Fire Emblem Heroes brings Nintendo's strategy series to your smartphone

Hot off of Mario's smartphone debut, the next step in Nintendo's venture into mobile gaming has just been revealed.

Nintendo announced Fire Emblem Heroes is coming to Android and iOS during a Direct stream today, showing off its vision for taking the storied turn-based strategy series to its newest platform.

In Heroes, players call in a roster of legendary characters from past versions of the game - all the way up to the latest release in the series, Fire Emblem Fates - to fight in classic Fire Emblem-style strategy gameplay, with a few tweaks (more on that later).

Fire Emblem Heroes launches February 2 on Android devices and "soon" for iOS. The game will be free to download but, of course, will offer microtransactions starting at $1.99 a pop to purchase Orbs that summon new characters into the game.

In addition to Fire Emblem Heroes, Nintendo also announced three other projects in the series. These include an original, unnamed entry for the Nintendo Switch sometime in 2018, a remake of 1992's Fire Emblem Gaiden for the Nintendo 3DS, and a Dynasty Warriors-style spinoff called Fire Emblem Warriors for both the Nintendo 3DS and Switch.

Fire Emblem Heroes: How does the game work?

From a birds-eye perspective, Fire Emblem Heroes plays much like its classic counterparts. Players control units representing individual characters on an 8x6 board designed to fit smartphones, using each turn to wisely move and attack until they're the last one standing. 

Like past games, units can level up and get stronger through grinding battles, though it appears that other in-game resources will appear to help buff up your warriors.

In addition to characters from past games, the series' rock-paper-scissors gameplay is also making an appearance. With this, characters aligned with a certain weapon or element can gain a massive advantage if paired against a weaker counterpart.

What's different?

One big change that might make an FE fan scoff is the perceived lack of perma-death in Heroes. 

"Traditional" games in the series punished poor planning by having friendly characters who die in battle stay dead for the rest of the game - making battles tense and reducing carelessness, (even if we'd just reset the save anyway). 

Instead, it appears defeated heroes return to your unit after the battle ends. This sort of feature was added in later FE games to make it more welcoming to newcomers, but Heroes may be the first time it comes as default.

The other notable difference in Heroes is recruitment. Players can earn (or, more realistically, buy) Orbs to summon new heroes to join their side of varying roles and rarity. 

Players can choose what "style" of hero they recruit (should they need to make up for any weaknesses) but can likely expect the same-ol', same-ol', of pulling random characters from a hat, common in many free-to-play mobile games as users augment their army.

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Super Mario Run Android release date announced

Super Mario Run for Android is finally triple jumping its way to Google-powered phones after its iOS debut last month

It'll launch two months from now with a March release date, according to the official Nintendo Twitter account. This means Apple's iPhone and iPad will have had a three-month exclusive on the popular auto-running platform game.

Last month, Nintendo allowed you to pre-register for availability notifications for this new-ish game and set up a dedicated Google Play Store page. But you won't be able to download it just yet.

Instead, you can check out our Super Mario Run preview and bone up on Super Mario Run tips and tricks while you wait.

More to come from Nintendo

Super Mario Run for Android isn't the only Nintendo game coming to phones in 2017. In fact, there's a Nintendo franchise launching even sooner.

Nintendo is readying strategy RPG game Fire Emblem Heroes for Android – and it's slated to come to the Google Play Store first, before iPhone users get it.

The Fire Emblem Heroes release date on Android is February 2, with the iOS listed as coming "soon." This also beats Super Mario Run on Android by a month. Further out, we'll be seeing an Animal Crossing game come to both platforms.

You'll need an constant internet connection to play all of these Nintendo games, so be sure to check out our best phones list before your next upgrade and ready your Google Wallet for an in-app purchase to download all of the levels.

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Big hint: LG G6 invite cleverly teases exact launch date

The LG G6 launch date is February 26 in Barcelona, according to subtle hints in a newly issued invite to the company's MWC 2017 press conference.

Okay, sure, this fireworks-filled invite actually spells out next month's date and even the time, but it doesn't exactly say it's for the LG G6. It doesn't have to.

Here's what gives it all away: the invite's dimensions are 18:9 tall. That's clever. 

The confirmed LG G6 aspect ratio just happens to be 18:9, breaking rank with the normal 16:9 standard.

LG G6 specs for February 26

The LG G6 is a shaping up to be a big change for the South Korean company. It's been teasing a wide 5.7-inch display that still maintains a compact body.

The phone is also supposed to be waterproof and with dual-lens camera and have a reliable battery – a deserved jab at the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recall.

This Android Nougat phone may also be the first to use the more advanced and VR-capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset with Quick Charge 4.0.

Hopefully that means out with the inferior LG 360 VR and in with the Google Daydream View headset for mobile VR gaming and entertainment.

February 26 is going to be pivotal for LG's mobile division. It needs to rebound from the hardly modular LG G5. Now is the right time if the Galaxy S8 doesn't show up for Samsung's comeback story until April.

We'll be on the ground in Barcelona for MWC 2017, so stay tuned for further LG G6 news and subscribe to our YouTube channel for hands on videos.

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Forget the iPhone 8, Apple might be making an iPhone X

In theory we should be getting the iPhone 7S this year, but one enduring rumor is that at least one model will be a massive upgrade, rather than an ‘S’ refresh. And rather than that upgrade being called the iPhone 8, a new report suggests it could be called the iPhone X.

It’s a name that makes some sense, simultaneously highlighting the phone’s high status and giving a nod to it being the tenth anniversary of the iPhone, with X, of course, being the Roman numeral for 10.

And the iPhone X would have more than just a new name, according to the report by analyst Timothy Arcuri of Cowen and Company, who cited sources in Apple’s supply chain.

Apparently, this flagship model will have a 5.8-inch wraparound screen, with the fingerprint scanner, earpiece and front-facing camera all embedded into it.

Other than the name, none of these are new rumors, nor are Arcuri’s claims that the iPhone 8 will have wireless charging, but the more times we hear them from independent sources, the more likely it is that they’re true.

Changing your reality

And Arcuri did provide some new details. For one, he claims that some form of facial and gesture recognition will be added to the iPhone X, powered by a laser sensor.

That could mean an iris scanner, which there’s been talk of before, or it could factor in to the augmented reality features that Apple is rumored to be building in to the camera. Especially as he also mentions that there could be an infrared sensor near the front-facing camera.

If this all sounds a bit sci-fi for your tastes you’re in luck, because Arcuri also expects standard 4.7-inch iPhone 7S and 5.5-inch iPhone 7S Plus handsets to launch alongside the iPhone X, but where some previous reports suggested that only the premium model would have an OLED screen, Arcuri claims that all three phones might, if Samsung is able to supply enough of them.

This of course should all be taken with a pinch of salt, especially that name, which could just be a code name or placeholder. But if Apple does launch an iPhone X in September it’s sure to be a hit.

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How to get fit with your smartphone in less than 20 minutes a day

‘It’s raining.’ ‘It’s cold.’ ‘The duvet is too heavy.’ ‘I’ve got to be at work early.’ ‘I must stay late at the office.’ ‘I’d rather have a drink…’
Any of these gym-avoiding excuses sound familiar? Well, thanks to a combination of smartphone convenience and the latest sports science, you can skip paying a fortune to workout somewhere and get the same results in your own home.
Research shows you can achieve more progress in a mere 15 minutes of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) - done three times a week – than hitting the treadmill for an hour.
Fitness brands have been quick to capitalise on this and there are now hundreds of apps promising to kick you into shape in just a few minutes a day  without expensive equipment…well, apart from your smartphone, but you’ll probably have that anyway.
We’ve tried out with a wide range of these and come up with a list that offers a great mix of easy access and positive results, and for far less than it would cost to have a screaming personal trainer whip you into shape.

1. Nike+ Training Club 

This ridiculously comprehensive and stylish offering from Nike boasts 100+ workouts covering endurance, mobility and strength with a host of both swift, 15 minute workouts and longer endurance sessions on offer.
AirPlay and AppleTV support (along with Chromecast mirroring) will display the instructions on a larger screen or speaker system, plus a whole bunch of famous people (including Rory McIlroy, Ellie Goulding and Serena Williams) getting sweaty alongside as ‘motivation’.
An added bonus exists if you use the Nike+ Run Club app, as all your jogging efforts will be automatically synchronised to your Nike profile to, giving a complete picture of your fitness.

2. Freeletics

 This comprehensive personal training programme is based around four free platforms – Gym, Bodyweight Workouts and Training, Running and Nutrition – which together offer up a host of workouts centred around HIIT.

You’ll use bodyweight moves such as burpees, sprawls, jump squats, pull-ups and sprints that you must complete as quickly as possible, weekly nutrition plans help maintain your fitness between workouts and a superb premium coaching service is available when you need an extra boost.

3. Sworkit

Tell Sworkit the type of workout you’re looking for (strength, cardio, yoga, or stretching) and the amount of time you’ve got to do it (anywhere from five minutes to an hour), and the app delivers moves to follow during your sweat session.
Choose to upgrade and the app will enable you to customise your workouts by setting the number of reps and the areas of the body you want to focus on.
It’s a simple system that offers great workouts for those already armed with knowledge of the areas they want to target.

4. Adrian James Bootcamp

 Adrian James proudly boasts that his bootcamp is the toughest 15-minute workout on the planet. 

Yeah, it’s one of those apps, just like the Insanity DVD infomercials you’ve woken up to on the sofa (although we’ve completed that plan, and it does actually work - unlike most things that are advertised late at night).
No equipment needed, lots of how-to videos, points grading, motivation and plenty of exercises that are suitable for beginners too... but do expect to sweat and ache.
There’s also companion Six Pack and High Intensity apps for the same price, should you feel the need to punish yourself further at the end of the 'basic' Bootcamp.

5. Daily Burn

 Daily Burn is like your own private YouTube fitness channel, offering 500 workout videos taught by expert trainers, lasting from 15 minutes to an hour.

Your money gives you the power to pick and choose just what’s right for your workout, and if you can ever conceive of getting bored with what's on offer, more videos are added regularly.
There are also 20 different programs – from high-intensity cardio to yoga – and each workout can be streamed to Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod, laptop or desktop…so you’ll have no excuses for not being able to access the right session at the right time.
It does seem a little expensive, but with the range of options and ways to stream the content it’s perfect for those committed to getting in shape.

6. Daily Yoga

 Fitness isn’t just about squat-thrusts and burpees, and this app explores alternative ways to stay fit by packing in high definition video as an ideal introduction to the ways of the Yogis.

All the routines are under 30 minutes and there are 50 classes available – the Yoga for Runners is particularly recommended if you’re a jogger and getting worryingly stiff – and each session is categorised according to the body part you want to focus on.

7. Seven

 Treating fitness like a classic (but basic) video game, Seven sets you the challenge of working out for seven minutes a day for seven months using no more than a chair, wall and your own body weight.

You start with three lives but missing one day will lose one of them (shown as a heart, rather menacingly) and missing three in a month will reset your progress to zero.
If you stick to it you’ll see results, but it’s worth paying the extra per month for the premium workouts to avoid the monotony of the free routines.

8. Workout Trainer

With a dizzying selection of over 1000 intense workouts ranging in length from five to 15 minutes, each with step-by-step audio and video instructions, if there’s nothing in Workout Trainer to tempt you from the sofa you’re in serious trouble.

As well as the standard workouts, you can build your own custom routines and share them online, as well as trying out some of the community-created routines yourself.
A Pro subscription gives a big upgrade in features, such as advert-free HD workout videos and even more routines to torture your screaming muscles with.

9. Fitivity Pilates Exercise Workouts

Pilates is all about strengthening the core – specifically the back, abdomen and hips. Ask any fitness pro and no matter what level of fitness you are, they’ll harp on endlessly about the importance of this area for back strength, balance, posture, strength and flexibility.
While not offering everything you could want – few Pilates apps are perfect, we've found – Fitivity offers all the instructions you need to start training your core, with simple-to-follow routines.
Do it for the three free weeks and, if you want more, the pro version will give you unfettered access when you pay up.

10. Pact

 Tried all the above but still can’t seem to find 15 minutes to work up a tiny sweat? Does money motivate you more than the idea of a healthy heart and a six-pack?

If so, you need Pact, the first app that encourages you to gamble on your ability to get fit.
Wager how many days you reckon you can work out, put some money where your mouth is and get running.
It pairs with your phone’s GPS as well as with RunKeeper, Fitbit, Jawbone Up and MapMyRun and the more you stick to your programme the more cash you can win from competing lazy members.
Apple iPhone 7 Unlocked Phone 128 GB - US Version (Black)
Apple iPhone 7 Plus Unlocked Phone 32 GB - US Version (Black)
Apple iPhone 7 Plus Unlocked Phone 128 GB - US Version (Rose Gold)
Apple iPhone 7 Unlocked Phone 32 GB - US Version (Black)

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