Saturday, June 30, 2018

2018 Galaxy J3 and J7 now available on Verizon, Sprint, and Boost Mobile

Earlier this month, Samsung announced the 2018 versions of its Galaxy J3 and J7 smartphones. No release date was given, with only "early June" being given as an estimate. It's very late in June now, but Verizon, Sprint, and Boost Mobile have launched their versions of the J3 and J7.

Galaxy J3

As you might be able to tell, the J3 is the lower-end model of the two. Here are the specs:

Specs

Display 5.0" 720p TFT
RAM 2GB
Storage 16GB
Camera 8MP rear, 5MP front
Battery 2,600mAh
Software Android 8.0 Oreo

The specs obviously aren't the greatest, with the only noteworthy item at all being the Exynos 7884A chipset, which is likely an underclocked version of the Exynos 7884.

Read More

2018 Galaxy J3 and J7 now available on Verizon, Sprint, and Boost Mobile was written by the awesome team at Android Police.



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DirecTV Now to increase its prices on all its plans

Get ready to pay more on all of DirecTV Now's plans, folks.

From our friends at CordCutters.com: DirecTV Now is increasing each of its its plans by $5 a month, starting in August — if not a few days sooner. That's according to marketing emails sent out to customers late Saturday evening. (You know, when people are expecting to learn about price increases.)

This is the first price increase since AT&T merged with Time Warner. Surely, a coincidence.

From CordCutters:

This is coming from AT&T/DirecTV Now marketing and not PR, so that's all we've got for now. But the email we received does mention that we can now add a third simultaneous stream for another $5 a month, and it mentions the new Spanish-language plans DirecTV Now rolled out earlier in June.

Also, we can expect to see in future releases: An option for 100 hours of cloud-based DVR. (Currently 20 hours is free); Parental controls; "More ways to stream on your favorite devices"; And more local channels.

DirecTV Now is available on Apple TV, Roku, in web browsers, and through Chromecast. (There's still no official Android TV app.)

Get the full lowdown at CordCutters.com



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Think you could be the next Tiesto? Learn how to be A DJ

DJ courseWe thought you might like something a bit different today readers, so we've found a superb offer on an all-encompassing DJ course. If you're looking for a new calling, or just want to know what the fuss is about, this week you can get this professionally-led tuition for just $29.

Music has the power to inspire. To an amateur it can look like DJing is just starting a playlist on your laptop, but in reality it's an artform. Learning to DJ can be fun and rewarding. Not everyone will go on to be the next Avicii or Skrillex, but at the very least you'll get an impressive new talent.

'DJs are the new rock stars' - Tiesto

This in-depth video guide is led by veteran DJ and music producer David Pezza. David has 15 years experience in the industry, playing numerous top club locations and doing remix work for major record companies world-wide. His expertise are world-class, and he loves to teach in a fun and simple style.

This instructional DJ course doesn't just stop at how to produce top music either. It covers all aspects of DJing, including how to play to an audience, and even how to get paid.

The DJ course at a glance:

  • Learn the history of DJing.
  • Explore the gear, mixers, and other tools a DJ needs.
  • Discuss the basics of beat matching, looping techniques, using effects, and more.
  • Get an introduction to scratching and advanced techniques.
  • Understand sound & lighting setups, and how to play to an audience.
  • Learn how to make money as a DJ.

This course usually retails for $399, but for the next few days at Tech Deals you can get access for one year at a cost of only $29. To be fair, it doesn't sound like Mr Pezza needs the money.

Time for an exciting new venture? Hit the button below to check out the offer.

The AAPicks team writes about things we think you'll like, and we may see a share of revenue from any purchases made through affiliate links. To see all our hottest deals, head over to the AAPICKS HUB.


Looking for a new phone or plan? Start here with the Android Authority Plan Tool:

This smart tool lets you filter plans by phone, price, data tiers, and regional availability. Stop overpaying for cell service you hate and a phone that you're tired of. Use our Compare Phones & Plans tool to fully customize your mobile experience and painlessly transition from one carrier to another!


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15 best games with gamepad support for Android

This is the featured image for the best android games with gamepad support
The market for games with controller support is growing. Android TV, the Nvidia Shield Console, and other systems are putting games with gamepad support on the forefront and making them more popular. The proliferation of gamepads and Bluetooth controllers have made playing games on your mobile devices with a controller easier than ever before. Why not play some wicked good games with it? Here are the best games with gamepad support for Android. Please note that there are some older games with excellent controller support like Star Wars: KOTOR and The Bard's Tale. However, many of those older controller games haven't been updated in years and we can't guarantee that they'll work with newer controllers, newer versions of Android, or newer devices. You can try those at your own risk.


Crashlands

Price: $4.99
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Crashlands is one of the best games out there with gamepad support. You play as an intergalactic trucker. An unfortunate series of events lands you on an alien planet. Your goal is to craft and fight your way off of the planet. There is also a story line complete with a bad guy. There are over 500 items to craft, a self-managing inventory, and simple combat mechanics. It also supports cloud saving. That means you can play on multiple devices and even on PC. It's $4.99 with no in-app purchases.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Crossy Road

Price: Freemium
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Crossy Road is one of the most popular mobile games ever. It also has MFi controller support. This is basically the mobile gaming version of Frogger. You move the chicken forward across roads, streams, and other obstacles while avoiding being run over by cars or falling in the water. It's a simple game with fun graphics and easy controls. It's also safe for older kids. This is a freemium game, but the in-app purchases are mostly for extra characters. This is a good one and it supports Android TV as well.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Evoland 2

Price: $7.99
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Evoland is one of the most unique game franchises on mobile. It doesn't use any one particular style or genre. Evoland 2, the latest game in the series, employs platformer, fighter, top-down shooter, trading card, and RPG mechanics. The game also changes its graphics up quite a bit to match the style of game play. That makes it one of the most unique experiences on mobile. The developers boast support for most types of Bluetooth controllers as well as Nvidia Shield support. The first Evoland is also quite good and supports hardware controllers as well.
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Horizon Chase

Price: Free / $2.99
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Horizon Chase is a retro style racing game. It features almost 100 tracks along with a variety of cars. You also get Google Play Games cloud saving, car upgrades, at least ten different events, and some of the most outstanding controller support we've ever seen. You can use this with Android TV, Nvidia Shield devices, MFi game pads, OUYA, and many others. Even the soundtrack is decent. You can get the full game for a scant $2.99. This along with Riptide GP Renegade represent the two best racing games with game pad support.
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Implosion

Price: Free / $9.99
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Implosion is an older game that doesn't get a ton of press. That's too bad because it's an oustanding game. It's a hack-and-slash style game with a mech theme. Your goal is to defeat the XADA life forms and save what's left of humanity. The version gives you the first five or so missions of the game. The $9.99 price tag unlocks everything from there. You won't find a lot of people who say it's not worth it. Some have complained about the occasional bug, but otherwise the game is solid. It should also have support for Android TV and Nvidia Shield devices (at least most of them).
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY


Minecraft

Price: $6.99 with in-app purchases
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Minecraft is one of the most popular games out there. It drops you into randomly generated worlds with plenty of stuff to do. You can build, you can mine, you can farm, and there is even a final boss to kill. Updates in 2017 aligned the game with its console and PC counterparts. That means you can start a world in one game and then play it on another system entirely. This is one of the few games with that level of cross-play support. It's $6.99 for the game. The in-app purchases are optional aesthetic things like character skins.
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Oceanhorn

Price: Free / $5.49
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Oceanhorn is a 3D adventure game. It's a little bit like mobile's version of a Legend of Zelda game. You traverse various dungeons and parts of the world. The game mechanics include hack-and-slash mechanics, puzzles, and some light RPG mechanics. The game also boasts over ten hours of game play, Google Play Games achievements, and music from Nobuo Uematsu (of Final Fantasy fame). The full game runs for a single $5.49 in-app purchase. Of course, it also has controller support. This one is a bit older, though, so do beware of that.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Octopus

Price: Free / $5.99
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Octopus isn't a game with game pad support. However, it does give games controller support. It basically lets you map your controller to various games. There is support for three dozen games out of the box, including PUBG Mobile and others. It works with other games as well, but the setup is a little tougher for non-supported games. The app also doesn't require root, a rarity in this space. It worked during our testing, but it's a little rough around the edges. The full version of the app goes for $5.99.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Octopus

Oddworld series

Price: $2.99 each
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There are currently two Oddworld games available on Android. They both also have gamepad support. The first is Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath. That title will have you running around completing an adventure story while taking down bad guys. It also features both first and third person perspectives. The other is Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee. Munch's Oddysee will have you taking down bad guys to save Oddworld. Both games are relatively cheap with no in-app purchases.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Portal Knights

Price: $4.99 / $0.99
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Portal Knights is another adventure game. This one launched in late 2017. The game boasts action-adventure game play mechanics, boss fights, RPG level progression, a crafting system, local multiplayer (on the same WiFi), random events, and, of course, controller support. This is actually fairly close to a console level title in terms of execution. Of course, the graphics are mobile friendly. This one goes for $4.99 with some optional in-app purchases. It's had the occasional bug, but it worked fine during our testing.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY


Riptide GP series

Price: $0.99-$2.99
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Vector Unit has some real winners with the Riptide series. They are a trio of racing games that take place on jet skis. Your goal will be to race them, perform stunts, and make it to the end. The stunts give you boost. Thus, the better stunts you do, the faster you can go. The games get progressively more complex and better as they go. The first one is the weakest of the three. The third one is the strongest. Thankfully, they're all fairly inexpensive. The second has in-app purchases but you totally don't need them to enjoy the game. All three games have gamepad support.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

SEGA Forever games

Price: Free / $1.99
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SEGA recently started doing something called SEGA Forever. It's essentially porting many of its classic titles to mobile. Some of the games include Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2, Altered Beast, Kid Chamaleon, and Phantasy Star II. They are all faithful recreations of their console versions. That includes solid controller support for most of them. They're relatively new. Thus, they do have some issues. However, each game is free to download with ads. You can pay $1.99 as an in-app purchase to remove ads.
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Several Square Enix games

Price: Varies
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Square Enix has taken mobile seriously for years and they have a ton of games for the platform. Many of them also have gamepad support, as it turns out. Some of the titles with gamepad support include most of their Final Fantasy titles, Secret of Mana, Tomb Raider I and II, and several others. Most of Square Enix's games are full replicas of former console games. Many of the ports play very close to the originals as well. They can get pretty expensive. However, they also have no in-app purchases.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Steam Link (beta)

Price: Free
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Steam Link isn't a game. However, it lets you play games. It connects your phone to your computer. The app then streams your PC games to your phone, Android TV device, tablet, etc with full controller support. This lets you play PC games from the comfort of your living room (for Android TV devices) or anywhere in your house (for mobile devices). This is a beta app and it has plenty of bugs to flush out. However, PC gaming with a controller on a mobile device is basically the dream and this is as close to it as you can get right now.
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Steam Link (beta)

Unkilled

Price: Free with in-app purchases
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Unkilled is one of the best first person shooters available right now. It has pretty much everything you'd want. That includes over 300 campaign missions. It also has online PvP. That means you can play alone or with friends. It also comes with solid game mechanics, gamepad support, and more. Even the graphics are really good for a mobile game. The developers have done an excellent job adding new content to the game. There is a lot to do here. It is a freemium game, though. Adjust your expectations accordingly. Most of MADFINGER's other games, like Dead Trigger 2 and older Shadowgun games have controller support as well.
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Bonus: Many Gameloft games

Price: Varies
See the list here!
Gameloft has a bunch of games and many of them have controller support. That includes updates games like Asphalt 8: Airborne, Asphalt Xtreme, Order & Chaos 2, and Modern Combat 5: Blackout. That's a good mixture of racing games, MMORPGs, and first person shooters. The controller support is above average compared to most games and that's one of the better aspects to Gameloft's titles. They are all freemium games and the freemium strategy could be better. However, they are current, accessible, and they have game pad support for a variety of controllers. Gameloft also has a list of games with controller support. We linked it at the button if you want to see their other options.
See the list here!

Bonus: Nvidia games with gamepad support

Price: Varies
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Nvidia worked hard to bring a lot of games to the forefront. Unfortunately, all of them are for Android TV. However, that means they all have gamepad support without exception. Those looking for controller games on Android should definitely check out Nvidia's hardware first. There are some really good games in their lineup. That includes Portal, Half-Life 2, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Resident Evil 5, and many more newer games. The only downside is that these games only work with Nvidia Shield hardware, such as the Nvidia Shield TV. Other than that, these games are all console quality in terms of graphics, content, and controller support.
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15 best emulators for Android

Older consoles are an endearing and memorable part of a lot of childhoods. From the SNES to the PlayStation, there were a ton of amazing, iconic games. Some of them are still good by today's …

15 best Android TV games

Android TV's release was exciting. Here was a platform that was more stable than Google TV and the developer community responded in kind by developing some awesome stuff for it. A little time has passed …

If we missed of the best games with gamepad support, tell us about them in the comments! You can also click here to check out the latest Android app and game lists!



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10 best Material Design apps for Android

best material design apps
We first wrote this article back in 2014. We wanted to help people find Material Design apps back when there really weren't that many. These days, Material Design is everywhere. Most popular apps use it in one form or another. Thus, we have redone the list to show some of the best examples of Material Design that you can find. These apps are colorful and gorgeous. Even if they aren't the best or most useful, they really rock that Material Design. Here are the best Material Design apps for Android!


B&H Photo

Price: Free
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
B&H Photo is a popular online retailer. Their app is also beautiful. It uses Material Design pretty much wherever it can. The shopping experience, search, and even cart functions are all draped in it. The categories page is not only color coded for easy distinguishing by eye, but the design of the little icons are clear and flat. At no point does the design feel overblown or ridiculous. It's just a good design all around. We wish more shopping apps looked like this one.
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B&H Photo

Houzz Interior Design

Price: Free
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Houzz won an actual design award from Google Play. Who are we to argue that? The app is also pretty good It's a home design app. You can look around at decoration and design ideas for your home. You can also save ideas and check out some really unique stuff. It's almost like Pinterest but specifically for home design products. It covers a lot of bases in very little space. Its design lets you move about and view a lot of information in a very short period of time without feeling overwhelming. It just looks and works so well. Truly one of the better Material Design apps.
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Houzz Interior Design

LocalCast

Price: Free / Optional donation
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
LocalCast is a streaming app. It casts video, images, and pretty much whatever else to your Chromecast from your device. The app also has a good design. It uses Material Design to its strengths. However, it manages to keep from feeling bloated or unnecessary. The colors contrast nicely without being annoying. The controls look good as well. It also supports Roku, Amazon Fire Sticks, Apple TV, and a variety of smart TVs. It's really good for what it is.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Lyft

Price: Free (rides cost money)
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Lyft is still an up and coming transit service. However, its app design is probably the best in the transit apps space. It uses layers in Material Design effectively. Apps like this are very busy. Having a bunch of controls and a map can is a ton of information at once. Lyft does a great job of providing a lot of information without feeling uncomfortable to use. The color palette is consistent and good looking. It's already one of the better transit apps, but its design definitely makes it a little more appealing.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Lyft

Material Design Demo

Price: Free / Up to $9.99
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Material Design Demo is a boon for developers. It allows you to easily and quickly check out Material Design. It shows use on a lot of the elements of Material Design. That includes transitions, page layouts, card views, the floating action button, the pull out menu drawer, and a lot more. Advanced programmers already know this stuff. However, it gives beginner's a good glimpse at how this stuff can work. It's free to download and use. It's a great app for making Material Design apps.
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Material Design Demo


Material Gallery

Price: Free
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Material Gallery is an app for developers. Developers upload their apps, UI framework, or other elements to the app. Other developers give feedback on that stuff. Developers can get critiques on their design and ideas on how to improve their stuff. It works pretty well for all of that. It also helps indie developers without huge design teams get the best feedback possible for the best design possible. It's not essential for generating good Material Design apps, but it definitely helps. It's also free.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Material Gallery

Newton Email

Price: Free / $49.99 per year
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Newton Email is probably the best email app in terms of design. It's clean, the colors are useful for organization, and it has a lot of Material Design elements. It's a bit expensive, but this list isn't about price. The main view is simple. It lets you view lots of emails quickly without getting confusing. The slide out menu houses your multiple email accounts and the floating action button does the rest. You can also swipe emails for additional commands. It uses as much of the design as needed for functionality. The good part is that it does so without feeling ridiculous, confusing, or bloated. It's definitely among the best Material Design apps.
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Newton Email

Robinhood

Price: Free
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Robinhood is another Google Play award winner for design. It's a stock trading app. You can view things like stock prices in real time. It also lets you make trades for free. That's all well and good, but the design is the real story here. It does a great job at giving you tons of information. The color scheme makes sense. It won't mess with your eyes and it looks good. The color schemes also change when the market opens and closes. That's so cool. More Material Design apps should do stuff like that. We guess Night Mode counts, kind of, but you know what we mean.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Robinhood

Solid Explorer

Price: Free / $1.99
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Solid Explorer is among the best file explorer apps. The design is also quite lovely. It features a floating action button that holds many of the more common file management commands. It uses colors to differentiate folders and files for easy organization. The slide out menu and various other design quirks all work together to create a very cohesive experience. That's difficult to do for something so utilitarian as a file browsing app. It's definitely among the best Material Design apps.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Textra SMS

Price: Free / $2.99
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Many texting apps use Material Design. None of them do it quite as well as Textra. It uses basic elements like the floating action button and the pull out drawer for most things. However, its stand out feature is being fully customizable. You can choose between a light and dark background, the primary color, and the secondary color. That means you can make it look how you want. You can even change the icon. It also happens to work pretty well as a texting app.
DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY
Textra SMS

10 best Android themes

Android themes are changing. They have been over the last couple of years. Back in the day, the rage was all-encompassing theming. One theme would change how home screens, settings menus, keyboards, etc looked. These …

10 best calendar apps for Android for 2018

Calendars are useful tools. Even paper ones are great for remembering dates, taking out the trash, and keeping track of family birthdays. Some of the first mobile apps were datebooks and calendars. They're useful to …

If we missed any of the best Material Design apps for Android, tell us about them in the comments! You can also click here to check out our latest Android app and game lists!



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