technology news: octobre 2017

mardi 31 octobre 2017

Slayaway Camp devs to release Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle in Q1 2018

Slayaway Camp delivered a sumptuous mix of horror and humor when it was released on Android in June, leaving some gamers hungry for more. To coincide with Halloween, Blue Wizard Digital, the game's developer, has now announced a follow up: Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle.

Based on the details in the press release, this will be almost a direct sequel to Slayaway Camp, featuring similar mechanics and settings; the only discernible difference right now seems to be that you will play exclusively as Friday the 13th's Jason Voorhees.

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10 best Android horror games

When we first wrote this article a few years ago, the horror games genre wasn't great. There were a few good ones. However, the quality deteriorated quickly after that. The last couple of years have …

Players will once again slide the murderer around an isometric map, attempting to kill people with a range of weapons (or have them kill themselves while trying to escape). It will also feature the gruesome Kill Scenes in between levels which, even with the blocky characters of Slayaway Camp, were still pretty grim.

"I loved the balance of horror and humor the Blue Wizard guys brought to Slayaway Camp," said the creator of Friday the 13th. Sean S. Cunningham (75), "and I'm thrilled to see their take on Friday the 13th."

Unlike Slayaway Camp, however, Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle will be free to play — something that might worry fans of the original game. "We're sensitive to the concerns a lot of players have with free to play titles," said Blue Wizard Digital founder Jason Kapalka. "We're definitely trying to avoid the more obnoxious money-grabs. They've promised to send Jason after us if it sucks."

You can sign up for updates on the upcoming title at the link and if you want to check out Slayaway Camp, you can do so at the button below: it's currently on sale.

Download Slayaway Camp

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Arm’s new technologies make displays smarter and more efficient

Arm has announced three new bits of display tech aimed squarely at the smartphone market. First up is a new display processor, the Mali-D71, which is based on Arm's new Komeda display architecture. Next is Assertive Display 5 which will bring an HDR-like experience to any mobile display. Last and maybe least interesting is the new Memory Management Unit, the CoreLink MMU-600. MMUs aren't exactly thrilling to the average consumer— or even the average nerd— but if the CPU & GPU can't get the data to the display driver quickly and efficiently, then the MMU can become the weak link in an otherwise technologically robust chain. Let's take a closer look at how these new developments work.

Mali-D71 Display Processor

We first heard about Arm's new display processor back in May when we received details of a new display processor code-named Cetus. Cetus, or the Mali-D71 as it is now known, works in conjunction with the GPU to take care of tasks like rotation, scaling, and image enhancement. Using a display processor for handling the last tasks before a frame is sent to the screen is more efficient then using the CPU or GPU.

The new Komeda architecture is optimized for 4K displays, at 120 frames per second. Compared to the Mali-DP650 (the previous generation display processor), the Mali-DP71 has double the area efficiency, four times the latency tolerance, and twice the pixel throughput. All of these are important when it comes to driving high resolution displays at higher frame rates for things like AR and VR.

The Mali-D71 is also specially optimized for Android, particularly for doing multi-window composition on Android 8.x Oreo. The Android optimized hardware reduces the load on the GPU and can handle up to 8 alpha blended layers, 8 rotated layers and 4 scaled layers, as well handling HDR/SDR mixed compositions.

Assertive Display 5

Assertive Display is Arm's sunlight readability technology. When in bright sunlight the display on your phone will be pushed to its max to improve readability. However that will only achieve so much. Assertive Display adjusts each pixel in a frame and applies tone mapping based on how the display and the human eye work. By using both the screen brightness and the color of each individual pixel, Assertive display is able to increase viewability of the darker areas while keeping the already lighter areas from becoming washed-out.

One of the happy side effects of using Assertive Display is that the screen brightness can be reduced because the image processing is able to boost the effective contrast ratio. This means less battery drain.

The key feature of Assertive Display 5 is that it can show HDR content (HDR10 or HLG) to any display. This means you get a HDR-like experience even on a SDR display.

CoreLink MMU-600

Showing frames on a display is ultimately about handling large quantities of data in an efficient way. The new MMU can be built as a tightly integrated, specialized version for use with the Mali-D71. This coupling saves 55 percent of the space used by its predecessor.

Wrap-up

A lot that goes on in the background to ensure that what arrives on the display of our smartphones gets there in a timely manner, without killing the battery. That might sound obvious, but when you consider the challenges of processing the data headed for a 4K display at 120 frames per second then it is vital that every frame is delivered as "cheaply" as possible. If you watch a 4K movie for one hour at 120 FPS, the display processor will have to process nearly half a million frames. At these rates every energy saving, no matter how small, is essential. These three new bits of tech from Arm are designed to make sure that, regardless of which displays OEMs include on their smartphones in 2018 and 2019, the display driver and its friends will be able to handle it efficiently.

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The Humble Mobile Halloween Bundle is here: get 7 spooky games for $5

The Humble Store might have had a Halloween sale at its store ongoing since last week, but that wasn't the only way it was celebrating. Yesterday, Humble launched the Halloween Mobile Bundle, featuring seven titles to give you nightmares.

For $1 or more, you'll get Sanitarium, a mobile port of the classic PC point-and-click adventure game (and when I say "classic," I mean, "released almost 20 years ago" classic), and Dead Age, a modern rogue-like with set during a zombie apocalypse. That's in addition to DISTRAINT: Pocket Pixel Horror, though, after viewing its trailer, I'm none the wiser as to what the hell that's about.

Beat the average price and you'll get Beholder, which has reviewed well and features dark themes relating to home surveillance to accompany its grim art style; Rusty Lake Hotel, one of the latest games in the series of peculiar point-and-click adventure games; and Bulb Boy, which looks like a horrid 2D adventure game.

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10 best zombie games for Android

Who wants to kill some zombies? The zombie genre, once only a niche genre, has blossomed into a real pop culture phenomenon that has proven its staying power over and over again. Zombie games can …

For $5 you'll get all of the above as well as Fran Bow and Whispering Willows — two titles featuring troubled young protagonists on creepy journeys.

The total value of the bundle is set at $36 and you can find it over at the Humble Store.

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Hands-on with Nokia 2: It’s not about the specs!

After a slew of budget and mid-range devices – Nokia 3, Nokia 5, and Nokia 6 – HMD Global announced its most affordable device as yet, the Nokia 2, priced at €99 ($115).

The Nokia 2 comes with Android 7.1.2 Nougat out-of-the-box, and like with all Nokia devices it comes with the promise of pure and up-to-date Android experience. This means that Nokia 2 will get monthly security updates and will be upgraded to Android Oreo 'soon'.

If you judge smartphones by their specifications sheet, Nokia 2 is not for you. It packs in modest specifications, not in foolhardiness but backed by obvious conviction and understanding of the market. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 processor, the Nokia 2 packs in just 1 GB of RAM. In the limited time I spent with the device, I found the performance to be generally smooth – although the demo unit did not have any third-party apps installed. It's not a crawl as many ignorantly expect as soon as they look at the specifications. I'm assuming the hardware optimizes background apps to ensure enough memory is available at all times.

The 8 GB internal storage on the Nokia 2 is of course quite less, more so because less than 5 GB of free space is available out of the box. But thankfully, you can extend storage up to 128 GB with a microSD card, something most users would have to.

The Nokia 2 sports a 5-inch HD LTPS LCD and the 720p display offers nice contrast ratio and looks sharp. It is clearly one of the better screens in this price segment. There's also Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection which is a sweet addition.

The highlight of the smartphone is it's much-hyped '2-day battery life'. Instead of making a power-bank in the guise of a phone, HMD Global manages to squeeze in a 4,100 mAh battery in a compact chassis and banks on the frugal processor as well as the power-efficient display for that extra juice. We'll find out if Nokia 2 lives up to that claim when we take it for a spin for a longer duration. There's no fast charging, mind you.

For a budget smartphone, the Nokia 2 impressed me with its camera performance. I took a few test shots while checking out the device, and the 8-megapixel primary camera looked quite interesting. I'd like to explore it more when I review the device once it's available. The auto-focus camera comes with automatic scene detection as well as LED flash. There's also the 5-megapixel fixed-focus front camera which would serve you well for some decent selfies. The Nokia 2 offers unlimited photo and video uploads to Google Photos – a neat deal for a budget smartphone.

The best thing about the Nokia 2 is its design and build quality, which is why I kept it for the last. It looks quite chic with a metal frame milled out of series 6000 aluminum and a sculpted polycarbonate back. The matte finish at the back and the compact form factor owing to a 5-inch display makes gives it pleasant ergonomics and it feels great in the hand. The Nokia 2 looks solid and boasts of design considerations one usually expects on more expensive smartphones.

Overall, the Nokia 2 offers uncluttered Android experience in a smartphone that trades in extravagant innards for practicality and reliability. There's a thoughtful design that works well in both form and function and a package that might be greater than the sum of its parts.

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Get your $190 Treblab Magnetic Noise Cancelling Earphones for less than $40

If you're looking for some new equipment for your tunes on the go, you're probably going to want to check out this week's audiophile offer. Treblab RF100 earphones typically run for $189.99, but for the next few days, you can snag a pair for just $39.99.

These stylized earbuds are the full package. Noise cancelling, built in mic, magnetic clipping to keep them from getting tangled or lost… It's your new best companion for commuting, working out, or blotting out the rest of the world for a study binge.

'Treblab has, once again, done what they do best: Built a pair of earbuds that puts sound quality above all else.' - Nerd Techy

The package comes with a carrying case, multiple earbud replacements to match your ears perfectly, and of course the charging cable. This audio equipment is a relatively new arrival on the deals scene, and they've already accrued a solid 5-star rating from 51 reviewers.

Connoisseurs of sound will be thrilled with the high-quality sound in the ultra-convenient, wireless package of the TREBLAB RF100's. Packed with advanced components, improved Bluetooth tech, and Qualcomm aptX audio, you'll experience true HD sound in stylish, comfortable buds. It's audio excellence you can enjoy anywhere.

Treblab RF100 in a Glance:

True HD sound delivers rock-solid base & super crisp treble
Passive noise cancellation lets you focus on the music
Magnetic housing & removable ear hooks provide extra comfort
Built-in mic offers full call control
Stylish design fits in naturally at the gym, the office, or on your commute

What's more, if you have a friend who may also be in the market for a pair of earbuds, then you'll get an additional $10 off. And so will your friend! Scroll down to the bottom of the landing page for more details on the "Give $10, Get $10" program.

Ready to seriously up your audio game without compromising your bank account? Click the button below to grab your pair before they run out!

Check it out!

The AAPicks team writes about things we think you'll like, and we may see a share of revenue from any purchases made through affiliate links. To see all our hottest deals, head over to the AAPICKS HUB.

Looking for a new phone or plan? Start here with the Android Authority Plan Tool:

This smart tool lets you filter plans by phone, price, data tiers, and regional availability. Stop overpaying for cell service you hate for a phone that you're tired of. Use our Compare Phones & Plans tool to fully customize your mobile experience and painlessly transition from one carrier to another!

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Weekly Plan Spotlight: 4 Unlimited lines for $25/ea, free phones included

We're back with this week's Plan Spotlight, and this time the offer comes from everyone's favorite "Un-Carrier." Okay, technically the deal comes courtesy of MetroPCS, which is T-Mobile's prepaid brand, not big Magenta itself. Nevertheless, what we're looking at is 4 lines with unlimited talk, text, and data for $100/month. That's $25 per line, even including taxes and fees!

What's more, MetroPCS is offering you a free phone for each of these lines when you sign up. Here's what you have to choose from:

Up to 4 free phones and unlimited data for $25 per line per month… Pretty hard to beat this deal.

Show me them deets

Here's what you'll get with MetroPCS Unlimited data plan:

Unlimited talk, text and 4G LTE data (users of more than 35GB in a month may notice temporary reduction in speeds during times of high network traffic)
Coverage on T-Mobile's network
Video streaming at SD quality (480p)
Mobile hotspots (tethering) is not included

Special note on 4/$100: requires activation of new line of service to be eligible. If new line deactivates, ALL lines lose promotional rate

Free Device Offer fine print:

Sales tax on free devices are not included
requires port-in of eligible wireless number not currently active on T-Mobile network

Ready to stop worrying over your data and making monthly installments on a smartphone? Click the button below to start the swap to MetroPCS, 4 lines, 4 free phones, $100 a month total.

Get 4 lines for $100 from MetroPCS

The AAPicks team writes about things we think you'll like, and we may see a share of revenue from any purchases made through affiliate links.

Compare Phones and Plans with the Android Authority Plan Tool:

Is this plan not quite right for you? Head over to our Compare Phones & Plans tool to fully customize your mobile experience and painlessly transition from one carrier to another!

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You can now grab the Motorola Moto X4 for $399 in the US

Moto fans, you can finally get your hands on the Moto X4. Up until now, you either had to use Project Fi or deal with ads on your lock screen to enjoy Moto's newest device in the X lineup. The phone was released in September (after a short delay) as a Project Fi device and hit Amazon as a Prime Exclusive phone earlier this month. Luckily, Motorola is releasing a third version of the device that doesn't have any barrier of entry.

The new variant of the Moto X4 skips the Android One software experience for Motorola's software. That means you'll probably see slightly slower updates. Additionally, this version comes with Amazon's Alexa personal assistant, although you can still use Google Assistant if you like.

Motorola releases list of devices that will get Android Oreo

Now that Android 8.0 Oreo is out in the wild for Google's Pixel and Nexus devices, now the attention turns to Android manufacturers to see what devices will get the update and the speed at …

Unlike the software, the hardware on the devices is identical. You'll get a 5.2-inch 1080p IPS LCD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. It also comes with a microSD card slot, an IP68 rating, 3,000 mAh battery, and Android 7.1.1 out of the box. The dual-camera setup features a 12 MP + 8MP package on the rear of the device with a dual tone dual-LED flash. The front-facing camera is a 16 MP shooter with an LED flash of its own.

The Moto X4 will run you $399 and is available at a variety of retailers like Best Buy, B&H Photo, and Newegg. The $50 Best Buy gift card promotion we told you about last week is still running too.

Buy now from Best Buy

Buy now from B&H

Buy now from Newegg

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Super Mario Run did not make as much money as Nintendo had hoped it would

Being Nintendo's first mobile title, there was plenty of anticipation surrounding Super Mario Run. That anticipation and excitement certainly manifested itself in the number of downloads the game has seen since its initial December 2016 release, but according to Nintendo, the game did not make as much money as the company had hoped it would at this point.

The information comes via Nintendo's recent earnings report, which revealed that Super Mario Run has been downloaded 200 million times, with 90 percent of those downloads coming outside of Japan. That latter figure is important to Nintendo because the game exposed Mario to a slew of markets where the character previously had no presence, which might have helped boost sales of the recently-released Super Mario Odyssey for the Nintendo Switch.

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Register now for Nintendo's Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, coming next month

Update, October 25: As promised, Nintendo has released the first details about its next Android game. Called Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, the title will be free to play, with in-app purchases, but the good news is the …

Just as important of a figure for the company is how much money Super Mario Run made. Even though the game was downloaded 200 million times, Nintendo said that the game has "not yet reached an acceptable profit point." That has not been the case for Fire Emblem Heroes, which has been a more profitable game for Nintendo with one-tenth the number of downloads as Super Mario Run.

As for why this is, the blame might be on cost. Even though both mobile games are available as free downloads, Super Mario Run forces you to cough up $9.99 to unlock the full game. By comparison, Fire Emblem Heroes utilizes a free-to-play system with optional in-app purchases.

In other words, Super Mario Run features a relatively higher cost of entry and not nearly as many ways to charge folks for other bits and bobs. Even ignoring those pieces, Super Mario Run seems to have received a more lukewarm reception than Fire Emblem Heroes did, possibly because of the mechanics of the former versus the latter.

Whatever the reason, Nintendo still holds high hopes for Super Mario Run:

Our aim is for this application to be the definitive Mario application for smart devices. We have learned a lot in terms of game development and deployment that we want to take advantage of moving forward.

The company also plans to release more updates and improvements for the mobile title, so it certainly sounds like Nintendo does not plan to shift away from Super Mario Run anytime soon.

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10 best new Android games from October 2017!

Android gaming is getting bigger and better every month it seems and there is always a slew of new titles coming to Google Play. Whether you're a casual gamer or you want something with a beat more meat on its bones, there's usually a game coming out to suit everyone's taste. Let's take a look at the best new Android games from the last month! You can watch the videos on YouTube from passed months by clicking here!

Looking for more new stuff? Check out these recommended app lists!

10 best new Android apps from October 2017!

App developers are pushing the envelope on a daily basis trying to improve and enhance our smartphone and tablet experiences. In fact, so many Android apps come out every day that it's difficult to keep …

15 best Android games of 2017

Gaming on mobile has been improving at a far greater rate than any technology that came before it. Android games seems to hit new heights every year. With the release of Android Nougat and Vulkan …

Another Lost Phone: Laura's Story

Price: $3.49

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Another Lost Phone: Laura's Story is the next game in the Lost Phone franchise. The player finds a lost phone. Their goal is to find Laura, the phone's owner. This is accomplished by digging through the phone to find out information. There's a note taking app, a gallery, messaging, and more. It's a sleuthing game. That means there aren't any difficult mechanics to learn. However, it is fun figuring out what's going on. The game runs for $3.49 with no in-app purchases.

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Batman: The Enemy Within

Price: Free / $4.99 / $14.99

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Batman: The Enemy Within is the latest game from Telltale Games. It follows a new story of Batman in a fight against The Riddler. The game follows many of Telltale's hallmark mechanics. Those include point-and-click mechanics, an episodic adventure narrative, and fun comic book style graphics. The game comes in five episodes. The first episode is free. Subsequent episodes run for $4.99 or you can buy all of them at once for $14.99.

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Into the Dead 2

Price: Free with in-app purchases

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Into the Dead 2 is the sequel to the popular Into the Dead. The game has a lot of the same flavor as the first game. You run, you kill zombies, and you try to survive. This new game adds a story line, more varied game play mechanics, and a dog companion to the mix. It also comes with various challenges, decent graphics, and more. It's a freemium game. However, it's otherwise a fairly solid title.

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Middle-earth: Shadow of War

Price: Free with in-app purchases

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Middle-earth: Shadow of War is the latest Lord of the Rings game. It follows the story of Talion and his fight with Sauron's army. The game is freemium. You should expect some freemium elements with this title. Additionally, the game includes action RPG combat mechanics, various loot to collect, and various Lord of the Rings characters to collect. Other than that, the graphics and sound are decent and the mechanics are fairly simple. It's already fairly popular.

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Night Run

Price: Free / $0.99

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Night Run is a new infinite runner. It features minimal graphics and a simple premise. Your health drains as you run. Your goal is to collect hearts in order to remain alive while also avoiding obstacles. The obstacles are a little difficult to see at first. However, you get used to it over time. Unlike most, this one isn't a freemium title. You pay $0.99 once to remove ads. Otherwise, it's a clean, fairly decent time waster game.

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Do you not like in-app purchases or freemium games? Try these lists!

15 best non-Freemium Android games

Freemium games hit Android like a dump truck. It allowed apps and games to go free with users paying money later if they chose to and it's been a model that has been dominant. Freemium …

15 best free Android games with no in app purchases

It's true that the very best Android games cost money. Unfortunately, not everyone has money to spend. There are many reasons why this can be the case, but suffice it to say that there is …

Pokemon Playhouse

Price: Free

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Pokemon Playhouse is a new Pokemon-themed kids game. It is nothing like prior Pokemon games. The age recommendation for this one is ages three to five. Thus, you won't find anything challenging or difficult here. There isn't even any dialog to read. That makes it great for kids and probably a little boring for adults. The mechanics are dead easy to learn. Plus, the Pokemon are absolutely adorable in this one. It's totally free to download with no in-app purchases or advertisements.

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Stranger Things: The Game

Price: Free

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Stranger Things: The Game is exactly what the title says. It's a game that takes place in the Stranger Things universe. You play as various characters from the show. Each character has their own special abilities. You solve puzzles to progress through the story line. It has retro graphics, delightfully smooth controls, and simple game play mechanics. It's also entirely free with no in-app purchases or advertisements.

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Taps

Price: Free / $2.49

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Taps is an interesting little puzzle game. Players have two game boards. The idea is to tap tiles on one board until it matches the other board. Each tap adds one to the tile as well as the adjacent tiles. The game's difficulty scales up the further you get. It also features 400 levels, variable difficulty settings, leaderboards, and more. The free version of the game contains ads. The pro version removes the advertising.

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Thimbleweed Park

Price: $9.99

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Thimbleweed Park is a comedy-adventure game with a noir theme. You play as five random people. They show up in a weird town one day. Your goal is to figure out why. The game comes with retro graphics, plenty of jokes, and five playable characters. You also get two difficulty levels, a hint system, and more jokes. The narrative drives the game forward. It is a bit expensive at $9.99. However, there are no ads or in-app purchases.

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Wrecker's Revenge

Price: Free

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Wrecker's Revenge is a puzzle-platformer from Cartoon Network. You play as Gumball. The idea is to launch him from platform to platform without dying. The goal is to save your friends, complete levels, and obtain cash for in-game power-ups. The mechanics are a tad wonky, but otherwise it plays fine. It's definitely not the deepest game ever. On the flip side of that coin, it's also difficult to knock a free game that doesn't have in-app purchases.

DOWNLOAD ON GOOGLE PLAY

Thank you for reading! Here are some final game lists for you to check out!

15 best free Android games of 2017!

We all know that free Android games aren't always free these days, but many of them are very close if you have a little patience. Most Freemium bottlenecks occur when players get impatient and waiting …

15 best arcade games for Android

For a long time, arcade games were among the most popular in the world. They usually have short play times, consistent challenge, and simple game play. Some popular examples from mobile's early days include Angry …

If we missed any great new Android games, tell us about them in the comments! You can also click here to check out our latest Android apps and games lists!

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Google just made Bluetooth pairing easier with Fast Pair

A new update is going to make pairing (some) Bluetooth devices much easier. Starting with Google Play Services 11.7 on Android 6.0 Marshmallow and higher, users will be able to take advantage of the new Fast Pair feature. Fast Pair makes the relatively easy process of pairing Bluetooth devices even easier by scanning for nearby Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) broadcasts and prompting you to pair with them.

Here's how it works: once Fast Pair is enabled, Android will scan for BLE broadcasts close to your device and discovers a Fast Pair packet. That packet is sent to Google's servers to retrieve the device's product name, image, and companion app. After the information is returned, a high-priority notification shows up on the user's device and asks them to "tap to pair" to the device. That notification will display the product name and image that Google's server returned.

Editor's Pick

How Oreo is better than Nougat: Bluetooth 5

If you have ever used your smartphone with a wireless speaker, with a hands-free car system, with wireless headphones or with a fitness band, then you have probably used Bluetooth. Bluetooth has been around for …

After the user taps the notification, a standard Bluetooth connection is established and the device is connected to the phone. After a successful connection, a second notification will appear with a link to download a companion app if the Bluetooth device has one.

Google is trying to eliminate the need for users to go into their settings app and search for devices. That can get a bit tedious when you have to search for each new device, wait on the pairing process, and potentially enter a pairing code. If you have a compatible Bluetooth device, you get to skip that entire process with Fast Pair.

As of right now, there are only two devices that support fast pair: Google's Pixel Buds and Libratone's Q Adapt On-Ear. The upcoming Plantronics Voyager 8200 series wireless heads will also support the feature too. Google is open to supporting more devices in the future and is asking Bluetooth device manufacturers who are interested to contact them here.

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