Google Play Music is picking up an update starting today to version 5.6, which includes a few subtle interface changes and some clarity on how authorized GP Music devices are handled. To be clear, this isn't the Material Design-inspired new version of Play Music, but there's still plenty of time for that to arrive and we'll never scoff at a round of subtle improvements to a popular app.
Following an announcement of Civilization Revolution 2, we got some hands-on time with the mobile revival of 2K's beloved turn-based strategy game. All of the usual mechanics you know and love are here: start building an empire with a single humble city, harvest the resource tiles nearby, expand your nation in science, culture, religion, and military, and achieve global dominance through warfare or diplomacy.
You'll find plenty of new stuff, though. The refreshed Civilization Revolution features new wonders like the Red Cross and Silicon Valley, new units like the Stealth Bomber and Jet Fighter, leaders such as JFK and Churchill, and research options for Modern Warfare, Modern Medicine, Lasers, and Information Technology. To top it all off, there are going to be new scenarios, including a Revolutionary War-themed one, to fall in line with the games release just before Independence day.
Civilization Revolution comes out this Wednesday, July 2 for $14.99. Who's excited? The first Civilization Revolution is certainly getting long in the tooth, so it's good timing for an update. Any of you guys play the main series in the past?
Pebble has rolled out an updated firmware for its smartwatch today that brings some performance improvements, bug fixes, and better notification management. The Pebble watch firmware is now at version 2.3 after the update is applied.
The Vue movie theater chain in the UK and the Cinema Exhibitors' Association trade group in that same territory have announced a ban of the use of Google Glass inside their establishments.
A minimalist game has made the leap from iOS to Android called Blek, which definitely qualifies as one of our top Android game releases for the month. This puzzle title has been earning accolades from all over for its wonderfully fresh mechanics. Players are presented with a series of circles that have to be popped before moving onto the next stage. Black spots are peppered in between; touch those and you have to start over. The way you hit those targets is by tracing a single gesture on the screen which is then repeated on its own over and over after you lift your finger. The line can be as simple as a short swipe that continues moving forward, but more often then not you'll have to get pretty creative to continue on.
T-Mobile's already announced that its version of the LG G3 will be in stores on July 16, and today it goes up for preorder. It'll run you $598 off contract.
The G3, as you'll recall, quickly became one of the hottest phones of the year, being the first smartphone with a QHD display at a squint-inducing 2560x1440 resolution, spread out over 5.5 inches diagonally. The phone also sports the signature rear buttons, is powered by a Snapdragon 801 processor and sports a 13MP camera that's one of the better shooters available today.
Here's how our own Alex Dobie summed up the G3 in our official review:
The G3 is a fantastic Android phone for anyone, but its strengths make it a really great fit for smartphone enthusiasts — those who want the biggest screen, the highest-resolution display, and relatively niche features like wireless charging and a removable battery. It's not as outwardly alluring as many high-end rivals — and certainly not as refined as this year's high water mark for smartphone design, the HTC One M8 — but you can't argue with the hardware or the way LG's packaged it all together. This is a beast of a phone, one we can highly recommend.
Just a few more weeks to wait, folks.
