BGR Daily Breaking Stories

Daily Headlines WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015

Big sale: Google is offering 33 great deals on apps and more for a limited time Can you believe that the Google Play app store is only three years old? Android apps have been around for a bit longer, of course, but the Google Play app store as we know it today just turned three. We can celebrate by reminiscing about our favorite Android apps, or we can celebrate by stopping for a moment to appreciate the tremendous impact Android has had on the smartphone market. Of course, there’s a third option as well: We can celebrate by enjoying some great deals that Google is offering for a limited time.  MORE → Video: iPhone 6 meets a blowtorch on steroids Forget about old fashioned drop tests and the somewhat played out “Will it blend?” video series. These days, if you really want to put an iPhone’s durability to the test, try pitting it against a 6,000-degree Acetylene torch typically used for cutting and melting metal.  MORE → Nokia is finally building the Android phones you’ve been dreaming of Finally? Too little too late? The smartphone market has never been as crowded as it is right now, but it will soon have one more new entrant that will be a familiar name to just about everyone in the developed (and developing) world: Nokia. When then-CEO Stephen Elop made the decision to adopt Windows Phone instead of Android, enthusiasts let out a collective sigh. Right up until Nokia sold off its devices business to Microsoft, they continued to wonder what might have been if Nokia had instead adopted Android. And soon, it looks like we may finally find out.  MORE → Galaxy S6 trims the bloatware, but you’ll be glad it ships with this app Bloatware may have been cut down significantly on the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge, but Samsung will still preload certain apps on its brand new flagship devices, or offer them through its Galaxy Gifts program. In addition to a bunch of Microsoft apps that you’ll find on the handset out-of the box, the company also announced a partnership with Intel to include one important security application on the handsets.  MORE → Apple might finally unveil the Retina MacBook Air of your dreams next week Apple may take time during its upcoming media event on March 9 to talk about more than just the impending Apple Watch launch. According to The Michael Report, Apple next week will finally introduce the long-rumored 12-inch Retina MacBook Air. Many are expecting Apple talk more about the Apple Watch. However, sources familiar with the matter within Apple have exclusively told The Michael Report that Apple plans to unveil the long-awaited Retina MacBook Air at the same event. The Michael Report has independently verified this information to be highly credible.  MORE → Apple Watch isn’t even out yet and it still already won a major award It’s not surprising to see the iPhone 6 share this year’s MWC best smartphone of the year award, as the iPhone line has already proven itself over the years, and it’s a widely recognized brand. However, that’s not the only award Apple received recently, with Apple Insider reporting that the unreleased Apple Watch has won the prestigious iF Design Gold Award before even launching in stores.  MORE → Beware of the ‘Freak’ inside every Android and Mac More and more security threats are discovered on a regular basis, and now it’s turn for a “Freak” vulnerability — that’s actually its name — for Android and Mac to come out of hiding. According to Re/code, both Google and Apple are aware of the situation, and have developed fixes to patch the Freak.  MORE → Video: You won’t believe that this apartment was built in a video game engine About a month ago, we stumbled upon one of the most frighteningly realistic digital creations we have ever seen in the form of a 3D-modeled Parisian apartment. This stunning Unreal Engine 4 creation was just the tip of the iceberg though, as more artists have since built their own hyperrealistic environments, including Unreal Engine forums user blessod.  MORE → Helldivers review: Galaxy quest PlayStation’s Spring Fever event is kicking off this week with Helldivers from Arrowhead Game Studios. Helldivers is a cooperative top-down shooter that revolves around the war of the interstellar soldiers from the planet Super Earth against the three alien races who want to wipe them out.  MORE → iPhone 6 wins another major award that Apple couldn’t be bothered to accept This year’s Mobile World Congress is slowly approaching its end and the GSMA has announced the winners of its annual Global Mobile Awards. Unsurprisingly, considering all the praises it received since launch and its popularity with consumers, the iPhone 6 was chosen the best smartphone of the year. Apple won the award even though it completely blows off MWC every year, although it did share this particular award with LG for its G3 handset. MORE →