Category: Apps

The latest selection of Android apps, both free and paid, are found right here. If you were looking for that fresh list of trending Android apps, we have you covered on a daily basis. Want to know the newest Android application releases first? Want to know which Android applications are free for a limited time?

Whether it’s Gmail, Google Calendar, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram, or lesser known apps like Nova Launcher, Trello, Sling TV, and Philips Hue, you will know the best Android apps at all times.

Got a suggestion for a new app you think we should check out? We are all ears and regularly accept user-submitted applications, so that you won’t pay until you know if we approve.

Philo Streaming TV Service Costs Just $16 and Includes No Sports Programming

There is no shortage of streaming TV service options today. Google has their own. Sling TV is still here. Playstation and Hulu are too. DirecTV is in on it. And I’m sure there are more, those are just the handful that come to mind right away. This week, we get to add to the list a company called Philo who is doing things a bit differently.

Philo launched a nationwide streaming TV service yesterday that costs just $16 per month. Yeah, you are reading that correctly. The $16 per month package includes 37 channels, but there is a second tier that costs just $20 and includes another 9 channels.

Philo is differentiating themselves from the pack by focusing their channel line-up on entertainment and not sports. I’d imagine that’s because channels like ESPN aren’t cheap to license and so by leaving sports channels off, you get to a TV package for as low as $16 per month.

The channel line-up for each tier can be seen below. You’ll recognize the channels, because Philo has some good ones, like AMC, Food, HGTV, IFC, MTV, Nick, History, Travel, and VH1.

Not only is Philo silly cheap with a decent channel line-up, it also includes simultaneous playback on 3 different devices, unlimited 30-day DVR, on-demand library, live channel pausing, program restarting, and favorite showing tracking. Some TV services charge you for much of that, yet Philo is including that all at no extra cost.

Philo is currently available on the web, iOS, and Roku devices, but “Android via Chrome” support is coming soon. I have no idea what that means, but I’m assuming it means Casting? Or does that really mean you’ll have to watch on Android through the Chrome browser? If so, yuck.

Still, $16 is pretty cheap. It also has a free 7-day trial.

Philo Sign-up

// BusinessWire

November 15, 2017
Google Maps UI Update Puts Emphasis on Explore, Driving, and Transit

If you’re part of the Google Maps beta (and you should be), what I’m about to share may not be news for you, but to anyone not part of the beta, be on the lookout for a new look in Google Maps this week.

Detailed by the Google Maps team, they are changing up the driving, navigation, transit, and explore maps to, “better highlight the information most relevant to each experience (think gas stations for navigation, train stations for transit, and so on).” To help sum up the change, you will now have 3 selectable options on the bottom of your screen, one for Explore, one for Driving, and one for Transit. Inside these sections is related content, such as public transportation times (Transit), places to grab lunch (Explore), and more.

To go with this updated look, Google is changing up its coloring scheme a bit, and to help, they created a handy dandy cheat sheet. I don’t expect any of you to memorize all of this, but it’s good to reference, I guess.

You should see these changes over the next few weeks in all Google products that utilize Maps, including Google Assistant, Search, Earth, and Android Auto. Over time, the new look will also appear in apps and websites that use the official Google Maps API. If waiting isn’t your strong suit, sign up for that beta.

Google Play Link

// Google Maps

November 15, 2017
Action Launcher Update Introduces Adaptive Folders, Essential Phone Support

Action Launcher received an update today to v31 that includes a number of new features. In a blog post detailing the update, developer Chris Lacy showed off the launcher’s new adaptive folders and full support for the Essential Phone before talking about how this update ushers in finalized Oreo compatibility.

With adaptive folders, you are getting a similar experience to what you get with adaptive icons that are capable of changing shape. The thought here is that your folders shouldn’t be left out of the shape-shifting fun and should match the design of your icon set, assuming you are that level of anal. I guess it makes sense. You can see how that looks in the GIF below.

As for the Essential Phone support, Lacy doesn’t specify, but I’m assuming he means that Action Launcher now supports the weird screen shape and size (as well as the oddly shaped notification area) of the Essential Phone to give you the full, colorful experience.

I didn’t mention this in the opening, but he included support for Google’s Product Sans font too.

Finally, for Oreo compatibility, this update builds on previous Oreo enhancements by adding support for pinning widgets and shortcuts from external apps. Neat.

Google Play Link

// Action Launcher

November 14, 2017
Bugdroid Justice League Heroes Invade Android Pay

To celebrate the launch of the new Justice League movie, the Android Pay team has worked in a few new characters and animations when you make purchases using your phone.

As you will see, the new Bugdroid toons are based on The Flash, Wonder Woman, Batman, Aquaman, and Cyborg. When you make purchases using Android Pay, the little toons will do nifty animations, and you’ll unlock all of the characters by making more purchases.

According to Google, you won’t know who you’ll unlock first until you make a purchase, so if you’re in a race to unlock them all, just go for it. All you need is the latest update to the Android Pay app, linked below.

Google Play Link

// Google

November 13, 2017
Question of the Day: What Mobile Games Are You Playing Right Now?

Because Pokemon GO is no longer cool, I’m now the sole mobile gamer in the DL offices, a title that I hold proudly. Since I started playing Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, I’ve been on it like crazy every single day for the past few months. To say I’m addicted would be an understatement.

I do find myself playing others games, too. At launch, I played Into the Dead 2, the new Monument Valley 2, and Stranger Things: The Game as well. All of those are great, but SWGOH has been my go-to for a bit now. However, once Alto’s Odyssey finally drops, I’m sure I’ll be on that pretty hard.

What about you, though? There are a lot of great mobile titles out there, so we’re curious to hear about what you’ve been playing. Still rocking Pokemon? Candy Crush Saga? Temple Run? Let’s hear about it!

Also, if there’s a game you think we should write up for the site, drop it down in the comments and we’ll check it out!

November 9, 2017
South Park: Phone Destroyer Now Available for Android Worldwide

Teased back in mid-June, South Park: Phone Destroyer is now available worldwide for Android users.

To compare this to another popular title, think Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes. In this game, you collect character cards, then use these cards to form a squad which you will use in PvP battles. Each card has different abilities, meaning there are many different types of squads you can form. The ultimate goal is to collect the best cards that can shutdown any type of opposing force.

This being South Park, you will find all of your favorite characters and voices in the game, as well as what seems to be a rather intriguing storyline. Just note, you may hear some offensive language, so this game is probably not suitable for your young children.

The game is free to download, but is listed as offering in-game ads and purchases.

Go check it out!

Google Play Link

November 9, 2017
Google Makes Its Secret Files Go App Available for Download

Files Go, the secret file manager app of Google’s that was discovered earlier in the week, is now available for download on Google Play. Google’s VP of product management, Caesar Sengupta, took to Twitter last night to acknowledge the app and that it had been discovered, noting that they opened it up to more people are at welcoming feedback.

For those who missed it, Files Go is a smart file manager from Google that tries to recommend apps or files to clean up from your device to free up space. For those of you with 128GB phones, this may not be something you care about, but if you have a phone like the Moto X4 pictured above, this is exactly the type of app that could come in handy.

Not only does it recommend unused apps to remove, it’ll show you duplicate files, and cache that could use a clearing. It also has a handy file send/receive feature that can be done with another nearby phone even if you don’t have a data connection. Overall, the app is simple yet does the trick by offering up storage management device. It’s nice.

Google Play Link

November 9, 2017
Makers of Pokemon Go Create Harry Potter: Wizards Unite for Their Next AR Adventure Game

Niantic Labs, who you know from smartphones titles such Ingress and Pokemon Go, have their next project lined up and it could be another big one. This time, Niantic is focusing their augmented reality skillset on JK Rowling’s Wizarding World with the creation of Harry Potter: Wizards Unite.

As you might expect from Niantic, the focus will be on real-world interaction to “put magic in the hands of aspiring wizards and witches worldwide.” By taking over your neighborhoods, you’ll go on “adventures, learn and cast spells, discover mysterious artifacts, and encounter legendary beasts and iconic characters.” And that’s really all we know, but I’m guessing your imagination will lead you to the potential here. For fans of Harry Potter, this is a big deal.

Niantic Labs says to expect more details in 2018, so don’t expect a beta launch any time soon. At this stage, it sounds like we’re just beginning to build hype rather than get you ready to cast that first spell.

To sign-up to be notified of Harry Potter: Wizards Unite happenings, hit up this link.

// Niantic Labs

November 8, 2017