It's that gift-giving time of year. As 2018 approaches its end, you've probably either stocked up on or already given away presents to friends, loved ones, and colleagues. So we're curious: When it comes to gift-giving, do you ever buy phones as presents?
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Finding the right gift for someone this time of year can be tricky. But if there's one thing we're apt to recommend here at Android Police, it's an Android device.
Ripping open that wrapping paper to find a phone or tablet is an excellent way to cap off your holiday. It's better to give than to receive, though, and with all the recent sales, it doesn't have to be a very costly proposition. So are you planning on giving anyone an Android device this holiday season?
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Are you a Project Fi subscriber? If so, you're in for a pretty cool treat this holiday season. Open up fiholiday.withgoogle.com to check out Project Fi's World of Thanks site. Awaiting you is an assortment of interesting and cheerful online activities. You'll find cute tools to create custom digital cards and snow globes, a trivia game, a suggestion to set a seasonally appropriate voicemail greeting – sure, why not? – and best of all, a $10 Google Play gift code.
Read More![Play Store v7.1 adds a round launcher icon and an app shortcut in preparation for the Pixel Launcher and Android 7.1, and more [APK Teardown]](https://www.androidpolice.com/wp-content/themes/ap2/ap_resize/ap_resize.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.androidpolice.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F10%2Fnexus2cee_store-1.png&w=728)
Google is rolling out the red carpet for the upcoming Pixel phones, ensuring that its core lineup of apps are dressed the part. An update to the Play Store began rolling out yesterday with a new round launcher icon for the Pixel Launcher and an app shortcut (formerly known as launcher shortcuts) for Android 7.1. Also joining the list of upcoming features will be support for purchasing 4K movies and TV shows, a marker to indicate if a device is certified, and a new icon for promotions and gifts.
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I'm already a fan (and subscriber) of Project Fi, Google's experiment in being a wireless carrier, but photos popping up across Google+ suggest that the service just got a little more awesome.
Evidently, some Fi subscribers are receiving a holiday gift from Fi - a Lego kit that, when assembled, forms a charging stand for your phone.
A number of Google+ users have posted images of the Lego kit, showing the kit and its packaging - Fi's signature white box with bright Fi-colored materials inside. A green label on the outside wishes recipients "Happy Holidays," while an instructional booklet thanks subscribers for their support so far.
Read More![Play Music v6.0.1995S Adds Gapless Playback To Chromecast, Continues Playing When Casters Leave, And May Soon Offer Subscription Gifting [APK Teardown + Download]](https://www.androidpolice.com/wp-content/themes/ap2/ap_resize/ap_resize.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.androidpolice.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F09%2Fnexus2cee_Music-v6.0.1995S.png&w=728)
In a rare twist, Google was quick to update a changelog on the Play Store, and this one is definitely worth it. Some big improvements have been made to the Chromecast (Google Cast) support in the latest update to Play Music, including some stability improvements, gapless playback, and continuous playback after a caster leaves the area. On top of that, a look inside turned up evidence that Google may soon allow users to "gift" subscriptions to other people. If you just can't wait to get the goods, we've got a download link at the bottom.
It's highly unusual, but a changelog was posted right away with the release of the latest update.
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If you've been following the Play Store-related news cycle recently, you are probably well aware that Google is on the verge of releasing gift cards for use on Play Store's digital goods. The Redeem functionality, along with a new Wishlist, came with the new Play Store APK v3.8.15 that started rolling out yesterday but, unfortunately, the UI does not expose it yet.
There is no web interface for redemption either, but after digging through the APK, I discovered that it was set to intercept calls to http://play.google.com/redeem. So, while you can't pop up the Redeem Activity in the app directly without hacking, removing the stock app, and installing the re-signed hacked version, there is a much easier way.
Read More![One Lucky Guy Buys $25 Google Play Store Gift Card, We Successfully Redeem It [Hands-On]](https://www.androidpolice.com/wp-content/themes/ap2/ap_resize/ap_resize.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.androidpolice.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F08%2Fnexusae0_image62.png&w=150&h=150&zc=3)
Well, well, well, what have we here? It's one of those upcoming Play Store gift cards we discovered yesterday and saw earlier today. This specific one was purchased at a local Turnersville, NJ Target by one of its employees. The kicker? He claims they are just hanging out in bins next to the checkout counters waiting to be put up on one of those gift card walls. Anyone shopping at the store can grab them from the pile, purchase (the system already allows it), and give them a new home.
Here, check it out:
Now for the best part. The code from this gift card is now in our full possession (thanks, Mongocrush!).
Read More![Google Is Gearing Up To Finally Introduce Play Store Gift Cards And A Wishlist [APK Teardown]](https://www.androidpolice.com/wp-content/themes/ap2/ap_resize/ap_resize.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.androidpolice.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F08%2Fnexusae0_image56.png&w=150&h=150&zc=3)
A new Google Play Store v3.8.15 apk started rolling out to Android devices today, but upon running through its UI, I was unable to uncover anything different from the versions before that. Yet the apk size gained a few pounds kilobytes, and not knowing what the 300KB of code and resources added was killing me. Not to worry, a few minutes later, I decoded both 3.7.15 and 3.8.15 and compared their contents.
What I found inarguably points to Google gearing up to finally release redeemable Play Store gift cards - something we've been anxiously waiting for since the Android Market started supporting paid apps.
Read More![[Weekend Poll, Part 2] Did You Get An Android Device For The Holidays?](https://www.androidpolice.com/wp-content/themes/ap2/ap_resize/ap_resize.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.androidpolice.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2011%2F12%2Fwinter_droid2.jpg&w=150&h=150&zc=3)
This is part two of this weeken's poll; for part 1, see Are You Giving An Android Device For The Holidays?
The holidays are upon us. For those of you who received gifts, did you get an Android device? Vote in the poll below, then head down to the comments to share.
And from all of us at Android Police, happy holidays!
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