APK BRO™ - Download APK Android Apps: 11/10/15

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Deal: $69 for a PureVPN Lifetime Subscription

Having a secure internet connection at all times is something most of us should probably consider investing in going forward in life. As we spend more time on our phones, computers, and tablets, we are opening ourselves up to more risk. Services like PureVPN help alleviate some of that by never exposing your personal data or internet activity and giving you that safe connection.

A current deal in the DL Deals store will get you into PureVPN for life for just $69. The normal lifetime package runs upwards of $600, so the savings here are significant.

With PureVPN, you get connections for up to 5 devices, access to quite a large list of servers from all over the work, plus there is live 24-7 support should you run into issues.

Here is the full list of features:

Connect w/ up to 5 devices at once at top speeds
Access a gigantic 550+ servers in 141 countries across 6 continents
Use w/ your routers, gaming consoles & smartTVs
Use on nearly any device w/ an Internet connection
Unblock Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, and more anywhere in the world
Receive live support 24/7
Encrypt data w/ proprietary software, a self-engineered network & absolutely no third-parties
Secure your connection on public Wi-Fi hotspots
Utilize unlimited bandwidth & one-click functionality

The deal is live for the next 4 days.

Deal Link

Samsung Gear VR “Consumer Edition” Now Up for Pre-Order at $99

Ready to tackle the first consumer edition of Samsung’s Gear VR headset line? Called just Gear VR, sans “Innovator Edition” tag, you can pre-order the headset today for $99 at places like Best Buy, Amazon, and Samsung.com.

As a reminder, this is the first of Samsung’s Gear VR series that works with multiple devices. In fact, this consumer edition works with the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge+, Galaxy S6, and regular Galaxy S6 Edge. Previous models were stuck with single device support, so the design has obviously changed for the better this time around.

To get a sense for the virtual reality experience you will see with a Samsung Gear VR headset, check out the clip below.

If you pre-order today, expect your Gear VR to ship as early as November 20. Carriers, like T-Mobile, will begin carrying the headset as early as November 27.

Best Buy Link | Amazon Link ($99.99)

Deal: Google Selling the Moto 360 (1st Gen) at Just $99.99

Still in love with the design of the Moto 360 (1st Gen)? Well, Google is selling them for just $99 on the Google Store, available in Stone and Black models. Previously priced at $149, that’s another $50 mark down on the device, bringing it to its lowest price yet. When first launched, these were going for $250, so $99 ain’t all bad.

Now, would I go recommending the Moto 360 (1st Gen) with its T.I. OMAP processor? Not exactly, but if blowing $250+ on a new Android Wear smartwatch does not interest you, this smartwatch will surely get the job done, and is still receiving updates from Motorola. So it’s not a bad option by any means.

If interested, check it out.

Google Store Link

Cheers Tony!

Blackberry Priv Unboxing and Tour!

Oh, hey, physical keyboard lovers. We have a special treat for you today in the form of the Blackberry Priv. What’s that? There aren’t any real keyboard lovers left, only those who once thought they loved physical keyboards before realizing that on-screen keyboards were better but now are trying to re-convince themselves that maybe, just maybe, a physical keyboard made by Blackberry that is attached to mostly stock Android could be a winner? Yeah, well, this is for you!

Now that the Blackberry Priv is in house, we plan to give it the ol’ dipsy-doo review. Of course, we first wanted to take it for a spin in the unboxing machine to give you some first impressions with this Android-powered Blackberry phone. How odd does that sound? “Android-powered Blackberry phone.” Weird.

Anyways, here we go! Full review is on the way.

T-Mobile “Amps” Up Simple Choice Plans, Doubles Amount of Data

In addition to Binge On, T-Mobile announced during UnCarrier X this morning that they are doubling data amounts for all Simple Choice plans across the board. Previously, a Simply Choice plan started at $50 a month for 1GB of high-speed 4G data speed, but now, that plan comes with 2GB of high-speed data. The same goes for any and all lines added onto the plan – all will have double the amount of data.

Adding a second line still costs $30 a month, but comes with 2GB of high-speed data, instead of just 1GB. Additional lines after the second line are priced at just $10 a month for 2GB of high-speed data, with a max of 10GB of high-speed data for each line. A plan is maxed at 12 lines. T-Mobile emphasizes that these are not buckets and there is no sharing involved. Each line has its own amount of data it can use.

To help celebrate today’s news, T-Mobile is making the fourth line free. For a limited time, a family of four can get four lines for $120 with 6GB per person (24GB total), with no sharing, at just $30 per line.

Given these are Simple Choice plans, they have access to all of the great features offered by T-Mobile, including Music Freedom, Binge On, Data Stash, Mobile Without Borders, and WiFi Un-leashed.

T-Mobile states these Simple Choice plans go live on November 15.

Via: T-Mobile

Report: Google is Considering Building Its Own Smartphone From Scratch

What if Google were to go the Apple route for its next smartphone? That would be controlling the entire process, from designing the chipset used to the entire manufacturing process and design of the body, alongside development of the software it runs. According to The Information, the search company is currently having internal discussions about this topic, though there isn’t exactly any word on Google signing off and moving forward.

You may be wondering how this differs from Google’s Nexus line and the answer is sort of simple. With Nexus phones or tablets, Google joins with one or more of their close partners to co-develop a product. With the Nexus 5X and 6P, Google asked LG and Huawei to help build them. Those companies not only help manufacture the phones (with branding), but they more than likely help distribute them as well. Should Google decide to go the Apple route and do it all, they take on all of that without the help of LG or Huawei or Samsung or HTC.

In the end, a phone designed from the bottom up by Google would help them push updates (even) easier and gain even more control over the overall Android experience. Honestly, though, it seems like a pretty silly idea. You basically get all of that with the current Nexus line, except Google doesn’t have to do any of the hard labor. By creating their own phone that doesn’t utilize close partners, they could potentially piss off many of them in the long run.

And what’s the point? The Information argues that this is a control play that helps give Google a tightened Android ecosystem. But for that to actually happen, they would have to become Apple and sell hundreds of millions of phones. Otherwise, you just have a Google phone that isn’t a Nexus, not selling and not making any sort of difference in the big picture. I don’t get it.

Via: The Information (subscription)

T-Mobile Announces Binge On, Video Streaming That Won’t Count Against Your Data

During UnCarrier X this morning, T-Mobile announced Binge On, a feature for T-Mobile customers that allows them to watch “DVD quality” video from select services that won’t count against their allotted monthly data total. Just like Music Freedom, as long as Binge On is turned on through your account settings, you won’t see the data used for video watching charged to your monthly bill.

There are over 20 services available through Binge On at launch, scheduled for November 19 (November 15 for new customers), including most of the top video providers across the web. At launch, viewers can binge watch Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Showtime, MLB, Movieplex, NBC Sports, and Sling TV.

T-Mobile states that they have optimized the video for streaming across their network, bringing DVD quality or better straight to your device. You must note, DVD quality is listed by T-Mobile at 480p, meaning your video resolution while streaming will be around 480p or a little better. By no means are they declaring HD resolution video streaming for free.

As for those who would cite Net Neutrality practices, T-Mobile’s John Legere declares there is no prioritization taking place, as no one, not the customers and not the service providers, are paying for the optimizations taking place. For service providers, all they need to do is meet the technical requirements to become a part of the service, and T-Mobile will continue to work with content providers to add more to the Binge On list. When questioned about YouTube, Legere stated, “stay tuned.”

As mentioned previously, Binge On goes live on November 19 for existing customers and November 15 for new customers.

So, T-Mobile customers, do you plan on using this?

Via: T-Mobile

T-Mobile UnCarrier X Goes Down at 11am Pacific, Watch Here

UnCarrier X is going down at 11am Pacific (2pm Eastern) today, where it is reported T-Mobile may introduce some sort of Video Freedom service. This would include streaming from Netflix that would not count against your total monthly data allotment, just like we have with Music Freedom and music streaming from select services.

If you are curious as to what T-Mobile will officially announce, we have embedded the livestream below.

Again, the event kicks off at 11am Pacific (2pm Eastern).

Apple Music Now Available on Google Play

Apple Music is now available for Android devices through Google Play. Yup, this is a pretty momentous day for all in Silicon Valley, as Cupertino begins to acknowledge the importance of porting its luxurious iOS experiences to Mountain View.

The Apple Music app is currently listed as a beta, but if you do decide to check it out, you will be able to begin a 3-month trial for free, granting you access to over 30 million song titles. The service features catered recommendations, a way to “connect” with artists (on their own terms, of course), and create custom playlists for whatever mood you are feeling. Listed in the “coming soon” section are music videos, a better sign-up process for us on Android, and family subscriptions are remaining a Mac and iOS exclusive for the time being.

The app is completely free to download, so go give it a try.

Play Link

Deal: Save Up to 30% on a Purchase of $650 on HTC’s Website

Ending tonight, the Hot Deal from HTC today is a big time money-saving deal when you purchase goodies through its website. There are three tiers to the deal, saving you more money the more you purchase.

When you spend $200, you save 15%. If you spend $400, you save 20%. Lastly, when you spend $650, you save 30%. $650 just so happens to be the price of a brand new One M9, and 30% off of that would be $455.

There is more than just the One M9 up for grabs, though. You can pick up a Desire EYE, Desire 626, One M8 Windows (icky), as well as plenty of accessories for each of these devices.

Follow the link below if you are interested.

HTC Link

Qualcomm’s Reveals the Snapdragon 820 With Adreno 530 GPU, Quick Charge 3.0, More

This morning, Qualcomm revealed the full details of its new flagship processor, the Snapdragon 820. With this latest mobile chipset, Qualcomm set out to create a technology that was “holistically designed around enriching visual quality and audio clarity.” That’s marketing speak for a powerful graphics processing unit (GPU), better image processing, and better audio out of a phone’s speakers. It also ups the game in terms of quick charging, has faster download/upload speeds than previous chipsets, and 2x the performance of the the Snapdragon 810.

Here is a bulleted shortlist of the new features:

X12 LTE Modem: Offers 3x faster “peak” upload speeds and 33% faster “peak” download speeds when compared to the X10 LTE modem found in the Snapdragon 810 and 808. With LTE Cat 12 support, download speeds can reach 600Mbps, while Cat 13 upload speeds can rise to 150Mbps.
Adreno 530 GPU: Offers a 40% improvement across the board over the Adreno 430, so we’re talking better graphics performance, computer capabilities, and power usage.
Kyro CPU and Hexagon 680 DSP: Up to 2.2GHz 64-bit quad-core CPU that can realize 2x performance and efficiency over the CPU in the Snapdragon 810, along with a “significant” improvement in battery life. The Hexagon 680 DSP also allows for always-on, low power sensors and “ultra-low power advanced imaging.”
Quick Charge 3.0: This new quick charging is 38% more efficient than Quick Charge 2.0 and 4x faster than “conventional” charging.
Spectra Camera ISP: Supports up to 28MP capture, 14-bit image sensors, hybrid autofocus, and “multi-sensor fusion algorithms.”
Advanced WiFi: Supports both 802.11ad and 802.11ac 2×2-MU-MIMO WiFi, which is 2x or 3x faster than 802.11ac WiFi without MU-MIMO.

Here is a quick comparison of the 820 to the 810 and 808.

Qualcomm still says to not expect any phones running the Snapdragon 820 until next year.

Via: Qualcomm [2]

Amazon Echo Coming to More Than 3,000 Retail Locations in the US

In time for the holiday season, shoppers will soon find the Amazon Echo located in over 3,000 retail locations across the US. Amazon is bringing their voice-operated black cylinder to a few brick and mortar retailers, such as Home Depot, Staples, Sears, Brookstone, RadioShack, Fred Meyer, as well as others.

Priced at $179.99, the Echo, if you don’t already know, is a little black tube that makes whatever room you place it in smarter. Once connected to your home’s WiFi connection, you can ask Alexa questions, have it play tunes from Prime Music, connect other apps for additional functionality, and also use it as a fancy kitchen timer.

Availability will come in the following weeks, but to see exactly where you can find one in-person, look here.

Do you already have an Echo? If so, what do you use it for the most?

Via: Amazon

Google Maps on Android Gets Offline Navigation Today

Back at Google I/O, Google told us to expect full offline navigation in Google Maps before the year was up. Today, they delivered on the promise, at least on Android. Noting that 60% of the world is without Internet, you are more than likely going to be in a situation during your life where access to Google Maps may come in handy, even though you don’t have any sort of data connection.

With Google Maps offline navigation, you can download a map ahead of time, so that when you need it, you’ll have use of turn-by-turn navigation and the option to search for places, where you can then see information about them, including hours of operation and their rating. It’s basically a Google Maps experience, only without the need to be connected to WiFi or a cell tower.

To save an area for offline use, the quickest way is to search for the area or city you want, then open its corresponding search page where you should see a “Download” option. Once downloaded, Google Maps will automatically recognize when you have a terrible connection and then switch to offline mode. Once it sees that you have a connection again, it’ll switch back to the full mode.

To see the new offline mode in action, check out the two GIFs below.

The update will begin rolling out slowly today on Android. iOS users will get it “soon.”

Play Link

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Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Deal: $69 for a PureVPN Lifetime Subscription

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Samsung Gear VR “Consumer Edition” Now Up for Pre-Order at $99

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Deal: Google Selling the Moto 360 (1st Gen) at Just $99.99

Cheers Tony!

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Blackberry Priv Unboxing and Tour!

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T-Mobile “Amps” Up Simple Choice Plans, Doubles Amount of Data

Via: T-Mobile

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Report: Google is Considering Building Its Own Smartphone From Scratch

Via: The Information (subscription)

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Via: Qualcomm [2]

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