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.

Please wait for this page to load in full in order to see the widgets, which include ratings and pricing info.

Looking for the previous roundup editions? Find them here.

Apps

Google Play Developer Console

Android Police coverage: Google Releases Google Play Developer Console App In The Play Store

An app specifically for app developers - that makes sense, right? Surprisingly, it's taken this long for Google to release a developer console app for the Play Store. This one does all the things you'd expect it to, including tracking historical installations and review scores, allowing for replies, and even installations by device.

Access your Google Play Developer Console data from your Android device. Review your app's performance statistics and financial data. Be notified about your app's status and publishing changes. Read and reply to user reviews on the go.

[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5KU9Q0aFUY[/EMBED_YT][EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.playconsole[/EMBED_APP]

Science Journal

Android Police coverage: Google's New Science Journal App Is A Science Nerd's Dream, Be It Your Kid Or The Kid Within You

Now here's something new: Google has a new app that basically turns your smartphone into a Tricorder. The Science Journal app allows you to record and annotate data from just about every sensor on your phone, then organize that data into "trials" and make your conclusions. It even works with a few compatible external sensors. The app is ostensibly for kids, but it's flexible enough that at least some adult scientists should be able to find a use for it.

Science Journal is a tool for doing science with your smartphone. You can use the sensors in your phone or connect to external sensors to conduct experiments on the world around you. Organize your ideas into projects, make predictions, take notes and collect data in multiple trials, then annotate and explore your results. It's the lab notebook you always have with you.

[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.forscience.whistlepunk[/EMBED_APP]

Spotify Music - for Android TV

Android Police coverage: Spotify Releases Its Music App For Android TV

Seriously, there wasn't already a Spotify app for Android TV? Apparently not. That demonstrates a depressing lack of urgency on the part of developers for Android TV as a platform, but there's an app now. It's one of a new crop of major apps that should be coming out soon, including ESPN. Install it on your set-top-box and listen to music all you like.

Everyone can listen to the music they love for free with the new Spotify Android TV app. Browse your favourite playlists, albums and tracks, using your TV remote or phone. And while you are listening to your favourite tunes, check out the beautiful album artwork right there on the big screen. The new Spotify app is ready to play now. Happy listening.

[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spotify.tv.android[/EMBED_APP]

Opera Max - Data booster

Android Police coverage: Opera Max v2.0 Appears In The Play Store Under A New Listing With Mysterious 'Boost' Feature [Update: Sounds Shady]

Opera Max, a free VPN-style service that claimed to filter the Internet and streaming media to save users data and therefore money, was already an app. This new version gets a new listing on the Play Store along with a fresh interface, plus something called a "Boost button." This button is supposed to save you even more data... but it also shows you ads. (Which, you know, uses data.) We've asked Opera about why this is necessary, but their answer hasn't exactly been satisfactory.

Almost everything you do on your Android phone uses data. Streaming video and music, browsing, playing connected games - it all eats into your data plan. But, with Opera Max standing between your apps and the data they need, you can cut your data usage in half with the tap of a button.

  • Boost your mobile and Wi-Fi data.
  • Protect yourself on Wi-Fi.
  • Block and restrict data-hungry apps.

Footej Camera

Footej camera (sound it out) is an alternative camera for Android that takes advantage of any advanced shooting capabilities your phone happens to possess. It's a pretty solid UI for a standard camera and video recording mode. It can also shoot in burst mode, manually adjust ISO and shutter speed, or create animated GIFs without a secondary app. A $2 pro upgrade unlocks faster bursts, higher quality, and longer videos.

A brand new, fascinating, user-friendly and robust camera app is here, ready to capture, orchestrate and give a new life to your best moments…

  • Simple and bloat-free user interface
  • Amazing Photo and Video quality
  • Utilizes Android's camera 2 API (on devices that supports the API)
  • Focus and exposure from different areas (if supported by device)
  • Integrated Gallery and Slider
  • Burst mode
  • Animated GIFs
  • Video slow motion recording
  • Manual ISO, Shutter Speed control (if supported by device)
[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.footej.camera[/EMBED_APP]

Rhapsody VR

Rhapsody's VR app is intended to allow listeners to experience a live concert in virtual reality. I can't say it's an appealing idea for me personally - the novelty of seeing my favorite music played live wouldn't seem to benefit from being rendered in 360 degrees, when only about 40 of them would contain the stage. But if you're down, it will work in stereoscopic VR with a Google Cardboard unit, or just regular old 360-degree video with any smartphone.

Can't make it to the show? Here's the next best thing** - free, immersive VR 360º videos of great artists from the best seat in the house. Experience live concerts like never before. Feel like you’re part of the band. Watch the crowd go wild. You’re in control — look up, down and all around to change your view. You’ll be there when your favorite artist goes crowd surfing.

[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rhapsody.vr[/EMBED_APP]

Noisli

Noisli is one of those services that generates white noise from a web service. If that sort of thing helps you focus or get to sleep, an Android app is a natural addition - previously it was only available on the web and on iOS. The interface is incredibly simple - just select which natural-style noises you want, then adjust the sliders for louder or quieter operation.

The Official app of Noisli.com - The background noise and color generator for working and relaxing. High quality ambient sounds to help you focus while working and to boost your productivity. Noisli is mainly used to drown out annoying noises in order to better concentrate and to enhance productivity, or to create a pleasant audio environment for relaxing or sleeping.

[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.noisli.noisli[/EMBED_APP]

Learn Photo365

Learn365 is an app that teaches the basic principles of photography to newbies. It's all fairly simple stuff, but if you'd like to get a quick crash course on the dos and don't of composition and theory, it's a pretty good way to start. The app has new challenges for aspiring photographers every day, and the Material Design interface is pretty serviceable.

Want to improve your photography? Trying to get out of a creative rut? Taking on a Photo 365, Project365, Photo A Day, or Selfie 365 challenge?Just want to try something new? Then the Learn Photo365 Photography Assignment Generator App is perfect for you, with thousands of ideas in this app. This is a completely unique app about IDEAS and INSPIRATION for taking photographs, not about filters or effects.

[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.learnphoto.app365[/EMBED_APP]

Boomerang Notifications

You know when you get a notification that isn't relevant right now, but you know you'll need to be reminded of it later? You could set an alarm with something like Calendar or Google Keep, but Boomerang will make that same notification saved so it can appear later in its original context. It's a neat idea, and the tools allow it to only work with certain apps, plus customize sound and vibration.

Boomerang is a simple app to improve on the drawbacks of the Android notification drawer. It allows you to save individual notifications for later and optionally set a reminder for a more convenient time - helping you to achieve notification drawer zero. After a notification is removed (e.g. it is dismissed or tapped on) an unobtrusive notification will appear in its place for a short time, allowing you to save it for later.

[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=comsc.cardiff.ac.uk.boomerang[/EMBED_APP]

Shall TV BETA

Shall TV is another video curation service, this time named after an antiquated conjugation for some reason. This service includes a fairly small amount of videos at the moment, but the app itself is impressive, including a fairly solid paned interface, downloadable videos, and support for Android TV right out of the box. It also works with VR videos if you have a Google Cardboard viewer.

The new way to watch free TV and videos in your pocket and living room. Download the app and enjoy the best video content. All the categories are available for you to watch, including 360 videos. More than 1600+ videos, 70+ channel and counting. Select your "Daily Feed" for the news that matters to you every single day. Check trendings a enjoy your favourites content creators.

[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.shall.tv&hl=en[/EMBED_APP]

NordVPN

NordVPN is another VPN service that focuses on speed and security. This app allows users to connect to the virtual private network from more or less anywhere, making a secure double-encrypted connection from suspect aspect points. NordVPN access (for all your devices, not just your phone) starts at $8 for one month, but gets cheaper for bi-yearly and yearly plans.

NordVPN for Android makes it easy to access your favourite content, no matter where you are. There's no better way to reach all your favourite shows, you're just one click away.

• Setup is quick and easy – just enter your email and password
• NordVPN unique BestServer algorithm selects the best possible server for you, all you have to do is switch the 'ON' button
• Smart-Play technology delivers all your favourite TV shows instantly, no more Geo blocks.
• NordVPN DNS servers for an even better security of your data. Because we want to ensure that every bit of your data is safe around the internet.

[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzjxGnRX2JU[/EMBED_YT][EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nordvpn.android[/EMBED_APP]

Vapor for Twitter Free

Vapor is a Twitter client that integrates support for Instagram and Vine (which should already work with other clients, but I've found often don't). Otherwise it's a fairly standard Twitter interface with lots of Material Design touches, including multiple color themes. Considering Twitter's continually abusive relationship with developers and by extension users, we can never have enough clients. The upgraded version includes an ad-free option and pins for lists.

Vapor is the ONLY Twitter client with support for Instagram, Vine and SnappyTV*. Built for Android Jelly Bean 4.2+.
• Familiar navigation; scroll, swipe, tap, tap and hold.
• Navigation drawer for quick shortcuts.
• Search Twitter for tweets, media and users.
• Touch and hold to reveal tweet actions such as reply, like and retweet.

• Google Chrome Custom Tabs can be used for the in-app browser. Must have Google Chrome installed on your device.
• Mute those annoying retweeters.
• Notification system to see who liked, retweeted, mentioned and messaged you. Notifications can be swiped away in the notification screen. Streaming MUST be enabled.
• Clickable links, hashtags and @ mentions for quick navigation.
• Tap and hold to reveal tweet buttons or always show them via settings.
• Custom colours for user profiles and tweet details thanks to the Palette API.

Blendle

There's nothing worse than a major news article or interesting feature that's hidden behind a paywall. Okay, there are plenty of things worse than that, but it's still pretty annoying. Blendle lets users buy content one article at a time, which could (maybe, possibly) save money versus a bunch of different subscriptions. There's a social element included with suggestions based on your Facebook friends' reading habits, and articles can be returned if they don't live up to your expectations.

At Blendle, you read individual articles from all newspapers and magazines out there. No subscription, no strings attached. You pick your favorite subjects and see what articles friends recommend. Disappointed by an item? We’ll refund your money. Super nice. Over 650,000 fans of quality journalism have joined already.

• Log in using Facebook or your Blendle account
• Read articles from newspapers and magazines
• See what articles are trending at any time of day
• Filter articles based on your preferences
• Pay only for what you’re interested in

[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blendle.app[/EMBED_APP]

Lyzer for Reddit

Lyzer isn't your typical Reddit client. Well, it is, but it's also focused more on individual Reddit users than the reading process as a whole. It includes visual readouts for things like subreddit frequency and timed activity - there's even a somewhat creepy facial recognition feature. Some of the views can be applied to individual subreddits as well. The interface is solid, and the app is free with a $1 unlock.

Have you ever wanted to know more about that Redditor you are interacting with? Lyzer for Reddit can help you do just that. Use Lyzer to analyze and visualize any Reddit user's post history. Simply enter their username and hit the search button, or share one of their comments with Lyzer from any Reddit app. Lyzer will then analyze their complete post history and provide a pie chart of subreddits in which they post, a detailed breakdown of their posts in each subreddit, as well as graphs of their posting frequency by day of the week as well as hour of the day.

[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nyelito.postgraph[/EMBED_APP]

WRIO Keyboard (+Emoji)

WRIO says that it's "the only keyboard that is designed to provide an optimal typing experience on touch devices." That's obviously not true (really, devs? No one else tries to make their keyboard work well?), but this one includes old-school Graffiti-style gestures for operations like capitals and undo. The keyboard includes support for emoji, dozens of languages, and themes.

WRIO Keyboard for fast and error free typing helps you get rid of typos and write messages in lightning speed. WRIO is the only keyboard that is designed to provide an optimal typing experience on touch devices. It’s revolutionary yet easy to use, and after a couple of messages you’ll love it. With WRIO, you write it once. WRIO revolutionizes the 140-year old typewriter keyboard, featuring the honeycomb layout specifically designed for your smartphone.

[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uWQyVhwXQ4[/EMBED_YT][EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ch.icoaching.wrio[/EMBED_APP]

Tictures

This app allows you to easily recall and input those annoying ASCII images you see all over Reddit and various forums. If that's your thing, go nuts... just not in Android Police's comment section, please.

Tictures are a fun way to show emotion instead of traditional emojis. Share them through your favorite apps by clicking or long click to copy and paste them wherever you please. Add your favorites to your favorite list for quick access without digging through all the Tictures. ASCII art and Unicode faces have been around for awhile...enjoy them again with a fun to use app. ASCII and Unicode characters have the ability to be displayed anywhere. Send them to your friends or post them on Reddit or share them on Facebook messenger.

[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tictures.tictures[/EMBED_APP]

Manufacturer And Tie-In Apps

Hyundai Virtual Guide

Android Police coverage: Hyundai Announces Android Auto Support For Some 2015-2017 Vehicles Via A DIY Update

Thinking about buying a new Hyundai Sonata? Download this app and obsess over every single detail of the model. If you already own one, it includes a guided version of the car's manual, including often-necessary information like engine oil type or the location of the tire jack. I wish my car had something like this.

Hyundai Virtual Guide provides convenient, simple ways to become familiar with full vehicle capabilities. Virtual Guide uses two- and three-dimensional tracking technology to deliver deep levels of information related to different parts of the vehicle. Users simply position their phone or tablet’s camera over the part they want to learn more about. The Virtual Guide also works away from the car. Virtual Guide is available for 2016 and 2015 Hyundai Sonata (excludes hybrid models). Additional models will be available soon.

[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hyundaiusa.vr[/EMBED_APP]

S Note

Android Police coverage: Samsung Uploads S Note App Into The Play Store To Provide Future Updates [APK Download]

The S Note app is Samsung's custom tool that lets users jot down notes and other info with the "S Pen." Previously it was only on the Galaxy Note devices themselves, but now there's a Play Store version of the app for easy updates from the manufacturer.

S Note is a note taking application which allows you to efficiently create, edit and manage notes. It provides a number of user-friendly features that differentiates it from other note taking applications. This includes easy file management with the ability to create categories and copy, move or delete files from within the application. It also supports interactive multimedia functions and allows you to draw and write using S Pen.

[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.android.snote[/EMBED_APP]

LED Bulb Speaker Application

Apparently Sony makes light bulbs that are also speakers. This app lets you customize the RGB light from your phone (but not the music, because that's handled with regular old Bluetooth). Want one? It can be yours for the low, low price of $240.

This is a dedicated app for operating the Sony LED Bulb Speaker "LSPX-102E26," which enables the fun, new experience of playing music from your light fixture, simply by changing the lightbulb. Even when installed, the app's icon is not displayed on the smartphone/tablet home screen. It is embedded in the SongPal app as a plug-in.

Supported Sony products:
LSPX-102E26

[EMBED_YT]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U6Bgl0gqWE[/EMBED_YT][EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sony.songpal.ledbulbspeaker[/EMBED_APP]

Samsung Camera Manager App

Samsung makes "smart" cameras that run on Android. They have their own apps, but if for some reason you'd like to transfer images over to your phone without any kind of go-between, this app will let you do so over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It also works as a GPS tagger or a remote viewfinder and controller. Surprisingly, it works with non-Samsung phones just fine, but right now it only works with the NX1 and NX500 camera.

'Samsung Camera Manager' works in conjunction with the latest wireless sharing features found in the newest Samsung Smart Cameras including the NX1. With this app installed, your smart camera and mobile device are easily paired for fast and easy image sharing.

1. Quick connection between Samsung Smart Camera and mobile devices
2. MobileLink
3. Remote Viewfinder (Pro)
4. Quick Transfer
5. Auto GPS Tagging
6. Auto Time Setting

[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsungimaging.samsungcameramanager[/EMBED_APP]

jamstik+

This app is the companion for the Jamstik, a digital guitar training tool that doubles as a MIDI controller. The app allows users to monitor the battery and upload new firmware, and includes various chord charts and teaching tools for beginners.

The jamstik+ is a digital SmartGuitar with real strings and real frets. It connects wirelessly to Android®, iPad®, iPhone® and Mac® and works with a multitude of music apps for beginners and pros alike. The jamstik+ senses where your fingers are before you even pluck a string which makes learning incredibly intuitive via our included guitar teaching curriculum. It’s always in tune, and is a breeze to connect wirelessly with your device via Bluetooth LE.

[EMBED_APP]https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.zivix.jamstikPlus[/EMBED_APP]

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.