Welcome to the weekly roundup of the best new Android applications, games, and live wallpapers that went live in the Market or were spotted by us in the previous week or so.
Looking for the previous week's roundup? Find it here: 32 Best (And 2 WTF) New Android Apps And Games From Last Week (2/9/11 – 2/15/11)
Apps
MapQuest's answer to Google Maps. But is it enough? (Probably not)
- Absolutely FREE – There’s no trial period, subscription, or upgrade necessary. You get all these capabilities absolutely free!
- Voice-Guided/Turn-by-Turn Navigation – Your phone speaks to you, telling you when to make a turn.
- Voice Search – Speak your destination or your search, for hands-free input.
- Place Map Toolbar – Look for restaurants, coffee shops, gas stations, etc. with one 1-click.
- Auto Re-route – If you take a wrong turn, it will your route will be automatically adjusted your route to get you to your destination.
- Walking & Driving Directions – Choose to walk or drive and we’ll give you the best route either way.
- Live Traffic Flow/Incidents – Extensive coverage that’s updated every 5 minutes, to help – to keep you on time.
- Map Rotates in Orientation of Travel – So your map is easier to read (with ability the option to lock to north up).
- Satellite Maps, CitySearch Reviews, and more!
- OpenStreetMap (OSM) Map Setting - User-sourced maps can provide unique local perspective and detail.
- Bug Logging for OSM – Standing in front of a new building? Report it to the community and they’ll fill in the missing pieces.
- Bug Logging for OSM – Identify trouble spots in the data for an enthusiast to update, improving the maps.
- International Maps – Automatic OSM maps for international users, so you can– allows users to take MapQuest abroad.
[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnRx3M5SabM
[/EMBED_YT]
Plex for Android allows you to browse and play your video, photos, and music right on your Android device, streamed from Plex Media Server on your Mac (and soon on your PC). Media is available from CNET, Revision3 and a many other popular online sources. With Plex Media Server for Mac you can stream additional content from Aperture, iPhoto, and iTunes.
A neat idea for playing a quick playlist of random songs people are putting up. Not sure about the legality of this though, but it's pretty impressive for a one-man student project.
Create your own playlist of music that you can access from anywhere, whether it's your Android device or your computer! Updates to your music collection are done over the air, and with the search capability, you can find any song you can think of. Not to mention it's all free!
Visit blueplaylist.com for more information.
Cloud print allows you to print files from your phone to your printer. In order to do this it uses the new google cloud print service and as this service is still in beta you need to use a special version of Google Chrome for windows in order to be able to use it. Before using this app please configure your pc following this guide:
http://www.google.com/chrome/intl/en/p/cloudprint.html
As this app uses a beta service, it is also beta itself so be gentle on the comments :) and don't hesitate in send an email with ideas/suggestions.
10 tools in 1 app - looks pretty extensive
- Memory/Cpu Monitor
- Battery
- Installer/app installer
- Uninstaller
- App2SD
- Cache Cleaner
- Task Killer
- Settings
- File Manager
- App safeguard
Schedalls changes the way you communicate. Never forget to send a message again!
Have you ever forgot to wish happy birthday to your loved ones? Are you tired of thinking to yourself “I have to send that important email tomorrow morning“, and then forget all about it? Do you constantly say “Let’s have a drink, I’ll text you when I leave work“, and then find yourself alone at home because you never sent the message?
Never again, with Schedalls!
Schedalls is an application that allows you to schedule the way you communicate, so that you’ll never forget to send that important message.
The ultimate agenda widget for your appointments, tasks and anniversaries.
What and When is a widget displaying your agenda. It reminds you about your next appointments, tasks and anniversaries.
Appointments are retrieved from your different Google agendas. Tasks are retrieved from one of the following applications : Astrid tasks, Dato GTasks or SSI gTasks. Birthdays (and anniversaries) are retrieved from your contacts list.
What and When is very configurable. You can choose the period to display (from 1 day to 6 months), to display or not the appointments, tasks, birthdays or anniversaries, and many other options related to these events (private appointments, overdue or with no due date tasks, contacts pictures, etc...). There are 4 sizes for this widget : 4x1, 4x2, 4x3 and 4x4. What and When can be displayed as well in portrait or landscape modes.
There is quite a bit more to the description - if you are interested, you should have a look at the app page.
Hulu, Netflix Instant Queue*, Comedy Central, MLB.tv*, CNN, CBS, ESPN, ESPN3, TV.com, SpikeTV, The Ultimate Fighter, Amazon VOD, TBS, BET, Adult Swim, Oprah Winfrey Network, Nick, PBS, PBS Kids, MTV, Vevo, and many more. Now you can watch the online content from all of these channels on your Android Phone.
Works over Wi-Fi or 3G.
Named by CNET as one of the 10 Must-Have Apps for iPhone, PlayOn is now available for your Android phone.
This app requires that you have PlayOn Media Server running on your PC and that you are running Android OS 2.2 or later and Flash. You can get a free 14-day trial of the media server application at http://www.playon.tv?rsrc=android
[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n7ki-XfTv0
[/EMBED_YT]
Looks like US only.
Log in to your Bizzy account on the Android to get great recommendations on where to eat, shop, and play, when you are on the go!
Owners of Samsung Galaxy S, do you have problems to get a GPS Fix? No problem, GPS Aids will help you. You have two modes: native and forced (this last need a rooted device). The native method use a hidden option to inject into the GPS the XTRA data, it sometime fail, but actually it's working at 98%. The forced method, simply download a file to your SD and then copy it to your system folder (you need root and BusyBox).
[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPhknJLSv6E
[/EMBED_YT]
Deals by Citysearch features:
• Find offers and deals around you using our location based map-driven application
• Switch between Map view or List view to see all offers at once
• Filter deals by category such as restaurants, bars, shopping, and more
• Drag the map to a new location, or type in a city to search for offers anywhere in the USA
• Get the Groupon daily deal with one touch from the navigation bar
• Save deals for later and sort by expiration or distance from your location
• Share a deal from any offer detail screen
• Easily get directions to any business location with a deal
• Personalize the app! Store your preferred filters and automatically delete expired offers from your saved list
[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7ez2Lf0s2o
[/EMBED_YT]
Anybody trying to get preggers? This is probably the most well designed and robust ovulation app in the Market.
OvuView - your advanced fertility tracker
OvuView tracks and predicts your period, ovulation and fertility, using sophisticated sympto-thermal methods (STM).
Key features include:
• 14 fertility awareness methods
• tracking many symptoms, taking notes
• calendar view
• advanced chart showing temperature and symptoms
• guiding hints
• educational tips and information about your menstrual cycle and your fertility signs
• cycle statistics
• automatic morning notification to record basal body temperature (BBT)
• data backup/restore
• data import from ‘My Days’, ‘Menstrual Calendar’
• color themes
• demo mode (giving you a glimpse of what the app is capable of in the long run)
Virtual Travel lets you travel the world and discover fantastic geotagged photos. Learn about world famous landmarks and the secret gems of travel destinations through photos taken by travellers themselves. Whether you want to go backpacking, camping, ride the rails or stay in luxury, Virtual Travel has something for you!
If you listen to this, get out. OK, you can put it on your kid's phone, but that's it!
The official Radio Disney App! Listen to Radio Disney 24/7
Find out what’s really going on under your hood with Garmin Mechanic.
Get insight into how your car is performing with the free Garmin Mechanic™ app. Use the Skidpad to measure lateral acceleration, and track your speed and distance using GPS.
Features (when paired with ecoRoute HD module):
- View diagnostic codes and reset your vehicle’s Check Engine light
- View real-time sensor data from your vehicle’s drivetrain, including RPM, intake pressure, throttle position and more
- Calculate real-time fuel consumption
- Measure acceleration and calculate 0-30, 0-60, ¼-mile times, torque and horsepower
- Record OBD sensor data from your vehicle and view it on your computer
Games
The sequel to one of my most favorite Android games. You HAVE to try this game.
Android Police coverage: Tower Raiders 2 Beta, The Sequel To The Best Tower Defense Game On Android, Just Landed In The Market
Small Screen, GIANORMOUS Gamplay!
Tower Raiders features challenging, strategic gameplay. As a commander for the human defense force your mission is to defend 20 precious power crystals from alien raiders.
THIS IS A BETA TEST. As such, the difficulty may be far too easy, far too hard, or the game may crash.
Bejeweled 2, enough said.
This game is a bit controversial, as at its release last Friday, we found a Verizon-only version that was $5 more than this one and offered no new features. Verizon and EA quickly changed the price shortly after, ahead of a massive Twitter revolt that was brewing up. Verizon users can download an app targeted at their carrier here.
Really good graphics and fun gameplay.
Update: Holy crap - I tried this game and was so impressed that I called this game the best Android has ever had to offer. See this post.
Award Winning next-gen top down air combat shooter with stunning 3D graphics
Air Attack HD - is Award Winning next-generation top down air combat shooter with stunning 3D graphics alongside great audio, effects and awesome gameplay.
Over 1 000 000 Downloads on iPhone / iPad
Features in Lite version:
* 2 Great Missions
* 16 Different Enemy Types
* 2 Unique Planes
* Numerous Upgrades and Special Weapons
* Amazing Lighting and Special Effects
* Orchestral Music
* 3 Difficulty Modes
* Realtime Physics
* Destructible Bridges and Buildings
* Shmup with Amazing 3D environments enhanced with LightMaps and SpecularMaps
* 2 Huge End Level Bosses
* 4 Control Types: Touch, Relative, Tilt, Joypad
[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PYhDgS6Ecg
[/EMBED_YT]
From the creator of PacMap, which combined Google Maps and PacMan but was subsequently C&D'ed by Namco. Here's take 2.
Home Invasion is a location-based game for android devices.
Aliens invade your neighborhood and you are one of them! You control your spaceship by walking outside in your neighborhood. Yes! You have to go outside to play this game. To play, you need a constant GPS signal, a working internet connection and some nearby roads.
Your mission is to destroy all the targets that your overlords have placed. Those are indicated through green glowing dots. To destroy them you have to get them into your laser range. For each destroyed target you will get a point. But beware! Military is informed and trys to stop you. Don't get into the fire range of the tanks or they will destroy you.
[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE_PZIAPoZY
[/EMBED_YT]
Who doesn't know this game that started a whole genre back in the day? The original finally came to Android.
[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48fl74ek0uA
[/EMBED_YT]
How To Train Your Dragon
The download links have been removed once we found out the game was stolen and/or malicious.
Last Stand appeared in last week's roundup but was almost immediately taken down by the developer. Today, it's back!
It won't hold forever...
Pounding along the street, the baying zombie horde at your tail, you stumble across the remains of a last stand. A series of barricades surround a cache of weapons. Hurdling the barricade, you hear a splintering of wood as the horde hurl themselves against it. You'd best tool up and get ready to fight, it won't hold forever...
Holy crap, the graphics and gameplay on this, especially on a tablet!
This is not your parents' pinball. It is an arcade in your pocket.
Pinball Deluxe is a free pinball game for the mobile world. It runs on Android (2.1 and higher) and works beautifully on all devices. It even runs on tablets in their native resolution, which means gorgeous graphics across the board.
The game has 3 different tables - more will be added. Each table plays very differently and has a unique style: Carnival, Space and Underwater.
[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZWxnboVamI
[/EMBED_YT]
An innovative and challenging puzzle. Save the glazzies!
Light Benders is a puzzle game with a style that has never been seen before. In the game, you'll need to light the magic crystals, conducting the light through the map with the glazzies. There are lots of obstacles to make the work harder, like TNT boxes that will explode when touched by a hot light, or also ropes that will need to be cut so that a suspended object will fall.
- An innovative and challenging puzzle.
- 51 maps with multiple possible solutions.
- Dozens of Achievements.
- Pleasant songs.
- Smooth difficulty curve through the whole game.
[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV2dgQXcAiw
[/EMBED_YT]
Join the ultimate rivalry between pirates and ninjas in this tower defense game!
Become the detective who solves the Gallery Homicide case.
No way in and no way out from the party! Two murders and no suspects...
The murderer is amoung us...
Stupid zombies are back and you are humanity's last hope to keep them brainless.
Those stupid zombies are back, and you are humanity's last hope to keep them brainless. But beware, ammo is limited so you will have to get crafty and use the straight bullets, grenades, split- and buckshots in the most effective way possible to survive the 300 levels.
One man, one shotgun and lots of stupid zombies.
[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwXV-fyFbSw
[/EMBED_YT]
Geometry fun! Use 3 or fewer banks & flick the disc into the goal! Fast-paced!
Bank It! is a fun and challenging game that tests your ability to bank a disc into a goal. Use your geometry skills to figure out the best angle to flick the disc so it banks before going into the goal, but watch out, 4 banks and your disc will explode!! Awesome graphics, blazing lights, and lots of fun. Openfeint game network is built in so you can earn great achievements or compare your high score with your friends. Two game modes including "Classic" and "Time Attack". In "Time Attack" you get 60 seconds to get as many bankshots as you can. Very addictive game that is hard to put down!! The ultimate bank shot game on Android!
A Poker game like no other, pick-up-and-play style! We bet you'll get hooked!
Poker Swap: a fresh blend of poker and puzzle game!
5 rows of 5 cards are dealt face-up.
You can swap any card with any other on the board.
You score points for all horizontal or vertical poker hands you complete.
Be smart and quickly spot the best combos!
Game mode galore: short sessions or longer games, you choose!
• Quick Game: 90 seconds to beat that high score. No more. Ideal while waiting for the bus.
• Zen Mode: just want to unwind and get rid of the clock? Enjoy this relaxing game mode!
• 3-Round Game: have 5 minutes to kill? Exactly what is needed to complete this 3-round challenge.
• Survival: like your game a little bit more challenging? This one is for you! And try to pass Level 20...
OpenFeint online leaderboards and achievements.
Live Wallpapers
Soar through space with your Android friend! Stars and asteroids whip by as fast as his jetpack can carry him! Double tap to say hello, or do a barrel roll!
WTF Apps Of The Week
A fart app unlike all other fart apps. Because it's got motion control. That's taking the realism to a whole new level, folks.
Fart on your command by lifting your leg or moving your body!
Fart on command just by lifting your leg!
Really! You can with Motion Fart!
Motion Fart allows you to fart on command! Just put your phone in your pocket and Motion Fart will do it's job.
Try different funny movements to prank your friends with these farts!
This dev seems to have a lot of experience with the MJ, considering how detailed the game is. And it is FREAKING DETAILED.
Grow Your Own Marijuana Plants by Playing the Online Video Game of Weed Farmer.
[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVC5fk0miQ8
[/EMBED_YT]
Know A Worthy New App? Let Us Know!
If you have an application in mind for the next issue of the roundup, feel free to send us an email and let us know.
Important: there are 2 requirements in order for the app to be considered, listed below.
- the app's launch date has to be between Monday and Sunday this week
- it has to be original, ground-breaking, well-reviewed, interesting, fun, etc - the cream of the crop
Now, if and only if the above requirements have been satisfied, fire up an email to this address: oh.no.its@androidpolice.com.
1 sponsored placement per week is available (your app would be featured at the top and marked as sponsored) - please contact us for details.