League, as well as those from the Europa league. Konami has infamously controlled that license for over a decade, but that deal has expired and the UEFA has decided to grace EA with the rights.

For the uninitiated, the Champions League is international soccer’s equivalent of a world championship. Think Super Bowl or the NBA Championship. It’s the most prestigious tournament in the sport, and one of the most prestigious titles in the world, period.

All Champions League teams and their logos, as well as the logo of the league itself, will be fully represented in FIFA ’19. They’re even going as far as including the full broadcast package, which will feature Derek Rae and Lee Dixon on the headset to call the action on the pitch. (Don’t worry, though: regular commentators Martin Tyler and Alan Smith will return for all the other modes.)

FIFA ’19 will include a special mode specifically for Champions League, with the ability to create and run tournaments just like they do in the real world on an annual basis. The Europa League — the lesser, yet still prestigious extension of the Champions League — will also have its full broadcast package represented.

EA is going all out for the occasion with a remixed Champions League anthem composed by music legends Hans Zimmer and Vince Staples. The theme offers familiarity while offering a unique vibe that’s perfect for getting the player hyped. You can already listen to the theme in the video embedded above.

Play like a pro

With a rock solid foundation that has been built over the years, FIFA ’19 is already one of the most authentic soccer games on the market. That doesn’t mean EA isn’t looking to bolster the gameplay with new tricks, though.

One of those tricks is the Sweet Spot mechanic, a new shot timing mechanic that increases your chances of hitting the top corner of the goal when taking your shot. You’ll have to tap the shot button just as your foot strikes the ball in order to get the bonus chance. If you miss, you risk shanking the kick altogether, but if you get it right then you’ll make life difficult for the goalkeeper.

On a more managerial level, you can now setup custom gameplans before a match, as well as choose to execute them on the fly. A gameplan can be set in motion automatically when certain conditions are met, such as if you go up or down by a score. And if you think you need to make adjustments at specific points in the match, you can use the directional pad to direct your players.

Alongside specific gameplans, you can make more generic adjustments such as changing the width and depth of your team. You can also set the tone on defense with new pressure schemes, including “pressure after possession loss,” “constant pressure,” “drop back,” “balanced,” and “pressure on heavy touch.” The minimap has been tweaked to make it easier to spot all the players on the pitch. One team will be circles and the other will be triangles. This is a big help for those who found it difficult to go based on color alone.

Of course, EA has tweaked their animation systems to make player movement and ball handling more realistic. A new active touch system changes the way players receive and strike the ball. It opens the path for advanced moves like feints and cuts. Stepover moves will look more realistic and will be easier to pull off, and 50/50 loose ball situations will have more varied outcomes thanks to the system taking into account more player variables.

Build the Ultimate Team

Ultimate Team mode returns for FIFA ’19. EA has a winning formula with this mode: buy packs, collect players, build your dream team, and compete for prizes. This year, however, we’re sure to see a wealth of new content themed around the Champions League and Europa League.

And for the first time ever, EA will be disclosing pack odds to players. This means the company will tell you not only what you’ll get in each pack, but also the odds that you’ll get specific content such as Elite-level players and items.

This move was made following backlash by gamers and an actual lawsuit in Belgium and The Netherlands that forced EA to disclose odds, as those countries consider opening video game loot boxes as acts of gambling. While it won’t do anything in terms of improving your odds — you’ll still need a world of luck to obtain the best players — at least you’ll have a better idea of what to expect.

Follow a soccer story in The Journey: Champions

The Journey is back. It’s FIFA ’19’s story mode featuring an up and coming soccer savant known as Alex Hunt. His story began in FIFA ’17 where you witnessed his journey to break onto a Premier League team. In FIFA ’18, Hunt moved to America to join Major League Soccer to play for the LA Galaxy as a way to rejuvenate his career, after which he went back to Europe.

Now that he’s back home, Alex Hunt has his eyes set on competing in the Champions League to gain the ultimate prize. The Journey isn’t likely to offer much more than a few hours of intriguing story and short pockets of gameplay, but it should offer a nice change of pace for those who need a break from hard competition, as well as those who are interested in seeing how the young fellow fares in the Champions League.

Where to pre-order FIFA ’19

There are three different versions of FIFA ’19 you can pre-order. The standard $59.99 version will get you up to five Jumbo Premium Gold Packs for FIFA Ultimate Team, as well as a loan of Cristiano Ronaldo item for seven days and Special Edition Ultimate Team kits.

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The $79.99 Champions Edition has 20 of those Jumbo Premium packs, plus you’ll get the game three days early, you’ll get a Neymar Jr item on loan for 7 days, your pick of one of five Champions League players rated from 80 to 83 OVR, as well as the other Ultimate Team rewards available in the standard edition.

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Finally, the $99.99 Ultimate Edition delivers 40 Jumbo Packs, plus all of the stuff available in the Champions and standard editions.

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When can you play it?

FIFA ’19 lands September 28th, 2018 for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC. Get the Champions Edition and you’ll be playing it three days early, on September 25th, 2018.

PlayStation 4

• PS4 vs. PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: Which should you buy?
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Amazon

New to Amazon Prime Day? MrMobile teaches you how to do it (and what to buy!)

When the folks at Thrifter asked me to make a video explaining Amazon Prime Day 2018, I thought “Prime Day? Isn’t that the overhyped garage sale where Amazon tries to move unsold junk?” Well, it turns out that while that has indeed been my experience in the past … it’s just because I haven’t been doing Prime Day right.

From the timing of Lightning Deals to the various methods of scouring Amazon for discounts, there’s a lot to know about Prime Day 2018. I polled the best deal-sniffers at Thrifter to figure out how to make the most out of the “Cyber Monday of the Summer,” and they were nice enough to help me out even after I repeatedly used dumb expressions like that.

Brought to you by Thrifter. Get the latest on great deals, including up-to-the-minute buying advice on Amazon Prime Day, at https://www.androidcentral.com/best-amazon-prime-day-deals Let’s all benefit from their collective wisdom, in the Amazon Prime Day 2018 How-To video above – and be sure to keep it locked to thrifter afterward for up-to-the-minute Amazon deals!

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Cheapest Phones for Seniors

• Best overall
• Best for Verizon
• Best value

Best Overall: Nokia 3.1

Nokia makes several great new phones running the new Android One platform, but the best for people who want a phone small enough they’re not concerned about dropping is the Nokia 3.1. This 5.2-inch display is a unique 18:9 aspect ratio, which means the display itself is a little taller and more narrow than most other phones you’d pick up and use. The 1440×720 resolution of the display means text will be nice and crisp even when you zoom in.

The specs sheet doesn’t look like much compared to a Galaxy S9, with its 1.25 GHz Octa-Core Mediatek 6750 processor and 2GB of RAM, but the thing that makes Android One special is the ability to run well on very little hardware so the phone feels fresh and snappy and new. We’ve seen this work well on other phones, and Nokia has done well continuing this experience.

Bottom line: You’re going to struggle to find a better phone than the Nokia 3.1 for less than the $160 asking price.

One more thing: The Nokia 3.1 is available in three colors, Black, Blue, and White.

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Why the Nokia 3.1 is the best

Nokia surprised a lot of people when it announced multiple Android phones, and that surprise continued when they turned out to look and feel really nice and have surprisingly capable internal hardware. The included 2990mAh battery in this model means you’re going to get a full day of use out of it with no problem, and having Android One installed means you get the latest software updates and security patches straight from Google.

Basically, this phone is the best because you don’t have to do anything to make sure it’s offering the best experience. As soon as you take it out of the box, Google’s software is taking this inexpensive hardware and making the most of it.

Best for Verizon: Moto E4

The Moto E4 is a perfect size and has great, easy to use software so you can keep in touch without any of the frills, or install apps from the Google Play Store if you want a bit more. The bright 5-inch HD display is paired with a four-core processor and 2GB of memory to keep up with almost anything. The 8 megapixel camera is paired with a 5 megapixel front-facing camera so you’ll be able to take great photos and videos, and the space for a removable SD card means you’ll never run out of space to keep taking them. And sharing those photos is a breeze with the high-speed LTE network radios the Moto E4 processor delivers.

Android 7.1.1 also offers great accessibility features like a screen magnifier or text-to-speech reader if you need a little help in low light or in general. Other features include a fingerprint reader so you can keep things like your messages and banking information locked away safely where only you have access.

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Best Value: Doro 824

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There are a few companies making phones specifically for senior citizens, but the Doro 824 seems to be the best at actually delivering important features. This phone has physical buttons instead of the all touch screen experience, an alert button on the back to contact emergency services, and a speaker tuned for use with hearing aids. The volume rocker even has physical notches for up and down to avoid confusion in use.

But the real features here are in the software. The entire Android system has been themed to offer big text and bigger buttons so it’s simple to find everything important like calls and contacts.

This $50phone isn’t something you’d buy for a younger person for a bunch of reasons, but it’s custom-built for senior citizens and the price wouldn’t be better.

Bottom line: This phone is crazy cheap, and made specifically for the elderly.

One more thing: This phone has a physical camera button!

Conclusion

The Nokia 3.1 is the best choice for seniors because it’s the best for most people on a budget. It’s small, affordable, and guaranteed to get important security updates to keep everyone safe. This is the phone to get for someone who doesn’t want to spend a bunch of money and just wants something that will work for a long time.

Best Overall: Nokia 3.1

Nokia makes several great new phones running the new Android One platform, but the best for people who want a phone small enough they’re not concerned about dropping is the Nokia 3.1. This 5.2-inch display is a unique 18:9 aspect ratio, which means the display itself is a little taller and more narrow than most other phones you’d pick up and use. The 1440×720 resolution of the display means text will be nice and crisp even when you zoom in.

The specs sheet doesn’t look like much compared to a Galaxy S9, with its 1.25 GHz Octa-Core Mediatek 6750 processor and 2GB of RAM, but the thing that makes Android One special is the ability to run well on very little hardware so the phone feels fresh and snappy and new. We’ve seen this work well on other phones, and Nokia has done well continuing this experience.

Bottom line: You’re going to struggle to find a better phone than the Nokia 3.1 for less than the $160 asking price.

One more thing: The Nokia 3.1 is available in three colors, Black, Blue, and White.

See at Amazon

Update, July 2018: The Nokia 3.1 is our new best overall recommendation!

Uber Updates iOS App With New Features Aimed at Simplifying Pickups

Uber today announced new tools for its iOS app that aim to simplify and streamline stressful pickup situations for both riders and drivers.

To start, there’s a new “Spotlight” feature that will light up the rider’s iPhone display with a bright, color-specific hue. The driver will be notified to which color has been chosen, so when the rider holds their iPhone in the air they’ll know exactly who to pick up.

Uber has been testing such a system since late 2015 with technology that displayed a chosen color inside of the driver’s car using a small mounted light. Those tests eventually became “Uber Beacons,” which drivers can purchase to place in their vehicles so that riders can more easily find them.

The ride-hailing company has also committed to a new guarantee for on-time scheduled pickups, promising riders that they’ll make important appointments when setting a specific time and place for an upcoming Uber ride. If riders are ever late for an appointment, the company will give them Uber credit for their next ride.

Lastly, Uber has added in short “Pickup Messages” that riders can send to their drivers and vice versa. The company says that riders can send helpful visual hints like details of clothing to drivers, and when the message is received the Uber Driver app reads it aloud so drivers aren’t distracted. Uber first began allowing in-app chats between riders and drivers last August.

Next, Uber says that users can expect more features and updates aimed at “taking the stress out of the experience” coming later this year.

Tag: Uber
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Apple Watch Series 3 Featured in Three New ‘Close Your Rings’ Ads

Apple has shared three new Close Your Rings ads on its YouTube channel in Australia, highlighting the Activity app on Apple Watch.

The fast-paced, 15-second videos each feature a different person — Eric, Atilla, and Yocelin — as they go about their busy days, closing their Move, Exercise, and Stand rings on the Apple Watch Series 3 in the process.

Eric bikes, walks his dog, purchases seafood, cooks, walks the stairs, and dances. Atilla runs, swims, plays table tennis, and shops. Yocelin plays basketball, dances, draws, tries on new clothes, and practises yoga.

Apple has been using the slogan “Close Your Rings” as part of a fitness-oriented marketing campaign for the past few years, including a series of Apple Watch Series 2 ads last year and a dedicated page on its website.

Apple Watch users can close the Move ring by hitting their personalized daily goal for active calories burned, close the Exercise ring by completing at least 30 minutes of daily activity, and close the Stand ring by getting up and moving around for at least one minute during 12 different hours in the day.

Apple Watch users can also complete Monthly Challenges and earn Achievements badges by repeatedly closing the rings in the Activity app, and compete with friends and family, making it a motivating feature for many wearers.

These ads likely represent one of the final marketing campaigns for the Apple Watch Series 3, with new larger-display Series 4 models expected in September. The videos have yet to be uploaded to Apple’s main YouTube channel in the United States, or elsewhere, but they likely will be soon.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4, watchOS 5Tag: Apple adsBuyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
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Deals: Up to $500 Off 2017 MacBook Pro at Best Buy and $100 iTunes Gift Cards for $85 at PayPal

Best Buy today kicked off its latest discount event, marking down prices on MacBook Pros, Apple TVs, Beats headphones, and more for two days only. For students who don’t mind purchasing last year’s MacBook Pro models, Best Buy’s new sale is particularly noteworthy since you can get as much as $350 off certain configurations and an extra $150 off with Student Deals.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

The cheapest model available is the 13-inch/8GB RAM/256GB SSD/3.1 GHz configuration, priced at $1,399.99 for students and parents of students, down from $1,799.99. Check out more of the MacBook Pros and other products on sale in the list below, and head over to Best Buy to place your orders before the offers expire tomorrow, July 17 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

• MacBook Pro – Students save up to $500 / as low as $1,399.99

• Apple Watch Series 3 – Save $50 / $279 for 38mm Aluminum and $309 for 42mm Aluminum

• iPhone 7 and 7 Plus – Save $200 when you buy and activate on a monthly installment plan

• Apple TV – Fourth generation for $139.99, down from $149.99

• BeatsX – $94.99 in select colors, down from $149.99

• DJI – Save up to $300 / Mavic Pro Quadcopter Fly More Combo for $999.99, down from $1,299.99

• UE Roll 2 – $45.99, down from $99.99

• Linksys – Velop Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi System (3 Pack) for $399.99, down from $479.99

If you’ve been waiting for the next 15 percent discount on App Store and iTunes gift cards, PayPal’s Digital Gifts eBay store today has launched its newest sale. For a limited time, anyone with a PayPal account can get a digital $100 iTunes gift card for $85, and you’ll receive the code for the iTunes credit via email within a few hours after the purchase.

The credit will only be valid on purchases made on the United States App and iTunes stores. PayPal’s iTunes gift card sales are limited and typically tend to last for a day or two, so be sure to visit PayPal’s Digital Gifts eBay store and place your order soon if you want to stock up on some iTunes credit, or send it as a gift to a friend or family member.

Today is also the beginning of Amazon Prime Day, which has a collection of Amazon’s own devices discounted this morning and will see an official kickoff later today at 3 p.m. ET. We’ll be keeping track of many of Amazon’s best tech sales in a live blog that will go up later today, and for more information on the latest discounts and offers be sure to head to our full Deals Roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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Techy and trendy? That’s the new Emporio Armani Connected smartwatch

Emporio Armani is back with a new touchscreen smartwatch, and like the last model, the new model looks stunning. The design isn’t the only thing to change either, as the watch now has the right tech features to accompany the sweet looks. However, before you get too excited, the 2018 Emporio Armani Connected watch still uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 platform, rather than a new or alternative system.

What does the new Armani Connected watch have that the previous edition didn’t? First, there is a heart rate sensor on the back of the case, ready to help build up a better picture of your fitness during workouts. Then it has GPS inside so you don’t always need your phone to help navigate, and finally it has NFC technology for use with Google Pay. The body is now water resistant enough to swim with the watch too. These features may sound basic for a smartwatch; but until now smartwatches from fashion brands — which means they look good — have not usually included them.

However, all are available on many other smartwatches, up to and including the latest $250 Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro, so why buy the new Emporio Armani Connected? Its simple: Design. The first touchscreen EA Connected watch is still a beauty — understated, stylish, slim, and in the black color scheme, a real stealth machine — and the company has built on this for the 2018 model. The stainless steel case comes in silver, gold, grey, or black, and with either a mono link bracelet, a Milanese loop, or a leather strap.

The horns extend out from the case to grip the strap, rather than forming a solid piece on the first watch, and the buttons are mounted flush to the body for a more cohesive look. The promotional images show a great looking watch face that includes traditional elements with designs only possible with a digital display. It looks great, and the EA logo takes center stage, so your mates will all know how flashy you are.

We’re finding it hard to choose between the silver or black version for attractiveness, but the mono loop metal strap is a surefire winner on either. Emporio Armani has chosen Google’s Wear OS operating system for the watch, but has not released in-depth technical details such as the case size, internal RAM and storage, or battery life. The price is also unknown, but the first model started out at $395, so expect the new version to be around the same. It’ll be available online at Emporio Armani in July.

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• The best Apple Watch faces
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