About Matthew Sholtz
Matthew is the Games and Apps Editor at Android Police. He's been gaming since his first taste of a TI-99 at four years old. Matthew has been an Android user since the HTC Hero and has covered roundups, reviews, and daily mobile game news for over a decade. He's a person who holds a peculiar yet deep interest in all things to do with handheld gaming and constantly pushes to advance the state of the mobile industry beyond the bounds of its predatory monetization obsession.
Matthew is a furious nitpicker and something of an (albeit amusing) curmudgeon, a writer who can instantly find fault in just about anything, yet he chooses to wield this power for good from the comfort of his armchair to ensure the best Android games and apps aren't lost to obscurity.
Latest Articles
New York Times pulls a Nintendo and starts cracking down on Wordle clones
The best way to please gamers is to threaten the developers of games they like
It was inevitable that The New York Times would actively start threatening the developers of Wordle clones, taking a clear page out of Nintendo's book fighting small-time devs. 404 Media recently revealed that The Times has filed hundreds of copyright notices against clones of the popular word game Wordle. The game found wild success back in 2021, developed by a single person, Josh Wardle, and it grew in popularity so fast the NYTimes bought it off Wardle for a seven-figure sum. Of course, with the game's popularity, clones came about pretty fast, and have assuredly been an issue for the last three years. So, while it makes sense that The New York Times would want to protect its investment from anyone infringing on its copyright, it's interesting to see such a stance when Wordle bears an extremely close resemblance to the game show Lingo that dates back to the 1980s.
Google Fi: What plans does it offer and how can I subscribe?
Google's MVNO isn't for everyone, but it can offer substantial savings
Reliable mobile networks are a necessity, just as much as a reliable water supply. While the big three carriers (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) cover many users, sometimes the prices aren't great, which is where MVNOs come in. Companies like Mint Mobile and Ting piggyback off the big three to offer their own connections at much more affordable prices, and Google's Fi is one such carrier.
Android is an open OS that gives you control over features, such as changing the app launcher. The app launcher is the app you interact with when using your phone. You can choose the launcher that best suits your needs. This openness allows for all kinds of theming, from the best icon packs to the best wallpapers. Today's roundup of the best Android launchers offers fresh features and theming abilities. Check them out and give your favorite Android tablet a new look.
Remember the original Samsung Galaxy Ring? Neither did we
In 2013, Samsung revealed a very different Galaxy Ring
Samsung has announced it plans to offer a smart ring, and the company has chosen to call it the Galaxy Ring. The thing is, Samsung already called a product this exact name way back in 2013. Just about everyone on the AP staff had forgotten about it, that is, except for our Gadgets Editor Taylor Kerns, who apparently has the memory of an elephant. So even those who have spent the better part of a decade covering Android phones completely forgot about the budget device that first debuted the name Galaxy Ring. While it wasn't obvious at first that Samsung is indeed leaning on an old name, Virgin Mobile did offer a phone known as the Galaxy Ring, and it's as forgettable as you'd expect as a budget phone for an MVNO. Still, you have to admit it's pretty funny that Samsung couldn't come up with a fresh name for its upcoming smart ring, which smacks of a rushed product jumping on a burgeoning bandwagon.
Don't let Reddit monetize your knowledge just so Google can train its AI
Let's take our content back to send a message
I can honestly say that I wouldn't be working at Android Police if it wasn't for Reddit. I started more than a decade ago making lists on r/androidgaming, because even back then the Play Store was atrocious for discovery. After messing around with my own sites and a startup, I moved on to writing at AP, still to this day making lists of all the best games you can find.
The one thing stopping me from switching to ChromeOS full-time is Photoshop
Twelve years later and Photoshop is still missing ChromeOS support
I've used ChromeOS off and on since the beginning. Heck, before ChromeOS, I was playing with netbooks that ran Windows and Linux. I've loved cheap laptops for as long as I can remember, trying to eke what I can out of affordable and readily available tech. While I work primarily at a desktop these days (we all need a command center, don't we), after a long absence, I've also picked up a couple of Chromebooks to get lighter work done, with an emphasis on lighter.
This is my new favorite Android device, and it's not a phone
Barebones Android that delivers a purpose-built experience? Count me in!
What can I say? I'm a sucker for purpose-built devices. Perhaps this stems from being born in an age where such things existed in all walks of life, from washing machines and refrigerators that would last 50 years to tube televisions and tape recorders that delivered a polished and purpose-driven experience. I miss those days when it feels rare modern tech can deliver on all the promises it purports to fulfill. Sure, we have tablets that can do everything under the sun, but do any of those features ever feel polished to the point of perfection? Of course not; well-made things last, and despite the claims of going green across so much marketing, the last thing any mainstream tech manufacturer wants is for your device to last; the yearly churn must continue to drive profits.
With Gemini, Google's inability to properly brand products is more apparent than ever
Is it Bard, Gemini, Assistant, or Now? I can't keep track
It's no secret Google is incredibly bad at naming its products, but it's also horrible at sticking with those names, and the recent switch from Bard to Gemini makes this all the more apparent. Why is Google so bad at branding? Clearly, that's a question for the ages when there are no brakes on the name change train.
The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra looks like a rebadged ROG Phone in these leaks
This Ultra isn't very tiny
Last year, there was a rumor floating around that Asus would stop making the Zenfone, to the chagrin of all small phone lovers out there. This rumor turned out to be untrue, but with a recent leak that showcases the upcoming Zenfone 11 Ultra, brought to light by Mishaal Rahman on X (via Reddit user Td3v1l), it looks as though Asus has rebadged the ROG 8 as a Zenfone Ultra, complete with a 6.78-inch screen, which surely doesn't sound very small, lending credence to the once squashed rumor small Zenfones might become a thing of the past.
Who says games are a waste of time? Depending on the genre, they have the capacity to teach you almost anything. In particular, word games offer a unique blend of entertainment and puzzle-solving. And it just so happens that they feel right at home on contemporary Android tablets.
This weird, E Ink-powered keyboard phone looks amazing and is almost certainly vaporware
The Minimal Phone is has only passed the design stage, but it sure looks dope
Now that Boox has proved the combination of Android and E Ink can result in some niche but incredibly handy tablets, handsets have started popping up. That's right, E Ink smartphones. Hisense already offers a few, with more manufacturers popping up. Of which, there's a hot new mystery phone making waves (per Liliputing). The Minimal Phone already has a website available, offering a few mockups of the device along with a way to join the waitlist. The only trouble is that a Reddit AMA revealed the device has only recently passed its design stage, meaning there's nothing to show yet beyond renders. Still, if the device does manage to come to fruition, it could be the answer for those who want something in between a dumbphone and a smartphone, which certainly sounds appealing.
From classic FPS titles like DOOM to platform fighting games like Brawhalla, there's a wide variety of action games available on your Android device. While you'll probably want to pair the online action games with an Android controller for that competitive edge, all these games are playable whether you're using an Android phone or tablet.
Best gaming phones in 2024
Looking to pick up a new smartphone that's great for gaming? These are the best gaming phones on the market
While most modern Android phones can comfortably play games straight off the Play Store, the games that can push your device to its limits often require better hardware than what you'll find on budget Android devices.
17 best sports games on Android in 2024
Get in the game from just about anywhere with these fantastic mobile sports titles
Sports apps present an interesting dilemma for game developers, who must choose between skilled adaptation or faithful depictions of real-world games. Fortunately, this versatile genre of app can cater to a bunch of different gameplay loops, be it slow and contemplative experiences or fast-paced tests of reaction time. Whether you want something subdued and stylized or a thrill ride that puts your sleek Android gaming phone to the test, sports games don't disappoint.
Creating a quality puzzle app is not easy, even for the best of the best on the Play Store. Balancing gameplay elegance, intricacy, and satisfaction while adhering to a reasonable difficulty curve is a task only the top puzzle games can achieve. The key is to reward players for their deductive reasoning skills rather than demanding snap decisions, incentivizing some deeper thought and caution before proceeding. Build it around an entertaining gameplay loop with a sweet artstyle, and you’ve got a great puzzle game, ready for the best budget Android phones. From calming apps like Mekorama to addictive “just one more go” experiences like Melon Maker, Puzzle apps are primed and ready to keep you guessing.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro review: I'm not sure this is a gaming phone
Asus has changed the ROG Phone formula, and I'm not convinced it's for the better
Asus has been steadily manufacturing the best Android gaming phones for years now. All due to the fact it was making purpose-built devices, bucking trends found in other flagships by offering huge batteries, front-facing speakers, and a large full screen unencumbered by pinholes and notches. As of 2024, this is no longer the case with the ROG Phone 8 Pro launch. Perhaps spurred by the Zenfone's success, Asus has seen fit to change the direction of the ROG Phone, now offering something more in line with your typical flagship.
Boox might not be as big a name in the e-reader game as Kindle or Kobo, but it's quickly garnering new fans. Thanks to a range of competitively priced hardware, Boox has positioned itself not only as one of the top e-reader manufacturers, but is also leading the way in the burgeoning market for E Ink tablets that combine paper-like, readable displays with note-taking functionality and even full apps.
New and original Android games appear on the Play Store regularly, but sometimes you need a retro game from the '90s and early '00s to settle down with. While other games offer groundbreaking visuals, these rely on their gameplay to provide an engaging experience.
21 best offline Android games to play when there's no internet
No Wi-Fi, no problem
Mobile games are designed to be played on the go, and yet many of the best Android games don't support offline play. This makes choosing titles to play during your commute or when away from a connection fairly challenging. This is why AP rounded up some of the most intriguing offline Android games, from classic RPGs like Final Fantasy VI to long-lasting city-building games like Pocket City 2, all to ensure everyone's tastes are covered. Rest assured, every game has been hand-tested to guarantee you can play them offline. So if you need a mobile game or two to play on your next trip, you've come to the right place; just remember to bring your favorite gaming phone along for the ride.
20 best ChromeOS games you can play right now
Why use a touchscreen when there's a keyboard at your fingertips
You’ll find that most of the Play Store's most popular apps support multiple platforms, giving everyone a chance to enjoy some great software using alternative input types; whether you prefer a touch, controller, screen, or keyboard. Google's best Chromebooks just so happen to support a huge library of great games that have amassed great communities through crossplay with Androids' best bargain smartphones.