App Name: NX-TREK [Android App] Cost: $1.25 USD Developer: Tapsona App Market: Download Page Description: NX-TREK is a turn-base strategy game that puts the player in command of the star ship Endurance on a mission to hunt down and destroy the invading fleet of Klaw warships. Inspired by the classic trek dos/mainframe computer game of the 1970s, NX-TREK plays like the original, but with a new “Modern” look and additional game elements.
This is an original post from NX-TREK [Android App] at App Review Central.
NX-TREK [Android App]
Android smartphone competition is fierce, but things are a bit different when it comes to the processors that power these smartphones and tablets. Qualcomm and Samsung are leading the bunch, and even CPU manufacturers like NVIDIA and Intel struggle to compete against them, in the mobile industry. Today we are here to speak about the latter-mentioned entity.Intel is changing its strategy and switching focus to other business projects. Namely, they are placing most of their bets on the data center, IoT, memory, FPGA and 5G businesses. Something’s gotta give, right?Also read:Interview with Intel at CES 2015Qualcomm’s high horse: can anyone knock them off?But such a change in focus also means they must sacrifice other things, and it seems they will be leaving the smartphone and tablet business, at least for the meantime. A new report from Anandtech (with confirmation from Intel) states the processor maker will be canceling its Broxton and SoFIA platforms. This would mean they are dropping their whole upcoming lineup of smartphone and tablet SoC’s, which were to be part of the Atom X3 family.
The same news was also announced by analyst Patrick Moorhead, but having more solid confirmation coming from Intel is always welcomed. And it makes sense; while Intel is considered a processor giant in the PC market, they have invested too much into mobile just to make it to a handful of devices.One of their best victories was the Dell Venue 8 7000 tablet. It was actually my personal favorite tablet during its time, featuring a great design, build quality and performance. But what other popular products can you think of that sport an Intel Atom chipset? Yeah, not many.
There is no word on when/if they will be making a return to mobile platforms. They are also not specifying anything on their Willow Trail project, but it was supposed to be a while until those products launched, and not enough details have been made available.It’s probably time for Intel to focus on their strengths. Tablets and PCs continue to merge and now these powerful tablets need processors made for actual computers. Maybe that’s their place in the mobile industry, and I would say they will likely beat Qualcomm and Samsung in that department.
Before we go any further, please be aware that this post is about a porn app being updated, which some readers may find offensive. You have been warned.There’s really no beating around the bush about what PlanetPron is all about; it’s an app designed to look at adult pictures and videos, plain and simple, but the app is currently undergoing a big update, so it’s certainly worth highlighting. We first talked about this app in our best adult apps roundup, praising the app for being one of the best of its kind. That was mostly down to its content, however, not design. Now PlanetPron is catching up in that department as well.10 best adult apps for Android (NSFW)Material Design is prominent in PlanetPron and this is seen from the outset when launching the app. You’re greeted with a home screen that consists of a grid of content packed with high-resolution thumbnails of the content itself. We’ll ignore the irony present here that one is observing and appreciating the app design and layout, as opposed to the actual content. Simply tap a thumbnail on the grid to be taken to that image or video in a new window and you’ll find the usual comments, sharing, and rating icons.PlanetPron also Features an app locking feature that works with a PIN or the Marshmallow fingerprint API to keep the app away from prying eyes. Privacy is continued as you can configure the app to time-out and also even change the app icon to further hide it on your device.Of course the app isn’t on the Google Play Store, so you’ll need to download it directly from the app maker. That means you also need to allow the installation of apps from unknown sources in order for this to work.Download PlanetPron
NOTES: You want to take them, but does Samsung still want to make them?As the timeless adage goes, the pen is mightier than the sword. These days however, there is some discussion needed as for just how accurately such sage sayings may apply to Samsung smartphones. True, the Galaxy Note has been a mainstay for a number of years now, and true it serves as not only a tool for those interested in productivity, but also doubles as a second flagship with which its maker can attract customers and remain relevant in the latter part of each year.People love dreaming of the next Note, people love using the Note, and people love reading about the Note. It’s great for customers with big hands, customers with bad eye sight, customers who like to draw…Everyone seems to love the Note. Except for maybe Samsung.Despite all this, 2016 is a very curious time for Samsung’s second big product line. With each passing year, the Galaxy Note series is seemingly becoming less and less of a proper priority for its maker, perhaps even suggesting it might be on a path to pasture. In this piece, we will go over each of the major inverse “milestones” and try to surmise just what can be done to try and retake or even remake the Note.Notes: about EuropePerhaps the best way to start off, and indeed the most visible sign of the times, is that of Samsung’s decision not to release the Galaxy Note 5 in Europe last year. The sordid situation prompted some major social engineering efforts. While the company did eventually change its mind, kind of, it was seemingly the result of customer outrage as opposed to some kind of supply constraint issue. Still, the fact that a conscious decision was made to ignore an entire continent for a halo product is quite telling.
Now truth be told, no one can really say what was going on behind Samsung’s decision. To assert that the Korean OEM “hates” Europe is to attribute a human consciousness to a corporation. Companies function by way of obtaining capital and revenue, therefore any decision made is done so accordingly. There could have been problems making the curved rear glass which meant lower production numbers, for example, and thus priority was given to markets with a higher Note sales history.What is more likely, however, is that Samsung probably examined the European market situation, considered the likelihood of its Note 5 selling enough units to justify the expenses involved with releasing it there, and either (1) planned to skip it entirely, or (2) wanted to wait a see how the phone fared in other markets first.Whatever the case may be, however, the fact is that the Galaxy Note 5 was not given equal consideration in Europe has no doubt left a sour taste in the mouth of all those who have supported the company, and the product line, in the past.Jarring Japan
Stepping back in time to 2014, it is also unknown as to why Samsung decided to release the Galaxy Note Edge in Japan – the first country in the world to receive it at the time – and yet did not bother to release the Galaxy Note 4 at all there. Even more odd – and parallel to Europe – the Galaxy Note 5 didn’t release at all in the Land of the Rising Sun, making 2015 the first year ever that the Note line was absent.Sure, a case could be made regarding the company’s abysmal market share – people prefer iPhones and Xperias in Japan – and therefore a desire to reduce marketing that would likely be wasted on an unperceptive market. Whatever the case may be however, the fact remains that this was another market with many many consumers that was not privy to the Note 5.The Galaxy S6 Edge+
It’s so big, one almost doesn’t even need to buy a Note!Samsung’s decision to release a big-screen Galaxy S product, and the deliberate choice to make it an Edge variant no less, represented a major rethinking of its brand strategy. Here was the company launching a direct competitor to the Note 5 that was arguably even more marked for mainstream due to its curved glass. While it’s hard to fault the OEM for wanting to make such a thing, the timing was truly a questionable decision for it diluted the impact of the Note 5.In addition, the fact that the S6 Edge Plus cost more than the Note 5 speaks even louder: it was quite clear which of the two was to be perceived as the higher-end product.Naturally the fact that the Edge model used curved glass which costs more to manufacture is an overhead expense that comes into play with the price, but the average mainstream consumer will not even consider this when looking at the two options. If anything the idea that the Note comes with the S-Pen might serve to imply it’s the more expensive of the two, or at least should be.Samsung could have priced the Note 5 at the same level as the S6 Edge+ yet didn’t. Samsung could have passed on an S6 Edge+ entirely, but didn’t.The Phone “Clone”
Another sign that the Note series is becoming less relevant is the fact that last year’s model was a major departure from the usual “best of the best” approach that Samsung typically applied to the product line. Whereas the Galaxy S5 was plastic, for example, the Note 4 had a metal frame and souped up specs. Whereas the Galaxy S4 used a USB 2 port, the Galaxy Note 3 used USB 3.With the Galaxy Note 5, the phone was basically just a larger Galaxy S6 with an S-Pen, nothing more, nothing less. There was no USB Type-C, as some rumors had suggested, there was no waterproofing, there was no 6GB of RAM. Perhaps it’s fitting that these rumors have returned once again this year in consideration of the Galaxy Note 6.That said, it’s wrong to outright fault Samsung for keeping so close to the S6’s design, as the company arguably wanted a single cohesive design language, and/or wanted to try and keep costs in check by not doing anything too crazy with the Note 5.The Note Edge is MIA
Moving on, the fact that there was no Galaxy Note 5 Edge but there was a Galaxy S6 Edge+ also suggests a rethinking of priorities. Samsung introduced the curved AMOLED panels with the Galaxy Note Edge, and along with it a new way of interacting with the phone. In fact, just recently we looked at the issue itself, in an opinion piece that argued the Note Edge’s two fused, yet independently-functioning displays was a better implementation of the Edge feature.The Galaxy S6 Edge+ did not make use of such a dual-display scenario, nor for that matter, does the Galaxy S7 Edge. Which brings up the next point.The Galaxy S7 Edge
Perhaps the greatest indication of all that Samsung is trying to downplay the relevance of the Note series is the existence of the Galaxy S7 Edge. Unlike the smaller-sized product that launched last year, Samsung has made the S7 Edge a full-on phablet. Could this be due to complaints that the S6 Edge was too small? Perhaps. And yet, as the S6 Edge Plus had launched just half a year prior to the launch of the S7 Edge, it raises concerns about timing.Whereas the Note series was the sole premium phablet offering provided, there is now a second mainstream Galaxy S phone to deal with. It has often been argued, at times with polls to support, that the S-Pen is an often overlooked and irrelevant part of the Note experience. That is to say, many customers seemingly just want a premium phablet from Samsung, which the Note series is, but they really don’t need or care so much about the S-Pen itself.While there will definitely be those who want the S-Pen and/or depend on it, by having now decoupled the accessory and released a standard high-end phablet, Samsung has basically cannibalized a large potential segment of its Note customer base.A Notable second MIA: tabletsThe final piece of “evidence” to support this argument is the total lack of a new Galaxy Note tablet product for over an entire year. To date, Samsung has released the original Galaxy Note 10.1 back in 2012 followed by the Galaxy Note 8.0 and Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 (in 2013), and finally the Galaxy NotePRO 12.2 in early 2014.As nice as the phones themselves are, the whole idea of an integrated stylus seems to be a perfect combination with an even bigger product, hence the sheer productive power of the full-blown tablets. Make no mistake, this is clearly deemed a major selling point as one need look no further than Apple’s two iPad Pro devices, both of which are compatible with an expensive Pencil. Yet whereas Apple makes customers spend in excess of $100 to purchase said Pencil, Samsung has always included the S-Pen with the hardware itself and, even better, has made a special stow-away section to store it.
The Galaxy NotePRO 12.2 was the last formal Galaxy Note tablet to release.Where is the new Note tablet? While it’s understandable that tablets are far less of a priority now that there is mounting evidence to suggest a market in major decline, at the very least there should be a decent top-tier tablet to rival Apple’s offering. Last year’s Galaxy Tab A series actually did have an optional model with an S-Pen included, yet as it was clearly not branded as a Note and the specs themselves were so unremarkable, it’s hard to truly consider that as a formal offering.Even the Galaxy TabPro S, which runs Windows 10 doesn’t come with an S-Pen. And while Samsung does indent to eventually release a stylus for it, the term “S-Pen” has not been used. It seems like an incredibly wasted opportunity, especially give that the nearby competition – Microsoft’s Surface – comes with a stylus.Saving the NoteSome have argued Samsung should decouple the S-Pen from the Note series and thereby make it an optional accessory for any interested person and product. In a very real sense, if an S-Pen were to function with the Galaxy S7 Edge, it would literally be a Galaxy Note 7 Edge. The screen size is pretty much there, so why not allow the usability? It has actually done this already with the aforementioned Galaxy Tab A product line no less.Rumors state Samsung may launch a Galaxy Note 6 Edge this summer. Assuming it doesn’t have the dual display functionality addressed earlier, what’s the point? How would the product be any different from the S7 Edge already on the market?
Perhaps Samsung needs to do something really bold and dynamic in order to “save” the Note, either from obscurity of else from itself. Perhaps it should take a look at LG, of all companies, and the V10 handset. LG’s second flagship of 2015 was a truly gigantic consideration. It had dual functioning displays, it had a sizable frame, it had top-quality mobile audio output, and it was virtually indestructible. Heck, it even looked totally different from the LG G4.As if that were not enough, LG is clearly convinced the second screen is a good idea as it’s now seeking to include it on even non-flagship products to boot. Even the “standard affair” G5 looks totally different from its predecessor and the V10.Just imagine what might happen if Samsung went truly crazy with the Note 6 and made it a completely different, unique product. The series could find its own niche again, something it once had back before rivals were churning out phablets right and left. It would give Note owners something special to look forward to, and it might even convince some mainstream users to get with the program, too.Conclusion and Wrap UpDespite the fact that Samsung’s Galaxy Note line has a dedicated group of loyal customers – or perhaps future returnees if the Note 6 brings back microSD support – it’s hard to believe the famous product line still has the same luster it once had over at Samsung’s HQ. Regrettably, it seems like the Note has become just another phablet in a sea of phablets, and even Samsung doesn’t seem to want to make it different.The Note Edge was a major step forward, yet it has ostensibly been canned. The Note tablets are now more relevant than ever now that Apple has a Pencil, and yet they are nowhere to be seen. People need to covet the Galaxy Note series once more for more than it being just another Note and/or a flagship phablet.What do you think? Has Samsung started to reduce the Note to a less-than-zero supporting role, or is it as prime and pertinent as ever? Does the product lack that something special it once had, or are things going swimmingly? Please feel free to take the surveys within this piece and then leave a comment or two below.
While the last few weeks at Android Authority have been packed with tons of reviews, this last week saw this trend come to an end. While nothing was reviewed this week, that doesn’t mean the video team sat idly by.This week our video team brought us a more in-depth look at the HTC 10’s camera, pitted the LG G5 vs the Nexus 6P, gave us an overview of the main mobile payment services, and much more. Our very own Joe Hindy also had a very busy week, not only bringing us his regular Android Apps Weekly video but also best games and best apps of April videos.So without further delay, let’s jump in and take a look at all the great content we saw this week:HTC 10 Camera Feature FocusAfter finding mixed reception at best for the HTC One M9, the HTC 10 aims to be a much-needed step up for the company, and based on our review we agreed that hTC had certainly made a massive improvement this time around. In this feature we take a closer look at the camera, an area where HTC has traditionally been at its weakest.HTC 10 camera feature focusLG G5 vs Nexus 6PThe Nexus 6P is considered one of the best Android devices released in 2015 and remains just as compelling of a buy even now. Meanwhile, the LG G5 attempts to challenge the norm with its unique modular design. How do the two compare? We take a closer look at this question in our LG G5 vs Nexus 6P comparison.LG G5 vs Nexus 6PAndroid Pay vs Apple Pay vs Samsung Pay OverviewThere is no lack of mobile payment options out there in 2016, but there are three that have gained a greater level of traction than all the rest – Android Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay. In this overview we give you a better look at how they compare.Android Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay: how they compareAndroid Apps Weekly and the best apps/games of AprilGoogle Play Awards, Counter Strike, Harvest Moon is out! – Android Apps WeeklyGoogle Play Awards, Counter Strike on Android, Harvest Moon, and more — you don’t want to miss the latest episode of Joe’s Android Apps Weekly show.5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week10 best new Android games of April 2016Kingdom Hearts Unchained X, LEGO Jurassic World – there were plenty of great games released in April. We take a look at 10 of the best.10 best new Android games10 best new Android apps of April 2016An official Giphy app, an official Reddit app – it’s been a good month for apps. We take a look at 10 of the best newcomers.10 best new Android appsAndroid Authority Weekly episodesLooking for a recap on some of the best news of the week? Check out Jayce’s Android Authority Weekly episodes below, as well as links to all related coverage.HTC One S9 is Official – Google’s Dream Team – Facebook Messenger Group Calls HTC One S9 announcedGoogle helps form self driving coalitionNew ad format will bring unskippable 6-second ads to YouTubeFacebook messenger group callsLenovo and Xiaomi Drop Out of the Top 5 Selling OEMsLenovo and Xiaomi drop out of the top 5 handset manufacturers 
Google’s Chrome OS has managed to make in-roads into various sectors, including education. Part of this has to do with the cloud-based platform’s relatively simple usability and all-inclusive functionality. The real key however, is the low price at which the hardware – Chromebooks – cost. Whereas a decent Windows-based laptop can retail for hundreds and hundreds of dollars, Chrome OS packing-products are typically a mere fraction of the cost. Except for Google’s own Chromebook Pixel.Google has just made the choice easier by making it more difficult. As of today, the lowest priced Pixel, the $999 variant, has been discontinued.The Chromebook Pixel starts at a “mere” thousand dollars and includes things such as a super high resolution display and touch-support. The original model even had optional LTE connectivity. While this product line will only appeal to a limited segment of an already limited – though growing – market, Google has just made the choice easier by making it more difficult. As of today, the lowest priced Pixel, the $999 variant, has been discontinued.Here’s how Liliputing’s Brad Linder put it:[The $999] model is out of stock… and a Google representative tells me the company has no plans of re-stocking the $999 Chromebook Pixel with a Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage.You can still buy a $1299 model with a Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM and 64GB of storage though.It’s unclear as to just why Google decided to discontinue the most affordable Pixel. There is likely a number of different factors, some of which may have been:Customers might not have responded as well to it as they did the more expensive option.Marketing data may have suggested it was overpriced when compared with competing products.Component supply issues may have made it impossible to continue offering the product without raising the price.Google might have sold through its remaining stock and plans to release a new model shortly.Google worked with HP on the Chromebook 13 which is a premium – but cheaper – product that is fiscally more realistic for most customers.The truth might be one of these factors, or a combination of some – or all – of them. It might even be something not considered at all. Still, the fact that there is now less choice for consumers, especially those who want a premium product like the Pixel, is never a good thing.It remains to be seen as to if a new Chromebook Pixel will be released this year, but at least there is always the Pixel C.What do you think? Does this decision baffle the mind or is it probably the product of progressive planning? Leave a comment below! 
As mentioned, Android Auto isn’t an independent system, but rather extends the functionality of your Android smartphone to the car’s dashboard head unit, using a car-friendly user interface. The phone, running Android 5.0 Lollipop or above, is tethered via a USB cable, and of course, the car does have to support Android Auto for this to work.Functionality includes navigation via Google Maps, music control, voice control for replying to messages, making calls, and more. Third party app support is also available, with a slew of apps to be found already, including Pandora, Spotify, iHeart Radio, TuneIn Radio, Kik Messenger, Skype, Whatsapp, Google Hangouts, Stitcher Radio, PocketCasts, and a whole lot more. You can find the full list of compatible applications here. 
See also: Android Auto Review – Hyundai Sonata 201519 Countries where Android Auto is available
Android Auto was initially launched in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, the UK, and the US. Earlier this month, Google rolled out support for Android Auto in 18 new countries, including Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Russia, Switzerland, Uruguay, and Venezuela, along with the US territory of Puerto Rico. 
See also: Quick look at Android Auto in Ford cars at CES 20168 Cars Android Auto is compatible with
Audi2016 Q7 2017 A4 2017 Q2Buick2016 LaCrosse 2016 Regal 2017 Envision (coming soon) 2017 Encore (coming soon)Cadillac2016 ATS 2016 ATS Coupe 2016 ATS-V 2016 CTS 2016 CTS-V 2016 ELR 2016 CT6 2016 Escalade 2016 Escalade ESV 2016 XTS 2017 XT5Chevrolet2016 Camaro 2016 Camaro Convertible 2016 Colorado 2016 Corvette 2016 Corvette Convertible 2016 Cruze 2016 Impala 2016 Malibu 2016 Silverado 2016 Silverado HD 2016 Tahoe 2016 Volt 2016 Suburban 2016 SparkFord2017 C-MAX (coming soon) 2017 Edge (coming soon) 2017 Escape (coming soon) 2017 Everest (coming soon) 2017 Expedition (coming soon) 2017 Explorer (coming soon) 2017 F-150 (coming soon) 2017 Flex (coming soon) 2017 Focus (coming soon) 2017 Fusion (coming soon) 2017 Galaxy (coming soon) 2017 Kuga (coming soon) 2017 Mondeo (coming soon) 2017 Mustang (coming soon) 2017 Ranger (coming soon) 2017 S-MAX (coming soon) 2017 Super Duty (coming soon) 2017 Taurus (coming soon) 2017 Transit (coming soon) 2017 Vignale (coming soon)GMC2017 Acadia (coming soon) 2016 Canyon 2016 Sierra 2016 Yukon 2016 Yukon XLHolden2016 Spark (coming soon) 2016 CaptivaHonda2016 Civic 2016 AccordHyundai2016 Elantra 2016 Elantra GT (coming soon) 2016 Veloster (coming soon) 2016 Tucson (coming soon) 2015 Sonata 2016 Sonata Hybrid (coming soon) 2016 Sonata PHEV (coming soon) 2016 Santa Fe (Sport) 2016 Azera (coming soon) 2016 Genesis (coming soon)Kia2015 Optima (software update) 2016 Optima 2017 Sportage 2017 Forte (coming soon) 2014 – 2016 Soul (software update) 2017 Soul (coming soon) 2015 – 2016 Soul EV (software update) 2017 Soul EV (coming soon) 2015 – 2016 Optima Hybrid (software update) 2017 Optima Hybrid (coming soon) 2017 Plug-in Optima (coming soon) 2016 Sorento (software update) 2017 Sorento (coming soon) 2015 – 2016 Sedona (software update) 2017 Sedona (coming soon) 2017 Cadenza (coming soon) 2017 Niro Hybrid (coming soon) 2018 Rio (coming soon) 2018 K900 (coming soon)Lincoln2017 Continental (coming soon) 2017 MKC (coming soon) 2017 MKX (coming soon) 2017 MKZ (coming soon) 2017 MKZ HEV (coming soon) 2017 Navigator (coming soon)Mitsubishi2016 Pajero 2016 Pajero Sport 2017 Mirage (coming soon)Opel2016 Adam 2016 KARL 2016 Corsa 2016 Astra 2016 Insignia (coming soon)Seat2016 Alhambra 2016 Ibiza 2016 Leon 2016 ToledoSkoda2016 Fabia 2016 Octavia 2016 Rapid 2016 Superb 2016 YetiVauxhall2016 Adam 2016 Viva 2016 Corsa 2016 Astra 2016 Insignia (coming soon)Volkswagen2016 Beetle 2016 Beetle Cabrio 2016 Caddy 2016 CC 2016 Eos 2016 Fox 2016 Golf 2016 Golf Cabrio 2016 Golf Sportsvan 2016 Golf Variant 2016 Jetta 2016 Passat 2016 Passat Variant 2016 Polo 2016 Scirocco 2016 Sharan 2016 Spacefox 2016 T6 Van 2016 Tiguan 2016 TouranVolvoXC90 (coming soon) S90 (coming soon) V90 (coming soon)Aftermarket stereos Android Auto is compatible with
If you aren’t in the market for a new car, you also have the option to add Android Auto support to your existing vehicle via these compatible aftermarket stereos from Kenwood and Pioneer. You can find the full list of compatible models below:KenwoodDDX9902SDDX9702SPioneer2015 AVIC-8100NEX2015 AVIC-7100NEX2015 AVH-4100NEX2015 AVIC-F77DAB 2015 AVIC-F70DAB2015 AVH-X8700BT2015 AVH-X8750BT 2015 AVIC-F70TV 2015 AVIC-F70BT 2015 AVH-X8790BT2016 AVIC-8200NEX2016 AVIC-7200NEX2016 AVH-4200NEX 2016 AVIC-F88DAB (coming soon) 2016 AVIC-F80DAB (coming soon) 2016 AVH-X8800BT (coming soon) 2016 AVH-X8850BT (coming soon) 2016 AVIC-F80TV (coming soon) 2016 AVIC-F80BT (coming soon) 2016 AVH-X8890BT (coming soon)Other car manufacturers part of the Open Automotive Alliance
While there are quite a few car manufacturers with vehicles that support Android Auto, there are a lot more that are a part of the Open Automotive Alliance, and we can expect to see their cars come with Android Auto quite soon as well. These manufacturers include Abarth, Acura, Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS, Fiat, Genesis, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Mahindra, Maserati, Mazda, Nissan, Peugeot, RAM, Renault, Ssangyong, Subaru, and Suzuki.
Three Apples a day still can’t seem to save the OEM’s sluggish shipment results.While the tech community may love to discuss what phone is the best or which tablet is terrible, most of the time it’s all a matter of opinion. Thanks to companies like the International Data Corporation (IDC), however, the collective community – and indeed the world-at-large – can be privy to data that explains just what everyone is actually doing.A few days ago, IDC published the latest entry in its Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker results, and the numbers are (1) bad in general, (2) bad for the established major players, and (3) good for some unlikely ones. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty.For starters, citing both “first quarter seasonality” and “an overall disinterested customer base” IDC is reporting an “annual decline of 14.7% in worldwide tablet shipments” during Q1 2016. Worldwide shipments for all tablet variants, including slates and detachables, reached 39.6 million units.Slate tablets comprised 87.6% of all shipments, however it was in decline and has “become synonymous with the low-end of the market.” Detachables, on the other hand, “experienced triple-digit year-over-year growth on shipments of more than 4.9 million units” which was impressively, “an all-time high in the first quarter of a calendar year.”
Samsung’s Galaxy TabPro S is a detachable Windows 10 device.Mention was made to Microsoft’s Surface product line which arguably started the detachable trend, and it was also pointed out that this year even Samsung got in on the action. By this, of course, the report is referring to the curiously named Galaxy TabPro S, an sAMOLED-packing Windows tablet that comes with a detachable keyboard. It is the actions of companies like Samsung that are seeking to change the marketplace, as according to Jean Philippe Bouchard, Research Director of Tablets at IDC,The introduction of detachables from traditional smartphone vendors is only beginning and pose a real threat to traditional PC manufacturers. Their understanding of the mobile ecosystem and the volume achieved on their smartphone product lines will allow them to aggressively compete for this new computing segment. It is likely that those smartphone vendors will utilize the detachable segment to create new mobile computing end-user experiences if customers are using their detachables in combination with their smartphones.As for individual shipment breakdown, the results may be slightly surprising:Top Five Tablet Vendors, Shipments, Market Share, and Growth, First Quarter 2016 (Preliminary Results, Shipments in millions)Vendor1Q16 Unit Shipments1Q16 Market Share1Q15 Unit Shipments1Q15 Market ShareYear-Over-Year Growth1. Apple10.325.9%12.627.2%-18.8%2. Samsung6.015.2%8.318.0%-28.1%3. Amazon.com2.25.7%0.00.1%5421.7%4. Lenovo2.25.5%2.55.4%-13.8%5. Huawei2.15.2%1.12.4%82.2%Others16.942.6%21.846.9%-22.5%Total39.6100.0%46.4100.0%-14.7%Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Tablet Tracker, April 28, 2016As indicated by the above results, both Apple and Samsung saw a significant decline on YoY growth. Of the two, Apple arguably fared less badly due to the fact that it has the benefit of the iPad Pro and the new size-factor category it fits into. Special mention is made to the price drop of the iPad Air 2 which may trigger some with older Apple tablets to finally upgrade. Apple continues to be the industry leader with respect to global shipments.Samsung on the other hand, had no new tablets to offer save for the aforementioned Windows-running Galaxy TabPro S, which IDC mentions has not achieved stunning results due to the high price point. It also speculates Samsung will soon diversify said product line to offer more selection and price points.On the other hand, Amazon has fared fantastically with an sensational 5421.7% increase YoY. This is no doubt a result of the company’s bargain-bin pricing strategy employed with last fall’s refresh and has helped the company earn a venerable fortune. Huawei also saw considerable growth, with mention made as to the company’s frequent collaborations with telecom carriers.Much like Samsung and Apple, Lenovo saw a decrease in shipments YoY, suggesting its Yoga 3 series of Android tablets has not performed that well. IDC also described a somewhat incomplete range of Windows tablets that needs to be fleshed out to ensure maximum customer spending.Wrap Up
Overall the tablet market continues to decline as market saturation seems to have hit not only Android, but Apple’s ecosystem as well. Indeed many have accused the iPad Pro – the larger one – with being a false equivalency: while its maker wants customers to believe it is a replacement for a home PC due to its size and abilities, the fact that it lacks a user-accessible file system and can not run OSX software means its functionality is explicitly limited for an entire segment of the market, something that is only worsened by the product’s high price.It remains to be seen as to what Samsung releases this year and how it performs. Lenovo, too, needs to get on the ball less it run the risk of shedding more market share. Meanwhile, Amazon and Huawei are clearly on the right path, at least for the time being.What do you think? Are you still ga-ga over tablets, or has the whole market just lost appeal for you?
Does anyone else see an emoji on the bottom bezel of the phone?Motorola may be having a hard time these days thanks to a lawsuit that was just filed against it. Thankfully, it can at relish in the fact that its Moto X Force/Droid Turbo 2 is virtually indestructible. Thanks to ShatterShield technology, the product is basically impervious to whatever kind of assault you might put it through or, as the case may be, life does itself – accidents do happen after all.In a pair of quick new videos to promote its Verizon Droid Turbo 2, Motorola has taken a not-so-subtle slight at the fact that its competitors’ products are not built to last in quite the same way. A certain curved creation by Samsung can be seen in the first one, and a not-so-anonymous Apple offering in the second. Have a look, first at the glass Galaxy:And now the Cupertino creation:Both videos feature an ambulance saving a character of sorts, then the key phrase “Save your world with a shatterproof screen” appears along with the Droid Turbo 2 logo and phone. Naturally there is also some fine print pasted at the portion near the bottom.Curiously the videos lack any kind of demonstration of the shatterproof screen on the Moto-made mobile, something one might expect to find in a video that seeks to promote the fact that the screen is, well, supposed to be shatterproof. Then again at around 15 seconds each, it seems the key was just to showcase the horrors of a broken phone and asks the customer to research for visual evidence surrounding the Turbo 2 themselves.With the iPhone video in particular the side of the phone is clearly shown as dented in, making it look quite bad indeed. Despite being made of plastic, the Droid Turbo 2 is also subject to damage on the frame as well.On the topic of the Droid Turbo 2, it’s also worth pointing out a recent Tweet by veteran leaker Evan Blass:So now I’m hearing that there are going to be both a Maxx 3 as well as a Turbo 3. #dejavu https://t.co/FjABVjUdUo— Evan Blass (@evleaks) April 29, 2016It’s possible that this year will see another installment in the Turbo series, though it’s doubtful it will be unveiled soon, though Motorola is planning something.What do you think of these commercials? Did Moto make magic or has it not offered enough excellent evidence? Leave your comments below!
Gather around, my children, and I’ll tell you a tale about the revival of the fantasy genre. Once upon a time, in the mid-nineties, a science fiction author looked over at the fantasy section of the bookstore and was disgusted by how formulaic these stories had become. He decided that if he wanted something done right, he’d have to do it himself. That man’s name was George R. R. Martin, and today Game of Thrones is practically everyone’s favorite addiction in both book and TV form. Now Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell wants to do the same thing with mobile games. “I have been so pissed off with some mobile games I’ve wanted to throw my phone, even if I’m only going to hurt my phone there, and not the game,” Bushnell told The Guardian. “Generally, a tremendous number of mobile games are poorly designed. They can be so focused on graphics that they forget they have to get the timing right, and they have to have proper scoring constructs.” Bushnell is essentially telling the mobile gaming community to stand back, because he’s got this. The Pong commissioner, who is no longer with Atari, has partnered with the Dutch game publisher Spil and is signed up to create three upcoming titles.
Bushnell believes that mobile gaming and arcade gaming are essentially the same. However, when he began game development in the seventies, constrictions abounded. Developers basically just had white squares that they could move around on a black background. Since graphics weren’t going to wow anybody, a heavy focus had to be placed on game design. 
See also: 10 best new Android games of April 2016!17 The concept that games should be easy to learn but difficult to master is in fact called Bushnell’s Law. The ‘godfather of gaming’ says that he believes this feature is blatantly absent in the vast majority of mobile games. Whereas arcade games were forced to focus on gameplay, mobile devs now have powerful processors and gorgeous displays to render stylish and impressive graphics. However, this focus on aesthetics, in Bushnell’s opinion, has cut out the heart of gaming. What brings us back to a game, as any Dark Souls fan will attest, is the challenge of gameplay and the thrill of overcoming obstacles. Mobile games, in contrast, have developed a reputation as being simple, idle time-killers. Bushnell says he won’t tolerate it anymore.What do you think of Atari’s co-founder throwing his hat into the mobile gaming ring? Do you agree with his diagnosis of the modern mobile gaming landscape? Give us your opinions in the comments below!Next: 15 best Android games of 2016
At the beginning of this year, Fairphone launched code.fairphone.com and began publishing sourcecode for their in-development operating system. Tech-savvy users were able to run this code on their Fairphone 2 devices, but more casual users were kind of left out of the loop. Now the company has put together a version of their Android-based operating system that anyone can download and install. 
See also: Fairphone 2 impressions: an environmentally friendly, modular smartphone12 For those not in the know, Fairphone is a company that is attempting to create socially responsible smartphones. The idea is to create products built entirely by people earning a fair and livable wage. They are careful to avoid any involvement with child labor and never purchase materials from entities that would use the proceeds to fund illegal armies. One of the ways the company aims to stay competitive is by making their devices completely modular. That way, instead of upgrading to a new device every couple of years, Fairphone 2 owners can simply upgrade components once they become outmoded or broken.
The device has a fairly steep price tag of $583 for what are essentially mid-range specs. The 5-inch Full HD LCD display is pretty nice, and it runs Lollipop out of the box. 2GB of RAM power the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset, and for internal storage, you start with 32GB with the option to expand via microSD. It’s not a stunning piece of tech razzle-dazzle, but the point with this handset isn’t to woo with specs. For DIY enthusiasts concerned about the human suffering that goes into creating these wonders of technology, the Fairphone 2 is a match made in heaven. The company estimates that the modular nature of the device means it can last you as long as half a decade.One of the company’s core values is transparency, so an open operating system is a pretty natural move. If you’re interested in diving into the Fairphone movement, head over to their website and start contributing. Let us know what you think of this open source OS in the comments below, and stay tuned to AA for all coolest news happening in the Android world.Next: We interviewed Fairphone, a smartphone company that sets an example for fairer electronics
Photo by Tony Avelar/Invision for LeEco/AP ImagesLeEco has been in the news quite a bit recently. Once known as LeTV, the company has taken to the road, announced new phones, and even called Apple “outdated”. For those loving outside the company’s native country, the name may not ring a bell, even though it’s often referred to as the “Netflix of China”. Things are about to change however, in a very big way. 
See also: LeEco CEO Jia Yueting: “Apple is outdated”87 Today LeEco announced the opening of its North American headquarters, making it a bold step into a new market. The facility, located in San Jose, California, is 80,000 square feet and can hold up to 800 employees. According to BusinessWire, in the future, it will also become the “home of LeEco’s autonomous driving research center, the LeFuture AI Institute.”The company’s outspoken CEO, Yueting Jia, had the following statement to make:Silicon Valley is critically important to our global growth strategy. Silicon Valley is known for its unique talent and culture of innovation and inspiration, which aligns perfectly with LeEco’s mission to bring extraordinary experiences to people everywhere. We’re looking forward to sharing our vision of one connected ecosystem with U.S. consumers – where users can create a seamless, premium connected experience across all of our lifestyle products.
See also: LeEco Le 2, Le 2Pro and Le Max 2 hands-on11 In addition, the Chinese Consul General in San Francisco, Luo Linquan, was quoted by saying,LeEco is an innovative, global company that creates excellent experiences for its customers. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate-General in San Francisco, I would like to extend a warm welcome and congratulate LeEco on their growth and expansion with their new North America headquarters.Finally, the Mayor of San Jose, Sam Liccardo, took some time to thank the company as well, on behalf of the city he serves:I am grateful to LeEco for choosing to locate its new headquarters in North San Jose, further cementing San Jose’s role as a world leader in innovation,” said Mayor Sam Liccardo. “On behalf of the City of San Jose, I congratulate LeEco on the opening of its new headquarters, where its hundreds of employees will continue to drive innovation for decades to come. Aggressive in America
LeEco wants to Beat[s] Apple with its new USB Type-C headphones.LeEco’s North American expansion shows that the company means [big] business. It is perhaps no surprise that its CEO called out Apple earlier this week for having an out of date business model. This is made all the more relevant by the fact that LeEco plans to have cars and VR headsets to go along with its existing product portfolio of televisions, smartphones, and internet-related services.In a sense, the company is seemingly competing more with Google than it is with Apple, despite the fact that its smartphones currently run a skinned version of Android. Alphabet – the company which owns Google – has a variety of product sectors under its umbrella including advanced robotics. Apple on the other hand, has yet to formally announce plans to develop a smartcar, VR, or a television set even though it does have hardware that works with some the aforementioned product categories.LeEco’s introduction into the US marks the advent of another large IT company from China, following others before it such as Huawei. There has been talk of Xiaomi seeking to enter the market as well, however in light of the company’s poor performance this past quarter it may need to look introspectively before it can expand outward.It looks like some major competition just landed in Silicon Valley!
After floundering over the last couple of years, HTC is hoping to make an impact with their latest flagship offering, the HTC 10. The device retains everything we love about HTC, including a beautiful design and fantastic build quality, and a smooth and snappy software package. This time around, key enhancements to the audio experience and camera setup have also been made, resulting an even more compelling smartphone overall. The HTC 10 may not be the perfect 10 that the company wants it to be, but what we do have is the comeback from HTC that we’ve all been waiting for.HTC 10 reviewHTC 10 pricing and availabilityThe HTC 10, like any other smartphone, is vulnerable to unfortunate scratches, bumps, and drops, and an extra layer of protection to keep this expensive device in pristine condition is never a bad idea. Which is why, we’ve rounded up some of the best protective cases and covers currently available for the HTC 10!Spigen matte finish hard case
The Spigen hard case is made from a premium polycarbonate material, and comes with a matte finish that allows for a good grip in the hand. The case itself is form-fitting and lightweight, adding practically no bulk to the device, and is slightly raised around the display and the camera at the back, keeping the glass up front protected when placed face down. Its snap-on design makes installation and removal very easy, and precise cutouts are available for easy access to all ports, features, and buttons. The case retains the look of the device, including the silhouette look as well, which is a nice touch. The Spigen matte finish hard case is priced at $10.99, with the available color options including black and mint.Buy now from AmazonTauri premium TPU case
The Tauri premium TPU case is made from a shock absorbent and scratch resistant TPU, and adds practically no bulk to the device. A raised bezel around the front of the phone protects the screen while face down. Precise cutouts allow easy access to all ports, and while the buttons are covered, they are still easy to press. The flexible case is easy to snap on and remove, and it is also very easy to keep clean with water. The design of the device shines through with the clear case, but if you are looking to add a bit of extra color, semi-transparent cases are also available, with the color options available including smoke black, purple, and mint, with their also being a black case. The Tauri premium TPU case is priced at $7.89.Buy now from AmazonSpigen Resilient case
The Spigen Resilient case is a flexible TPU case that comes with a interior spider-web pattern, and features Air Cushion technology for shock absorption and impact protection. The case looks great as well, with glossy accents and carbon fibre textures at the top and bottom on the back. A raised lip around the front keeps the display protected when the device is placed face down. Precise cutouts are available for the charging port, camera, and mics, and while the buttons are covered, they are easy to press, with a good amount of tactile feedback. The Spigen Resilient case is priced at $11.99, with the only color option currently available being black.Buy now from AmazonIncipio DualPro case
The Incipio DualPro case offers dual layer protection with its impact resistant silicone core and a hard shell Plextonium frame, and the soft touch finish allows for a comfortable grip in the hand. The buttons are covered, but are easy to press, and offer a good amount of tactile feedback. There is a large cutout on the back for the camera unit, but the raised lip around it keeps it safe from impact. The case adds a little bit of thickness to the device, but manages to remain lightweight. The Incipio DualPro case is priced at $25.99.Buy now from AmazonTauri leather wallet case
The Tauri leather wallet case features an exterior that is made from a premium faux leather material. It is a sturdy, compact, and comes with folding cover that should protect the device from accidental bumps and scratches. A polycarbonate casing holds the phone firmly in place, and the cover can also be folded into a stand, ideal for media viewing in landscape orientation. The case also include slots for your credit cards or ID, along with a large pocket for cash. The case comes with precise cutouts for the camera and charging port, and the cover stays closed with a magnetic strap. The Tauri leather wallet case is priced at $9.99, with the available color options including black, hot pink, mint, and purple.Buy now from AmazonSUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro case
The SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro case offers dual layer shock absorption with a flexible TPU case that is coupled with a hard polycarbonate shell. The front comes with a built-in screen protector that keeps the display safe from scratches, without compromising touch sensitivity. The buttons are covered, but are easy to press, and the charging port is also covered with a flap to keep away dust and debris. The case also comes with a belt holster with 360 degree swivel, allowing you to place the device at a position that is most convenient for you. The SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro case is priced at $12.99, with the available color options including black and mint.Buy now from AmazonHTC Ice View case
The HTC Ice View case was introduced alongside the HTC 10, and is a flip cover that offers ample protection for the device. The case comes with the appropriate and precise cuts for access to the ports and buttons, and the front-facing speaker above the display is also exposed, allowing for its use even when the flip face is closed. The unique aspect of this case is the limited usability that is available even when the front face is closed.Double tapping on the front when holding up the phone brings up a lock screen of sorts, providing you with information such as the time, weather updates, and notifications. You will also have access to music player controls, but the most interesting addition this time around is the ability to access the camera application with the front face closed. You can check out our review of the HTC Ice View case and its features here. The HTC Ice View case is available directly from HTC, priced at $49.99.Buy now from HTCMore HTC 10 videos 
HTC 10 Camera Feature Focus