Raspberry Pi is like the Swiss Army knife of DIY tech projects. The possibilities are endless, including building a drone and retro gaming station. To make your own, all you need is motivation and proper training.

The Raspberry Pi Mastery Bundle can be your guide, and the best part is it’s 96% off today. This eight-part bundle is a treasure trove of tips and tutorials you can use to draw out the full potential of your multifaceted gizmo.

No knowledge is assumed. For beginners, you can start at the beginning with Introduction to Raspberry Pi course. The simple projects in this learning kit gently familiarize you with how your IoT device can be used as a computer.

As you get more confident, things get more fun. Among the eight learning kits, you’ll find guidance on using your Raspberry Pi to build robots, automate your home, and even mine Bitcoin. That’s just the tip of the iceberg too.

The Raspberry Pi Mastery Bundle:

• Automation with Raspberry Pi Zero — $ 95 value
• Introduction to Raspberry Pi — $ 95 value
• Hardware Projects Using RP — $ 95 value
• Bitcoin Mining Using RP — $ 200 value
• RP Robotics — $ 95 value
• Internet of Things Automation Using RP 2 — $ 95 value
• Home Automation in 48 Hours Without Coding — $ 95 value
• Build Your Own ArmBot Step By Step Using RP Zero — $ 95 value

The prices above might be the retail values, but it’s not what you’ll pay today. Right now the bundle is on offer for only $ 34 at Tech Deals.

The deal expires soon, so don’t miss it. Hit the button below to check it out.

This deal not quite right for you? To see all our hottest deals, head over to the AAPICKS HUB.

Android Authority

Shutterstock

If you buy one of the newer Galaxy devices on T-Mobile, the self-proclaimed Un-carrier is giving you a second one for free – this Saturday only.

If you’ve been thinking of buying a new Galaxy phone with T-Mobile, you may want to go ahead and do that this Saturday, August 6^th. America’s fastest network will be offering a free Galaxy phone for those who purchase a qualifying Samsung Galaxy this Saturday only.

Dubbed the Saturday-Only Samsung Superphone Superdeal (gotta love some alliteration!), T-Mobile’s BOGOF deal covers the most beloved Galaxies from the recent years: Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+, and Galaxy Note5.

As you may have noticed, the newest addition to the Galaxy family, the Galaxy Note7, is not on the list, so pre-ordering the iris-scanning phablet won’t get you a free smartphone sadly. However, the deal does include last year’s Note5 as well as Note7’s S-Pen-less siblings: the Galaxy S7 family.

Want all the fine prints? Well, here they are:

If you buy a qualifying Samsung Galaxy phone on T-Mobile’s Equipment Installment Plan (EIP), and you add a line of service, you get a second Galaxy phone of equal or lesser value for free. According to T-Mobile, customers will be credited on their monthly bill over the 24-month EIP term for the full amount of the second device after paying any down payment, which will also be credited.

The deal is available at T-Mobile stores in the US and online for US customers.

With the Galaxy Note7 launching on America’s third largest network soon, T-Mobile probably wants to boost sales of all the older Galaxy models. Considering all of the qualifying devices still boast top-notch specs and considering T-Mobile’s recent victory, the Super-deal is indeed quite… super.

What are your thoughts on T-Mobile’s latest deal? Let us know if you plan on buying a qualifying Galaxy device on T-Mobile this Saturday!

Android Authority

VarageSale

[Price: Free]
This week’s Android Apps Weekly show is brought to you by VarageSale. VarageSale is a Craigslist kind of application where people can post things they want to sell and you buy them. Unlike Craigslist, you’ll be required to create an account before you can interact with the site which is a mechanic we liked a lot. From there, you simply search around, find the stuff you want, and then buy it.
During our testing, we found all kinds of stuff from cloths to electronics and even an engagement ring. You can browse various categories in areas near you and you can even leave seller feedback which helps show which sellers are the most reliable. It has a lot going for it and it’s definitely worth a shot if you’re getting ready to sell stuff or just want to look around. It’s totally free so check it out and show your support for the Android Apps Weekly show!

Welcome back to Android Apps Weekly! Let’s take a look at the biggest headlines from the last week:

• We managed to get a hold of the official Reddit beta application last week and wanted to show you what it was going to look like. It seems to have a modern design full of Material Design along with a few other fun features. We don’t know when it’ll be released but it seemed to work pretty well to us.
• SoundCloud announced a new stations feature that will give users a chance to listen to music similar to how they do on Pandora. This comes not long after announcing signing deals with a couple of major labels and announcing that they’ll be turning into a legitimate streaming service to battle the likes of Spotify.
• Nintendo has announced that people can start signing up for the closed beta of Miitomo, their first Android game, starting on February 17th. We know a lot about the game already and how it will emulate social media to an extent. However, we won’t know everything until we get our hands on it and that may be sooner than later.
• Even though most of Apple’s apps have received a slew of terrible ratings in the Play Store, they seem to be doing pretty good. How good? Well, Tim Cook announced this week that even more Apple apps will likely be making their way to Android. We don’t know which ones yet, but our guess is likely iCloud and other productivity apps.
• Perhaps the biggest app news from the last week was Microsoft purchasing SwiftKey for $ 250 million. There hasn’t been a lot of information from either company but the popular guess is that Microsoft is after SwiftKey’s legendary predictive algorithms and AI. For now, nothing is changing, but after seeing what happened to Sunrise Calendar and Accompli, we wouldn’t blame you if you were a bit worried.

For even more Android apps and games news, don’t forget to check out this week’s newsletter! We had a metric ton of news there that we didn’t have time for here. If you want to sign up, use the form below and we’ll send you the Android Apps Weekly newsletter every Sunday!

Sundance VR

[Price: Free]
Sundance VR is a newer application released with the idea of showing you full VR content including short films, music videos, and other types of VR stuff. It’s a newer app and there aren’t a lot of selections yet so you may not find the app overly enjoyable right now. However, if you own Google Cardboard or you’re interested in VR, I would keep this app in your crosshairs because it should get a decent selection of unique VR content eventually.

LEGO Ninjago: Skybound

[Price: Free]
The latest LEGO game has hit the Google Play Store and like many were before it, this one is entirely free with no in-app purchases. This one continues the Ninjago series where the prior game left off and includes a lot of the same graphics and mechanics as prior Ninjago games. There is a stealth element where you can hide in the shadows instead of engaging in fights and the controls are very simple. It’s a great title for kids or adults and is especially great if you’re low on money.

Marvel Avengers Academy

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Marvel Avengers Academy is the latest adventure/simulation game out of TinyCo. They are the same developers who did Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff. The game lets you play as your favorite Avengers as teenagers who are just beginning to find their abilities. You’ll battle bad guys, level up your characters, and even do teenager stuff like go on dates. It’s a mixture of adventure and simulation so there will be some management here and there and then some action here and there. It’s free to download but does have in-app purchases.

Promo Codes

[Price: Free]
Promo Codes is a new application that is meant to take advantage of the new promo codes feature in Google Play. It’s very simple. Developers sign up for the service and once per day, people using the app can check and see if they get a free promo code. If they do, they get a paid app for free. If not, well, better luck tomorrow. It’s a fun and unique way for developers to utilize their promo codes and even if the users lose out, they get to see a fun new app every day. This should be on every smartphone. Get it.

Adventures of Mana

[Price: $ 13.99]
Adventures of Mana is a classic RPG that was originally released on Game Boy in the early 1990’s. Don’t worry, though, because Square Enix has updated the graphics and soundtrack to make it look way better than it did back then. The story line and content remains intact and you’ll play once again as the hero trying to keep the Dark Lord Glaive from reaching the sacred Mana Tree and destroying all life. It has simple, touch-based controls. There is also a steep price tag but at least there are no in-app purchases.

Related best app lists:

• Check more of the best Android RPGs!
• Here are more awesome free Android games!

If we missed any big Android apps or games news, tell us about them in the comments!

Android Authority

It looks like one of the most iconic bands of all time is getting its own mobile game. And no, not NSYNC.

Roadhouse Interactive, the folks who brought us Warhammer 40,000: Carnage on mobile, have teamed up to 50cc Games to bring an Iron Maiden game to Android and iOS. The game will be called Legacy of the Beast, and is slated to launch this summer as a free-to-play role-playing game set in the “expansive Iron Maiden universe.”

You’ll play as none other than Eddie, the Iron Maiden mascot. You can explore worlds and travel through time, all while battling a cast of characters drawn from various Iron Maiden albums. Of course, the soundtrack will be comprised of different Iron Maiden songs from the band’s entire discography, including a few unheard live recordings of some Iron Maiden classics adapted for the game by engineer Tony Newton.

According to the game’s official website, here’s what we can expect from Legacy of the Beast:

Battle as Eddie in his many guises across worlds inspired by the rich lore and music of Iron Maiden – one of the most iconic and influential bands of all time. A mysterious force has shattered Eddie’s soul and scattered the shards. Travel through time and space collecting the pieces as you encounter a cast of dramatic and engaging characters. A powerful soundtrack enhances gameplay, using songs spanning Iron Maiden’s entire career, including previously unheard live recordings adapted for the game by engineer Tony Newton under the close scrutiny of Steve Harris.

The game is set to launch sometime in the summer of 2016, but other than that we have no details on the launch date. Are you excited for this new RPG? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

• Learn more about Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast

Next: 32 Best RPGs for Android106

Android Authority

As of the latest update, “Ask” means type.

There is a war of words going on right now, but it’s not political or even personal. It’s digitial. While Google had voice assisted functionality from very early on, Apple’s introduction of Siri into the mobile market arguably pushed voice in a more pronounced way, at least to the general public. While Google’s own assistant doesn’t have a name per se, it is nonetheless an integral part of the Google Now experience and features quick response times and a less “synthesized” voice. Microsoft, too, has its own assistant named Cortana, taken from its cash-cow Halo videogame series.

Recently Cortana was released to the Google Play store and with it Microsoft’s move to migrate millions. Or at least attempt to. This past weekend however, it updated the app and removed what some might consider to be a key feature: “Hey Cortana” hotword support. While the feature was essentially limited to a shout out on either a device’s home screen or within the actual Cortana app itself, support for it has been removed entirely for those in the USA.

What gives (and was taken)?

While Microsoft has yet to state what prompted the sudden about face, those looking for answers on the removal decision may be able to get an idea from posts on reddit in response to the news. User shamrock013 writes:

Good. Using “Hey Cortana” broke the microphone across the whole OS. It barely worked during phone calls. It broke the “OK Google” hotkey. To top it off, the feature barely worked to begin with, so it was half-baked from the start.

Get your crap together, Microsoft.

Another user, bfodder, added:

Oh shit, I couldn’t even use the microphone by tapping on it on the Google Now widget at the top of the home screen. Now it works. And now I know why.

Finally, anthonyvardiz posted:

That explains why I couldn’t “Okay, Google” on my Nexus 6P. Just tried it and it works again!

Based on these responses, it would seem that hotword detection created interference with the normal functioning of a user’s microphone. It is currently unknown as to just how prevalent this issue was, or what devices may have been affected – though clearly the Nexus 6P was one of them. It is also unknown as to the status of “Hey Cortana” on Cyanogenmod builds, which have OS-wide integrated hotword detection.

The question now is if or when Microsoft plans to restore the feature to its fledgling Android app. Part of the draw of virtual assistants is the ability to make use of them effortlessly. By requiring manual triggering of Cortana, the app has arguably lost some of the appeal it might have had, or at least some feature parity with Google Now.

Does it even matter?

Perhaps the larger issue is if hotword removal matters at all. While some love and live by it, others feel enabling the feature drains battery life due to the “always listening” approach. It is similar to criticism raised about LG’s now-heavily cloned “Tap to Wake” display functionality wherein the digitizer must always remain on so as to detect tap input. As for how much effect on battery life this actually has, that’s a different story.

Reviews that have already been posted on the Play Store indicate that yes, this is a big problem. Pedro Ramos wrote:

Hey Cortana?? C’mon Microsoft…stop screwing with us…I really love Cortana. Unless ur doing it so that pc’s Cortana doesn’t get confused then I forgive you.

Chad White’s review goes even further however:

Uninstall Without Hey Cortana there’s no reason to use this app over Google Now why do I have to actually open the app when I could just: “Ok Google, uninstall Cortana” First Microsoft screws up with Windows, then they kept messing up the Skype app for a while, let’s see if they actually listen the the people for once the make at least one good product this year.

The other issue at large is how many Android users want Cortana in the first place. As of right now, the Play Store data lists Cortana installs between 100,000-500,000. While there are other ways to get it (such as an APK file), suffice to say the app has apparently yet to hit a multi-million milestone, or even the one million mark.

Those who want a more seamless Windows 10 experience will no doubt be interested in using Cortana, but it remains to be seen how many Android users will be interested in having a second voice assistant running on their phone, especially since many are probably unsure of how to disable Google Now’s listening in the first place.

Wrap Up

There are a variety of ways to take in this news. Some might be angered and perhaps uninstall the app. Some might be pleased Microsoft has suffered an apparent setback of sorts. Some might not care at all. Whatever you are thinking, however, we want to hear it.

Has Cortana become less relevant without the hotword detection or are you still inclined to use it? Did you even know Cortana was available for Android to begin with prior to reading this story? Leave your comments below and share your thoughts for all to see!

Android Authority

When we think of “war games”, we usually imagine a gun-toting soldier marching into battle, blasting through enemy forces, all for the glory of the nation. There are certainly a number of games that let you experience that scenario, including Battlefield, Call of Duty, and games like Modern Combat in the mobile arena. For those that are looking for something different however, This War of Mine delivers.

Set in a dark and gritty warzone that is modeled at least in part after the invasion of Sarajevo in the 90s, the game gives you a number of different civilians to control. You find yourself in a rundown shell of a building and must make improvements, board up the walls, and begin stockpiling for the long days ahead. During the day, you spend your time crafting or sleeping while the city is alive with the sounds of war. At night, the fighting slows down enough that you can send one of your party members out to scavenge, trade, or even steal from neighboring locations.

The game actually hit Android back in July, but at the time was only available for tablets or Android TV devices. Now the experience is making its way over to phones as well, alongside a discounted sale price of $ 6.99, down from the original $ 14.99. While $ 7 is still a lot for a mobile game, there’s absolutely no in-app purchases, and let me assure you it is worth every penny. I know this because I just happened to buy the game ahead of the sale, about 5 days ago, for $ 15. While I would have loved to have paid half price, I’m not even mad.

This game is exceptional and I’ve personally sunk over 10 hours into it. What’s great about this title is that once you’ve finished the war, you can always start a second attempt and will likely have different starting characters and different locations to explore, which gives this a lot of replay value for a mobile game. If you haven’t checked it out for yourself, we highly recommend it. That said, be prepared, this game is pretty hard and it is very possible to kill off your entire party long before the war ends, if you’re not careful. And unlike many games, your actions aren’t reversible, you simply have to start over from the beginning.

Welcome back to Android Apps Weekly! Yes, we’re giving Sunday a shot. Here’s hoping you like it!

Sponsored by Jump’n’Roll Eyeball

[Price: Free / $ 1.99]
This week’s episode of Android Apps Weekly is sponsored by Jump’n’Roll Eyeball. This is a 2D, side-scrolling platformer where you play as a giant eye with legs. Your goal is to maneuver obstacles and avoid danger to complete the levels. The game play is simple to learn but challenging to master as you’ll be both jumping and rolling a whole bunch.

Despite its simple look, the game can be quite difficult at times. It also comes with Google Play Games leaderboards so you can keep track of who has done it best. It’s a great little time waster and it’s free to download with a single $ 1.99 in-app purchase to remove ads. Give it a shot and show your support for Android Apps Weekly.

Let’s get to those headlines!

• Facebook has mandated that many of their employees must switch to using Android devices over their iPhones. The idea behind the switch is so more of them understand what the Android experience is like. Here’s hoping their batteries die as quickly as ours when using Facebook and the app gets some much needed improvements.
• Scott Games has announced that there will be another Five Nights at Freddy’s game except this one will be an RPG. A trailer has been put out but otherwise not a lot of details are available right now. There’s no time frame on release yet but there will be a free demo to play eventually.
• In a surprising move. Activision has purchased King, developers of Candy Crush Saga, for $ 5.9 billion. We’re not entirely sure why but this gives Activision a gigantic mobile presence that it did not previously have. For now, everything’s going to stay the same but expect to see some stuff next year as a result of this.
• The latest Humble Bundle is now live! It currently includes six games with a seventh coming soon. Some of the games include Ys Chronicles 1, Block Legends, Rocket ROBO, and more. You can pay $ 1 and get three games or pay the average and get everything. Give it a shot and don’t forget to give to charity!
• Microsoft made a lot of people angry this week with some unsavory changes to their OneDrive policies. Free storage has been dropped to 5GB and unlimited storage is gone. This is due to people backing up their pirated movie collections and using way too much space.

For even more Android apps and games news, updates, and new releases, don’t forget to check out this week’s newsletter. There we’ll have all the extra stuff we didn’t have time for this week! If you would like, you can sign up with your email address and we’ll send the newsletter to your inbox once per week!

Custom Quick Settings

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
First up this week is Custom Quick Settings. This is an app for Marshmallow users that allows you to create custom tiles in your Quick Settings menu. One of the lesser documented features of Marshmallow is the ability to do exactly this and the developer has put together this nifty app to make it easier for everyone. It’s free to download and it does not require root.

Dead Effect 2

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Dead Effect was one of the most popular first-person shooters on Android a long time ago. Now its successor has arrived on the Google Play Store. It’s a sci-fi, post-apocalyptic shooter complete with horrific beasts, zombie-type monsters, and plenty of things for you to shoot and kill. The graphics are pretty good and the mechanics seem to be solid for a touch screen shooter. It’s free to download with in-app purchases, just be careful of those early bugs!

Beats Pill+

[Price: Free]
Oh boy, here we go again. Apple has released their second application in as many months. This one is called Beats Pill+ and it’s a simple application that can be used by Android owners to control their Beats Pill speakers. Like the last Apple application, it seems to work well and do its job but the Android community’s louder members wanted to let Apple have it yet again. For what it’s worth, the app is free.

Fallout Pip-Boy

[Price: Free]
The long-awaited companion app from Bethesda called Fallout Pip-Boy has been released to the Play Store. In a show of good sportsmanship, the company released the app to everyone, even if you didn’t pick up the optional armband. The app itself lets you interact with your Fallout 4 game and check out stuff like stats, inventory, map, radio, and there are even some mini-games. It’s free and if you’re getting Fallout 4, you should definitely have this.

Signal Private Messenger

[Price: Free]
Last and certainly not least this week is Signal. This app gained quite the following after Edward Snowden put his official endorsement into the application. It’s a messaging app with a plethora of security and encryption features to help keep those prying eyes away from your messages. It’s completely open source which is good and includes group chatting, phone calls, and more. If you want security, give this a shot.

Wrap up

If we missed any great news from the Android apps and games scene, tell us about it in the comments!

Android Authority

Security Suite Free Antivirus

[Price: Free]
This week’s Android Apps Weekly is sponsored by Security Suite Free Antivirus! This simple and minimal antivirus application scans your applications and files to make sure there are no threats to your device. It’s unique deep scanning feature spots malware inside of applications even if it’s hard to find and it’ll even open up and check on ZIP files. On top of that, the app provides real-time protection while browsing the web and will scan files as you download them and apps as you install them. Along with that, you’ll find links to test the service for yourself, a host of video tutorials, and a gorgeous, Material Design inspired interface complete with video tutorials on how to use it. It’s totally free and it’s available right now in the Google Play Store.

Welcome back to Android Apps Weekly! Here are your headlines for this week:

• Earlier this week, Facebook announced that it was bringing 360-degree videos to your news feed. This is likely to keep pace with YouTube which has supported VR style videos for some time. The feature is already rolling out for Android and on the web with iOS getting it later for once.
• Google Play is giving away a ton of free music this week with their “Very Best of” collection of music. Some of the free music you can get is 311, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, Sly & The Family Stone, and many others. Check it out while you still can!
• Both the Max Payne and Grand Theft Auto series of games are currently on sale in the Google Play Store. These are two franchises known for their high quality game play and long stories. You’ll want to take advantage of this deal if you can, while you can.
• Monument Valley developers ustwo have announced that they’ll be releasing a VR game called Land’s End. It’s done up with the same awesome design the company is known for and it’ll be launching on October 30th. The only issue is that it’ll be exclusively for the Samsung Gear VR.
• The latest Humble Bundle is out! This time around you can find games such as Real Boxing, Great Little War Game 2, Tiny Guardians, and more. The average price is less than $ 5 right now and this is a great lineup of games even for a Humble Bundle. Check it out!

For even more Android apps and games news, don’t forget to check out this week’s newsletter! There we’ll have the complete list of headlines, updates, and new releases that we didn’t have time for here. If you’re so inclined, you can also sign up for the newsletter using the form below and we’ll send the Android Apps Weekly newsletter to your virtual doorstep every Friday!

While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out our Twitch channel. We stream some games there from time to time, chit chat, hang out, and have a merry old time. If you want to check it out, check out our page linked below and don’t forget to subscribe!

FIFA 16 Ultimate Team

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
FIFA 16 Ultimate Team is the latest iteration of the popular FIFA franchise on mobile and it’s now available to everyone on the Google Play Store. The game features graphical enhancements from last year’s version along with updated rosters, a new engine for better controls and AI, and more. It boasts 10,000 players from 500 licensed teams and, of course, the all-important Ultimate Team functionality returns. It’s free to play and it’s already fairly popular.

Stick with Android

[Price: Free]
In response to the perceived insult that was Apple’s Move to iOS, another Android developer released Stick with Android. The premise is simple, you click the button and you get to stick with Android. Of course, the app doesn’t really do anything, but it’s a tongue-in-cheek gesture to mock Apple’s application. If you want to check it out, the link is below. It’s worth reading the 5-star reviews at the very least.

Khan Academy

[Price: Free]
Khan Academy has been around for a while but the application has been in beta. With their most recent update, the application has been released to the public to decent reviews so far. For those who don’t know, Khan Academy is a learning platform where you can brush up on old knowledge and obtain some new knowledge. Included is 10,000 instructional videos and complete syncing between your device and their web interface. It’s also free.

Outlook Groups

[Price: Free]
Outlook Groups is a new application out of Microsoft that is meant to be used with their newly released Microsoft Office 2016. With it you can engage with other people with an Office 365 account and you can do things like participate in email conversations, share photos, collaborate using OneNote, and edit Office documents with other people. It’s provides a great deal of functionality and it’s worth a shot if you have or plan to get Office 2016.

Eternity Warriors 4

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Last up this week is Eternity Warriors 4. This is the latest iteration of the popular Eternity Warriors franchise. In this hack-and-slash RPG, you’ll engage in a quest to defeat bad guys and collect tons of loot. The title features guilds, PvP battles in an arena, and the developers are adding new events to play through on a pretty consistent basis. It has some release day bugs but we imagine those will get ironed out sooner or later.

Wrap up

If we missed any great Android apps or games news that we shouldn’t have, tell us about it in the comments! Thanks for reading and we’ll see you next week!

Android Authority

Folks, this week the world of technology set its sight on Los Angeles, where the E3 show brought us a wave of exciting announcements. And this edition, Android Authority was on the ground to bring you the best mobile gaming related coverage. But it wasn’t all just fun and games. OnePlus released details about its next “flagship killer;” Sony introduced the souped up Xperia Z4v to the States, making us question the logic behind its strategy; Google had a handful of app updates; Samsung introduced budget-friendly smartphones and tablets; and a new chapter of the Snapdragon 810 saga unfolded.

Inside AA HQ

One of the biggest themes we spotted at E3 is virtual reality. There were a handful of VR-related presences at previous shows, but this year VR just exploded. From cheap headsets that work with your smartphone, Cardboard on steroids of sorts, to flagships like Oculus Rift and Sony’s Morpheus, VR headsets were everywhere. We also saw a variety of software, accessories, and controllers designed for VR, suggesting that the ecosystem is finally close to becoming consumer-friendly. Now, the big question: is the buzz real or is it just another fad that nobody will remember a couple of years from now? We’ll find the answer over the next months.

Like VR, mobile gaming seems on the cusp of greatness. Sure, mobile games are already hugely popular, but looking at games like Dawn of Titans, with their console-like graphics, it’s clear that we’re still just scratching the surface when it comes to mobile gaming. And that’s very exciting.

Back to our daily focus, we’re heading into the “silly season” of the Android world. All the big flagships are out already, and with a few exceptions, OEMs are now silently working on their fall releases. Hopefully, OnePlus and their knack for drama, the next Moto X, and the inevitable Note 5 rumors will save us from boredom!

This week we have a special giveaway, we are giving away 3 Android phones: Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6. LG G4! Enter here.

The stuff you shouldn’t miss

• Review: Here’s a review you’re not likely to see elsewhere: the Elephone P7000
• Feature: Google can “see” your photos – should you be worried?
• Feature: Matthew still loves tablets and thinks there are good reasons you may love them too
• Review: Phil reviews the US-bound Huawei P8 Lite. Is it worth its (small) price tag?
• Review: Bailey takes the Xperia M4 Aqua for a spin. Check out his impressions

Top news of the week

And here are the top news in the Android world this week:

All things E3 2015

• Merge VR demonstration at E3 2015
• E3 2015 demo: command thousands of units into battle in the impressive Dawn of Titans
• E3 2015 demo: EA Sports’ FIFA takes the console experience to your phone
• My reactions to Sony Project Morpheus at E3 2015
• E3 Gameloft demo: obliterate towns with dragon fire on Siegefall
• Minions’ Paradise reactions from E3 2015!
• Hands-on with YouTube Gaming at E3 2015
• Here are our impressions of Unkilled from Madfinger Games at E3 2015

Sony Xperia Z4v

• Sony Xperia Z4v heading to Verizon with QHD display
• The Sony Xperia Z4v is everything the Z4/Z3+ should have been

OnePlus 2 teasers and rumors

• OnePlus 2 coming with Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, more specs to be revealed periodically
• (Update: OnePlus says price will be higher) OnePlus 2 rumored to launch this July with a $ 322 price point

Google app updates

• Google shuts down new Chrome Bookmark Manager, goes back to previous version
• Google Maps will tell you if your destination will be closed upon arrival
• Google finally brings its Clock app to the Play Store

Samsung aims for the budget crowd

• Samsung Galaxy Tab E official, packing relatively low-end specs
• Samsung Galaxy J5 and J7 are now official, front-facing flashes in tow

The Snapdragon 810 saga continues

• Sony comments on Xperia Z3+ overheating issues
• Here’s what’s new with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 v2.1

Sound off

We always want to hear your feedback. Whether it’s criticism or praise, feel free to tell us what you think about Android Authority’s content, design, and community. Comment here or get in touch with us on our social channels:

• AA Forums
• Google Plus
• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube

Happy Sunday!

Android Authority

Android fans, Google I/O is coming next week and we’re just excited as you are for all the Googley goodies coming our way! The past week brought us some glimpses of what’s coming, including details about Google’s new Android-based Internet of Things operating system codenamed Brillo; in other news, Asus introduced the affordable Zenfone 2 in the US; LG launched the G4 Stylus and G4c; we heard about Google’s plans to build fingerprint sensor support into Android M; Oppo launched the sleek R7 and R7 Plus; we heard rumors about HTC’s low-cost tablet; and got our first glimpse of the Iron Man edition of the Galaxy S6 Edge.

Inside AA HQ

Please join the AA team in welcoming Phil Vierno onboard! A mechanical engineer IRL, Phil is passionate about New York City, coffee, and fitness. But what’s he’s truly crazy about is creating awesome videos about mobile tech. Phil’s first video on AA is a review of the Oppo R1x, and many more will hopefully follow.

This week Darcy and Josh visited Beijing, China for the launch of the Oppo R7 and R7 Plus. Check out our coverage, including one of the few hands-on video impressions of the R7 and R7 Plus.

Next week is all about Google I/O. In the past, the annual festival of all things Google has brought us new devices, major upgrades to Google apps, and most recently, a preview edition of Android Lollipop. With Android M (Marshmallow? Muffin?) all but confirmed, we can’t wait for the obligatory surprise. As usual, AA will be on the ground at Moscone Center in San Francisco. More later this week!

We’re giving away another Samsung Galaxy S6 this week! Get your raffle tickets from here and good luck!

Android Authority Podcast

The stuff you shouldn’t miss

• Feature: What makes a perfect smartphone? AA readers’ answers here!
• Feature: Simon ponders on the features that could (or should) be part of Android M
• Feature: In his posh British accent, Gary explains VR and the role that Android plays in its growth
• Opinion: Andrew muses on the merits of Motorola’s smartphone design philosophy
• For developers: Obaro has a primer on what Google I/O bring for Android app developers
• Review: Phil looks at the mid-range Oppo R1x and comes out moderately impressed

Top news of the week

And here are the top news in the Android world this week:

Zenfone 2 lands stateside

• Asus ZenFone 2 hits U.S. retailers tomorrow, starting at $ 199
• Ahead of tomorrow’s U.S. launch, Amazon is now selling the ZenFone 2 starting at $ 199

LG G4 Stylus and G4c are

• LG announces mid-range G4 Stylus and G4c

Google IO/Android M rumors

• Google will reportedly launch its photo sharing service sometime soon
• Android M may feature native fingerprint authentication
• Report: Google will show off new Internet of Things platform at I/O, code-named Brillo

Meet the Oppo R7/R7 Plus

• Oppo R7 and R7 Plus launch: specs, features, and availability
• Oppo R7 hands-on and first impressions
• Oppo R7 Plus hands-on and first look

Google apps updates

• Google Maps is getting new traffic alerts just in time for Memorial Day
• Hangouts for Chrome updated with much more refined UI
• Google brings 60fps live streams to YouTube

HTC tablet rumors

• 7-inch HTC tablet spotted with quad-core CPU, 1GB RAM and dual-SIM

An Iron Man-worthy Galaxy S6 Edge

• This is the limited edition Iron Man Galaxy S6 Edge coming next week

Sound off

We always want to hear your feedback. Whether it’s criticism or praise, feel free to tell us what you think about Android Authority’s content, design, and community. Comment here or get in touch with us on our social channels:

• AA Forums
• Google Plus
• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube

Happy Sunday!

Android Authority