This week’s top stories: Best affordable Android phones for December, Google’s Gboard keyboard, Pebble refunds, Galaxy A7 renders & more

In this week’s top stories: Our picks for the best affordable Android phones for December, Pebble starts refunding customers after being acquired by Fitbit, Google’s Gboard keyboard arrives for Android, and much more.

We kicks things off with our rundown on the best affordable Android smartphones you can buy. We take a look at the Google Pixel two months in and give our opinion on why it’s still a worthy iPhone alternative for normal people. Ben shows you a great tempered glass screen protector for Pixel. And Pebble starts refunding backers for wearables it won’t deliver following being acquired by Fitbit.

Google Home gains some new features including Netflix and Photos integration. Google’s Gboard keyboard officially/finally arrives on Android. And renders of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy A7 planned for 2017 arrive.

These and the rest of this week’s top stories below:

Android |

• Hands-on: This is the best tempered glass screen protector I’ve tried for the Google Pixel
• Best affordable Android smartphones you can buy [December 2016]
• Opinion: Two months later, Google Pixel is still a worthy iPhone alternative for normal people
• Pebble seemingly sending out only partial refunds for some Pebble Time 2 and Pebble Core backers
• 9to5Google Gift Guide: The best Android tablets
• Hiroshi Lockheimer: One goal of Pixel devices & marketing is to attract iPhone users
• New Android 7.1.1 (NMF26Q) build for Google Pixel and Pixel XL provides additional cellular fix

Apps |

• Snapseed 2.14 finally allows for exporting to SD cards, Google Photos adds enhanced grid view
• Google Home users are starting to see Netflix and Photos integration options
• Wemo smart outlets & light switches will soon be compatible with Google Home
• Long after its iOS debut, Google’s Gboard keyboard finally comes to Android [Video]
• Nova Launcher is now 5 years old with a major update to version 5.0 to celebrate

GOOG| Alphabet

• Google’s Project Fi is giving away some free travel goodies at the San Jose Airport
• Project Fi’s month-long referral program nets new & existing subscribers a $20 credit

This week’s top videos |

• Take a look at these renders of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy A7 for 2017 [Video]

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