Amazon Appstore Offering Free Android Games This Weekend

As part of the company's Black Friday and Thanksgiving weekend promotion, Amazon has announced that its Appstore for Android will be giving away a selection of top Android games this weekend. The "Ultimate Game Collection" promotion which runs from today, Nov. 29, through Sunday, Dec. 1 will include free paid versions of Sonic the Hedgehog, Angry Birds Space Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rooftop Run and Fruit Ninja. Here's a breakdown of the sales on Amazon.com:

• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Rooftop Run (was $3.99)
• Battle Bears Fortress (was $1.99)
• Quell (was $0.99)
• Angry Birds Space HD (Kindle Tablet Edition) (was $2.99)
• Bloons TD 5 (was $2.99)
• Sonic The Hedgehog (was $2.99)
• Hambo (was $0.99)
• Angry Birds Space (Ad-Free) (was $0.99)
• Fruit Ninja (was $0.99)

In addition to the Ultimate Game Collection, Amazon will continue to offer their free app of the day as well as several other hot deals through Cyber-Monday.

FBI Reminds Holiday Shoppers To Beware Of Online Scams

With holiday shopping in full swing and many of you out there looking online for the best deals possible, the FBI has issued a series of reminders to online shoppers to beware of scams and to use their common sense when making purchases, visiting websites and opening emails.

“ Scammers use many techniques to fool potential victims, including fraudulent auction sales, reshipping merchandise purchased with a stolen credit card, sale of fraudulent or stolen gift cards through auction sites at discounted prices, and phishing e-mails advertising brand name merchandise for bargain prices or e-mails promoting the sale of merchandise that ends up being a counterfeit product,” the FBI states.

Here are some tips the FBI has shared that you can use to avoid becoming a victim of cyber fraud:

• Do not respond to unsolicited (spam) e-mail.
• Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.
• Be cautious of e-mails claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders. Always run a virus scan on attachment before opening.
• Avoid filling out forms contained in e-mail messages that ask for personal information.
• Always compare the link in the e-mail to the web address link you are directed to and determine if they match.
• Log on directly to the official website for the business identified in the e-mail, instead of "linking" to it from an unsolicited e-mail. If the e-mail appears to be from your bank, credit card issuer, or other company you deal with frequently, your statements or official correspondence from the business will provide the proper contact information.
• Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the e-mail to verify that the e-mail is genuine.
• If you are requested to act quickly or there is an emergency, it may be a scam. Fraudsters create a sense of urgency to get you to act impulsively.
• If you receive a request for personal information from a business or financial institution, always look up the main contact information for the requesting company on an independent source (phone book, trusted Internet directory, legitimate billing statement, etc.) and use that contact information to verify the legitimacy of the request.
• Remember if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

To receive the latest information about cyber scams, please go to the FBI website and sign up for e-mail alerts by clicking the envelope in the upper right corner of the page. If you have received a scam e-mail, please notify the IC3 by filing a complaint at www.ic3.gov.

Have A Faulty Xbox One? Get A Free Game From Microsoft

Microsoft has already acknowledged that a small portion Xbox One's have a potential problem with the game console's disk drive which causes a 'grinding' sounds when disks are loaded. Anyone affected with the issue will not only have their consoles replaced, but they can get a free game once they’ve reported the error.

“The issue is affecting a very small number of Xbox One customers,” Microsoft told CNET. “We’re working directly with those affected to get a replacement console to them as soon as possible through our advance exchange program. Rest assured, we are taking care of our customers.”

You can get your hands on Forza Motorsport 5, Dead Rising, Ryse or Zoo Tycoon if your console’s disc drive is making unhealthy noises and refusing to play any games. Once you’ve reported the issue to Microsoft, you should get your replacement Xbox One within a matter of days. The free game can be downloaded digitally (and played without using the disc drive).

Microsoft also has promised that affected buyers won't have to wait too long for a replacement.

"Customers have the option for us to send a replacement console right away without waiting until they have returned their old one," Microsoft said. "This means a customer only has to wait a matter of days, rather than weeks to get back up and running."

Microsoft didn't indicate exactly how many people are included in a "very small number."

For those looking to take advantage of the offer, head to the Xbox website, contact @XboxSupport on Twitter or just shout “Xbox Help” at your black box to get assistance from Microsoft.

Update: If your Xbox One is completely unplayable, crash-prone, or suffers from Internet connection or Kinect-related issues, you are not eligible for a free launch title game, Microsoft has confirmed. Because Microsoft is issuing the free game titles as digital copies only the owners of unusable Xbox One units will not be eligible because they cannot play games at all -- let alone download them. "The digital download is only for the folks having issues with their disc drive because we want to ensure our advance exchange customers can stay in the game," a Microsoft representative confirmed.

Google Glass Explorer Program Now Open To Everyone With $1500

Google Glass seems to be the hottest topic in tech these days. The exclusive Explorer program has built a lot of hype and anticipation despite only allowing certain developers, contest winners, and VIPs to the program. Now that privilege of paying $1,500 for a beta version of the hardware is being rolled out to more and more individuals. Just last month, existing Explorers were given the ability to invite three friends to purchase their own set of Glass and now Google is opening the door a little wider allowing anyone to join the waiting list.

As the potential release of Google Glass nears, it appears as though Google is looking to really broaden its beta test. The compnay has very quietly rolled out a page that will allow any US resident willing to plop down the $1500 entrance fee a chance at getting their hands on a pair.

The Glass Explorer Program
The Explorer Program launched earlier this year and is designed for people who want to get involved early and help shape the future of Glass. We’re expanding The Explorer Program little by little, and experimenting with different ways of bringing new Explorers into the program.

If you’re a US resident and are interested in joining, you can sign up here and we’ll let you know if a spot opens up - please note that, while we'd like to invite everyone, we can't guarantee invites right now.

In addition to the open enrollment Google has also announced the addiiton of several new music features for Google Glass. According to their +Google posting the company plans to roll out the new features over the next few weeks. There will be a new voice command option (“Okay Glass, listen to”) so you can access your tracks from +Google Play Music, including the millions of songs on All Access. Also, if you say "Okay Google, what song is this?" the Sound Search feature will analyze a song playing within earshot, and give you the name and artist along with an image of the CD cover.

Alongside the new music offerings will be the introduction of a set of $85 stereo earbuds designed specifically for Glass. They’re lightweight and uniquely engineered to deliver crisp, full-range audio while still letting you hear your surroundings. For the fashionistas out there there will be an option of customizing your buds with five interchangeable color caps.


Want to join the list? Then fill out the Google form here.