Posts Tagged: Play
You’re not too old to play with Hot Wheels in ‘Forza Horizon 3’
The second Forza Horizon 3 expansion is coming out soon and it's bringing a big dose of childhood nostalgia along with it. Hot Wheels and their iconic bright orange tracks arrive on May 9th as part of the Forza Horizon 3 Expansion Pass or as standalo…
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Bots from Spotify, Mastercard play nice with new version of Facebook Messenger
Facebook spent time chatting about Messenger bots at its F8 2017 developer conference. New bots from Spotify, Western Union, Mastercard, and Rue21 had some of the coolest features features we saw.
The post Bots from Spotify, Mastercard play nice with new version of Facebook Messenger appeared first on Digital Trends.
Eye-tracking glasses reveal what master pianists look at while they play
Ever wanted to experience what it is like to be a master pianist tickling the ivories? A new video gives a sense of what that might feel like, courtesy of wearable eye-tracking glasses.
The post Eye-tracking glasses reveal what master pianists look at while they play appeared first on Digital Trends.
HTC wants U! Everything you need to know about the HTC U Ultra and U Play
HTC has launched the U Ultra and U Play, two stunning phones covered in shimmering, shiny glass, and equipped with Sense Companion, the company’s first AI assistant. Here’s everything you need to know.
The post HTC wants U! Everything you need to know about the HTC U Ultra and U Play appeared first on Digital Trends.
[Deal] Take $5 off almost any book on Google Play
We were expecting something a little more to celebrate its 5th birthday, but Google Play is currently offering a discount on just about any book in it offers. Any book over $ 5 gets you a $ 5 credit at checkout. The promotional code must be redeemed by March 9, and Google’s deadline for the discount to […]
Come comment on this article: [Deal] Take $ 5 off almost any book on Google Play
Overtime? Game Day ads are still in play on YouTube
The confetti has hit the field. We all went Gaga. The Pats have come out victorious.
While you may not have seen that coming, we’ve seen our highest ever watch time during the game, with more than 350K hours spent watching Big Game ads, marking over 15 percent year-over year-growth. If your Game Day party was anything like ours, mobile also played a huge role – 70 percent of this watch time came from mobile devices. And this is just the beginning.
Historically, the day after the Big Game kicks off several weeks of watching and re-watching Big Game ads, so make sure you check out the tenth anniversary of the YouTube AdBlitz channel and vote for your favorite by February 10 at midnight ET.
We’re already starting to see some early favorites. Some with a fresh take on iconic characters, others that introduced new heroes. But the undeniable theme of the night was ads that connected to social and political topics — in fact, these ads accounted for nearly half of the watch time on Game Day.
Here are the top ten ads so far (based on Game Day views as of 2/6 at 2 a.m. ET):
- Budweiser – Budweiser 2017 Super Bowl Commercial | “Born The Hard Way”
- Bud Light – Ghost Spuds | Bud Light Super Bowl Commercial 2017 feat. Spuds MacKenzie
- Hyundai – A Better Super Bowl | NFL Hyundai Super Bowl LI
- Kia – 2017 Kia Niro | “Hero’s Journey” Starring Melissa McCarthy
- T-Mobile – T-Mobile | #UnlimitedMoves with Justin Bieber | T-Mobile Commercial
- Tide – Tide | Super Bowl Commercial 2017 with Terry Bradshaw
- 84 Lumber – 84 Lumber Super Bowl Commercial – The Entire Journey
- Netflix – “Stranger Things 2” – Super Bowl 2017 Ad
- Audi – Audi #DriveProgress Big Game Commercial – “Daughter”
- Mr. Clean – Mr. Clean | New Super Bowl Ad | Cleaner of Your Dreams
Interest in commercials didn’t stop at YouTube either. Of the top trending Google Search questions during the game, three were about the ads:
- How old is Lady Gaga?
- How does overtime work in NFL?
- Who owns Alfa Romeo?
- What is 84 Lumber?
- How many “Pirates of the Caribbean” are there?
The Big Game may have been called, but the battle for top ad is still in play. Check back next week to find out this year’s winner of YouTube AdBlitz!
Deborah Powsner, YouTube Ads Marketing, recently watched “Patriots vs. Falcons | Super Bowl LI Game Highlights.”
How to play YouTube videos in the background on iOS and Android
Playing YouTube videos in the background can be a real chore. Thankfully, apps such as Safari and Firefox — along with the premium offerings like YouTube Red — make it easy to do on your mobile device.
The post How to play YouTube videos in the background on iOS and Android appeared first on Digital Trends.
Top-trending Google Play content of 2016 includes Deadpool, Harry Potter
Google’s giving presents a little early this year — the company announced the best apps, books, movies, and shows of 2016 on Google Play. The winners represent global top-trending content and they span six categories,
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4K UHD movies ready to appear on Google Play Movies
Google has provided the market with an upgraded Chromecast device this year, the Chromecast Ultra, that supports 4K video streaming. There is also a decent chance that you may be in the market for a new television this year that supports 4K resolutions and retailers certain seem to be hoping those will be a big […]
Come comment on this article: 4K UHD movies ready to appear on Google Play Movies
Google Play Music gets interface tweaks and contextual intelligence
Google Play Music has been rocking the same interface for a while now, so it only makes sense that it would get an update to catch up to some of Google’s other products. That interface change has finally hit, polishing up Google’s music streaming app. It’s not a complete overhaul, as most of the changes […]
Come comment on this article: Google Play Music gets interface tweaks and contextual intelligence
Google is using artificial intelligence to guide you around the Play Store
In a blog post published last week, Google announced that it has begun employing artificial intelligence to put Android apps into categories that, hopefully, make intuitive sense.
The post Google is using artificial intelligence to guide you around the Play Store appeared first on Digital Trends.
Read all about it! Google Play Newsstand 4.0 brings major redesign, new features
Google Play Newsstand has been updated to version 4.0, bringing with it a number of major changes to the the design of the app, as well as a few great new features that should help you get your news as soon as you need it.
The post Read all about it! Google Play Newsstand 4.0 brings major redesign, new features appeared first on Digital Trends.
‘Pokémon Go’ just became even harder to play while driving
Niantic’s latest update for ‘Pokémon Go’ suggests there are still plenty of people out there playing the game while behind the wheel. Trouble is, anyone else in the car – or even on a train or bus – is also affected by the change.
The post ‘Pokémon Go’ just became even harder to play while driving appeared first on Digital Trends.
Lenovo Moto G4 Play review
Lenovo has another Moto G4 ready to join its lineup. The Moto G4 Play is the cheapest one yet, but is it a good deal?
The post Lenovo Moto G4 Play review appeared first on Digital Trends.
Xiaomi announces the Mi VR Play, a virtual reality headset for your smartphone
Xiaomi’s taken the wraps off the Mi VR Play, a smartphone-powered headset made of stretchable Lycra material. It’s available to select “beta testers” now, with general availability to follow in the future.
The post Xiaomi announces the Mi VR Play, a virtual reality headset for your smartphone appeared first on Digital Trends.
Soft-wheel robot could play a role in rescue missions or even deep space exploration
“Upon seeing this work, a friend at Iowa State suggested that we have committed the proverbial reinventing of the wheel,” Aaron Mazzeo, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, tells Digital Trends.
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The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians – with Damon Albarn & guests – play for the world live from London’s Royal Festival Hall on YouTube
Music is a universal language that unites people around the world. It reminds us of who we are, where we come from, and the moments that matter the most.
Tomorrow, the Orchestra of Syrian Musicians, which features former and current members of the Syrian National Orchestra, will take the stage at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London for a special performance, presented by Africa Express, that will be live streamed globally on YouTube from 7:30 p.m. BST (11:30 a.m. PST) at youtu.be/aH_FP67cLP0.
As a result of the ongoing conflict, many Syrian musicians, including the orchestra’s conductor Issam Rafea, have been forced to leave their homes. This performance will see musicians who previously worked with Damon Albarn on the Gorillaz track “White Flag,” travelling from both inside and outside Syria to reunite for an orchestral performance of Arabic music with Albarn and other guest performers – including Bashy, Bassekou Kouyaté, Bu Kolthoum, Eslam Jawaad, Faia Younan, Julia Holter, Malikah, Mounir Troudi, Noura Mint Seymali, Paul Weller, Rachid Taha, and Seckou Keita – to highlight and celebrate the remarkable music culture of Syria.
Communities around the globe are likewise coming together to host viewings of the performance, including at the YouTube Space in New York and Berlin; at the Bozar Centre for Fine Arts Brussels; and in homes and cultural centers around the world.
The live stream will be hosted by music artist Faia Younan alongside FlyWithHaifa.
Tune in on Saturday, June 25 at 11:30 a.m. PST, 7:30 p.m. BST to watch the concert live alongside viewers around the world, or catch the event afterwards, all at youtube.com/africaexpress. The concert was co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW and Holland Festival.
David Mogendorff, Artist Relations and Music Partnerships for YouTube, recently watched “Saviour by Jacob Collier.”
The best way to play ‘Splatoon’ is with a hacked water gun
Researchers and makers over at Kougaku Navi in Japan have been working hard on a playable Splatoon gun since March, and the latest model really looks the part. It combines a Wii U GamePad, controls transplanted inside a Splatoon-themed water pistol a…
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Here’s everything we saw at EA’s E3 ‘Play’ event
Today, video game juggernaut Electronic Arts kicked off this year's Electronics Entertainment Expo with a show all its own. If you weren't a member of the press or one of the lucky few fans that were let into the event to experience it firsthand, don…
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These 11 Google Play apps are stealing your hard-earned cash
Be very careful which payment apps you download from Google Play — a total of 11 apps were recently found on Google Play to be part of a phishing scam, whereby attackers used the apps to trick users into handing over login info for payment services.
The post These 11 Google Play apps are stealing your hard-earned cash appeared first on Digital Trends.
Give the gift of music this Valentine’s Day, Google Play Music now 50 percent off
Chocolates goes bad and flowers die, but the love of music lasts forever. Grab a Google Play Music All Access subscription, along with YouTube Red, for 50 percent off right now for that someone special in your life.
The post Give the gift of music this Valentine’s Day, Google Play Music now 50 percent off appeared first on Digital Trends.
Google Play Games to lose Google+ requirement in 2016
This may be the year that some significant changes are made to Google’s Play Games service.
Google wants to eliminate permission requirements that are unnecessary and reduce the amount of times users have to sign into apps. To fix the issue, Google is thinking about moving the Games API’s to a new model. However, they’re skeptical because of the issues that could arise for developers. Hopefully this is nothing too major. Here are some of the changes taking place:
The most significant change users may realize is that Play Games will no longer require the need of a Google+ profile. The two services will no longer be connected, meaning that Play Games will provide you a name that is completely unrelated to the name on your Google+ profile. This has been complained about for quite some time and it’s great to see that Google has finally noticed it. Users may also notice that the amount of times they’re required to log-in is significantly lower. Users will only have to sign-in to the service once. Best of all, it will be done automatically when going into a new game for the first time, unless you have more than one Google account tied to your phone/tablet.
The changes will me made sometime in 2016.
Source: Android Developers Blog
Come comment on this article: Google Play Games to lose Google+ requirement in 2016
Samsung adds its own WiFi file transfer app to the Play Store
Samsung released their own WiFi transfer app cleverly named, “Wi-Fi Transfer”. The app will allow users to transfer files from one device to another, or to a computer.
Unfortunately, it is only available to Samsung phones, but there are plenty of alternative apps to pick from in the Play Store if you have another brand of device. However, what is nice about this app is you do not need an internet connection for it to work, all you need is a WiFi network. What is even better is you do not need to use a router or be connected on a large WiFi network either. Just turn on WiFi sharing on one device and have the other connect to it. Send all the files you want after that. Doesn’t get much simpler than that.
Come comment on this article: Samsung adds its own WiFi file transfer app to the Play Store
BlackBerry adds new ‘Virtual Expert’ app to the Play Store
BlackBerry Virtual Expert is a new app available on the Play Store for BlackBerry Priv owners. The purpose of the app is to perform a diagnostic test of a variety of functions to make sure all parts are working properly.
The BlackBerry Virtual Expert will perform a scan that tests parts such as the camera, display, keyboard, touchscreen, speakers, microphones, and a variety of other sensors. At the conclusion of the test, the app will provide you with feedback that highlights any parts that aren’t properly functioning. If something fails, BlackBerry will supply you with details on how to contact your carrier’s customer care center so that you can get that part checked out.
With this app, BlackBerry has made it easier for people to diagnose their Priv unit if it has any sort of issue. BlackBerry says that the app should be able to find what’s wrong with your particular Priv unit in a timely manner. Let’s hope that BlackBerry brings this app to more Android devices in the near future.
Come comment on this article: BlackBerry adds new ‘Virtual Expert’ app to the Play Store
Google Play Books adds ‘Night Light’ mode to cut out that nasty blue light
Enjoy a good read before hitting the hay? If you’re using a mobile device, that blue light coming off your screen could be affecting the quality of your sleep. With that in mind, Google Play Books has introduced a new Night Light mode in its latest update.
The post Google Play Books adds ‘Night Light’ mode to cut out that nasty blue light appeared first on Digital Trends.
Rock Band VR will let fans play to virtual crowds on Oculus Rift in 2016
Harmonix and Oculus announce they’ve teamed up to create, Rock Band VR a virtual reality adaptation of the Rock Band music game series.
The post Rock Band VR will let fans play to virtual crowds on Oculus Rift in 2016 appeared first on Digital Trends.
Songza folds into Google Play Music in early 2016
More than a year ago, Google acquired Songza to bolster its music streaming efforts with personalization. But Songza continued to operate the same despite being owned by Google; however, today the music streaming service announced its fate. It will be folded into Google Play Music early next year.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Songza’s final day of operation will come on January 30, 2016. The following day, Google Play Music will absorb Songza accounts so that users will not lose their favorite playlists and listening history. Existing users of Songza just need to agree to the company’s new Terms of Service and Google’s Privacy Policy.
Source: Songza
Come comment on this article: Songza folds into Google Play Music in early 2016
Google’s Play Store may finally return to China in 2016
Google wants to have a presence in China again with the possible launch of the Google Play Store in the country next year. According to Reuters, Google will comply with Chinese law on filtered content.
The post Google's Play Store may finally return to China in 2016 appeared first on Digital Trends.
Google is lowering its minimum purchase price for Play Store apps
Google’s Alistair Pott, a Google Play product manager, made a bold announcement in the Android Developers Blog — “Minimum purchase price for apps and in-app products reduced on Google Play,” the headline reads.
The post Google is lowering its minimum purchase price for Play Store apps appeared first on Digital Trends.
YouTube presses play on virtual reality
If we’ve learned anything in the past 10+ years at YouTube it’s that capturing and sharing videos is a great way to bring people there with you—whether “there” is an Icelandic glacier, a special performance by violinist Tim Fain, or just a friend’s birthday party.
Virtual reality (VR) makes the experience of being there even more awesome and immersive, so today we’re bringing two new VR features to YouTube’s Android app. All you need is your current phone, and a Google Cardboard viewer.
First, YouTube now supports VR video—a brand new kind of video that makes you feel like you’re actually there. Using the same tricks that we humans use to see the world, VR video gives you a sense of depth as you look around in every direction. Near things look near, far things look far. So if you were excited about 360° videos, this is pretty freakin’ cool.
To give it a try just find a VR video on YouTube—like the Hunger Games Experience or TOMS Shoes Giving Trip—tap the new Cardboard icon, drop your phone into your Cardboard viewer, and you’re off! If you’re a creator, you can also check out technologies like Jump to capture and share your own VR videos.
Our second bit of news is for the universe of existing YouTube content. And that’s the fact that you can now watch any video using Google Cardboard, and experience a kind of virtual movie theater. Just select the new “Cardboard” option from the watch page menu, drop your phone into your viewer, and you’re done. You’ll now have the largest VR content library right at your fingertips.
Both of today’s updates make it easier to be there. In some cases, really there there. So download the new YouTube app from Google Play, and get going.
Kurt Wilms, Senior Product Manager, YouTube VR recently watched “Waves of Grace”, Sanjeev Verma, YouTube Product Manager, recently watched “LA Phil: The Orchestra VR Video Experience” and Husain Bengali, Product Manager, Jump recently watched “Apollo 11 moon landing.
Wide list of BlackBerry apps get published on Google Play
BlackBerry is getting ready to go near full-time Android. With pre-orders already being up in some countries/carriers for the Priv, BlackBerry seems to be in its final stages for its transition to Android.
Throughout the day you may have come across some new BlackBerry branded applications in the Play Store. In case you’re wondering, these are the real deal. BlackBerry listed several apps today including a BlackBerry Launcher, BlackBerry Camera, BlackBerry Password, BlackBerry Keyboard, DTEK, BlackBerry Services and exFAT. One could now assume that BlackBerry has finished its final stage in terms of software and is moving forward with its big ecosystem transition. However, not all apps can be downloaded from any Android device, so are limited to what we assume for now is just the Priv handset. If you want to take a look at what is available, you can search BlackBerry Limited on the Play Store to find them.
All that BlackBerry has done could soon pay off, however it also has the chance to backfire. It’ll be interesting to see if the market has a response to this major change. What do you think? Is it too little too late?
Source: BlackBerry Central
Come comment on this article: Wide list of BlackBerry apps get published on Google Play
New console game for the Shield TV hits the Play Store
Contrast is an all-new adventure game for your Shield TV. Contrast lets users experience adventures in 3D and offers a wide range of challenges along the way. It’s available in the Play Store now.
If you have a Shield TV console, you might want to consider downloading the new game Contrast. Even though the game is a bit pricey at $ 14, it offers a gaming experience with high quality graphics and has included a long story line. The user is prompted to complete short puzzles and solve mysteries along their journey into the mysterious shadowy universe. The game is great for middle-aged teens but adults may find it intriguing as well. The app received a recent update further ensuring top-notch performance and the greatest experience for users.
Contrast comes in at a size of 1.8GB of storage space, so make sure you have enough available space prior to downloading. It’s also recommended to connect to a Wi-Fi network when the download is in tow in order to avoid data overages. The game already has 10-50 installs and has received a majority of high reviews. It requires Android 4.4 and up and a Shield Android TV console for the full experience in addition to a game controller. You can download it at the link below.
Come comment on this article: New console game for the Shield TV hits the Play Store
Google Play Store just knocked the price of a slew of games down to just 10 cents
If you’re aching for some supremely affordable games on Android, 13 games just got discounted to 10 cents each on the Google Play Store. We’re not sure when these discounts will end, so it’d be wise to snatch them up sooner rather than later.
The post Google Play Store just knocked the price of a slew of games down to just 10 cents appeared first on Digital Trends.
Let’s play
It’s dangerous to go alone! Take this.
As promised, and after some excellent road-testing by thousands of dedicated gaming fans (thanks, folks!), YouTube Gaming is now available. Blending gaming videos and live streams, YouTube Gaming brings you closer to the games, gamers, and culture that matter to you.
Here’s what you need to know:
- YouTube Gaming is your go-to destination for anything and everything gaming because it automatically pulls in all gaming-related videos and live streams from YouTube.
- Viewers get personalized gaming recommendations based on the games and channels they collect. With over 25,000 game pages and even more gaming channels, it’s never been easier to connect with your gaming community.
- We’ve also made it easier to create a live stream — check out the beta version of our new way to go live at youtube.com/stream today.
Find the English-language website (gaming.youtube.com) in any country where YouTube is available, or download the phone and tablet app from Google Play and the App Store, rolling out over the next few hours in the U.S. and U.K. Other countries will be coming soon.
Together, we all make gaming better. Our peers make us better gamers, and games are made better by the communities that surround them. Thanks for your feedback as we brought you YouTube Gaming, and keep it coming. This is just the beginning.
Frank Petterson, Engineering Manager, recently played League of Legends.
P.S. For those of you who are going to be at PAX Prime in Seattle this weekend, check out our booth and stage show. If you can’t be there in person, we’ll be streaming our show (hosted by GameSpot, IGN, and Rooster Teeth) at gaming.youtube.com.
You could play against Maria Sharapova at the U.S. Open, thanks to this amazing VR experience
Ever wondered how it would be to return the tennis serve of a champion? If you’re headed to the U.S. Open later this month, you may have the chance to find out — without having to set foot on the court itself, or risk embarrassing yourself in front of the crowd when you don’t even […]
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Verizon Droid 2015 rumors: Leaked Droid Maxx 2 back cover looks identical to the Moto X Play
It’s time to start looking into what Verizon Wireless and Motorola are cooking up for this year’s Droid lineup. Early rumors indicate that we will get second generations of the Droid Maxx and Droid Turbo.
The post Verizon Droid 2015 rumors: Leaked Droid Maxx 2 back cover looks identical to the Moto X Play appeared first on Digital Trends.
Google updates official AdSense app in the Play Store with Material Design makeover
Google has begun rolling out an update for its official AdSense application. In terms of added functionality, this upgrade brings compatibility for custom date ranges, as well a complete visual overhaul complying with the search engine giant’s Material Design guidelines,
Check out the clean, new interface in the gallery below:
To install the update on your smartphone, simply open up the Play Store, toggle the hamburger menu by swiping in from the left-hand side of the screen, select ‘My Apps’ and click on ‘AdSense’. Then all that’s left for you to do is hit the update button.
Come comment on this article: Google updates official AdSense app in the Play Store with Material Design makeover
Introducing the newest member of our family, the YouTube Kids app–available on Google Play and the App Store
Like most parents, I love helping my kids learn more about something they’re interested in. For example, right now, I spend a lot of time on YouTube with my 3-year-old son, who loves watching videos of car washes, Super Simple Songs, and about the universe. We’re not the only ones: Families worldwide are watching millions of videos on YouTube. And lately, those of us at YouTube have been working on a new way for our kids—and yours—to discover and explore videos on every topic in, well, the universe.
Today, we’re introducing the YouTube Kids app, the first Google product built from the ground up with little ones in mind. The app makes it safer and easier for children to find videos on topics they want to explore, and is available for free on Google Play and the App Store in the U.S.
Bright and playful design
Your 4-year-old may already be a swiping expert, but the app’s design makes it even easier to find Pocoyo or the latest episode of Sesame Street’s The Furchester Hotel. With larger images, bold icons and more, it’s fast and simple for little thumbs to navigate. And we’ve built in voice search so that even if your child can’t spell or type, they can still find videos of things they’re curious about.
Family-focused content
For years, families have come to YouTube, watching countless hours of videos on all kinds of topics. Now, parents can rest a little easier knowing that videos in the YouTube Kids app are narrowed down to content appropriate for kids. You can browse channels and playlists in four categories: Shows, Music, Learning and Explore. Or search for videos of particular interest to your family, like how to build a model volcano, math tutorials, the amazing (and endless) world of trains—and everything in between.
Along with favorites from DreamWorksTV, Jim Henson TV, Mother Goose Club, Talking Tom and Friends and more, your kids can watch new series from YouTube channels they already like. Discover new facts about dinosaurs from National Geographic Kids; learn about technology from Reading Rainbow; or watch Thomas the Tank Engine leave the world of Sodor for the first time in 70 years to travel the globe. Plus, more new videos are coming soon from beloved YouTubers like John and Hank Green of the Vlogbrothers and Stampylonghead.
Parental controls
We realize every family is different, so we’ve built options into the app that help you control the experience for your kids:
- Timer: Let the app be the bad guy with a built-in timer that lets you limit kids’ screen time. The app alerts your child when the session is over, so you don’t have to. (You’re welcome. 😉 )
- Sound settings: Sometimes you need a little peace and quiet! You have an option to turn off background music and sound effects, so your kids can keep watching while you catch a breather.
- Search settings: If you’d rather limit your children to just the pre-selected videos available on the home screen, you can turn off search.
- Product feedback: Our goal is to improve YouTube Kids all the time, so we’ve included a space for you to give us your feedback.
YouTube Kids is available for free starting today in the U.S. on Google Play and the App Store, and will soon be available on Kurio and nabi kids’ tablets.
This is the first step toward reimagining YouTube for families, but with your help, the app will continue to get better over time. We’re excited to start this chapter with you—so from our family to yours, enjoy!
Shimrit Ben-Yair, mother of two and YouTube Kids Group Product Manager, recently watched “How Big is the Universe” with her kids, along with countless “car wash” videos.
Top 5 best iPhone games you need to play this week
When it comes to the App Store, it can be challenging to find the best iPhone games, so to help you discover the best of what’s available, here’s our roundup of our favorite new games.
The post Top 5 best iPhone games you need to play this week appeared first on Digital Trends.
Disconnect.Me dispute with Google over Play Store leads to antitrust complaint in Europe
As Google continues to deal with the European Commission over a variety of claims that the company has become too large and is creating an anticompetitive environment, a new complaint has been lodged by Disconnect Inc., developers of an ad-blocking and privacy app. The crux of the complaint is Google’s decision to ban the Disconnect Mobile app from the Google Play Store. Disconnect is demanding their app be included in the Play Store along with unspecified damages.
Disconnect provides a service to protect “users from invisible tracking and malvertising, malware served through advertisements” according to a statement issued by the company. Disconnect makes their service available through apps for both Android and iOS systems as well as extensions that can be deployed on desktop computers. Disconnect has tried twice in the past year to get the Android version of the app listed in Google Play, only to see Google ban the app. The second time it happened, Google threatened to remove the company’s developer account, which would have impacted other apps produced by the company.
Google has responded to the complaint stating it is baseless. According to their statement,
“Our Google Play policies (specifically clause 4.4) have long prohibited apps that interfere with other apps (such as by altering their functionality, or removing their way of making money). We apply this policy uniformly – and Android developers strongly support it. All apps must comply with these policies and there’s over 200 privacy apps available in Google Play that do.”
Disconnect, founded by former Google execs, currently offers the app through their own site so users can sideload the app. They have also worked on deals to get the app pre-installed on devices, like the Blackphone provided through Deutsche Telekom. However, the company clearly believes they are losing out on potential revenue due to the lack of exposure from not being listed in the Google Play Store. In a statement, CEO Casey Oppenheim says,
“We want what the lawyers call ‘equal treatment.’ We want Android users to be able to get our products quickly and easily through the Play Store and we want to be fully supported by Google, just like other apps in the Store.”
Disconnect has not yet released the actual complaint with all of the details regarding the claimed impact from not being listed in the Play Store. They have also not launched any complaints outside of the European Union.
source: TechCrunch
Come comment on this article: Disconnect.Me dispute with Google over Play Store leads to antitrust complaint in Europe