Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android applications 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
DigiCal Calendar Agenda
Today's roundup is presented by DigiCal Calendar & Widgets from Digibites. DigiCal is the full-featured calendar app that offers a ton of features that aren't available in Google Calendar, like seven different calendar views, light and dark themes, multiple widgets, integrated weather forecasts, an invitation management system, and over fifty thousand public calendars for integration with personal or corporate planning. The standard version is free, but DigiCal+ adds a year view, even more monthly widgets, extra customization options, and an ad-free experience for a $4.95 one-time payment.
Our daily planner has a clean design and multiple agenda views to make scheduling quick and easy. Schedule appointments with our easy to use planner that offers the day, week, agenda, month, text month, list and year view to all your events. Use our planner to organize and get a clear overview of your busy schedule with 9 beautiful pre-set themes available for the list, grid, day, day list, text month and month widgets. Get access to more than 560k+ public holiday, sports and TV schedules worldwide that you can add to your agenda. Detailed weather info is displayed in our planner: temperature, humidity, precipitation, pressure, cloud cover, wind, sunrise and sunset. Improve visibility at night and save energy. Lots of color options for your organizer including color synchronization with Google Calendar.
Apps
Chrome Canary (Unstable)
Android Police coverage: Chrome Canary now available on Android, if you live life dangerously
For those of you who are still keeping track, there are now four different versions of Chrome available on the Play Store: the standard release version, the beta, the more unstable Dev release, and now the extremely unstable "Canary" build (as in "canary in a coal mine"). While Canary users are more likely to encounter bugs, they also get to try out new features before everyone else, like this wacky bottom-justified navigation bar.
Welcome to Chrome Canary for Android.
- Experimental - This release has not been tested. It may be unstable or fail to run at times. Recommended for developers and advanced users only.
- Frequently updated - Updates may be distributed up to seven times per week, consuming 100MB of bandwidth. Be careful when updating apps over cellular data.
- Give early feedback - The best way to help make Chrome for Android a better browser. Click "Help & Feedback" from the menu to provide feedback.
Wallpapers
Android Police coverage: Official Google Wallpapers app hits the Play Store, runs on non-Google devices too
Here's an app I never would have expected to see . This official app from Google allows users of any phone or tablet easy access to those high-quality wallpapers that come on Nexus devices, plus a wide gallery of other wallpapers to boot. You can add your own photos (but that hardly needs a separate app), and there's an option to cycle wallpapers through a specific category daily.
Make the most of your display with beautiful wallpapers and advanced features. Choose one of your own photos, an image from the Google Earth collection, a scenic landscape from Google+, and more. Change it as often as you like, so your phone always represents your style.
• Enjoy a collection that keeps on growing. Access images from Google Earth, Google+, and other partners.
• Double your fun. Show the world one wallpaper on your lock screen, and keep one for yourself on your home screen. (Requires Android™ 7.0, Nougat, and above.)
• Start each day fresh. Pick your favorite category and you’ll get a new wallpaper image each day.
AutoTools
Android Police coverage: Joaomgcd's new app AutoTools extends Tasker functionality, is basically Tasker Plus
Developer Joamgcd has made a career out of creating plugins for Tasker, usually for controlling Android apps and connected hardware. His latest app is more about extending the functionality of Tasker itself, adding a ton of new tools onto the base app to make it faster and easier for power users to create repeatable tasks and rules. Fans of the developer's previous apps should be thrilled.
Supercharge Tasker. NO root needed for ANY actions. AutoTools expands the base functionality in Tasker by letting you do much more with much less work. Learn how to use each and every single AutoTools action and condition here: https://joaoapps.com/autotools/guide/ Toggle Location, Night Mode, Battery Saver and other previously inaccessible settings. Make your tasks interactive and beautiful with dialogs that can read your fingerprints, ask you questions, show you images, let you pick files and dates and much more.
MUVIZ Nav Bar Audio Visualizer
Android Police coverage: Hands-on with MUVIZ Nav Bar Audio Visualizer: Really neat if you are into this sort of thing
OK, this is all kinds of cool: MUVIZ embeds one of those untz-untz-untz music visualizers in your navigation bar. It's a fun little animation that plays whenever music or video is active. And you don't even have to have a phone with virtual nav buttons to join in: the app works on the bottom of the screen for standard phones, too. It doesn't require root, and it comes with a customization tool and app exclusion options. Neat.
Bring your Music Experience to life with Floating Visualization beneath your on-screen Navigation Bar. MUVIZ is a first of its kind app that displays a Music Visualizer beneath your Navbar while you are listening to your favourite music from your favourite apps. NO root required. Don't have an on-screen Navbar on your phone? no worries, you can still make the app show Visualizer above your Hardware Navigation.
Yahoo View: Trending TV Clips
Android Police coverage: Yahoo View arrives on Android to offer up a slice of Hulu's formerly free TV content
Yahoo View is the phoenix that rose from the ashes of Hulu's free content. But not a big, fiery, impressive phoenix, more like a sickly scrawny one that's about to collapse back into ashes at any moment. Almost all of the content available is short clips from NBC and Fox shows, with a few outliers here and there like full-length anime episodes. If you want to actually watch television for more than five minutes at a time, you'll need to look elsewhere.
Featuring Hulu content, the Yahoo View app brings you thousands of TV clips on-the-go and lets you be the first to see today’s trending videos. Watch the latest must-see clips in comedy, late night talk shows, celebrity & entertainment, news and movie trailers. YAHOO VIEW APP FEATURING HULU VIDEO CLIPS AND MORE Watch clips from your favorite ABC, NBC and FOX TV shows.
Marsbot
Android Police coverage: Foursquare gets in on the voice assistant action with Marsbot, now in invite-only beta on Android
Everyone is getting into the chatbot game these days, including Foursquare for some reason. "Marsbot" is a system that recommends restaurants and bars based on your tastes and history. At the moment it's limited to San Francisco and New York City, because of course it is. This may or may not get a wider release, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Marsbot is your trusted friend that can recommend places to you by learning from your preferences and the places you go every day. Marsbot helps you discover new places by learning what you like and then sending you recommendations via text. Unlike a chatbot or personal assistant, Marsbot isn't here to answer your questions or help you do your laundry; instead Marsbot pays attention to your habits and learns about the places you go.
Lifestage
Android Police coverage: Lifestage is Facebook's teen-only video profile app
This app allows users to record a short video profile and post it to Facebook. But since I never shoot video of myself and also I'm not a teenager, apparently I am not allowed to use it. (Also it's locked down to specific schools, like Facebook used to be.) Have fun, kids.
It's not just about the happy moments - build a video profile of the things you like, but also things you don’t like. Post what you are into right now – and replace the video in that field whenever you want. Share to dozens of fields in sections of your profile. Change out and replace your videos in fields at any moment, as often as you like.
Barometer Reborn
Normally a barometer and pressure tracker isn't exactly vital day-to-day information the same way that a weather report is. But if you do need those particular metrics, this simple, straightforward app will give them to you with an attractive user interface and an extremely readable format. The app is free, and it supports metric and imperial measurements along with different themes.
Simple barometer and atmospheric pressure tracker. You can monitor how change of atmosperic pressure affects your life (useful for people suffering of migraine)
- nice and modern material design
- shows current atmospheric pressure according info provided by your phone sensors
- support both millibars and inches of mercury units (more units to follow)
- tracks history up to one week
- fully free: no ads, no payments
LibreTorrent
Downloading torrent files on your phone is sort of a frustrating experience, if only because the demand for a fully-featured application really isn't there the same way it is on the desktop. LibreTorrent is an open-source BitTorrent client based on Libtorrent that hopes to fill that particular niche. It has all of the bells and whistles you'd expect from a desktop client in a surprisingly capable Material UI.
LibreTorrent is a Free as in Freedom torrent client for Android 4 and later, based on libtorrent. Download and share files directly on your device.
- DHT, PeX, encryption, LSD, UPnP, NAT-PMP, µTP
- IP filtering (eMule dat and PeerGuardian)
- Ability to fine tune (network settings, power management, battery control, UI settings, etc.)
- Supports torrents with large number of files and big files
- HTTPS and magnet links support
- Support proxy for trackers and peers
- Ability to move files while downloading
- Ability to automatic movement of files to another directory or to an external drive at the end of download
- Ability to specify file and folder priorities
- Ability to select which files to download
- Ability to download sequentially
- Tablet optimized UI
SoloLearn: Coding Community
As someone who couldn't code his way around a secret agent ring, I should probably look into SoloLearn. It's a quasi-social network meant to teach the absolute basics of coding (specifically with a web focus) to complete newbies. The platform includes standard lessons and tests, a "gamified" progressive interface with head-to-head coding matches, and discussion sessions and boards. It's free, and the interface is Material Design.
Learn to Code with SoloLearn. Join the fastest-growing global community of code learners to learn the basics or advance your existing skills. Reach a new level through learning solo or peer-to-peer interaction in the world of programming. Learning with SoloLearn is FREE. No in-app purchases. No ads. With us, you can Learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, C++, Python, Java, C#, SQL, Swift, and Ruby.
Brave Browser: Fast AdBlock
Brave is a desktop web browser that aims to focus almost exclusively on privacy and ad blocking (via AdBlock, capitalized). The mobile version has the same goal as an alternative phone and tablet browser. It has most of the basic tools that one would expect, even if it's not quite as polished as Chrome, and incognito mode and data optimization are also included. There doesn't appear to be a syncing tool with the desktop version at the moment.
Brave Web Browser is a fast, free, secure web browser for Android with a built-in AdBlock, tracking and security protection, and optimized data and battery experience. Brave is designed with a built-in adblocker to provide an ad-free and seamless browsing experience. No external plugins or settings to manage or configure. Brave simply provides the fastest and most secure browsing experience available for Android. Brave is designed for both speed and security, so you can enjoy lightning fast browsing without popups, malware and other annoyances.
ActionDirector Video Editor
Most of the current video editors on the Play Store are focused on short, superficial edits and filters in the vein of Vine and Instagram. While ActionDirector isn't exactly Adobe Premiere, it offers several more tools than your phone probably has already, without limiting things to a superficial level. Slow motion, music mixing, and multiple file formats are supported, but the app recommends some high-powered hardware for the best results.
ActionDirector is the only video editing app you need to record, edit and share your cool action videos. The simple video editor interface and helpful tutorials will have you adding action effects to your clips instantly. Mix in your own background music and create your own viral video, ready to share on your favorite social networks or messaging apps.
Pregnancy Week on Week Tracker
Pregnancy Week on Week Tracker is... well, it's a pregnancy tracker. As a single male it's probably offensive if I say anything more than that, but I'm getting paid here, so: the app includes development information on your baby's vital systems, plus info on pregnancy in general and fitness recommendations for low-impact maternal exercises. The app recently added support for Android 7.1's launcher app shortcuts, too.
Motherhood is not a state of mind or body, it is an experience to be lived and journey full of memories. Here we are, making your memories even better by keeping you informed with what’s pregnancy bringing to you. PregBuddy, one of the best pregnancy apps ever, shall prove to be the best buddy for your pregnancy period. Get updated with week-by-week growth of your baby : You wish to know it all about your baby and of course you cannot run to a doctor every time. So here we are, helping you out with updates of your baby every week.
Identity
This app is designed to disseminate new credit card info to shard accounts across a ton of different services - it saves you from re-inputting numbers and codes every time your card expires. Interesting, if specialized.
IDENTITY acts as a personal assistant to help you manage your online accounts. New credit card? New expiration date? Recently moved? Use IDENTITY to switch credit cards, update credit card account information, or change an address, with just a few taps on your smartphone. IDENTITY helps you keep accounts and payment information up-to-date and avoid service interruptions with your favorite online merchants and service providers.
Readfeed
Readfeed would really like to be the next GoodReads, only mobile-focused and not controlled by Amazon. At a glance it doesn't seem to have much more than a nice interface (and in fact it's missing some of the digital tools that GoodReads uses), but if you're tired of the somewhat stale community that's built up at the larger sites, it could be worth a look.
Join a worldwide community of readers. Have a question about a book? Want to share a book-related picture? Want to follow your friends and see what they're reading? You can do this and so much more with Readfeed.
- Engage in active discussions about your books- Post pictures about any book - with Image filters
- Create your virtual bookshelf by adding books to custom lists
- Find any book by Title, Author, ISBN or Scanning by Barcode
- Search for your friends and follow them
- Track and share your reading progress with the community
- Follow people who read the same books that you do
- See what books others are reading and talking about
- Get notified when others discuss your books
- Get great recommendations based on who you're following and what you're reading
Manufacturer And Tie-In Apps
Pixel Launcher
Android Police coverage: Pixel Launcher lands in the Play Store, predictably only compatible with the Pixel [APK Download]
This is a launcher for Pixel phones. It's called the Pixel Launcher. Right now you need a Pixel phone to get it from the Play Store, because Google says that other phones are not allowed to use it. Stop me if I'm going too fast for you.
Pixel Launcher is the home screen experience for the Pixel and Pixel XL phones by Google. Personalized information from Google is just a swipe away.
• Swipe right from your home screen to see personalized Google cards that bring you news and personalized information, at just the right time.
• Quick access to Google Search on your primary home screen.
• Swipe up on the bottom Favorites row to find your apps from A-Z.
• App Suggestions bring the app you’re looking for to the top of your A-Z list.
• Long-press on apps that support shortcuts to jump right into where you need to go or long-press on the shortcuts to drag them to the home screen.
Tango
Android Police coverage: Google's Project Tango gets an official gallery app on the Play Store
Project Tango still isn't available to the general public - the dev kit tablet is no longer for sale, and the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro isn't shipping until next month. But when you finally do get your hands on some fancy 3D spatial software, this official Google app will be waiting to thrill you with crazy-specific augmented reality tools and games. Users with boring old-fashioned non-3D mapping phones need not apply.
Tango brings Augmented Reality to your smartphone. The Tango app helps you launch your favorite AR experiences and discover new apps. Do not use this app while driving, walking, or otherwise by being distracted or disoriented from real world situations that prevent you from obeying traffic or safety laws.
PlayStation Vue
Android Police coverage: PlayStation Vue expands to Android TV today, PC and Mac web support coming soon
What? Sony's cable-cutting PlayStation Vue TV service launched without an official Android TV app? That's... actually, that's completely believable. But at least Android TV isn't dead last to the party: there's still no way to watch Vue's live streaming content on a PC, somehow.
PlayStation™Vue is a new TV service bringing you live TV, movies and sports without a cable or satellite subscription. Now available on Android TV. Download the app and sign in with your PlayStation Network account to get started. Don’t have a PlayStation Network account? Visit www.psvue.com to start your free trial* today.
• Live TV, movies, sports and On Demand programming from channels including AMC, Disney, ESPN, HBO, NFL Network, SHOWTIME® and more.
• No annual contracts, no cable or satellite plan required and no surprise fees
• Save thousands of hours of your favorite shows to the cloud DVR with My Shows
• Favorite Channels bookmarks your top networks front and center
• Search for what you want across live, DVR and on demand content and find exactly what you're looking for
Origami Live
Origami is a Facebook-backed design tool for creating mobile interfaces. It's not pure development, per se, but it can help mobile developers come up with an attractive, modern-looking app. This mobile companion app doesn't have any of the actual layout tools, it just lets designers see and interact with their projects on a mobile screen. At the moment Origami Studio is only for Mac, but apparently Android is good enough for demo purposes.
Origami Live is the companion app for Origami Studio for Mac, a free design tool for creating interactive UI prototypes. Create prototypes using Origami Studio for Mac, and connect an Android phone or tablet running Origami Live to use them on your device. Export prototypes to Origami Live to take them on the go. Open and share any file from Origami Studio sent over email.
Blizz
Here's another in a long line of business chat and organization apps. Aside from a Skype-style focus on video conferencing and the fact that it's made by the developers of TeamViewer, there isn't much to differentiate it from the rest. Unless your company is using it, of course, in which case you have no more excuse for failing to respond to those department-wide messages.
Participate in meetings from your Android device anytime, anywhere. You will never miss an important discussion again: Blizz allows you to participate in web-conferences spontaneously and with more flexibility, without being in front of your computer. Download the app, enter the Meeting ID and get started straight away. Join meetings with anyone, at anytime, anywhere you want. All without needing to sign up. Stay in touch before and after meetings via instant messaging
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.