There are various Android game and app deals available, including discounts on titles such as Front Armies, Undead City, Hexologic, Townopolis, and Caves of Lore. Additionally, there are hardware discounts, including the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11, LG’s 45-inch UltraGear OLED curved gaming monitor, and a Hisense 65-inch U8 mini-LED Google TV with a ,300 reduction. Other Android app deals include Adventure Quest, Pixel Painter, Fitness Tracker Pro, Mindfulness Meditation, and Cooking Master.
MobiFlix is a video-on-demand streaming application available for Fire TV and Android TV/Google TV devices, offering a vast library of movies and TV shows without subscriptions. It features thousands of titles across various genres, working subtitles, full-screen viewing, and streaming quality up to 1080p. Users may experience some buffering and playback issues, and account registration is required for additional features like favorites. MobiFlix must be sideloaded, as it is not available in mainstream app stores. The app's interface allows easy navigation between movies, TV shows, and genres, with organized sections for user convenience. While registration is not mandatory, it can enhance the user experience. The app is free to use, has passed a virus scan with no malicious files detected, but may distribute copyrighted content without proper licensing, raising legal concerns. A VPN is recommended for privacy while using the app.
Apple services have expanded beyond their ecosystem, with Apple Music now available on Android, Windows, Google TV, and ChromeOS, as well as through a web app. Apple Music offers features like Dolby Atmos and lossless audio support, making it competitive against Spotify and YouTube Music. Spotify's recent price increase has made it more expensive than Apple Music and YouTube Music. YouTube Music, while bundled with YouTube Premium, struggles as a standalone service and has audio quality limitations. Apple Music provides high-resolution lossless audio, Dolby Atmos support, and a user-friendly experience on Android, priced at .99 per month. It allows users to import libraries from various services, enhancing its appeal across different platforms.
Google plans to modify the sideloading process for apps on Android devices to enhance user safety and address app security concerns. The new process will introduce additional steps and warnings, emphasizing the benefits of apps verified through Google Play and requiring an active internet connection for certain verification checks. Users can still sideload apps without verification, but this option will come with extra prompts to inform them of the risks. Critics worry that these changes may inconvenience power users, while supporters believe they will promote safer habits among average consumers. The rollout of this updated sideloading process is expected to begin in select markets and may coincide with the next major Android release.
Google has announced Gemini for Google TV, which includes features like photo memory searches, customizable edits, and interactive content across devices. The new features will be available on select TCL models and require Android TV OS 14 and a Google account for access.
Both Apple and Google plan significant redesigns of their operating systems for 2025. Google's Material 3 Expressive has received positive feedback for its implementation across devices, aiming for a more unified interface across Android versions, though updates to first-party applications are seen as incremental rather than transformative. The redesign includes a taller search app bar in Google Workspace apps, but inconsistencies arise as some applications cannot utilize the new design. A transition back to a shorter bottom navigation bar in some apps does not improve content space. A floating toolbar in Google Chat raises usability concerns, and the overall interface appears more cluttered due to increased use of containers. Buttons have become larger, with mixed reactions regarding their proportions. The new motion-physics system introduces appealing animations, but the functionality of Google apps remains largely unchanged, leading to a sense of familiarity rather than a transformative experience.
Apple has integrated Google Cast functionality into its Apple TV app for Android devices, allowing users to stream Apple TV shows and movies to larger screens using Chromecast devices, Cast-enabled televisions, and Nest Hub displays. The update, version 2.2, includes a persistent Cast button on the app's home screen, enabling users to view nearby casting options and control playback from their mobile devices. This update addresses a gap in the app's features since its launch, enhancing the user experience for Android users. The integration of Google Play Billing also facilitates a smoother sign-up process for new users. This move contrasts with Netflix's recent reduction of casting options, highlighting Apple's commitment to cross-platform convenience. Playback quality can reach up to 4K with HDR, depending on hardware and network conditions, and the update is being rolled out through the Google Play Store.
Apple has integrated Google Cast support into the Apple TV app for Android with the latest update, version 2.2.0. Users can now stream content to compatible devices like Chromecast and Google TV by tapping the new Cast icon in the app. This move contrasts with Netflix's recent decision to remove Cast support from its app for certain devices. The Apple TV app allows users to access popular series and films and is expanding its offerings in sports streaming, including Major League Soccer, Friday Night Baseball, and Formula 1 races in the U.S.
