Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android applications, games, and live wallpapers that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous 2 weeks or so.
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Looking for the previous roundup editions? Find them here.
Featured App
Expense IQ - Expense Manager
This week's roundup is brought to you by Expense IQ - Expense Manager from Handy Apps. This amazingly complete expense tracking system has a solid and colorful UI, and just about every possible checkbook, alert, and tracking feature you could want. Everything you input can be saved and exported for personal backup and expense reports, and all your data is synced via Dropbox, making Expense IQ a snap to use across multiple phones or tablets. Bill alerts, a PIN lock, and even a homescreen widget are all included in this app's bag of additional goodies. The basic version is free, but to get access to advanced functions you'll need to pay for the full $6.99 version via in-app purchase.
Expense IQ is the long awaited successor to EasyMoney - the number one money manager app that combines an expense manager, a bill reminder, a checkbook register and a budget planner. Expense IQ – Expense Manager provides a rich, detailed window into your personal finances and daily money management needs. Track and manage daily expenses quickly & easily. Business expenses, personal expenses, travel expenses etc can all be managed rapidly using Expense IQ’s simple and intuitive user interface. Interactive reports & graphs let you analyze income, expenses, cash flow and balance over various date ranges and accounts.
Apps
Yahoo News Digest
Android Police coverage: [New App] Yahoo News Digest Presents The Day's Goings-On With Focus And Style
Hey, Yahoo? You guys feeling alright? I'm not complaining, but your apps have been pretty slick lately. I just want to make sure you're getting all the sleep you need. Yahoo News Digest is a topical news reader that delivers updates twice a day in an impressively dynamic and readable format. Posts are spliced with relevant information from different sources for quicker and more complete reading. Unfortunately it's English-only at the moment.
Get in the know in no time. Yahoo News Digest provides a definitive summary of all the important, need-to-know news. Digests are delivered twice a day - once in the morning and once in the evening. All the top stories are summarized and presented with the key information that you need to stay on top of what’s happening.
Spoticast
Android Police coverage: [New App] Spoticast Adds Unofficial Chromecast Support To Spotify
Hooray for Chromecast, the people's streamer! While Chromecast has been getting a ton of additional app support ever since Google opened up the API, some big names are still missing the functionality... which is where the aftermarket comes in. Say hi to Spoticast, a little add-on app that lets you stream your Spotify music to Chromecast. Hopefully we won't need it much longer... no offense, developer.
Spoticast enables you to cast your Spotify music directly to your Chromecast from an android device. Please note that you MUST enable "Device Broadcast Status" in Spotify and restart it before Spoticast will work. You can restart it by logging out of Spotify, force closing it or rebooting.
AllCast Receiver
Android Police coverage: [New App] AllCast Receiver Hits Google Play, Lets You Stream Media To Any Android Device Using AllCast
Koushik Dutta's AllCast lets you share to all kinds of connected media devices, including game consoles, Roku boxes, and lately, Chromecast. But this add-on app allows you to stream movies and music to other Android devices as well. It debuted on Amazon's Fire TV and works well with Android HDMI sticks and the like, but there's no reason you can't use it with a tablet hooked up to your television.
AllCast Receiver is the companion app to the AllCast phone and tablet app. Use the AllCast app to send photos, videos, and music to the Receiver app seamlessly. This is a perfect app to install on your Fire TV, Ouya, Android TV stick, or Google TV.
LoopWallet
Android Police coverage: [New App] LoopWallet Credit Card-Replacing Mobile Payment App And Accessory Come To Android
OK, so the Google Wallet future didn't work out. We won't be replacing our entire wallets any time soon. But what if you could consolidate your legion of credit, debit, and loyalty cards into a single device, controllable and swappable with your phone? That's what Loop does. While it may not be as cool as tapping your phone to pay (and at $40 for the device, not cheap either), but it works.
LoopWallet is the first mobile wallet that actually lets you use your Android device to make credit, debit and gift card payments at 90% of retail locations. LoopWallet is the smart and convenient way to pay unlike other mobile wallets that require special equipment at the POS, the LoopWallet can be used almost everywhere.
Swarm
Android Police coverage: [New App] Swarm From Foursquare Really Wants You To Meet Up With Your Friends
Foursquare already keeps you loyal to local places and businesses. Now they want to make sure you've got someone to go there with. Swarm will let you keep tabs on your friends when they're near enough for a get-together, as well as let you see where they've been (if they enable it, of course). The app also has a map view and a very basic social network built in.
Swarm, the new app from Foursquare, is the fastest way to keep up and meet up with your friends. With Swarm, you can easily see who’s out nearby and who wants to hang out later.
- Want to meet up with friends? Quickly open up the app to see who is out nearby.
- Want to share what you’re doing? Checking in is faster and more fun than ever.
- Got an idea for something fun to do? Easily message all of your nearby friends.
QuizToWin
Android Police coverage: Microsoft Releases QuizToWin For Android, Wants To Be The Life Of Your Next Company Party
Microsoft has released a surprisingly steady stream of apps on the Play Store, and the latest is more surprising than most. It's a quiz game, which seems to be a bit of a fad just at the moment, which lets players compete from anywhere via a central sever. The usual social hooks are in deep, and leaderboards keep you motivated to continue. Note the Windows Phone user interface.
Real-time Quiz Application that can played on-line independent of the physical location with questions launched from a central CRM system. Players can follow in real-time their personal score and also view a real-time general leader board and friend’s only leader board. Players have also the possibility to receive notifications of events or a new upcoming quiz or questions.
Bright Weather
Android Police coverage: [New App] LevelUp Studio Releases Bright Weather, A Beautifully Minimal And Informative Weather App
There's no shortage of weather apps on Android, and surprisingly, quite a lot of them are amazingly beautiful. Whether or not Bright Weather stands above the pack is pretty subjective, but it does have a focus on impressive photography and a minimal UI. Functions include standard forecasts for up to six days, an extended almanac, moon phases, and (yes!) a mix of widgets to suit any homescreen.
Bright Weather is the most comprehensive weather app available on Android. It makes the daily weather essentials easily available and a simple access to deeper information while presenting it in a tasteful, lightweight experience that makes checking the weather enjoyable. The beautiful design mixes stunning photography with minimalistic graphics as it tries to balance information, functionality, simplicity and attractiveness for your personal weather interests.
NomNom Finder
Android Police coverage: [New App] NomNom Finder Makes It Easier To Track Down Your Favorite Food Truck
Some days, you've just got to have the greasy, artery-clogging food from your favorite food truck. The best part about those meals on wheels is that they move around... which is, of course, also the worst part. NomNom keeps a database of participating food trucks and their location, and it gives you directions. So you can finally get that perfect pedestrian burrito, even if you have to drive 15 miles.
If you love food trucks, you need NomNom Finder. We make it so that you know where your favorite food truck is, in real-time, all the time. NomNom Finder does the work of tracking food trucks' locations in real-time so you don't have to. Looking for food trucks? Here's what NomNom does for you:*
- Zoomable Map View that shows your current location and food truck pins that are in your vicinity NOW
- Click on a food truck's pin on the map to view food truck details and contact information
- Get directions to food trucks
- Call food truck directly from the app
- Share your food truck finds on social media directly from the app
- Favorite food trucks to save them in your Favorites
9 Cards Home Launcher
We've seen a few of the "automatic" homescreens out there, which try to categorize your apps quickly and adapt to your usage patterns. 9 Cards does this with an interesting grid system, but it basically boils down to fancy folders. There's also a a system-wide slide-out app tray a la Swipe Pad. Those who rely heavily on widgets probably won't appreciate 9 Cards' focus on shortcuts above everything else.
9 Cards is a highly customizable Home Launcher created to enhance your Android experience. It does so through a unique hierarchical interface which intelligently activates app categories taking into account your daily routine and places visited. The more you use 9 Cards, the better it is at identifying your usage patterns improving how your apps are organized.
CM Apps - CyanogenMod apps
CyanogenMod isn't just ROMs - the team also does its own app development, usually augmenting or improving upon the stock Google or Android AOSP options. This unofficial app downloads and installs all of these CM apps, including the Apollo music player, DSP sound manager, calculator, and Trebuchet launcher. (Some of these are available separately on the Play Store.) The description says it doesn't need root, but several early testers are encountering problems.
CMApps is an app that lets you install the exclusive CyanogenMod apps on your device. (No root required.)
MUBI - stream & download films
MUBI is an alternative movie subscription service for the indie crowd. For five bucks a month, you get a new classic or indie movie to watch online for 30 days, or download it and watch it within a week. The "one new flick a day" model is novel, but the restrictions may be a big drawback for some. Try it out if the selection of movies on the more conventional services is too mainstream for you.
MUBI is the world's most dynamic online cinema. Every day MUBI selects a great cult, classic, independent or award-winning movie and you have 30 days to watch it. A new film added every day, and every film is available to watch for 30 days. Watch as much as you like and keep your movie experience fresh with our exciting selection of 30 great films.
BillGuard - Money & Finance
BillGuard likes to talk about protection from identity theft and fraudulent charges, but really, it's your basic budgeting app. True, it will give you an alert for a purchase that's outside of your usual habits, but most banks will do that these days. The interface is surprisingly good for an app like this, and the expense and expenditure tracking is probably exactly what you want from a digital checkbook.
BillGuard tracks your spending, protects your cards from fraud and unwanted charges, and helps you save money with simple budgeting that actually works. And it’s absolutely FREE.
- Powerful spending meter and budgeting at a glance
- Know exactly what you’re spending by category. Adjust on the fly.
- All your charges, intelligently organized in one Smart Inbox
- New. BillGuard data breach alerts tell you when a hacker may have access to your cards
- Get alerted right away when BillGuard identifies a sneaky charge
- The world’s #1 transaction monitoring app, powered by millions of diligent consumers
Polyvore: Shop, Style, Fashion
I'm going to be completely honest here: I don't know crap about shopping for things without processors or engines. This is a shopping app. In my completely objective and non-judgmental opinion, it appears to be tailored for women. It includes style tips and shareable items for your friends. It has a Twitter-style follow feature for brands and stores. Go nuts. I'll be in Fry's.
Polyvore makes it fun and easy to discover and shop for the things that you love in fashion, beauty and home decor on-the-go. Browse, buy and style products from all your favorite stores and get endless ideas from our community. Need some fashion inspiration to make your new shoes totally rock? How about tips on which accent pillows to brighten up your living room? Check in any time of the day, and Polyvore will have a look just for you.
Epson Print Enabler
Android Police coverage: Epson Releases Plugin To Support Native Android Printing In KitKat, Trees Moan In Despair
Got an Epson printer on your local network? Got an Android phone or tablet running KitKat? Got a burning desire to record things on bits of dead trees? Then you probably want this app.
Epson Print Enabler lets you print from tablets and phones with Android version 4.4 or later. This Epson software enhances the built-in Android Printing system allowing you to print to a wide range of Epson inkjet and laser printers over Wi-Fi (see link for compatible printer list below). Once downloaded, you can easily print photos, emails, web pages and documents from the built-in menu of Apps that support Android Printing.
Archos Connected Self
Android Police coverage: [New App] Archos Releases Connected Self App For Its Upcoming Activity Tracker, Connected Scale, And Blood Pressure Monitor
Wait, what? Archos is getting in to the fitness tracker game? Apparently so, and they're releasing their official companion app early. This thing will connect with the activity tracker, scale, and blood pressure monitor that are soon to be sold... and unlike some manufacturers that shall remain Samsung, it works with pretty much any Android device.
The ARCHOS Connected Self application and ARCHOS Connected Self objects help you to stay in shape easily. Thanks to the indicators and graphs you can easily follow your evolution and adapt your lifestyle to improve your well-being. Monitor your daily Activity with the ARCHOS Activity tracker.Stay in shape with the ARCHOS Connected Scale. Know your blood pressure, and feel the result of your effort with the ARCHOS Blood Pressure Monitor.
Dynamics CRM for tablets
Android Police coverage: [New App] Microsoft Releases Tablet-Only Version Of Dynamics CRM For Some Reason
One of the first things I learned about in business school (and one of the last, since I quit) was CRM, or Customer Relationship Management. Various companies provide software to manage this, including Microsoft, and they've now made an Android tablet app to tie into their CRM package. For some reason they've decided to separate their tablet and phone apps - can Windows Mobile not to unified apps yet?
Microsoft Dynamics CRM is the essential business tool to help you stay connected and productive wherever you are. Stay up to date with your customer info—even when you’re on the go. Arrive prepared for every appointment, and update your notes, tasks, contacts, accounts, and leads while the details are still fresh in your mind.
Motorola Alert
Android Police coverage: [New App] Motorola Alert Lets Your Friends And Loved Ones Track You Down In An Emergency [Update: Compatibility To Expand Soon]
The latest in Motorola's expanding selection of custom apps is only for the Moto E at the moment, but it will expand to the Moto X, Moto G, and 2013 DROIDs at some point. Essentially it's an expanded version of a Life Alert: activate the app and it will let your friends and family know where you are, and that you're in distress. The app also lets them see automatic updates for specific locations, which might be handy for parents and guardians.
Motorola Alert lets you quickly alert people important to you when you need them. Simply put your phone on alert, and it will begin sending periodic notifications with your location to the people you designate so they can act fast to get you the help you need. With Motorola Alert you can also set up places such as Home, Work, or School, so that your loved ones can be automatically notified when you leave or arrive.
Live Wallpapers
Potus 3012 Live Wallpaper Free
This 3D live wallpaper shows oldskool wireframe terrain, with the feeling of 80's sci-fi movies. Based on original CG video 'potus 3012' by beeple. Visit http://beeple-crap.com/ to see more work of Mike Winkelmann. You can customize flyby speed, height of mountains and additional special effects. Live wallpaper can run in blurred mode for better visibility of homescreen icons and widgets. In full version of live wallpaper you will have a choice of various color schemes for landscape.
Moon Knight Fantasy Wallpaper
Knight moves. Touch areas start animation and sounds. Great for those who like good CG art, game art, sci-fi, gothic and horror. Creepy atmosphere of ancient evil and forbidden magic. Are you brave enough to summon Moon Knight to your home screen? His dark twisted soul is forever damned to wander in Grim Wastelands... He has slayed all those dauntless warriors who dared to challenge his might.
KF Billiards Free Wallpaper
Host a fully interactive pool table right on your home screen. Beautifully OpenGL rendered billiard balls roll and interact realistically, with high quality highlights and shadows. Full support for portrait and landscape, on both phones and tablets. This free version simulates a game of 6-Ball, with additional game types available in the full version. Swipe the cue ball to interact with the table.
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 no longer than 2 weeks ago
- 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.the@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.