Hasta La Gadget!

If you’ve been eyeing the Google Pixel 9a, now’s a good time to pounce. That’s because you can get a $100 gift card for free when you buy the flagship-quality midrange phone. In Engadget’s review, Sam Rutherford deemed it “the best value of any Android phone.”

The $100 gift card bonus is live at Amazon, Best Buy and the Google Store. Each has pros and cons, but it makes the most sense to order from the retailer where you shop the most.

The Pixel 9a is Google’s entry point into the Pixel ecosystem. Its sub-flagship pricing masks a handset that, in many ways, rivals phones that cost twice as much. It has a 6.3-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. We found it to be sharp, colorful and “one of the best displays in this price range.”

It uses the same Tensor G4 processor found in the more expensive Pixel 9 brethren. The only performance compromise you’ll find is its 8GB of RAM vs. the 12GB in the standard Pixel 9. That will only reveal itself if you’re heavy into multitasking or gaming. Given the $300 price discrepancy between it and the Pixel 9, it’s hard to nitpick much about that.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Google’s Pixel lineup is known for its camera prowess, and the 9a is no exception. It pairs a 48MP main camera with a 13MP ultra-wide lens. Although there’s no telephoto, it compensates with AI-based Super Res Zoom that can achieve up to 8x digital zoom. The phone also has Google’s Night Sight feature for sharp, balanced low-light photography.

We found that the camera outperforms the $1,299 Galaxy S25 Ultra in color accuracy, detail and low-light performance. It’s also competitive with the S25U in ultra-wide shots. The latter edges it out there (if only slightly) because of better color saturation. Still, we’re talking about a $800 pricing discrepancy, so the fact that it’s in the conversation is no small achievement.

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

The Pixel 9a’s only drawbacks are its lower 8GB of RAM, slower charging speeds than flagships, its lack of optical zoom and its plastic backing (rather than glass). But for $499 — essentially $399 if you use that gift card forpurchases you’d make anyway — this is a nice deal for a nearly flagship Android handset that made our list of the best smartphones.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/get-the-google-pixel-9a-with-100-store-credit-at-amazon-best-buy-and-the-google-store-164530159.html?src=rss

Apple has been ordered to pay a $502 million lump sum payment by UK courts for infringing on patents owned by Optis Cellular Technology LLC, based out of Texas. This particular company is not an aggrieved innovator, but instead what is referred to as a “patent troll.” That’s a company that buys up niche patents with the specific intent to seek damages for infringement from lucrative defendants like Apple, and it’s not their first time being awarded damages from the Cupertino giant.

This lawsuit was originally filed through London courts in 2019 over patents governing cellular technology, including 4G, that Optis says was improperly used in iPads and iPhones. In 2023, London’s High Court ruled in Optis’ favor and ordered Apple to pay just over $56 million plus interest to settle the dispute, inclusive of past and future sales that featured the offending tech. Optis successfully argued that this was far too low a sum, leading to the half-a-billion-dollars in damages ordered today.

The iPhone maker has found itself in court over patent infringements time and time again in the past — not only with patent trolls, but also fellow industry stalwarts. The ability for enormous tech companies to (allegedly) infringe on design or utility patents and pay pennies on the dollar for the damage done years later seems to be a feature, not a bug.

Apple has unsurprisingly responded by promising to appeal the court’s decision, to which Optis insisted it will fight to defend its intellectual property.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-ordered-to-pay-502-million-to-optis-by-uk-courts-153053338.html?src=rss

What better way of enjoying your free time than having fun with silly games, like Flappy Bird, which is making a comeback on Android over ten years after its original release and subsequent removal.

This revival is being handled by the Epic Games Store, which will distribute the game on Google’s mobile platform. A short preview trailer was released, offering glimpses of new features coming with this version.

The trailer, just over 30 seconds long, reintroduces the iconic bird escaping a cage and flying through obstacle-filled environments, showcasing the same addictive gameplay that captivated millions a decade ago. Notably, the new version introduces additional stages, providing fresh challenges for returning and new players alike.

Visual updates are also evident, with redesigned elements enhancing the game’s look. Alongside the traditional Classic mode, a new Quest mode has been added, offering a variation in gameplay and objectives. Importantly, the developers have clarified that this release has no relation to cryptocurrency mining—an issue associated with some apps in recent years.

According to a press statement from the development team, monetization in this version follows standard mobile game practices, including ads and in-app purchases such as cosmetic skins. It’s worth mentioning that Dong Nguyen, the original creator of Flappy Bird, is not involved in this new iteration.

Originally launched over a decade ago, Flappy Bird became a viral hit due to its simple yet difficult gameplay. At its peak, it reportedly generated $50,000 per day through ad revenue. However, in February 2014, Nguyen removed the game from app stores, citing overwhelming stress and saying he “couldn’t take it anymore.”

Since its removal, the game has been cloned extensively, and even included as an Easter egg in Android 5.0 Lollipop. Now, Flappy Bird returns with updates designed to appeal to both nostalgic fans and new players in today’s mobile gaming landscape.

• Download Flappy Bird for Android (Epic Games Store)

Flappy Bird Is Back! After 10 Years, It Brings A New Game Experience

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

What better way of enjoying your free time than having fun with silly games, like Flappy Bird, which is making a comeback on Android over ten years after its original release and subsequent removal.

This revival is being handled by the Epic Games Store, which will distribute the game on Google’s mobile platform. A short preview trailer was released, offering glimpses of new features coming with this version.

The trailer, just over 30 seconds long, reintroduces the iconic bird escaping a cage and flying through obstacle-filled environments, showcasing the same addictive gameplay that captivated millions a decade ago. Notably, the new version introduces additional stages, providing fresh challenges for returning and new players alike.

Visual updates are also evident, with redesigned elements enhancing the game’s look. Alongside the traditional Classic mode, a new Quest mode has been added, offering a variation in gameplay and objectives. Importantly, the developers have clarified that this release has no relation to cryptocurrency mining—an issue associated with some apps in recent years.

According to a press statement from the development team, monetization in this version follows standard mobile game practices, including ads and in-app purchases such as cosmetic skins. It’s worth mentioning that Dong Nguyen, the original creator of Flappy Bird, is not involved in this new iteration.

Originally launched over a decade ago, Flappy Bird became a viral hit due to its simple yet difficult gameplay. At its peak, it reportedly generated $50,000 per day through ad revenue. However, in February 2014, Nguyen removed the game from app stores, citing overwhelming stress and saying he “couldn’t take it anymore.”

Since its removal, the game has been cloned extensively, and even included as an Easter egg in Android 5.0 Lollipop. Now, Flappy Bird returns with updates designed to appeal to both nostalgic fans and new players in today’s mobile gaming landscape.

• Download Flappy Bird for Android (Epic Games Store)

Flappy Bird Is Back! After 10 Years, It Brings A New Game Experience

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

What better way of enjoying your free time than having fun with silly games, like Flappy Bird, which is making a comeback on Android over ten years after its original release and subsequent removal.

This revival is being handled by the Epic Games Store, which will distribute the game on Google’s mobile platform. A short preview trailer was released, offering glimpses of new features coming with this version.

The trailer, just over 30 seconds long, reintroduces the iconic bird escaping a cage and flying through obstacle-filled environments, showcasing the same addictive gameplay that captivated millions a decade ago. Notably, the new version introduces additional stages, providing fresh challenges for returning and new players alike.

Visual updates are also evident, with redesigned elements enhancing the game’s look. Alongside the traditional Classic mode, a new Quest mode has been added, offering a variation in gameplay and objectives. Importantly, the developers have clarified that this release has no relation to cryptocurrency mining—an issue associated with some apps in recent years.

According to a press statement from the development team, monetization in this version follows standard mobile game practices, including ads and in-app purchases such as cosmetic skins. It’s worth mentioning that Dong Nguyen, the original creator of Flappy Bird, is not involved in this new iteration.

Originally launched over a decade ago, Flappy Bird became a viral hit due to its simple yet difficult gameplay. At its peak, it reportedly generated $50,000 per day through ad revenue. However, in February 2014, Nguyen removed the game from app stores, citing overwhelming stress and saying he “couldn’t take it anymore.”

Since its removal, the game has been cloned extensively, and even included as an Easter egg in Android 5.0 Lollipop. Now, Flappy Bird returns with updates designed to appeal to both nostalgic fans and new players in today’s mobile gaming landscape.

• Download Flappy Bird for Android (Epic Games Store)

Flappy Bird Is Back! After 10 Years, It Brings A New Game Experience

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.