While we haven’t seen any changes yet, plenty of online reports claim the Google Play Store is rolling out a server-side update. This is said to bring forth a new card-based layout for your search results.The new UI seems to focus more on each app that shows up in the results. Upon searching for any app, you will get large cards that you can swipe through (left and right). They include the option to install, uninstall, descriptions and more. It’s pretty much a preview of the app’s page.There’s not much evidence of these changes, but we do have plenty of user reports and a video created by user Rony Mishchuk, who claims to have the update and has a video of the new improvements.We are liking the new changes, but so far we have no idea what’s going on with this update and choose to treat it as a rumor. As always, don’t hold your breath on it. We will definitely keep our eyes open for any more details that may show up.
Google Play Store rolling out new search result interface
A few weeks ago, we posted some exclusive renders and information, in collaboration with @OnLeaks, for the upcoming 2017 version of the Samsung Galaxy A5. The company has not yet officially announced this phone but today some new photos, and a hands-on video, have made their way onto the Internet that allegedly show off the smartphone.See also:Report: Samsung Electronics considering splitting into two companies3 days agoThe video and renders come from a person named Neil Potgieter, who in the clip says he is doing a “review” of the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A5. However, since the phone hasn’t even been announced yet, let alone released, this “review” is likely of a pre-production prototype for the phone. For example, the video shows the phone running on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, but it’s more than possible the final 2017 Galaxy A5 could have Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box.The video does seem to jibe with what we have learned about the phone, including that it will be nearly identical to the current Galaxy S7 in terms of its design, complete with rounded corners. It also seems to show that it will indeed have 3GB of RAM and an octa-core processor. The video shows that this model has 32GB of storage, but again it’s possible that Samsung could release models with even more onboard storage.In any case, Samsung is expected to officially announce and launch the new Galaxy A5 sometime in December. Are you interested in getting the new version of this mid-range smartphone?
A new company that has been spun off from Rovio, the creators of the Angry Birds franchise, wants to offer a way for Android device owners to stream and play games without downloading them onto their phones. The new company, Hatch, says the service will also include some unique social features.See also:Best free Android games3 weeks agoHatch says that the service will allow anyone to play games for free, with no updates or in-app purchases. Instead, the service, and game developers, will get revenues from “integrated, unobtrusive advertising and brand storytelling”. Hatch also plans to launch a paid subscription option that will offer unnamed additional features for gamers.In addition, the service will allow players to compete, or even help, in online gaming, along with support for sharing and broadcasting gameplay footage. Even single-player games can be altered so that players can receive online assistance from others. The service will use cloud-based servers in a partnership with Huawei Technologies.When Hatch does launch to the public, it will have over 100 games to play such as Badland, Leo’s Fortune, Monument Valley, Pac-Man CE DX, République and many more. It will also release games that will be exclusive to the service, such as IslaBomba: Ready To Boom, that will be able to use the service’s multiplayer and social features. The company plans to launch via an invite-only beta sometime in the first half of 2017.
This post originally appeared on our sister site, VRSource.More and more VR apps are being released in the Google Play Store that support the company’s Daydream View smartphone headset. The latest example is LEGO Brickheadz, a free app that lets children of all ages make cool LEGO-based figures in a virtual world.See also: Launch day: Daydream VR apps roundupThe Brickheadz brand from LEGO was first announced earlier this year, and will offer people a way to own buildable figures based on pop culture characters from Marvel and DC’s superhero universes. The real-world Brickheadz won’t go on sale until 2017, but this new VR app offers something of a sneak peek at what this LEGO spinoff is like.The game gives you the option of building your own Brickheadz figures. You can also unlock new characters and combinations by putting together pre-arranged figures via special diagrams. All in all, this app would seem to be targeting young kids, but we would imagine older folks might get a kick out of playing with virtual LEGO bricks as well.One word of warning: The app is listed in the Google Play Store as “Unreleased”, which likely means that there could be more than the usual number of bugs in this version.Get it at Google Play
In an apparent attempt to shut down the competition, Facebook has now cut off access to its Live Video API for the popular Prisma image and video filters app. This move comes as both companies released ways to include stylized art filters to Facebook Live videos.See also:Prisma, our favorite filter app, is getting offline processing on AndroidOctober 7, 2016According to TechCrunch, Facebook sent an email to the team behind Prisma, stating that Facebook’s app already supports streaming of video from a “mobile device camera”. Facebook’s statement seems to suggest that its Live Video API is not meant to be used by mobile cameras and third-party apps, but rather by professional cameras, games and other sources. The report does point out that Facebook’s own FAQ page on the Live Video API does not specifically state that mobile camera streams are banned.On the surface, this would appear to be a pretty heavy handed attempt by Facebook to stop Prisma from offering its own art filters for Facebook Live users. Facebook launched its Live filters for iOS for testing in a select number of countries a few weeks ago, but there’s no word on when that will expand to more territories. Of course, Facebook’s latest move has put the future of Prisma’s live video support in doubt, but in the meantime, it is still working on a social-themed update for the app which is planned for release in December.
With less than a month to go before Christmas arrives, it’s time to get ready for the most famous yearly trip in history with the updated Google Santa Tracker app. The new version adds some features, including the ability to keep track of Saint Nick’s trip around the world on December 24 on an Android TV.See also:The best new Android apps23 hours agoIn addition, the updated app includes more support for Android Wear smartwatches, although specifics have not been revealed. Kids of all ages can check out the redesigned Santa’s Village in the new version, along with an AR game, Present Quest, that shows people how to get virtual gifts from real-world locations, which are then taken and placed at a local “Santa’s Workshop”.Of course, the biggest reason for using the app is coming in just a few weeks, where children can keep tabs on where the big guy is in the world as he makes his way across the globe via your smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, Android TV or Chromecast-enabled device. In the meantime, you should be able to get in the holiday spirit with this app’s games and other features, which include “elves in jetpacks, rolling gumballs, sleighs powered by rockets and Google Cardboard.” Sounds like fun.Get it at Google Play
Motorola sure seems to be out of ideas for Moto Mods. Not only have they mostly failed to deliver any meaningful Mods for you and I to buy today, but they are asking for your help with concepts for what customers may actually want to buy. While their implementation of modularity to phones is the best in the business, it’s clear that they are struggling to generate buzz and appeal. With that said, the next potential module could be a nice add-on for tech lovers who want to play with the future of real-life gaming or applications.
LG’s experiment with modular smartphones may have already come to an abrupt end, but if you like the idea then you can still pick up a pretty good deal on the G5 and a small selection of the company’s “Friends” accessories.B&H Photo is currently selling the 32GB unlocked LG G5 (RS988) for just $449.99. The retailer is also throwing in a LG CAM Plus module, a LG 360 VR headset, a charging cradle, and a free spare battery with every purchase. All of those goodies are worth $297.96 combined, according to the listing, and the whole bundle saves you $200 on the G5’s suggested retail price anyway.Even if you’re not particularly interested in the modular aspect of the phone, $449.99 is still pretty good for a handset that boasts a 5.3-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 820 processor, 16MP and 8MP dual rear camera combination, USB Type-C port, and a removable 2,800mAh battery. For a closer look at the handset’s capabilities, check out our review and comparisons below. Videos LG G5 Vs LG V10 LG G5 and Galaxy S7 – Public Reacts! LG G5 vs Nexus 6P LG G5 Review! B&H Photo says will ship out the phone next day while stocks last, and the RS988 model will work on most GSM and CDMA carriers in the US. If you’re interested, hit the button below to check out the deal.Buy LG G5 for $449.99
Isometric shooter Leap of Fate is headed to Android tomorrow following its launch on PC in March and iOS in August. Developed by Clever-Plays, Leap of Fate is set in a fantasy cyberpunk version of New York and features hundreds of enemy types and magic abilities.You play as one of four “technomages” who must blast their way through six stages, taking down hordes of enemies, finding loot and battling bosses. It houses Roguelike elements such as procedurally generated levels and permadeath (which means when you die you lose your character and all of its progress), though there are some lasting unlocks, meaning each death won’t be entirely in vain.See also:The latest Humble Mobile Bundle has 15 HandyGames titles (Update: 5 more games!)2 days agoLeap of Fate will cost $3.99 like on iOS and it has received a number of positive reviews – and award nominations – from its PC release earlier in the year. Look out for it in the Google Play Store on December 1 and check out the launch trailer below.
Despite the Galaxy Note 7 recall and witnessing the biggest drop in its smartphone market share and sales this year, the stock price for Samsung Electronics hit a record high earlier today at 1.747 million won, or just under $1,500 a piece. The surge came after the company announced a list of measures to boost shareholder value in the short term, which added $9 billion to the company’s market valuation.Earlier, Samsung announced up to $3.6 billion in dividend payouts this year, which could add up to $256 per share. This marks a 36 percent increase in payouts over last year, and the company has committed to returning 50 percent of its free cash flow to shareholders through dividends and treasury share buybacks in 2017 as well. While this strategy is good news for investors in the short term, Samsung is burning through around $10 billion in its cash reserve to keep shareholders happy.The company is also reviewing the proposal to split its corporate structure into two separate businesses, a move that could be another boon for its stock price and simplify the company’s structure in the longer term. The new structure would see Samsung reorganized into one holding and one operating company, however a decision isn’t expected to be made for another six months. The split was initially proposed by US hedge fund and Samsung shareholder Elliott Management, which is keeping up the pressure for a split.The day hasn’t all gone perfectly for the electronics giant though. The US Court of Appeals has rejected Samsung’s bid for a second hearing regarding its long running case over three iOS patent infringements. Samsung originally lost the case back in 2014, which related to auto-correct, quick links, and slide-to-unlock patents held by Apple for use with iOS. Samsung was ordered to pay $119.6 million at the time, which is a lot less than the $2.2 billion that Apple requested.Samsung didn’t receive much support from the industry on the matter, with only the Computer & Communications Industry Association filing an amicus curiae brief in support. The brief suggested that blogger conspiracy theories and political gamesmanship influenced a previous reinstatement decision, which the court doesn’t appear to have taken to kindly to.
Sony has released a new app which aims to help PS4 owners to connect while away from the console. PlayStation Communities hit the Google Play Store yesterday and allows users to find and interact with gamers who share similar likes and interests.Sony Vice President of PlayStation Brand Marketing John Koller detailed the app in a blog post. You can join and discover gaming communities, post text and image messages to the community wall and receive push notifications to stay up to date with what’s happening in the communities you’re a part of.See also:Sony introduces Final Fantasy XV Walkman, headphones and Bluetooth speaker2 days ago“Within a Community, you can join parties and launch into games with other Community members, or talk about your shared interests,” Koller wrote, adding, “For instance, if you’re having trouble finding players to tackle Destiny’s newest raid, Wrath of the Machine, a Destiny community may help you fill out your fireteam.”The app is available for free in the Play Store but you will need a Sony Entertainment Network account (also free) to use it.
The Sony Xperia X Performance is the first in the Xperia lineup of smartphones to begin getting the over-the-air update to Android 7.0 Nougat. The update has reportedly begun rolling out in some sections of the world for the phone, along with its Dual SIM variant.See also:Android 7.1 Nougat Developer Preview 2 goes live1 week agoThe report comes from the unofficial Xperia Blog, which says the firmware number for the Nougat update is 39.2.A.0.327. There’s no word on which regions of the world are getting the update for the Xperia X Performance, but we hopefully will learn more information soon.This is just the latest example of Android 7.0 Nougat OTA updates hitting smartphones. It has started rolling out to the LG G5 on T-Mobile earlier this week, and a few days ago owners of the unlocked HTC 10 began to receive the same download. Samsung began beta testing its Nougat update for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge a few weeks ago, and the third beta version began rolling out a few days ago.Do you own the Sony Xperia X Performance and, if so, have you started downloading and installing the Android 7.0 Nougat update?
If you own a Xiaomi Mi 5, you can now apply to be a beta tester for company’s latest custom interface, MIUI 8, which will be updated to Android 7.0 Nougat. The beta testing is for the global ROM owners of the phone.See also:MIUI 8 global rollout kicks offAugust 23, 2016As with the earlier testing period for people in China, people who own the global ROM version of the Mi 5 will need to use a PC to apply for testing at the MIUI website. Besides the requirement of owning this phone, interested testers must have at least some knowledge about ROMs and be active in the forums. They also must be willing to chat with other members about their experience in the QQ alpha group and forums. Finally, they must use the QQ app.In addition to the Nougat testing for the Mi 5, Xiaomi is also accepting applications for people who own the global Mi Max 32GB and the Redmi 3S/Prime phones to beta test their versions of MIUI 8. However, those phones will not be getting the Android 7.0 beta; that’s reserved, at least for now, for Mi 5 owners. The application deadline is Wednesday, November 30, so you don’t have a ton of time to sign up for the beta.Apply at Xiaomi’s MIUI siteThanks to Gowtham Ram for the tip!
The number of fake reviews and rankings for apps and other content in the Google Play Store may be taking a big drop in the near future. The company announced today it has made some improvements to the backend that will allow it to find and take down those kinds of reviews.See also:How to get a refund for apps purchased from the Google Play StoreSeptember 6, 2016A few weeks ago, Google announced it would be going after apps who generate a lot of recorded installs through fraudulent means. Today, the company said that actual fake reviews, or reviews that have been created by people who have been paid to do so, will be identified and removed from the Play Store. Obviously, Google does not want to reveal exactly how it is making these removal decisions.The company also mentioned once again that any Android apps in the Play Store must abide by its Developer Policy. That means app reviews must come from people who have actually used the app they are writing about, and that those users should not have been paid or given any other incentives to write their review. In this era where “fake news” has now become a buzzword, it’s a relief to know that Google is trying its best to keep reviews of apps in the Play Store honest.
Shutterstock A few days ago, Adobe issued a report that Black Friday 2016 brought in a total of $3.34 billion from online shopping sources in the US, with $1.2 billion of that number from mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. At the time, Adobe thought there was a chance that the online revenues from Black Friday would top those from Cyber Monday, which traditionally has been the top online shopping day of the year.See also:Best Cyber Week deals on headphones3 days agoAs it turns out, Monday, November 28 showed that online shopping numbers just beat those of Black Friday. Adobe said today that revenues for Cyber Monday 2016 hit a new record of $3.39 billion, narrowly ahead of Black Friday’s numbers. Of that $3.39 billion, $1.19 billion in online shopping came from smartphones and tablets, which is a 48-percent increase from 2015, but still slightly lower than the numbers from Black Friday 2016.The majority of visits to retail websites during Cyber Monday were from mobile devices, with 44 percent coming from smartphones and 9 percent from tablets, for a total of 53 percent. Actual direct online sales from mobile devices are still lower; Adobe says they accounted for 35 percent of all online sales on Monday, with 25 percent from smartphones, and 10 percent from tablets.Overall, online shopping revenues in the US over the entire Thanksgiving weekend (November 24-27) came in at $9.36 billion, a 16.4 percent increase compared to 2015. It goes to show that more and more people might be abandoning the rush to go to a physical store during that busy shopping season in favor of spotting deals online.Did you spend the majority of your holiday shopping this past week online or in stores?
T-Mobile LG G5 owners over at reddit began reporting yesterday that they were able to pull an update to Android Nougat. T-Mobile hasn’t said anything official, as far as I can tell, plus their software support page for the G5 hasn’t been updated in almost a month, but that doesn’t mean a number of people weren’t able to get the update to show up. 
In an attempt to overload its messaging service with even more features, Facebook has turned Messenger into a complete cross-platform gaming service. Launching for both Android and iOS, users can begin playing games with friends, and we aren’t talking Tic-Tac-Toe or Hangman. 
Beginning December 1, folks can walk into a Best Buy and Target, or shop online at Amazon for LeEco televisions and smartphones. Not only will you find LeEco’s disruptively-priced tech goodies for sale, but all of them are coming with a free trial to AT&T’s DIRECTV NOW streaming service. 
2016 has been the year that Chinese-based smartphone companies started to slowly expand their presence in the U.S, or at the very least announced plans to expand in 2017. While hardcore Android fans may be very aware of these companies, including Huawei, ZTE, LeEco and Xiaomi, they are just beginning to make themselves known to the general consumer.What will it take for these companies to get as well known and as popular as their rivals like Samsung, HTC, LG, and Lenovo/Motorola in the United States and North America? We think some of them will have more success than others in 2017.See also:Best Chinese Android phones3 weeks agoHuawei
There is a ton of opportunity for Huawei to bust out into the U.S. market in 2017, as it has virtually everywhere else on the planet. But there are also a lot of hurdles that the company will have to clear to be successful in one of the biggest smartphone markets in the world.Huawei was recently named as the most profitable Android phone maker worldwideHuawei was recently named as the most profitable Android phone maker worldwide by Strategy Analytics in the third quarter of 2016, and its recently launched P9 smartphone has shipped over nine million units so far. The company has announced plans to launch its next big flagship phone, the Mate 9, in the U.S. in 2017. If the phone does have a successful launch in the United States, some analysts believe Huawei would become the world’s top selling smartphone maker, period, ahead of Samsung and Apple. It’s also worth noting that Huawei has already begun slowly moving into the US market with its Honor sub-brand.See also:Huawei Mate 9 versus the competition4 weeks agoHowever, as detailed in a recent Wall Street Journal article, Huawei still faces the lack of support from U.S. wireless carriers. Some of them may still believe that the company could be working for the Chinese government to put in spy hardware and software in their devices, as detailed in a 2012 congressional report. Huawei has denied these charges. In addition, the company will also have to alter its hardware to comply with the standards that are required by some carriers, particularly Verizon and AT&T. There’s also the simple fact that the Huawei brand name doesn’t have the same cache as Samsung and other phone makers. The bottom line:Huawei will likely continue to be successful everywhere else on the planet in 2017, but it will be hard to make a big enough splash into the U.S. market in the next year with all of its challenges. That said, it will continue to push further into North America in the years to come.Xiaomi
After what seems like years of waiting, Xiaomi looks like it will have some huge U.S. announcements for 2017. At CES 2017, the company plans to announced a new product that will launch globally. Also, its Global Vice President Hugo Barra stated that U.S. network testing has started with the the company’s Mi 5 phone.Like Huawei, Xiaomi has had great success in other markets worldwide, particularly in India. It is also not adverse to trying out some new designs for its smartphones. Its “concept” Mi MIX smartphone, which it is only selling in China for now, almost completely ditches the normal bezel for a nearly edgeless display that puts a much larger screen inside a smaller case.See also:Xiaomi Mi MIX review – all screen, almost all of the time!2 weeks agoXiaomi still isn’t a very well-known brand in the United StatesXiaomi also faces some of the same challenges as Huawei, the biggest of which is the lack of a well-known brand outside of select markets. However, it looks like it is making headway towards breaking into the major U.S wireless carriers, which is pretty much required for any smartphone company to have a wide success.The bottom line: Xiaomi seems to be doing all the right things for a bigger presence in the U.S in 2017. Let’s just hope everything aligns correctly.ZTE
Unlike Huawei and Xiaomi, ZTE has made some strides in the U.S. carrier market, selling devices on AT&T’s no-contract carrier Cricket Wireless. It has also had success with selling unlocked smartphones in the country like the Axon 7 and it has even become the official smartphone for some NBA basketball teams.However, ZTE also wants to generate a lot of grassroots support for its phones through its online community, through its forums, social media channels and contests like its recent design competition. The company will develop a smartphone with an adhesive back and eye-tracking features, based on the votes from its community on a number of device concepts.ZTE has also had run-ins with the U.S. governmentLike Huawei, ZTE has had run-ins with the U.S. government. Earlier this year, the company got hit with trade sanctions from the Commerce Department, which claimed ZTE had sent U.S. technology to countries like Iran. However, a few weeks later those sanctions got lifted temporarily, and the reprieves have been extended until at least February.The bottom line: Assuming ZTE can get a permanent lift on these trade sanctions from the government in 2017, we think that the company will be a bigger force in the smartphone market in the next year. One thing we’d like to see is closer relationships formed with the big (non-prepaid) carriers, though its unclear if or when this might happen.Related:ZTE Axon 7 reviewJuly 25, 2016LeEco
This is perhaps the most interesting of the four Chinese companies we are looking at in this feature. In October, LeEco held what can be described best as an odd press event to announce its formal launch into the U.S. market. In between using tons of buzz words, it actually announced some products, including two smartphones, the Le S3 and the Le Pro3. However, it is choosing to sell these devices in the U.S., along with some smart TVs, via quick online flash sales.See also:LeEco Le Pro3 review5 days agoMore recently, there’s been some doubts about the financial stability of LeEco. A couple of weeks ago, the company announced it had secured about $600 million in new financing. However, another business division that’s working on an electric car, Faraday Future, is also in jeopardy, with rumors that work on the car has stopped for now.The bottom line: LeEco is still struggling to find itself in the US market. Combined with rumors of financial issues, it will likely be some time before it will be a big force in the smartphone industry — especially in North America.ConclusionWith Samsung’s recent problem with the Note 7 recall, combined with other smartphone companies dealing with their own issues, the time may be right for large rivals from China to make a big play in the U.S. in 2017. Which of these companies do you think will be successful in the next year overall, and in the U.S. in particular? Which of these companies do you think has the brightest future in the years to come? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Getting a tabletTablets make a great gift for kids. At the top of our recommendation list is the Amazon Fire or the Amazon Fire Kids Edition. These are great tablets, and even better this week as you can get the former for $33 and the later for $74.99. The Fire Kids is especially interesting as it comes with an extended warranty, a durable casing, special kids programming, and much more. If neither of these tablets are quite what you’re looking for, be sure to check out the guides below for even more great options. Fire tablets are available from Amazon, starting at $33See also:best cheap tabletsbest tablets
Audio accessoriesBluetooth speakers, headphones, and in-ear buds all make great gifts for kids — especially your older ones. As an added benefit, it means you don’t have to listen to the music and movies blaring from their favorite gadgets. Whether you have $20 or $200, there are a variety of gizmos in all sorts of price ranges.For a closer look at some of the best options, be sure to check out the following guides:Best headphonesBest earbudsBest Bluetooth speakers
DronesAlthough a higher end drone probably doesn’t make much sense for kids, except maybe the older teenagers in your life, entry-level drones can be a lot of fun for pre-teens and above. One of our most recommended budget options for kids is the Husban X4 drone, which can be had for just $39. For other recommended options, be sure to check out the guides below:Best drones under $500Best drones under $100
View-Master Virtual Reality Starter PackThe View-Master VR Starter Pack is a nice, kid-friendly, and affordable way to enter the world of virtual reality. The Starter Pack includes a preview reel that features short samples of 360-degree immersive environments including Space, Wildlife, and more, and Experience packs can be bought separately. The device also supports the Google Cardboard app that can be downloaded on your smartphone. The View-Master VR Starter Pack is priced at $16.99.Available from Amazon for $16.99
Sphero BB-8One of the standouts in Star Wars: The Force Awakens was BB-8, and if you dreamt about owning one, you can with the Sphero BB-8 Robot. This mini robot features a waterproof and durable polycarbonate shell, and can be controlled using an app on your smartphone or tablet. The Adaptive Personality feature means that it’ll learn the more you play with it, and you can do fun things like view holographic recordings, and more. The $127.99 is a touch steep, but if you are a Star Wars fan, this is the droid you are looking for.Available on Amazon for $99.99
Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-a-pillarCode-a-pillar is a fun toy that helps young children (ages 3 to 6) develop their cognitive abilities. As the name suggests, the toy takes on the look of a caterpillar with easy to connect direction segments that can be grouped to create endless combinations and set a path for it to reach a destination. It’s a lot of fun to play with, and helps kids develop skills like curiosity, experimentation, and problem solving. The Fisher-Price Code-a-pillar is priced at $49.99.Available on Amazon for $49.99
littleBits Rule Your Room KitThe littleBits Rule Your Room kit features a modern twist to building blocks to help children develop their creative, design, critical-thinking, and engineering skills for today’s technology filled world. It is very kid-friendly, with no programming, soldering, or wiring required. You get step-by-step instructions for 8 inventions and 1 challenge, and inspirations for a whole lot more, allowing them to go on to build infinitely customizable inventions. The littleBits Rule Your Room kit is priced at $79.96.Available on Amazon for $14.39
SELFIE MIC Music SetMicrophone meets selfie stick with the Selfie Mic Music set, allowing you to record and share your videos easily while singing along to your favorite songs. The included partner app features a robust library of over 3 million songs, with more being added every day. The phone holder can accommodate most current gen smartphones, and of course, you can use any other apps as well. It’s a great gift for kids to help bring out their inner star. The Selfie Mic Music set is priced at at just $14.39.Available on Amazon for $14.39
Anki CozmoThe Anki Cozmo is a mini robot toy that comes with a one of a kind personality that evolves the more you play with it. It features real emotions, ranging from curious to playful, and can even get cranky if you ignore it. The free Cozmo app is packed with content and continues to be updated with new games and ways to play. The app is compatible with devices running iOS 8+ and Android 5.0 and above.Available on Amazon for $180
WowWee Coji Coding RobotCoji is an educational robot toy for young children to help them develop basic problem-solving and programming skills. Ideally suited for pre-readers, Coji can be used to play games and perform tasks by utilizing emojis that are set with commands and can be strung together using the Coji app. Kids will have a lot of fun with Coji, and when it comes to similar products, this is also one of the more affordable options out there, being priced at just $36.71 right now.Available on Amazon for just $36.71
Know of any other great tech gifts for kids? Let us know in the comments below.