Top 6 Android stories this week: Moto E, One Mini 2, and Android Silver

This week in your world of Android: Motorola introduced the amazingly cheap Moto E, the hotly anticipated G3 broke cover, LG teased more G Pads, Samsung put a launch date on the Tab S, HTC revealed the beautiful One Mini 2, and we learned the possible launch date of the Android Silver program.

These are the essential stories, the summary of an entire week in just a few words. It’s Android Weekly.

Budget is no longer a dirty word

While its competitors are busy fighting each other at the high-end of the market, Motorola is quietly undermining them with cheap, attractive devices. The Moto E, starting from $129, got everyone talking this week, and that alone should worry incumbents.

• Moto E announced: here’s what you need to know


• First look at the $129 Moto E, the little phone that could

Buy the Moto E from Amazon ($129)

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Oh look, it’s the G3

Just in case you missed all the leaks, LG began teasing the G3 this week, with a video that all but reveals its design, but stops short from giving hints of the phone’s specs and features.

• LG G3 looks brushed up and good to go in first teaser video


• LG G3 shows up press shots, clearest look at the phone yet

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The G Pad Family

In the week’s other big LG news, the Korean company will release a bunch of new G Pad tablets. Let’s hope they live up to the original G Pad, one of the nicest tablets of 2013.

• LG adding three sizes to G Pad line – new 7, 8 and 10.1-inch tablets


• LG G Pad 7 specs detailed in benchmark, powered by Snapdragon 400

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AMOLED tablets return on June 12

More leaks completed the picture of the AMOLED-equipped Galaxy Tab S 8.4 and 10.5, and now we also have a launch date to attach to Samsung’s latest tablets. The Korean giant all but confirmed the Tab S line will debut on June at its Premiere 2014 event.

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S SM-T800 shown off in more photos, this time by the FCC


• Samsung readying 3 stunning tablets, among them is the 13.3-inch “Warhol”


• Samsung Premiere 2014 set for June 12, here come the AMOLED tablets!

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HTC One Mini 2: mid-range specs in a premium body

The HTC One Mini 2 is essentially a slightly smaller One (M8), on the outside at least. Its innards are less exciting, but for some people, looks are more important than personality. Who are we to judge?

• HTC One Mini 2 announced: specs, features, and availability


• Hands-on with the HTC One Mini 2: a visual presentation

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Farewell Nexus

Notorious leaker @evleaks just confirmed the worst fears of Nexus fans. There won’t be a “Nexus 6″, he says, and Android Silver devices may only launch in February of 2015. Can you wait that long?

• @evleaks: Nexus 6 no more, Android Silver in store for February 2015

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What’s the biggest Android story this week? Tell us in the comments.

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/Th3YFO

Circix – Indie app of the day

What is Circix?

Circix is a fun little brain puzzler that makes you connect circuits a certain number of times. For instance, if you see a node that says “2″ then two other nodes connect to that specific node. The challenge isn’t necessarily apparent from the start, but eventually it gets much harder to determine which nodes go where.

Here’s how you play the game. On each level there are the aforementioned nodes. You simply swipe between them to create a connection. You cannot delete connections so if you mess up you have to start over from scratch which sounds like a feature flaw but it’s actually a part of the challenge. You have to get it perfect the first time or start entirely over.

There are three difficulties with the only difference between them being the side of the grid. The harder you go, the larger the grid gets. So if the basic size is too easy, just wait because it does get larger and harder. If you find yourself stuck, you can use a hint to help figure out what to do. You get 10 hints to start with and then you must buy more.

Aside from the game mechanics, Circix also features in app purchases. They include ad removal, a couple of hints packs in case you need a hint, more level packs, and tablet levels if you want them. If you don’t intend on spending a dime, you’ll still have about 200 levels to play with and the ads aren’t all that intrusive.

That’s pretty much it. Like we stated earlier this is a simple, but fun little puzzle game. If you’re waiting for an appointment or taking a bathroom time out then it’s a fun little game to have around to waste a few minutes. It has over 200 levels so it will take a while to beat and there are more levels if you want them for a nominal fee.

PROS

• You get 200 levels for free. That's way above average.


• It's enjoyable to play as a time waster.


• In app purchases are not in the way or offensive.


• Colorful graphics and quirky sound effects for the win.


• Levels crafted specifically for you tablet owners (as an in app purchase).

CONS

• It will feel repetitive after a while.


• No Google Play Games services.


• Its simplicity is a strength and a weakness. Aside from the main objective, there's nothing else to do.

6.5

Overall, we’d recommend Circix. The game starts fast and easy enough to help you learn the mechanics and its gradual shift in difficulty like a more natural progression that you’d see in other puzzle games. The in app purchases aren’t offensive as you can enjoy the game perfectly fine without them. If you’re a casual Android gamer or just enjoy puzzle games, then this is a clean, fun app to try. Also, it’s free in the Play Store. Check it out using the button below.

Check out the last indie app of the day: Monument Valley

from Android Authority http://ift.tt/1mEh5eo