New apps are released into the Play Store all the time, but with so many
appearing, it can be easy to let the best ones slide under the radar.
In this article, we highlight the freshest arrivals in the Play Store,
so you'll never miss a great app again. Check out our pick of the new
apps you must install in January 2016.
January
Habitica
Habitica
has arrived at the perfect time. If you're the type to make new year's
resolutions, this app could be the one that helps you stay on track.
Habitica provides you with a digital avatar that "gains experience" when
you complete certain goals or quests. What's unique about this RPG,
though, is that you set your own targets, so as you improve yourself in
the real world, your Habitica character improves also.
It’s a
great way to stay motivated because you can see a visual representation
of your progress. Sure, you will naturally feel good about certain
achievements in real life, but this type of feedback can act as a nice
bonus.
Cortana
Cortana recently exited its public Android
beta and the full version is now here. This is the Microsoft equivalent
of Google Now and Siri, which seeks to assist you in your daily life.
Cortana allows you to set up reminders, track flights and packages, ask
questions, and you can even set up quick replies from your PC if you
miss a call on your phone.
It integrates with Windows computers in
a way which Google Now and Siri can't, but this is probably the only
area where it provides a credible improvement to them. Still, it’s still
early days for Cortana on Android, so if you’re interested, check it
out at the link below.
December
Chromer
Chromer
might be one of greatest new apps to ever grace our list. It's basically
a web browser for apps, and allows you to use Chrome custom tabs
without the need for app developers to implement the feature themselves.
Basically, it's like a miracle.
Once Chromer is configured,
opening web pages from within apps happens quickly and without fuss.
Leave the frustration of repeatedly selecting which app you want to use
to open a link behind, by using this secure, free app.
BandLab - Music Community
BandLab - Music Community
is perhaps a more interesting idea than a completely awesome app, but is
worth a look for musicians. Bandlab lets you record audio and share it
between different devices and people using BandLab’s cloud service. This
audio can also be edited and mixed to some degree, with a few simple
production functions.
The collaborative aspect of it unique but
the only problem is that mobile devices aren’t exactly built for audio
recording, and the sound quality is terrible. If you can overlook this,
BandLab is a great service for recording and sharing ideas as they come
to you – it certainly beats using your built-in voice recorder.
November
Define
If you do a
lot of reading, you’re learning English, or you just have a curious
mind, Define is the perfect addition to your Android device. It’s an
offline, device-wide word lookup tool that provides definitions,
synonyms and different usages of any copied word through an unobtrusive
pop-up window or notification.
There are a choice of three
dictionaries: Livio, Wordnet and Urban Dictionary, with the latter only
working when you’re connected to the internet.
Pixolor
Pixolor is a live eyedropper tool that floats
over any screen in the form of a persistent notification. It lets you
view the hex value for any individual pixel, create color palettes based
on the current selection and view the nearest material design color,
amongst other things.
The app is certainly most useful for designers, but the pinch to zoom feature might also be of use to those with poor eyesight.
There is an initial ad-free period of use, after which some ads will appear, but they can be removed by paying US$1.99.
October
Khan Academy
Khan
Academy began producing free and openly available videos and learning
resources in 2006. They mostly cover math, physics and science, but
offer limited coverage of other subjects, as well. All of Khan Academy's
material is freely available on YouTube, but the newly launched Android
app offers a quick and simple way to navigate and access its material,
of which there is loads.
It has more than 10,000 videos, as well
as in-depth articles in fields such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry,
trigonometry, statistics, calculus, biology, chemistry and physics. We
highly recommend spending some time exploring and an afternoon or two
learning with Khan Academy. It's free, accessible and fun!
Pintasking
Alt-tab doesn't really exist in
Android: there is always the extra step of opening the recent tabs
window. Pintasking solves this by letting you pin apps to the screen as
small buttons that can be pressed at any time from any app.
When
you press the pin, the app opens, and the pin turns into a pair of
arrows that can be pressed to quickly return to the previous app or
window. It's very handy if you need to frequently switch between two or
more apps.
Accomplish
There are plenty of scheduling and
productivity apps on the market, but Accomplish's interface is clean,
elegant and intuitive. It keeps things as simple as they should be, so
you can organize your tasks and set reminders without fuss. You can add
tasks, change their colors and then drag them into a day planner, where
you can stretch or shrink the box to adjust the length of time you want
to spend on the task.
Accomplish also syncs with your Google Calendar, and is the most intuitive scheduler we've seen here at AndroidPIT. If you want a simple, pretty way to organize your day, this is it.
Mirrativ
It's early days for Mirrativ, so it still
has a couple of bugs and speed issues, but it's clear that this app has
tons of potential. Mirrativ lets you live stream anything that is
happening on the screen of your Android device, and the
camera, simultaneously. It's amazing that no one has combined these two
things before. It only takes a few clicks, and you can share whatever
you're doing with friends, family, or the world. You can also interact
with others using stickers and comments throughout the stream.
Mirrative
is well worth checking out and having some fun with. Keep an eye on
it as it gets updated, too, as there's surely more to come from this
one.
September
JustWatch
JustWatch
is a resource that locates the best places to watch movies and TV shows
online, without breaking the law. It launched earlier in 2015 as an
online service, but now has a dedicated app for Android and iOS.
It's
a simple idea, pooling the best locations for watching videos online,
but it's surprisingly useful. It displays the cheapest prices to rent or
buy a particular movie or series you're interested in, as well
as whether it's available on a subscription service such as Netflix, or
even for free on Hulu or Crackle. There's even a 'price drop' section
where you'll find special offers.
JustWatch integrates with a
number of popular media streaming and download services, as well as
websites such as IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes to aid its search features.
It's one of those apps you might find yourself taking a quick peek at
every time you get the urge to watch something new.
Intel Remote Keyboard
Even though Intel specialises
in hardware, we're intrigued by the tech giant's forays into software.
Particularly the Intel Remote Keyboard, which turns your Android device
into a remote control for your PC keyboard and mouse.
It's
designed for Intel's Mini PCs, but works well with any PC that's on the
same Wi-Fi network as your Android device. This is one of the most
intuitive PC remotes around; its mouse controls in particular are second
to none.
Adobe Photoshop Mix
Photoshop Mix is a simple yet
impressive photo-editing tool that can effectively replace the default
photo editor on your Android device. Its features range from trendy
filters, to the ability to neatly cut out sections of pictures and
splice them into new images.
Photoshop Mix can sync with Photoshop
on your PC using Creative Cloud, so if you want to do some more
advanced editing, you're only a couple of taps away.
source : androidpit.com
Its latest phone, the Xiaomi Redmi 3, aims to fix both issues: It's a 5-inch Android phone with a 4,100 milliamp-hour (mAh) battery — unheard of in its size class — and a price tag of just $699 yuan, or $106 US.
Image: Xiaomi
Other specs of note include a dual-SIM option (though you'll have to forego the memory card if you plan to use both card slots for SIMs), and three color options: silver, gold and dark gray. On the software side, the phone will be running Xiaomi's MIUI Android shell; while there's no official word on which version of Android will be underneath, one retailer's listing says it'll be Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.
The Redmi 3 comes half a year after the Redmi 2, which had a plastic case and a much weaker, 2,200mAh battery. Its cousin, the 5.5-inch, $140 Redmi Note 3 was launched last November, and the company's new flagship, the Xiaomi Mi 5, will likely launch in February.
Image: Xiaomi
There's something to be said for a digital detox while on vacation,
but technology doesn't always deter from the travel experience. When
used wisely, a smartphone can enhance a trip instead of take away from
it.
From a big multi-city itinerary to a small, relaxing beach vacation,
these eight apps will make travel in 2016 a little bit easier.
RoadTrippers
RoadTrippers makes itself useful as soon as you pull on to the highway.
Travelers plug in their itineraries and the app will recommend
restaurants, coffee shops, gas stations and stretching spots en route.
The app also gives estimates of how much drivers can expect to pay for
gas.
Image: Mashable Screenshot / Roadtrippers
But
RoadTrippers is no substitute for GPS. Once you've found the stops you
want to make, you’ll have to export your itinerary to Google Maps or
Waze to get directions.
Hopper
A well designed app that saves you money, Hopper has both form and function. It was the only travel app to be included in Apple’s Best of 2015 round-up.
Image: Mashable Screenshot / Hopper
Hopper
predicts future flight prices with 95% accuracy, according to the
company, and will determine whether or not now is really the best time
to buy that plane ticket.
TripScope
For those who resolved to travel more in 2016 but can’t seem to find the time to plan a trip, TripScope pairs you with a travel agent and their services for a low fee of $25.
Sending the in-app agent a destination and budget kickstarts the
process. Agents will customize an itinerary and book flights, hotels,
ground transportations and tours. But by far the best perk is that
agents are able to provide upgrades for thrifty travelers via a "mobile
concierge."
Rio 2016
Heading to Brazil this summer?
The official Olympics app has information about the games, activities and attractions in the city, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks and more.
TripSee
TripSee is
made for organization freaks. Travelers plug in their destinations and
the app will generate a list of hotspots around town that can be
organized and added to an itinerary.
Image: Mashable Screenshot / TripSee
Once
travel and hotel confirmations come through, travelers can forward the
information to TripSee. The app will then aggregate every piece of
information — times, dates, cost, phone numbers, addresses, etc. — into
the itinerary, making it possible to see the entire trip in one glance.
Triposo
Triposo
is the 2016 answer to heavy guidebooks. From Afghanistan to Denmark to
Martinique to Vietnam, this app covers almost every corner of the globe.
Each location's page features a currency converter, weather, tours
and a cultural synopsis of the location. The app will also sync with an
Apple Watch for offline navigation.
Glympse
A great app when traveling with the perpetually late or directionally
challenged, Glympse will send your location to whoever needs it.
When your group gets separated, it's easy to see everybody else’s
location. The app will eliminate the need to start the dreaded
conversation beginning with, “What do you see around you?”
EON Experience VR
Of course there's no travel experience like the real thing but for
those that — for whatever reason — can't leave home this year, there is Eon Experience VR.
Users of the virtual reality app can "visit" the Valley of the Kings
and the Luxor Temple of Egypt, the Medici family’s Magi Chapel in
Florence or India's Taj Mahal.
source : mashable.com
On Thursday, Facebook announced there are more than 800 million
monthly active users on Messenger. While we can assume they're all at
least chatting with each other, there's a whole lot more you can do in
the app beyond instant messaging.
Over the last year, Messenger has shown it wants to be a one-stop shop for all your mobile needs — from sending GIFs to requesting an Uber. With so many updates, you may have missed some of the app's best new features.
From paying friends to customizing your message threads, we've
rounded up 10 of our favorite hidden tricks that will help you get the
most out of Messenger.
1. There’s a standalone website for Messenger
Unlike having two different mobile apps, the two different websites
make more sense. For example, you can keep chatting with your friends
at work without the distraction of your news feed. The interface is
minimal and clean — similar to the app but expanded. For each
conversation, there’s a sidebar where you can mute notifications for
that person, access a call or video chat and see photos you’ve shared
with each other.
2. You don’t need Facebook to use Messenger
Image: facebook
Anyone with a phone number can access
Messenger and its features, even if you don't have a Facebook account.
All you have to do is download the app, and you can select “Not on
Facebook?” You can sign up from there.
3. Request an Uber
You can do away with your Uber app, and call a car
through Messenger. From within a conversation, select the "More" icon
indicated by three little dots and tap "Transportation." You can log in
and request an Uber from there. Like the Uber app, you’ll receive
updates on your driver’s status, notify friends, track the ride and pay
for it.
4. Pin a group conversation for easy access
If you chat with the same group of people all the time, you can pin
the conversation so you don’t have to scroll through to find it. Tap the
Groups button at the bottom of the app, and you’ll see a Pin button in
the top left corner. You can select the conversation you want to add,
and you can assign a name to it. You can also add a photo as the group
avatar by tapping on the camera button.
5. Mute notifications
You can silence specific conversations by tapping the name at the top
of the message. In the drop-down screen of options, tap Notifications
and select the period of time you want to mute it — like fifteen
minutes, one hour, eight hours, 24 hours or indefinitely until you turn
notifications back on. You can also turn off notifications entirely.
6. Make a payment
Image: Facebook
There
are a few popular apps that let you pay your friends without any cash,
but that means downloading yet another app. If you don’t have anymore
room on your phone for Venmo, Messenger is an alternative, in case you don’t plan on deleting the app anytime soon.
7. Share photos instantly with facial recognition
Messenger’s Photo Magic
feature uses facial recognition to make it easier to send photos to
your friends. When the feature is on, the app will notify you to share
photos when it detects a new picture with a friend in your camera roll.
To enable it, click the settings gear icon on the bottom right, select
Photos & Media and then Photo Magic, and switch the toggle on.
8. Send your location
Image: facebook
Similar to dropping a pin in Apple Maps, you can send your location
— or any location — in a message. Select a conversation, tap the More
icon, click location, then you can search a place and send it.
9. Send GIFs
Tap More at the bottom of a conversation screen, and you’ll see a
list of different apps you can install. You’ll see GIPHY as one option,
and you can tap the INSTALL button, which will bring you to the App
Store; download it as you normally would. Once installed, you can select
the GIF icon at the bottom of a conversation to search and send GIFs
directly in Messenger.
10. Customize your message threads with emoji
Change up your conversations with different people by changing the
way the threads look. When you’re in a conversation, hit your friend’s
name at the top of the screen, and you’ll see options for nicknames,
color and emoji. The color will change the outline of icons as well as
the chat bubbles.
SOURCE: mashable.com
Pokémon is turning 20 this year, and to celebrate, Nintendo is sending you back into Kanto with the original 151. Along with releasing Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow versions on the Nintendo eShop for 3DS, a Pokémon-themed New Nintendo 3DS bundle is coming out Feb. 27, now dubbed "Pokémon Day."
The New 3DS bundle includes a New Nintendo 3DS, two faceplates featuring Charizard and Blastoise from the original Gameboy games' box art, Pokémon Red and Blue versions pre-installed, and a code for an exclusive Pokémon 3DS Home menu theme.
If getting to pick between Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle again isn't enough, Nintendo is doing a few other things for the 20th anniversary of Pokémon, including re-releasing popular Pokémon Amiibos Jigglypuff, Charizard, Greninja and Lucario to re-join Pikachu on store shelves.
For Pokémon fans who own Pokémon Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire, X or Y, you can receive four Legendary Pokémon — Mew, Darkrai, Arceus and Genesect — at participating Gamestops throughout 2016 during distribution events.
Pokémon collectable card game collectors and players aren't being left out. You will be able to pick up the Generations expansion that includes a host of new cards featuring Pokémon from the original
series entries and Mythical Pokémon starting in February as well.
source / mashable.com
Just a couple of weeks after announcing its recruitment of the former Skyred Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team, Australian esports organization 24/7 Esports has cut ties with the group over allegations that its players were involved in match-fixing.
“I am disappointed in the rumored conduct of the players, but for the sake of integrity in Esports, 24/7 Esports does not condone match fixing or even the discussion of it,” Esports 24/7 owner Wei-Ning Yong said in a statement. “Because of this, we have decided to terminate any support towards the team.”
Somewhat surprisingly, the move has seemingly been made without any actual proof of match-fixing, and Yong has said he doesn't actually believe any wrongdoing took place. “But when there is overwhelming public opinion to the opposite there is no choice but to cease all negotiations,” the statement says. “The organization wishes the team good luck in their future endeavors and with their quest to make the majors.”
The decision to halt contract negotiations over unproved allegations may have been driven by the recent permabanning of 21 CS:GO players who were caught up in a match-fixing scandal in early 2015. Valve initially announced that those suspensions were “indefinite” and would be reviewed at the start of 2016, but instead of lifting them it dropped the hammer on all involved with permanent bans. In light of that unequivocal stance, 24/7 Esports may well have decided that distancing itself
from even the appearance of impropriety was the only move it had.
------ source: pcgamer.com -------
