Google Play is offering 11 free gifts today and others this week in celebration of its anniversary.
The offers vary from free apps, to low cost media, that is music and games.
Category Archives: Android
Real Racing 3 is free – there must be a catch
I have bought the first Real Racing, Real Racing 2 and this time Real Racing 3 was free. And then I realised it was a freemium game with in app purchases.
I decided not to be judgemental and gave the game a go. The graphics and actual racing is top notch. But at every screen you are being asked for money. This kills the momentum and it shows EA and others like Gameloft are damn right greedy thieving crooks. One of the options in the in app purchases costs £69. Are you kidding. I would never pay that for a full console type game. Then there is the repairs which the more you progress the longer they take. 43 minutes is the time currently.
This game needs to flop so that EA Games and others realise this is not good practise. Also bearing in mind is the fact within the description, that EA only need to give 30 days notice to terminate any online services connected with this game. I have taken a screen shot of the expensive in app purchases and the 30 day termination. Clearly this game is raking it in for EA as it is already the 5th highest top grossing app in the UK AppStore.
Apple and Google need to stamp out these practices. It killing the gameplay enjoyment. Charge £20 for a full inclusive game but don’t rip us off.
Whilst I am on a rant, I am getting really annoyed by games that started life as a paid app but turn free and then gets ruined again by in app purchases.
What do you think?
Samsung Exec Confirms Plastic is Better – Really!
In an interview on Tuesday, Samsung’s executive vice president of mobile Y.H. Lee said that the company’s forthcoming flagship handset will carry over the use of plastic materials in a bid to strike a balance between manufacturing efficiency and customer demand for a “premium feeling” product.
Sorry but this comment is utter nonsense. Look at the iPhone 5 and more importantly the lovely HTC One or Sony Xperia Z. If people are going to spend £500 upwards on a phone it needs to look it too. Otherwise one will feel short changed.
YouTube to offer streaming services
Google is preparing to take on companies like Spotify and Rdio with a new YouTube music streaming service, according to sources in the record industry, who have been speaking to Fortune.
The service, which is expected to launch later this year, could be available for free, but there will be subscription options for those who don’t like to see advertisements.
No shocks about this and makes perfect sense. Now what is Apple, Amazon and others up to, to compete with this?
Samsung Galaxy S4 rumours update including photos
With just over a week to go fever pitch is starting to brew regarding Samsung’s new S4. In terms of specs it will be a monster, but alas if rumours are true still made of plastic and still using a physical home button instead of capacitive.
However, the real surprise will be in the software. The software tricks will really add value to the phone. The S4 will be able to follow your eye movements to allow you to scroll just by moving your eyes up and down. Sounds like a James Bond 007 phone.
And that’s just the beginning. Expect additional gestures too. But will it be enough to knock HTC’s One phone out of the top spot. Probably, but the HTC One does feature a beautiful aluminium body and a infra red remote power off button.
The choice is becoming too good. But just to wet your appetite below are some leaked fake renders.
Samsung Galaxy S4 specs have leaked – Read on
The Galaxy S IV features an Exynos Octa 5410 CPU clocked at 1.8GHz, PowerVR SGX 544MP GPU, 2GB of RAM, 4.99″ Full HD (1920×1080) display and a 13 Megapixel Camera. The device also runs Android 4.2 out of the box. The Galaxy S IV retains the menu, back and home buttons, like its predecessors.
The device supports GSM/WCDMA/LTE networks with an Exynos processor on-board meaning its called the GT-I9500 and only therefore one variant. The Galaxy S IV will be a world phone.
And it appears it still will be made of plastic. I really hope not!
OPTiM outs wireless sharing app
The Blackberry Z10 has a rather clever way of screen sharing built in, but at MWC , OPTiM released news of an app for android that not only let’s you share screens, but also allows remote control over wifi. The app is called Optia for android. It works with all versions of android 2.3 upwards, has a built in chat function too.
Samsung says no
One of the stories coming out of MWC was the new Firefox OS and the confirmation of some decent support by manufacturers.
However, Samsung has said it won’t be supporting it. With its fingers in so many pies and its interest in Tizen 2 it’s not surprising it is taking this stance.
The Green settings app
An green Google settings app might have appeared in your menu of apps. Don’t panic.
The app puts your settings menu from other Google apps, like G+ and Maps, in one convenient screen.
Hopefully this will eventually get merged into the main settings app.
Sony Xperia Z may not be its flagship instead
There are rumours that Sony plans to release a new flagship smartphone later this year that will compete with the HTC One and Galaxy S IV. According to a report from the Xperia Blog, the company’s upcoming smartphone, codenamed Xperia C670X, will be equipped with a 4.8-inch full HD display, a 1.8GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor, Adreno 320 graphics and a 13-megapixel rear camera. The device is also said to include 2GB RAM, 32GB of internal storage and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The Xperia C670X is reportedly scheduled to launch sometime this summer.
But will it be water and dust resistant? Also why so soon. The problem of releasing a newer model so soon is that it makes your current Sony phone for obsolete too quickly.
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 