Google Play Games is officially going dark. Well, the latest update is making its dark theme accessible to everyone. But that's not the only thing this update brings, there are now app shortcuts and a new sorting feature for achievements coming soon. A teardown also shows the team is preparing to add Minesweeper to the built-in games repertoire. Oh, and we're heard from the dev team, and we've got a hunch they're having a good time.
Read MoreGoogle Play Games v5.14 enables Dark Theme for all, prepares Minesweeper, and... ┴┬┴┤( ͡° ͜ʖ├┬┴┬ a pointless side project? [APK Teardown]
The best Android power user features you may have forgotten about
Android has now been around for over a decade, and every single update has brought new features. Some functionality is unknown to the vast majority of smartphone owners, either because the options aren't well-advertised, or because their uses are limited.
In this post, we've compiled some of the best power user features that Android has to offer.
Read MoreChrome OS 70 rolling out with UI tweaks, floating keyboard, and app shortcuts
Chrome 70 was released on desktop platforms and Android earlier this month. Now it's time for Chromebooks to get the update, with a few added enhancements — like a new UI geared at tablet use and support for Android app shortcuts.
Read MoreChase app update adds adaptive icon, app shortcuts, a revised UI, and more
If you've got a Chase account, you may have noticed quite a few changes to the Android app within the past few days. Those include an adaptive icon, app shortcuts, and an updated interface with a lot more functionality.
Read MoreChrome OS gets Android app shortcuts in the dev channel
Google has worked to make Android apps feel at home on Chrome OS, and we've certainly come a long way. Your apps will be even more integrated soon with support for app shortcuts on the Chrome OS desktop. This feature is only in the dev channel right now, but it should eventually filter down to beta and stable.
Read MoreGoogle working on improved Chrome address bar, revamped Bluetooth stack and Android app shortcuts for Chrome OS
Chrome OS has been rapidly evolving over the past few months, mostly in regards to Linux application support. There are even more improvements in the works, from minor UI changes to a major reworking of Chrome OS' Bluetooth functionality.
Read MoreGoogle Wifi adds app shortcuts, prepares batch testing and something called port opening in BV10144 update [APK Teardown]
If your home or business is keeping wireless devices connected through a Google Wifi, you'll be getting an update to the companion app today. The new version brings a pair of app shortcuts for those of us using it on Android 7.1 or above, but that's about it for visible changes. A teardown adds to the subject with hints of a new batch testing feature and settings for something called "port opening."
Read MoreGoogle Translate v5.16 adds proper names for several regional dialects, prepares to add app shortcuts [APK Teardown]
Google Translate is getting an update today, but it looks pretty light on features. The main changes appear to center around properly labeling languages. Nine dialects are getting proper names, and it seems the term 'dialect' is going out of style, so Translate is now saying 'region' everywhere. A look through the APK also shows that we can look forward to app shortcuts in the future.
Read MoreThe Best Of AP
Weekend poll: Do you use app shortcuts?
Ever since Android Nougat 7.1 (and the second N Developer Preview), developers have been able to add a second set of actions to app shortcuts in supported launchers. By long-pressing a supported app on the homescreen or app list, you can quickly access specific functions in it. Although we've had the feature for over a year, not all developers have updated their apps to take advantage of it, and plenty of us forget that the option is even there. What about you, do you use app shortcuts?
Read MoreGoogle Home v1.26 reveals 'speaker pairs' for stereo casting, adds EQ settings, new Backdrop screen, and more [APK Teardown]
The Google Home app has seen some big enhancements lately, and with the rollout of v1.26, it's gearing up for some more. The latest update brings the notable addition of EQ settings for speakers and introduces a new screen for backdrop history. Users of Android 8.0 Oreo might also notice their app shortcuts are now sporting fresh adaptive icons. However, the main topic comes to us via a teardown that shows a new feature called Speaker Pairs which will enable us to take two speakers and set them up to work in stereo.
Read MoreLatest Deals
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37 temporarily free and 29 on-sale apps and games to start the week
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[Update: $100 at Amazon] V-MODA's Crossfade Wireless headphones are just $115 on Amazon ($50 off)
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Yi Lite action camera falls to $51 (with coupon) on Amazon
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Sony Xperia XZ3 is down even further to $730 ($170 off)
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Best Buy has the Blackberry KEYone on clearance sale for $300 ($200 off)
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Latest Poll
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Review: Sony's $350 WH-1000XM3 headphones live up to the hype
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Arlo Audio Doorbell and Chime review: Easy setup, questionable value
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27
Philips Hue Play review: Impressive media-syncing light bars, but with room for improvement
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33
Nanoleaf Canvas review: The funkiest smart lights get cooler, better
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29
LG ThinQ View smart display review: It's $250, loud, and kind of ugly
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Latest Roundups
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16 best new Android games released this week including Ragnarok M: Eternal Love, King Crusher, and Ethics: Journalist's Way
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12 best new (and 1 WTF) Android games released this week including OutRush, Run Gun Die, and Blackmoor 2
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10 new and notable Android apps from the last two weeks including GitNews, Remote Fingerprint Unlock, and Language Navi (12/22/18 - 1/5/19)
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Best Android apps of 2018 for your new phone, tablet, or Chromebook
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11 best new Android games released this week including Bendy and the Ink Machine, Golf Club: Wasteland, and Orbt XL
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Recent Apps and Games
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Gboard v7.9 prepares new emoticons, adds many new languages, and more [APK Teardown]
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Twitter's chronological timeline rolls out to Android app
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Sprint joins competitors in offering a rewards app full of mediocre coupon deals
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YouTube is testing video download recommendations in select markets
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Netflix is bumping prices on all streaming plans
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Blast from the Past
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1 Year Ago Today
I used the Google Pixelbook as my only laptop at CES - and it completely converted me
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2 Years Ago Today
WhatsApp's notifications now work properly on Android 7.0 and 7.1 Nougat
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3 Years Ago Today
[Bonus Round] Ancestor, Defenders 2, The Pit, Galactic Nemesis, Rocket Ski Racing, TMNT Portal Power, And Wild Kratts Baby Buddies
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290
4 Years Ago Today
Obama Goes On Record Against Encryption, Says It Should Exist But He Should Be Able To Decrypt It
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5 Years Ago Today
PSA: New Chrome Beta Build (33.0.1750.31) Breaks Hotword Detection In Google Experience Launcher And Google Now
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6 Years Ago Today
[New Game] From The Maker Of Wind-Up Knight, Rise Of The Blobs Is A Clever Puzzler With Cool Visuals
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7 Years Ago Today
CyanogenMod 9 Music App Officially Released For Download, Coming To Market Soon
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8 Years Ago Today
CyanogenMod 7: Return Of The Nightlies (Now With 100% More Gingerbread)
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