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Yes, you can actually beat 'Threes!'
Just when you thought the deceptively complex puzzler Threes! wasn't beatable, the internet comes along and proves you wrong. Three and a third years later (confirmed by the development team) the folks behind the ThreesPorn Twitter account have captured something special in the GIFs embedded below. It's quite a bit more elaborate as the victory screen for Solitaire on Windows, too. If you're going to strive to beat it yourself now that you know it's possible, don't scroll down. But if you want to know what score you should strive to top here's your target: 1,594,458.
VTech's new Android tablet has its own kid-friendly messaging system
VTech's tablets and other kids' gadgets have always focused on creating a child-safe walled garden, but it's fallen far short of having an ecosystem like what children can get on an iPad or Amazon Fire Kids Edition. Its new Android tablet for children four and older opens things up a bit by allowing app downloads from outside the VTech ecosystem, as well as messaging with iOS and Android devices -- all with a parent's supervision.
Amazon is liable for in-app purchases made by kids, court finds
A federal judge today ruled that Amazon did not sufficiently warn people of the possibility of in-app purchases in "free" apps, making the company liable for unwanted charges incurred by children. The FTC filed the case in 2014 and argued that Amazon didn't provide adequate safeguards against unauthorized purchases in apps marked as "free," leading to millions of dollars in unwanted charges, the FTC said. Amazon argued that it was quick to respond to complaints and provided refunds when prudent.
BlackBerry 10 phones get the Amazon Appstore in the US
If you're a BlackBerry-toting American, you're about to get a ton of Android apps on your plate. As promised, BlackBerry has started the US rollout of an update that gives all BB10 devices access to the Amazon Appstore, saving you from having to sideload some of the Android titles you can't live without. You'll also get better anti-theft protection and a "fresh look" that includes faster access to common tasks.
Amazon's Android appstore loses one of its best features
Free. It's a price we love. Ironically, free usually comes at a price. Today, that price, is the loss of Amazon's try-before-you-buy TestDrive service for Android apps. It turns out, with more and more apps being free (at least to download), there was less demand for a service that let you test 'em out in the browser/virtual machine. Makes sense. Accordingly, Amazon has pulled the TestDrive feature from the appstore -- this has no effect on any apps that used it, just the feature is gone. The downside being there's no longer a way to (easily) check out apps that don't use the free-to-play/freemium model on Amazon's store any more. But, coming full circle... that's the price you pay for having more free apps, right?
Amazon wants to give paid apps away for free
Downloads from Amazon's Appstore almost assuredly aren't the raging success that the company's ventures like Prime are, but the retail juggernaut isn't giving up on it yet. In fact, the former looks like it's getting an injection of the latter's DNA with something called Unlocked. According to a leak obtained by TechCrunch, Bezos and Co. are experimenting with the idea of offering paid apps and in-app purchases free of charge. It apparently isn't limited to games either, as Monument Valley and Sonic Dash sit alongside productivity apps like OfficeSuite 8 + PDF Converter.
BlackBerry's latest update brings Amazon Appstore to its phones
All BlackBerry 10 phones will soon get features previously available on the BB Classic and Passport only, thanks to the platform's latest update. One of the most notable changes is the addition of Amazon's Appstore, giving users access to a bevy of Android apps. The update also equips the phones with BlackBerry Blend, which consolidates emails, text messages, BBM, contacts and calendar, and keeps them all synced across devices and even across operating systems (it works on Mac, Windows, Android and iOS). There's BlackBerry Assistant, as well: a virtual secretary like Siri and Cortana that responds silently if you type a question, speaks when you ask out loud and adds context to its answers if you're using a Bluetooth headset and it thinks you don't have access to the screen. These features, along with a bunch of other ones, are coming to all available BB 10 devices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East starting today, but it's slated to make its way to North America in the future.
Amazon's free Crimbo app bundle includes Terraria, Plex and Djay 2
Plenty of Brits will be unwrapping Android devices this Christmas, so as an extra festive treat Amazon has assembled another one of its free app collections to get you up and running. The new promotion is one of its highest value bundles to date, packing in 40 apps worth up to £150 from the Amazon Appstore. The deal runs from December 24th to 26th and highlights include the games Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Terraria and Worms 3, local media streaming service Plex and the addictive turntable app Djay 2. Heck, if you've scoffed one too many mince pies this month there's even a few health and fitness apps to help you lose the holiday weight. Fire device owners can redeem them from the Amazon Appstore right away, but if you're using any other Android hardware you'll have to download the marketplace from here first. The whole process is a bit of a pain, but it's arguably a small price to pay if you're interested in at least a couple of the discounted apps.
Amazon's latest free Android app bundle includes a $59 dictionary
Amazon sure loves giving away free apps, and today sees the start of its third Appstore promotion in almost as many months. If you're not following, Amazon's Android Appstore already offers a different piece of paid software for free each day. Lately, though, it's been discounting collections of apps for a limited time, like with the new "work, play & watch" bundle. In total, there are 27 apps worth around $135/£100 up for grabs until September 27th (this Saturday). It's not the most attractive buffet, but Riptide GP2, SketchBook Pro and the Swype keyboard are notable inclusions, with the most expensive being OfficeSuite Professional 7 (usually $14.99/£9.36) and the latest edition Merriam-Webster dictionary (normally $59/£34.44). Anyway, you may as well check out the full selection in case you spot anything you like; and remember, Amazon's Appstore isn't just available on its own hardware, but to anyone with an Android device and a few spare minutes.
BlackBerry's Passport is a square in looks, but not personality
For the first time in ages, I'm intrigued by a BlackBerry device. That's rather unusual these days, but it wasn't always this way. I remember when I first saw the Pearl eight years ago; it was one of the most beautiful devices I'd ever seen. The Curve and Bold series didn't disappoint either. But the magic has been missing from the Canadian phone maker for a long time, evidenced by its struggling sales. Only one in a hundred smartphone owners use a BlackBerry, and the company's older-generation hardware is still outselling current BlackBerry 10 handsets. Now it's putting much of its hope in a unique-looking squarish device called the Passport, which launches today in five countries (with 30 total by the end of the year). The $599 off-contract/$249 on-contract device ($699 in Canada and £529 in the UK, off-contract) is designed to appeal to fans of physical keyboards and large displays. It may not restore the magic BlackBerry's lost in recent years, but my initial experience with the Passport has been more positive than I expected. At least that's a start, right?
Amazon's offering 30 free Android apps to help make you a better person
Another month, another batch of 30 free Android apps courtesy of Amazon. Like the bookseller's last Appstore promotion, the "Summer Self-Improvement Bundle" features $100/£100's worth of complimentary apps, as long as you download them within the next two days (so don't leave it 'til the weekend, basically). On-theme apps include exercise, nutrition, sleep, budgeting and learning aids, while games such as Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing and Carcassonne should provide a little entertainment. Other notable freebies include Kayak Pro for travel planning and management, and popular read-it-later app Instapaper. Remember, Amazon's Appstore is available to any Android device (some side-loading required), not that we're saying you could use a little self-improving. You're perfect just the way you are.
Amazon Deal Center is a one-stop shop for discounted Kindle Fire apps
Looking for a deal? Amazon's trying to make it a little easier for you. The company just announced on its developer community page that the Amazon Appstore is getting a new section: Deal Center. The feature is exactly what it sounds like -- a central location that lists discounted apps and special offers, such as apps that give customers Amazon Coins with purchase. Amazon says the deal page was designed to help developers broaden their customer base, and developers don't have to do anything special to be featured in the Deal Center; it's mostly automatic. If you installed the Amazon Appstore manually, however, you're out of luck: Deal Center is only visible on Kindle Fire HDX and HD devices, at least for now.
Amazon Appstore promo offers 30 free apps including Plex and AccuWeather
Whoever said "nothing in life is free" obviously doesn't have Amazon's Appstore installed on their Android device. The software marketplace already offers a different paid app for free each day, but for today and tomorrow only, it's upped the number of discounted apps to 30. The "Epic Summer App Bundle" features over a $100/£100's worth of popular apps for free, including the Plex mobile client, AccuWeather Platinum, games such as Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the 3D RPG Ravensword: Shadowlands and Kairosoft's Dungeon Village, as well as some utility and productivity apps like Splashtop Remote Desktop HD and OfficeSuite Professional 7. The full selection can be found here, and if you have Amazon hardware you know where to head to get downloading. Anyone else with an Android smartphone or tablet can install the Appstore by following these instructions, and it's going to be worth the small effort if you fancy even a couple of the apps gratis.
BlackBerry is getting Amazon's catalog of 250,000 Android apps
BlackBerry users haven't exactly had an abundance of apps to choose from lately, due in no small part to the once-legendary phone maker's dwindling market share. However, the company just reached an app library deal with Amazon that could give you a reason to hang on to that Q10 or Z30. When BlackBerry 10.3 launches in the fall, it will have access to the Amazon Appstore's catalog of 250,000-plus Android apps -- you'll have little trouble finding Minecraft, Netflix and other big-name titles.
AllCast's screen-mirroring magic arrives on Amazon's Fire TV App Store
Been putting off sideloading AllCast's SDK to your brand new Amazon Fire TV? Well, friend, your procrastination has paid off. Now, all you have to do to install the casting and screen-mirroring app is download it straight from the Amazon App Store. So long as you also have AllCast installed on an Android device, you can beam photos, videos and music from your phone or tablet to Amazon's set-top box. Plus, you can use the app to view images and videos saved on Google+ and Dropbox. If you don't plan to pick up a Fire TV (waiting for the second one, eh?), you can still use AllCast with a number of other devices, including Chromecast, Xbox One, Roku, Apple TV and a smattering of smart TVs.
Amazon's virtual currency now works on Android phones and tablets
Since launching Amazon Coins in May 2013, the virtual currency was locked to Amazon's Kindle Fire tablet. Today, the shackles of exclusivity are being torn asunder, replaced by the inclusivity of the Android platform. Americans, Brits and Germans all now have access to their Amazon Coins through the Amazon Appstore via the latest software update. Beyond just being beneficial to consumers who prefer using virtual currencies for online purchases, Amazon Coins offers yet another method for phone and tablet application developers to receive payment (70 percent of the payment goes directly to developers). Of course, ultimately, this benefits Amazon the most, as the company skims the other 30 percent off payments for itself. Something's gotta pay for The Washington Post, right?
Amazon Appstore for Android joins the modern era with a slicker interface
The Amazon Appstore has long been clunky and slow for anyone who doesn't own a Kindle Fire tablet -- even for basics like app updates. All that pain is now a distant memory, however, as Amazon has just overhauled the stand-alone Appstore for Android with a genuinely modern interface. The new client has sidebar-driven navigation that feels at home in the KitKat era, and it's much faster when browsing titles. If you've been ignoring Amazon's alternative storefront for a while, it may be worth returning for a second look.
Amazon Appstore now accepts web apps
The Amazon Appstore is no longer just for native Android apps -- starting now, the retailer will also take HTML5-based web apps. Developers can build content using any off-the-shelf tools; Amazon wraps whatever they create in a format that's friendly to those using the Kindle Fire or other Android devices. Publishers who want to integrate more closely with Amazon can also integrate the retailer's in-app purchasing through JavaScript code. Only a handful of web apps are available at launch, including TreSensa's Happy Tree Friends: Run & Bun, an IGN video game news app and Spil Games' Dream Pet Link, but web app developers who want to bolster Amazon's catalog can visit the source link.
Amazon Appstore launches in China, continues its world tour
Amazon let its world domination plans be known last month when it asked developers to start submitting apps to line its virtual displays in more countries. While China was notably absent from immediate expansion plans, Amazon launched its Appstore there during the weekend, opening the doors to one of the biggest mobile device markets. As Reuters notes, the Google Play store is available in China, but only serves up free material, whereas Amazon's Appstore has a selection of both free and paid software available for users. While the company launched its e-book store and e-reader apps in China last December, devices are still waiting for their ticket over. Now, with the release of the Appstore, we suspect it's only a matter of time before the Kindle and Fire ranges make fashionably late appearances.
Amazon Appstore celebrates its second year with free apps, cake (for today only)
Did the word free in the headline grab your attention, or was it the cake? Either way, Amazon's Appstore is throwing a party to mark its second birthday, and there's a goody bag of software for anyone who attends. It's been a good month for Android users, as Google's Play store had its own shindig recently, and like last year, Amazon's been treating Appstore patrons to discounts all week. For its official anniversary today, though, a tray-full of apps can be downloaded gratis. Admittedly, the selection isn't fantastic, but you should find one or two things worth at least the time it takes to click 'em -- Chu Chu Rocket, may we suggest (long live Dreamcast!). Remember, you've gotta be quick, as the offers expire at the end of the day. But enough from us. Head to the source link for cake and more.
