MIT invents a way to allow submerged submarines to speak to airplanes

In a world in which we don’t think twice about having Wi-Fi on a plane several miles in the air, it’s easy to forget that there are still parts of the planet it’s difficult to communicate with. One of those is thousands of feet underwater on submerged submarines, which have long had issues communicating with the surface.

However, that could be about to change thanks to researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT engineers created a new underwater-to-air communication system called TARF (Translational Acoustic-RF communication) that is able to seamlessly convert sonar into radar.

“For a long time, the water surface has remained an obstacle for wireless communication,” Fadel Adib, principal investigator for MIT’s Media Lab, told Digital Trends. “Underwater communication relies on sound; in-air communications uses radio signals, like cellular or Wi-Fi — neither of which can cross the water surface. This is why it’s so difficult to find airplanes that disappear underwater, and why submarines can’t directly communicate with satellites.”

The TARF technology turns the water surface from an obstacle into a communication interface by combining sound and radio in an innovative way. It uses an underwater speaker to send data as sound. Sound travels as pressure waves, which vibrate the surface when they hit it from underwater. These vibrations can then be picked up by a sensitive radar above the surface, before being decoded to recover the sound data.

“The research paves [the] way for many applications,” Adib continued. “It would allow submarines to communicate with airplanes without surfacing. It can be used for ocean scientific exploration, where underwater sensors are deployed to monitor marine life and send their data to the surface. In the future, it can also be used to find airplanes that go missing underwater.”

At present, the technology is still in its relative infancy. The team has tested it at depths of 11.5 feet in swimming pools to demonstrate that it can communicate successfully. They have also tested it with circulation currents to mimic some of the environmental conditions it might face in the ocean. Next, the researchers plan to test TARF at greater depths and higher altitudes, along with making the technology more robust to large ocean waves.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Explore the deep blue sea with these awesome underwater drones
• MIT can charge implants with external wireless power from 125 feet away
• This underwater camera drone can auto-follow and film while you dive
• Microsoft dumps a 40-foot data center to the ocean floor off Scotland’s coast
• Harvard’s latest robot can walk on water. Your move, Jesus

UV-tracking ‘tattoo’ will tell you when to get out of the sun

Regular, everyday tattoos might tell other people about yourself, but they don’t give you any additional information about your surroundings. That’s where a new programmable tattoo breaks the mold. Called LogicInk, it’s a temporary tattoo-style device which gathers information about your UV exposure, and provides you with at-a-glance information concerning whether or not you’ve soaked up enough sun for the day. It does this using a color-changing technology which gradually transitions from white to dark pink (and back again), depending on how much sun exposure you’re receiving. And, yes, it can factor in sunblock!

The LogicInk UV “tattoo” is as simple to use as that, although it will also connect to a mobile app that allows you to scan the wearable to track your historical data.

“Today, wearables tend to be bulky, expensive, with a steep learning curve, and on top of that require other devices to be operated,” creator Carlos Olguin told Digital Trends. “In our view, this results in a multi-sensing experience that is impractical or unaffordable, or simply not visually appealing for many people — yet many people still want to learn more about their body or surrounding environment to stay healthy. In the broadest terms, [these are] the people we are targeting.”

As it turns out, the UV sensor is just step one of LogicInk’s plans. The team is also developing more sensors able to capture and relay information about a wearer’s hydration levels, their blood-alcohol concentration, exposure to pollution, and much more.

We previously covered LogicInk when it was just starting to gauge the interests of customers. Having done this and apparently been pleased with the results, it has now launched on Kickstarter, where it’s already earned more than half its funding goal — with 39 days still on the clock.

A UV sensor starts at $14, although other price points are available. This includes a $79 option, which allows you to have your say on the designs and features of future sensors that the LogicInk team develops. As ever, we offer our standard warnings about the potential risks of crowdfunding campaigns. However, if you’re aware of these and still want to get involved, head over to the project’s Kickstarter page for more information. Shipping for the first UV sensors is set for November this year. Not that folks in many parts of the world will be expecting too much sun by then!

Editors’ Recommendations

• How L’Oréal designed the UV Sense to fit on your fingernail
• Awesome Tech You Can’t Buy Yet: UV-sensitive tattoos and ultrasonic washing machines
• From white skies to blurry subjects, how to fix common photo mistakes
• How to photograph a solar eclipse (without damaging your eyes or camera)
• Olympus PEN E-PL9 review

Nest Gen 1 through Nest E: Comparison and differences

See what changed from the first Nest to the current model.

Nest is a company that’s been around a while and since the debut in 2011, there have been three generations of hardware. Because a thermostat is something we tend to keep once we buy one there are plenty of older generation units in use and for sale used. While the changes between them aren’t as drastic as what we would see in a smartphone, there are some differences worth talking about.

We’ll start by talking about what hasn’t changed: the overall user experience. When Google bought Nest Labs many were worried that there would be significant “over-engineering” and extra features added that take away from the simple and efficient experience Next delivers. Thankfully, that didn’t happen and using a first generation Nest feels very much like using a third generation Nest, even though there are some substantial changes in functionality and compatibility.

Which Nest do I have?

Each generation has a different diameter and thickness, though the differences are very slight. One of the external differences you can easily see is in the trim ring. A gen 1 Nest has a two part ring in stainless steel, and a gen 3 Nest can have a copper, white or black ring. Another external difference is the size of the display, with the generation 3 Nest having a larger (.5 inch difference in diameter) touch screen that the previous models.

You don’t have to break out any measuring tools to tell which Nest is on your wall. Just open the Nest app, choose your thermostat and in the upper right corner tap the gear icon to open the settings. Under Technical Info you’ll see the Display Model listing. The first digit in the model number corresponds with the hardware version.

Here is a quick overview of the main differences

Dimensions	Diameter 3.20 inchesDepth 1.44 inches	Diameter 3.27 inchesDepth 1.26 inches	Diameter 3.25 inchesDepth 1.21 inches	Diameter 3.19 inchesDepth 1.14 inches
Display	2.75 inch (diameter)320 x 320 px	2.75 inch (diameter)320 x 320 px	3.25 inch (diameter)480 x 480 px	1.76 inch (diameter)320 x 320 px
Connectivity	802.11b/g/n @2.4GHzZigbee @2.4GHz	802.11b/g/n @2.4GHz802.15.4 @2.4GHz	802.11b/g/n @2.4GHz802.11a/n @5GHz802.15.4 @2.4GHzBluetooth LE	802.11b/g/n @2.4GHz802.11a/n @5GHz802.15.4 @2.4GHzBluetooth LE
Sensors	TemperatureHumidityNear-Field ActivityFar-Field ActivityAmbient Light	TemperatureHumidityNear-Field ActivityFar-Field ActivityAmbient Light	Temperature (10 sensors)HumidityNear-Field ActivityFar-Field ActivityAmbient Light	TemperatureHumidityProximity/OccupancyAmbient light
Features	Auto-ScheduleAirwaveNest LeafAuto-AwayEnergy HistoryTime to Temperature	Auto-ScheduleAirwaveNest LeafAuto-AwayEnergy HistoryTime to TemperatureSystem MatchEarly OnHeat Pump Balance	Auto-ScheduleAirwaveNest LeafAuto-AwayEnergy HistoryTime to TemperatureSystem MatchEarly OnHeat Pump BalanceFarSightWater / Boiler control	Auto-ScheduleAirwaveNest LeafAuto-AwayEnergy HistoryTime to TemperatureSystem MatchEarly OnHeat Pump BalanceWater / Boiler control

Changes in gen 2

The biggest difference from the first generation to the second was equipment support. When Nest first arrived it was compatible with approximately 75% of heating and cooling systems in use. That means there were a sizeable number of people who couldn’t use a Nest. Gen 2 brought that number to 95% by adding an extra pair of connectors. The new inputs added support for hybrid heat installations and humidistats in addition to 1-2 stage cooling and 1-3 stage heating systems. One last change made it possible to control 24 volts equipment without a common wire back to the thermostat. These changes made it possible to use a Nest thermostat on advanced HVAC systems found in the newest homes.

Generation 2 brought support for more advanced installations and a more custom setup.

Gen 2 Nest thermostats also introduced System Match. System Match determines the wiring connection then asks you a few questions during the installation. This lets Nest tune other features specifically for your setup rather than treat every installation as a standard forced-air system and makes us more comfortable while saving money.

Additional features introduced with gen 2 include Early On mode for cold mornings, filter change reminders and a True Radiant mode that helps the thermostat determine exactly how much heat is being created.

Changes in gen 3

The biggest visible difference between previous models and the generation 3 model is the display. With gen 3 we see a bigger 480 by 480 touchscreen at 229 pixels per inch. This makes it easier to see information across the room so you don’t need to open the app on your phone or tablet.

Generation 3 brings a better display and support for water boilers as well as more colors.

Not readily seen but more important are some additional features. Gen 3 Nests can control a water boiler if you have one in your HVAC system. Just like other environmental controls through Nest software you can set limits and schedules for when the boiler is heated and a peak water setting is useful as an override if you have guests or need to use some extra hot water.

Gen 3 also has what Nest calls Farsight. Using special sensors your thermostat can tell when someone enters a room or walks past from up to 5 meters away. There are several things you can display on the screen when a person is sensed, including a clock or a weather widget. Nest users coming home from work can see the current indoor temperature as soon as they walk into the house. You’ll know at a glance if you need to adjust the temperature if you arrive earlier than scheduled.

See at Amazon

The Nest E

In 2017 Nest debut the newest model in the thermostat line, the Nest E. The most notable change from the Learning Thermostat model is, of course, the price, but there a few other differences between the gen 3 Learning Thermostat and the Thermostat E that you need to know about.

Industrial design versus minimalism

The design shows some obvious differences as well as two that aren’t quite so obvious. The Learning Thermostat comes with multiple color options for the metal trim ring, while the Thermostat E comes in plastic white only. The display on the Thermostat E is smaller in both physical size and resolution, but it’s also covered with a polarized barrier that hides the edge of the display and slightly blurs the display. This helps the thermostat look like it blends into your wall a bit better, and the effect is really pleasing — I wish my Learning Thermostat was built to look this way.

There is no Farsight support

As far as features go, the Thermostat E does everything the Learning Thermostat does except support Farsight. Farsight is the feature that allows the Learning Thermostat to detect and analyze motion at a distance. The display will light up when it notices you walk by, and the Learning Thermostat has a significantly longer range because of Farsight.

Farsight does more than light up the screen. It’s also used to know when you or anyone else is in the house versus when you’re away, and that’s a big part of the automatic learning a Nest is capable of. It’s also a hindrance if you use a manually set schedule and have pets who can be seen by Farsight and will override your set schedule or throw a wrench into the works when the Nest is learning on its own; it can think you’re home because it saw the dog mosey over to get a drink from his/her bowl.

Farsight is an amazing bit of tech, but it also isn’t perfect for everyone. Just know that it’s not an option on the Thermostat E before you buy one.

Compatibility

The gen 3 Learning Thermostat works with over 95% of all heating and cooling systems, including some pretty obscure methods like radiant geothermal passive air systems. With the Nest E, that’s been downgraded to 85% of HVAC systems. You can check to see if yours is compatible with Nest’s online compatibility tool.

The good news is that most really means most. The Nest E is going to work for almost every home in the Americas out of the box. A thermostat is really only a switch that toggles based on the temperature, and regardless of what style of environmental controls you have in your home, the thermostat is still just a low voltage switch. Where things get tricky is when you need to trigger multiple switches to turn on things like auxiliary equipment or multi-stage equipment, and the Nest E is going to be able to work with “most” of those systems, too.

No matter which Nest you’re thinking of buying, you should use this compatibility checker to know if it will work for you.

See at Best Buy

A Nest Thermostat is a great way to keep your house at the temperature you want and save money while doing it. It’s reasonably simple to install yourself (professional installation is about $125 if you want to go that way) and works with almost every heating and cooling setup. With full control from your phone or Amazon Echo and Google Home, it’s a great first step for an automated lifestyle.

Update August 2018: This page was updated and checked to have the latest and best information about the Nest line of thermostats.

Wemo Mini smart plugs, Black+ Decker trimmers and more are 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 Wemo’s 3-pack of mini smart plugs, Black + Decker’s string trimmer and edger, Amazon’s Fire TV Stick, and so much more.

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!

United Airlines now supports boarding passes in Google Pay

Here’s what you should know about Google’s big bet to take on Apple Pay.

Gone are the days of messing with Android Pay and Google Wallet. Instead, the home of all things mobile payments on Android now rests on the shoulders of Google Pay.

Google Pay first started rolling out to handsets in early 2018, and while there’s still some work to be done, it’s clear that Google is finally ready to take on Apple Pay with everything it’s got.

From the latest news to all the important details, here’s everything you should know about Google Pay!

• The latest Google Play news
• Everything you need to know

The latest Google Pay news

August 27, 2018 — United Airlines now supports boarding passes in Google Pay

Earlier in the year, Google Pay picked up a feature that allowed you to store boarding passes and event tickets alongside all of your credit, debit, gift, and membership cards.

Southwest was the first U.S. airline to support this back in May, and now as part of the latest update to its Android app, United Airlines is joining in on the fun, too.

In the What’s New section for the United app on the Play Store, it says, “We’re happy to announce the launch of Save to Google Pay Mobile Boarding Pass, you now have the ability to store your Mobile Boarding Pass as part of the Google Pay.”

Downlod: United Airlines (free)

August 24, 2018 — 30 more U.S. banks are now supported

As part of its latest expansion, Google Pay recently confirmed support for 30 additional banks and credit unions in the United States. The list of newcomers is as follows:

• BlueOX Credit Union
• City Credit Union
• Community First Credit Union (CA)
• Community Trust Bank
• Cortland Savings and Banking
• Desert Rivers Credit Union
• EFCU Financial
• Edge FCU
• Fall River Municipal Credit Union
• Family Savings Credit Union
• First Community Bank (SC)
• First National Bank in Howell
• First National Bank of Sandoval
• Forward Bank
• Generations Credit Union
• Glass City Federal Credit Union
• Granite Credit Union
• IncredibleBank
• Kentucky Bank
• Los Alamos National Bank
• MembersOwn Credit Union
• Monson Savings Bank
• North Shore Trust and Savings
• OU Federal Credit Union
• Prospera Credit Union
• Rockford Municipal FCU
• The Village Bank
• United Bank and Trust
• Wellington State Bank
• Wyoming Bank & Trust

August 8, 2018 — Tangerine now supports Google Pay

Tangerine, a Canada-based bank that operates entirely online, has finally confirmed that it now supports Google Pay.

The wait is over, Google Pay and Samsung Pay are here!

— Tangerine (@TangerineBank) August 8, 2018

Samsung Pay is also being added along with Google Pay, so no matter which service you prefer to use, your Tangerine card will now work with it without a hitch. Enjoy!

August 2, 2018 — Google Pay comes to Croatia; now available as a payment method in the Starbucks app

A couple Google Pay tidbits have surfaced over the last few hours, starting first with the service coming to Croatia. This is the third nation in Central Europe to get Google Pay, so be sure to keep an eye out for the app if you live in the area.

Secondly, Google Pay can now be used when reloading your card in the Starbucks app. Google Pay is added to your account automatically, and at this time, can only be used for one-time reloads

July 20, 2018 — Revolut in the UK is now supported

Good news, UK readers that bank with Revolut! The bank’s been sending out emails to its customers confirming that it’s now starting to support Google Pay.

In am email Revolut’s been sending out to its 2 million+ users:

Test drive the convenience of paying with your phone by adding your Revolut card to Google Pay, to make quick and secure payments – instantly.

July 10, 2018 — The main Google Pay app finally supports peer-to-peer payments

It’s finally happening! After a few months of having to deal with the awkward Google Pay Send app, peer-to-peer payments are finally coming to the regular Google Pay. In other words, you can now make in-store payments and send/request money from friends under one single app.

Along with this, Google’s also announced that it’s officially supporting boarding passes/event tickets and has revamped the Google Pay website to be more in-line with the current Google Pay app.

June 29, 2018 — 65 new banks and PayPal Mastercard join the list in the U.S.

Google recently announced that it’s added 65 additional banks/credit unions to its Google Pay lineup.

You can find the full list below, and along with this, the PayPal Mastercard can be used with Google Pay, too.

• Aeroquip Credit Union
• Affiliated Bank
• AllSouth Federal Credit Union
• American Bank & Trust Company (LA)
• AuburnBank
• Audubon State Bank
• Azura Credit Union
• Bangor Federal Credit Union
• Barrington Bank & Trust
• Beverly Bank & Trust
• Cape Cod 5 Cents Savings
• Citizens Bank (TN)
• Citizens National Bank of Albion
• Classic Bank
• Cornerstone Community Financial CU
• Crystal Lake Bank & Trust
• D.L Evans Bank
• First Bank and Trust (LA)
• First Community Bank of the Heartland, Inc
• First Federal Savings Bank of Lincolnton
• First National Bank of Fort Smith
• First Volunteer Bank of Tennessee
• Forreston State Bank
• Glacier Bank
• Goodfield State Bank
• Gratiot Community Credit Union
• H-E-B Federal Credit Union
• Hinsdale Bank & Trust
• HNB National Bank
• Home Town Bank (VA)
• Interra Credit Union
• Lake Forest Bank & Trust
• Libertyville Bank & Trust
• LNB Community Bank
• Maspeth Federal Savings and Loan Asso
• Mid-Atlantic FCU
• Midwest Bank
• National Bank (IL)
• Northbrook Bank & Trust
• Northway Bank
• Old Plank Trail Community
• OneUnited Bank
• Orlando Federal Credit Union
• Peoples Bank & Trust (IL)
• Putnam Bank
• Scott Credit Union
• Shaumburg Bank & Trust
• Springs Valley Bank and Trust
• St. Charles Bank & Trust
• State Bank of the Lakes
• Teachers Federal Credit Union
• The Bank of Elk River
• The State Bank (MI)
• Town Bank
• TruChoice FCU
• United Bank (AL)
• Unity One Credit Union
• U.S. Postal Service FCU
• Vantage Bank
• Veridian CU
• Village Bank & Trust
• Wheaton Bank & Trust Company
• White River CU
• Wintrust Bank
• Yampa Valley Bank

All the big details

Google Pay has replaced Android Pay and Google Wallet

Rather than maintaining two separate services for in-store payments and sending money to friends, Google decided to replace Android Pay and Google Wallet with one new app called Google Pay.

There was an awkward transition period at first in which you had to use a separate Google Pay Send app to send/receive money, but Google’s since brought that feature over to the main Google Pay app.

As such, Google Pay is now your one-stop-shop for all things mobile payments if you’ve got an Android phone.

How to get started with Google Pay

That’s all fine and dandy, but how does one actually start using Google Pay?

Thankfully, Google’s made this fairly simple. After downloading the app, you’ll be able to quickly add credit/debit cards, gift cards, loyalty programs, and more.

Need a helping hand? Check out Marc’s how-to guide right here!

What countries are supported?

Google’s regularly adding support for more and more countries that can use Google Pay, and as it currently stands, the list of supported areas is as follows:

• Australia
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Canada
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Ireland
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Poland
• Russia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Spain
• Taiwan
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom
• United States

Make sure your bank/card is compatible, too

Live in a country that supports Google Pay? Awesome! However, that’s just half the battle in ensuring you can use the service.

Even if you live in one of the above countries, you still need to have a bank and card that supports Google Pay before you can start making payments in stores with your phone. Thankfully, Google’s been building up this list for quite a few years meaning there’s a good chance you’re covered.

Major brands like AMEX, Capital One, Chase, Discover, and Wells Fargo are all on-board with Google Pay in the U.S. Along with this, you’ll also find a huge list of smaller banks/credit unions that are supported as well.

See the full list here

You can use the app to store boarding passes, event tickets, and more

In addition to your credit/debit cards, you can also use Google Pay to store gift cards, loyalty programs, and most recently, boarding passes and event tickets.

You’ll find all of these items in the Passes section of the app, and if you’ve got a lot stored in there, you can hold down on an item and move it around to make sure everything’s as organized as can be.

Support for passes/tickets is still relatively new, with brands like Southwest Airlines, Ticketmaster, and the Las Vegas Monorail being among the only ones available at the moment. Similar to what iPhone users have been treated to for years with Apple Pay, you’ll now see an “Add to G Pay” button when ordering a ticket from these brands so you can easily store everything under one single app.

Track your payment activity on the web

While you’ll likely interact with Google Pay on your phone the majority of the time, you can access it from your computer, too, by going to pay.google.com.

Here, you can see all of your Google Pay activity, send or request money, edit/add/remove payment methods, manage any active subscription services you have, edit your addresses, and more.

Google Pay is present in Android Messages and the Google Assistant

Google occasionally fails to make its various services play nicely with one another, but thankfully, Google Pay has been an exception to that rule.

While sending money to people is pretty simple through the Google Pay app, you can also do this through Android Messages and by talking to the Google Assistant on your phone.

In Android Messages, just tap the + icon at the bottom left and you’ll see two G Pay buttons for sending or requesting money from the person in your conversation. Just enter the amount you want, tap attach money, and your payment/request will be sent off just like that.

Alternatively, you can simply open the Google Assistant and say something along the lines of “Send Tom $15 for Pizza.” After confirming your identity (e.g. fingerprint or PIN), the Google Assistant will send the money for you — all without having to ever open up the Google Pay app.

The best premium Android games

Put your credit card away and just play.

There’s something refreshing and low-stress about playing a mobile game without in-app purchases. Knowing that you’re spending a couple of dollars to get an entire game that you can actually finish from beginning to end without being hounded to buy coins or gems, or open crates or card packs or whatever — it genuinely makes the experience better.

Here are the best Android games without those pesky IAPs!

• Holedown
• Downwell
• Reigns: Her Majesty
• The Room series
• Suzy Cube
• Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
• Machinarium
• Mini Metro
• Roller Coaster Tycoon Classic
• Evoland 1 and 2
• JYDGE

Holedown

It’s hard to find a fun puzzle game that doesn’t try to sell you on power-ups or extra lives or something.

That’s just one of the reasons why Holedown is a standout game in 2018. Holedown will have you strategically blasting through to the core of celestial bodies — starting with asteroids and working your way up to the Sun — using the classic gaming formula of bouncing balls off blocks. Each brick has a number that represents the number of hits needed to destroy it, or you can destroying a supporting block clear out everything above it.

This is a pickup and play game that’s an easy concept to grasp but you quickly learn there’s an amount of strategy and skill involved. All the bricks are curved, allowing you to set up tricky bank shots to clear out massive sections of blocks in one go. This will become quite important as the screen move up one row after every shot. If the blocks reach the top of the screen, it’s game over.

Along the way, you will collect crystals which are spent on upgrades that give you more balls per shot, and more shots per round. These upgrades are crucial to completing the later planets but also let the earlier levels become more of a mindless distraction for your subway commute. All told, it won’t take you too long to max out all your stats in Holedown, but that’s mostly because it’s so hard to stop playing this game once you start.

If you’re a fan of physics-based puzzle games and are looking for a new obsession, Holedown is well worth your money!

Downlaod: Holedown ($3.99 )

Downwell

Grab your gun boots and jump down the well in Downwell. This retro-styled roguelike game is extremely challenging, featuring a pretty steep learning curve as you learn how to defeat the enemies and figure out which weapon upgrades work best for your play style (Hint: it’s the Noppy).

Since your character is falling, enemies and shops come from the bottom-up, so you need to be strategic in your freefall do you don’t accidentally land on an enemy and lose a heart. There are a number of different ‘styles’ you unlock through repeated play, which give you different numbers of hearts at the start, changes the way end of level upgrades work, and slightly alters the way your sprite falls down the well.

The goal is to survive as you fall deeper and deeper down the well. There are no in-app purchases, save points, or continues, so when you die you must start at the entrance of the well again.

Download: Downwell ($0.99)

Reigns: Her Majesty

If you’ve always dreamt of being king for a day, you’ll definitely want to check out Reigns. It’s a stylish game with simple gameplay mechanics and razor-sharp wit, wherein you try to keep your kingdom running smoothly by interacting with advisors, citizens, witches and other characters in your kingdom. It’s best described as one of those ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ books, except instead of flipping to some page, you simply swipe left or right.

Each decision you make has an effect on four resources you must manage: religion, citizens, the army and your kingdom’s treasury. Balancing these resources is key, as if any meter maxes out or reaches zero, your reign is over. But the game doesn’t end — instead, you become your successor and try to last longer in your reign than the king before you.

It’s the perfect pick-up-and-play game for killing some time, and you’ll definitely enjoy the dark humor found throughout.

Download: Reigns ($2.99)

The Room series

The Room franchise represents some of the absolute best puzzle experiences you can play on Android. In each game, you are tasked with solving a series of three-dimensional puzzles set up by the mysterious Craftsman.

The latest game in the series is The Room: Old Sins ($4.99), but if you’re fresh to the series you may want to start with the first games which are reasonably priced:

• The Room is available for just $0.99.
• The Room 2 is only $0.99.
• The Room Three is $3.99.

The entire series is rightly celebrated as one of the best mobile game of all time, so you can be sure that you’re in for something special here. These games are engrossing and require your full attention to complete the complex puzzles.

Download: The Room: Old Sins ($4.99)

Suzy Cube

Suzy Cube is hands down the best 3D platformer available on Android outside of using emulators. It features surprisingly tight touchscreen controls that let you jump and dash through over 40 levels, each filled with challenging platforming and secret areas to discover.

There’s some repetition — each world ends with a near identical boss battle with slight variations — but Suzy Cube does a good job of never feeling stale. There are no in-app purchases at all, as all the bonus content is unlocked using stars found throughout each level. That means you’ll be replaying levels to collect all the stars and set new speed running times.

Check out Suzy Cube if you’ve been dying for a great 3D platformer to play on your smartphone.

Download: Suzy Cube ($3.99)

Grand Theft Auto franchise

If you’re a console or PC fan of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, then why not extend your fandom to Android?

Rockstar Games has five great GTA titles for you to choose from and you really can’t go wrong with any of them. My absolute favorite is the expansive San Andreas, but you’ve also got Liberty City Stories, Vice City, GTA III, and Chinatown Wars available for all your shoot-’em-up, blow-’em-up, car-stealing desires on mobile!

The price here isn’t so bad, considering you get the full game with no dumb in-app purchases schemes in place. What with Rockstar milking GTA Online for all that it’s worth with microtransactions on console and PC, it is totally worth it to go back and revisit these classic games on your phone. There’s crucial support for Bluetooth controls and best of all the games will load much faster than your PlayStation 2 ever could back in the day.

If you want full Grand Theft Auto games right on your phone, hit up the Google Play Store and go love.

Download: Grand Theft Auto ($4.99-$6.99)

Machinarium

Enter a world set in a beautifully rendered, futuristic steampunk dystopia, where you play as Josef the robot, on a quest to save his girlfriend.

You’ll have to solve a series of puzzles at each point in the game in order to advance to another part of the city, and you can even uncover easter egg back story scenes when you idle in certain areas.

As Josef, you tap items to solve the puzzles and brain teasers, but in an interesting twist on the genre, you can only tap whatever’s in Josef’s reach.

There is no dialogue and aside from the odd tutorial, everything is devoid of language. Instead, pictographic thought bubbles let you know what’s on Josef’s mind to help you work your way through the game.

If you like a great adventure game with a fun story and great graphics, Machinarium should be your dystopic go-to.

Download: Machinarium ($4.99)

Mini Metro

Mini Metro is a pure joy to play — a puzzle game based around building subway routes across an expanding city where the in-game music is set to the movement of the subway cars.

Just check out the trailer to get a sense of the flow of this game. It’s a perfect game to play on your commute and the newly added Challenge mode will give you a reason to check in and play a quick game every day.

There’s no in-app purchases or ads to distract from the simple design and addictive gameplay. Check out my full review for a more in-depth look at how great this game is.

Download: Mini Metro ($4.99)

Roller Coaster Tycoon Classic

The Roller Coaster Tycoon franchise on mobile offers two perfect examples of game development philosophy. There’s Roller Coaster Tycoon Touch which is free and features nice graphics but an unnecessary card collecting system and premium in-game currencies, and then there’s Roller Coaster Tycoon Classic, a direct port of the ’90s PC game that plays just as you remember complete with 95 park challenges and the only in-app purchases are for the sequels and expansions.

I spent a lot of time playing this game as a kid and if you did too this game will be a good dose of nostalgia. The in-game menus could have been improved given how small some of the text and buttons are and this is a game that would especially shine on a Galaxy Note with an S Pen, but I had no major issues building coasters and managing my park finances on the 5-inch screen of my Google Pixel. This is as pure a port as you’ll find which means there are no in-app purchases (beyond expansion packs), delayed build times or any other free-to-play mechanics to deal with.

However, you do have to pay for this game — six bucks, which might seem steep for a port of an older PC game. But if you’re an RCT fan, or interested in finding out what the hype is all about, it’s well worth the money. Check out my full review if you need more convincing.

Download: Roller Coaster Tycoon ($5.99)

Evoland 1 and 2

Evoland is one of those premium games for Android that you just won’t be able to put down. The first Evoland was created as part of a game jam and was a nostalgic nod to the evolution of the RPG genre, with the sequel expanding both the depth of the story and the variety of video game and pop culture references.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first Evoland game for Android and was only disappointed by how short it was. That’s not the case with Evoland 2, which features well over 20 hours of gameplay.

Evoland is only $0.99 which is an absolute steal, so you may as well get both games for about $8.

Download: Evoland 2 ($6.99)

JYDGE

Kudos to the game developers at 10tons Ltd out of Finland, for they have mastered the art of the twin-stick top-down shooter for Android with JYDGE.

In a futuristic world where violent cyberpunk gangs are a real problem (and the letter “U” has inexplicably been replaced with “Y”) you play as the JYDGE, a cybernetic enforcement officer who uses his Gavel (see: big freaking gun) to dole out justice.

Each level features different challenges you’ll need to complete to progress through the game. In that way, this game has a bit of a rogue-like element to it where you may keep replaying levels with different upgrade combinations until you complete all the medals. There’s a deep upgrading system here that thankfully wasn’t developed around in-app purchases. Instead, the game rewards you for completing goals, replaying levels, and ransacking enemy hideouts for loot that you can spend towards cybernetic upgrades

Frankly, about the only thing not to like about this game is the weird fixation on replacing “U” with “Y” in the title and throughout the game.

Download: JYDGE ($5.99)

Which are your favorites?

In spite of all the money that can be made through micro-transactions, there are still so many great games out there with no in-app purchases. Let us know which ones you love missed our cut in the comments below!

Updated August 2018: Revamped our list with the best games without in-app purchases for Android in 2018!

Amazon Prime’s 20% discount on video game pre-orders ends tonight

It’s game over for this Prime discount.

Update: This is your last chance! The 20% discount ends tonight, August 27, so make sure you’ve gotten in some pre-orders for upcoming games that interest you before this offer expires.

Amazon is continuously updating Prime memberships with new features and bonus offers, and there have been a few nice ones which are great for gamers, like Twitch Prime which offers free PC games to members every month. One of the best discounts that Prime currently offers is 20% off physical game pre-orders; that takes a $60 game down to $47.99, but unfortunately, Amazon just announced that the discount is coming to an end on August 27.

With the demise of Best Buy’s Gamers Club Unlocked in May of this year, it was only a matter of time before Amazon ended its pre-order discount too, as it was seemingly started to compete with GCU’s 20% discount on video games. Luckily though, Amazon is once again following Best Buy’s lead and will begin offering a $10 promo credit with the purchase of select video games beginning August 28. There is a benefit to this new offer. Though you might not earn as much back as you do on a $60 game with the current discount, the upcoming offer will be available for digital game pre-orders too, whereas the current one is only for standard physical games. You’ll have 60 days to use the promo credit before it expires.

If you already have a game pre-ordered with the 20% discount, you’ll still receive that discount even if the game ships after August 28. This also means you have until August 28 to pre-order any game you want with that 20% discount. Might we suggest the following?

• Monster Hunter Generations for Nintendo Switch
• Forza Horizon 4 for Xbox One
• Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One
• Super Mario Party for Nintendo Switch
• Fallout 76 for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for Nintendo Switch
• Kingdom Hearts 3 for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One
• Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu or Eevee for Nintendo Switch

With all the great video games coming out soon and later in 2018, it’s unfortunate to see this discount come to an end. Pre-ordering won’t charge your card until the game ships, so you might even want to pre-order some you’re still unsure about to ensure you get the lowest price. You can always cancel later if you decide to change your mind.

YouTube app now shows how much time you’ve spent watching videos

Google’s Digital Wellbeing initiative is all coming together.

During its I/O conference in May, Google spent a good chunk of time talking about its Digital Wellbeing efforts. Many of those tools are now available in Android P and the YouTube app already recommends taking a break now and then and gives you tools to help limit the number of notifications you receive.

Now, as part of an update that’s rolling out to the YouTube app, users can see exactly how much time they’ve spent watching videos.

You’ll be able to access these stats in your account menu, and from here, you can see your time watched for today, yesterday, and the past seven days. Right below that are toggles for getting reminders to take a break, whether or not you want videos to autoplay once your current one is finished, and more.

Have you started using YouTube’s digital wellbeing tools? Do you notice a difference in the way you watch videos with them?

How to use Android Pie’s Digital Wellbeing tools

Harmon Kardon’s new Citation 500 speaker features Google Assistant

High-definition wireless streaming is the future.

If you’ve been searching for a high-end speaker capable of accessing Google Assistant and also streaming your music wirelessly, look no further. This week at IFA 2018 in Berlin, Harmon Kardon is set to unveil its Citation 500 smart speaker.

Premiering at a regular price of £549 (roughly $700 USD), this will be one of the most expensive Google Assistant-enabled devices to date, offering 200W stereo speakers and the ability to support 24Bit/96Khz High Definition audio streaming. On top sits an LCD control panel which displays the current track being played along with album art, pause/play buttons, and more.

While you can press its LCD touchscreen to switch to the next song, you could also just ask Google Assistant to change it for you. With that in mind, you could also use it to control other smart home products from smart bulbs to smart plugs that are connected to your home Wi-Fi network.

Harmon Kardon says this speaker should become available for pre-order during late September with the opportunity to choose between grey and black wool covered models. If you don’t want to wait, you could consider Bang & Olufsen’s updated BeoSound 1 and 2 speakers which are even pricier, or grab a Google Home Mini which should hold you over until the Citation 500 sees its release.

HQ Trivia’s Scott Rogowsky: ‘There Are Other Games in the Pipeline’

This past Sunday, August 26, marked the one-year anniversary of HQ Trivia’s launch on the App Store for iPhone.

HQ host Scott Rogowsky appeared on Yahoo Finance’s “Midday Movers” show on Friday to discuss the future of the game, revealing that parent company Intermedia Labs has plans to expand the live, interactive concept to other games.

The plans go beyond HQ Sports, hosted in the main HQ app twice a week, and the separate UK edition of the game:

We already have a sports vertical. HQ Sports goes live Tuesday and Friday nights at 10 o’clock. We have a UK edition. HQ UK. They have a whole team out there in London, working on building it nationally. There are other games in the pipeline. I can’t announce them, but I do know that we’re close to launching things… this is just the first brick in the wall of potentially a whole network of live mobile gaming that I think is really the full potential here.

Intermedia Labs will hope to replicate the success of HQ, which surged in popularity in its early months, going from just tens of players to over 2.4 million when Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson guest hosted the show in April.

HQ brought on its first corporate sponsors and advertisers in March. To celebrate Nike’s Air Max Day, for example, there was a surprise 15-question game with a shared $100,000 prize. Two days later, there was a special $250,000 prize, sponsored by the Steven Spielberg film “Ready Player One.”

Expanding into other games could also offset declining interest in HQ. The game has often seen fewer players as of late versus its peak in early 2018, as the novelty of the app wears off and a multitude of copycats try to mimic the experience.

HQ tasks players with answering a series of 12 questions correctly to win a cash prize. To reduce cheating, players have 10 seconds to choose one of three answers. The show is hosted every day at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and at 3:00 p.m. every weekday, most often by Rogowsky. Other hosts fill in occasionally.

If you haven’t played HQ yet, you can download the game from the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. The app is also available on Android.

Tag: HQ Trivia
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