20 best Android apps this week
It's time for our weekly roundup of the best new Android apps and games to have emerged on the Google Play store.
As
ever, prices are correct at the time of writing, but may have changed
by the time you read this. (Free + IAP) means in-app purchases are used
within the app.
Want more apps? Browse previous Best Android Apps roundups on The Guardian. And if you're looking for iOS apps, browse the archives of Best iPhone and iPad apps roundups instead.
APPS
1Password (Free + IAP)
As useful apps go, one that creates and stores passwords for the various sites you use – strong, proper passwords, too – then helps you log in with a single tap on the screen is a pretty good idea. 1Password is a long-awaited release for Android, synchronising neatly with PC, Mac and iOS.
As useful apps go, one that creates and stores passwords for the various sites you use – strong, proper passwords, too – then helps you log in with a single tap on the screen is a pretty good idea. 1Password is a long-awaited release for Android, synchronising neatly with PC, Mac and iOS.
Sky Sports Football SC Brazil (Free)
Just in time for the big tournament, Sky Sports’ new World Cup app makes it onto Android. It’s a dedicated app for scores, live text commentary, tables, photos and other data from Brazil, complete with an option to set your preferred country as “My Team”.
Just in time for the big tournament, Sky Sports’ new World Cup app makes it onto Android. It’s a dedicated app for scores, live text commentary, tables, photos and other data from Brazil, complete with an option to set your preferred country as “My Team”.
The Great British Bee Count (Free)
The latest in a growing line of crowdsourcing-for-good apps. In this case, the good is helping Friends of the Earth and its partners build a map of how healthy (or not) bees are around the UK. Its app is used to track the bees you see in your local area, then send that data back to the scientists.
The latest in a growing line of crowdsourcing-for-good apps. In this case, the good is helping Friends of the Earth and its partners build a map of how healthy (or not) bees are around the UK. Its app is used to track the bees you see in your local area, then send that data back to the scientists.
Copy Bubble (Free)
One of the joys of Android is the large number of simple, single-purpose utility apps that tweak Google’s software for specific tasks. In this case: copying and pasting, as you tap on a floating bubble to clip text and images.
One of the joys of Android is the large number of simple, single-purpose utility apps that tweak Google’s software for specific tasks. In this case: copying and pasting, as you tap on a floating bubble to clip text and images.
Corner - Find Football Pubs (Free)While
we’re on the subject of single-purpose apps… Corner is an app for
quickly finding pubs near your current location that are showing
football, released to capitalise on World Cup fever. You can filter by
food and facilities, check on fixtures and invite friends to a match
from within the app.
DinnerTime: Parental Control (Free)
Affronted by surly children texting or playing games at the dinner table rather than joining the family banter? DinnerTime aims to help, albeit by the somewhat draconian method of locking a child’s device for a set period of time. It can also be used for bedtime, revision-time or any other time you deem necessary.
Affronted by surly children texting or playing games at the dinner table rather than joining the family banter? DinnerTime aims to help, albeit by the somewhat draconian method of locking a child’s device for a set period of time. It can also be used for bedtime, revision-time or any other time you deem necessary.
Spydy Contacts (Free + IAP)
Spydy is apparently a “social launchpad and people organiser” – presumably for people whose social life remains defiantly land-bound and whose friends are un-organised. It promises a visual revamp of your contacts app, puling in Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, with group messaging included.
Spydy is apparently a “social launchpad and people organiser” – presumably for people whose social life remains defiantly land-bound and whose friends are un-organised. It promises a visual revamp of your contacts app, puling in Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, with group messaging included.
Peugeot Music (Free)
The challenge of “music discovery” – helping people find new songs or rediscover old favourites in streaming music services – is being talked about a lot in the music industry. How about help from… Peugeot? Yes, the carmaker has its own music app, offering a curated selection of streaming tunes.
The challenge of “music discovery” – helping people find new songs or rediscover old favourites in streaming music services – is being talked about a lot in the music industry. How about help from… Peugeot? Yes, the carmaker has its own music app, offering a curated selection of streaming tunes.
TCS SocialSoccer (Free)
More World Cup – well, it is the week for it – with this app offering scores and stats, but with just as much focus on tweets about prominent teams and players. It’s also claiming to throw in some “big data analytics” to keep you posted on Twitter sentiment around the tournament. If it works, it could be fun.
More World Cup – well, it is the week for it – with this app offering scores and stats, but with just as much focus on tweets about prominent teams and players. It’s also claiming to throw in some “big data analytics” to keep you posted on Twitter sentiment around the tournament. If it works, it could be fun.
Talking Progress (Free)
Finally, an app designed for adults suffering from depression. The idea being that you can record your feelings in a digital diary, helping you track the condition and discuss the results with your doctor. There’s also a medicine-reminder alarm built in, if that’s of use.
Finally, an app designed for adults suffering from depression. The idea being that you can record your feelings in a digital diary, helping you track the condition and discuss the results with your doctor. There’s also a medicine-reminder alarm built in, if that’s of use.
GAMES
Angry Birds Epic (Free + IAP)
The latest Angry Birds game sees no physics-based flinging. Instead, it’s a roleplaying game (RPG) that sees you building up a team of birds and attacking pigs through other means. Along the way, you craft and upgrade weapons, learn new skills and get to grips with its turn-based battles system.
The latest Angry Birds game sees no physics-based flinging. Instead, it’s a roleplaying game (RPG) that sees you building up a team of birds and attacking pigs through other means. Along the way, you craft and upgrade weapons, learn new skills and get to grips with its turn-based battles system.
VVVVVV (£1.99)
Ever played Super Hexagon? This is the new game from its developer Terry Cavanagh, and if anything is picking up even more buzz. It’s a platform game that’s been available since 2010 on other devices, with graphics reminiscent of the 1980s, and gameplay that grips you quickly then won’t let you go.
Ever played Super Hexagon? This is the new game from its developer Terry Cavanagh, and if anything is picking up even more buzz. It’s a platform game that’s been available since 2010 on other devices, with graphics reminiscent of the 1980s, and gameplay that grips you quickly then won’t let you go.
Band Stars (Free + IAP)
As someone who happily wasted many hours on a game called Rock Star Ate My Hamster as a child, I’ve always thought the music industry makes for cracking games. Band Stars is the latest attempt to prove the theory right: a fun social game that gets you hiring and firing members and racing up the charts.
As someone who happily wasted many hours on a game called Rock Star Ate My Hamster as a child, I’ve always thought the music industry makes for cracking games. Band Stars is the latest attempt to prove the theory right: a fun social game that gets you hiring and firing members and racing up the charts.
King of the Course Golf (Free + IAP)
EA knows a thing or two about golf games from its stewardship of the Tiger Woods franchise. Its new mobile game takes a new direction – free-to-play – with famous courses, neat touchscreen controls and, ahem, boosts. Well, there had to be something to justify the in-app purchases, presumably…
EA knows a thing or two about golf games from its stewardship of the Tiger Woods franchise. Its new mobile game takes a new direction – free-to-play – with famous courses, neat touchscreen controls and, ahem, boosts. Well, there had to be something to justify the in-app purchases, presumably…
Flick Soccer Brazil (Free + IAP)
First of a smattering of football games in this World Cup month. Flick Soccer Brazil comes from developer Full Fat: a new game in its very-good Flick Soccer franchise. You’ll be flicking balls past the goalkeeper or at the crossbar over several modes, even if the inclusion of “Brazilian bikini babes” feels a bit unnecessary.
First of a smattering of football games in this World Cup month. Flick Soccer Brazil comes from developer Full Fat: a new game in its very-good Flick Soccer franchise. You’ll be flicking balls past the goalkeeper or at the crossbar over several modes, even if the inclusion of “Brazilian bikini babes” feels a bit unnecessary.
Great Little War Game 2 (£1.99)
Developer Rubicon Development’s little and big war games have a fervent fanbase on Android, and this latest one looks like it won’t disappoint. It’s another turn-based strategy game where you take your troops into battle over 60 missions. “Just jump in and start shooting,” advises its Google Play listing. And thankfully, it really is that accessible.
Developer Rubicon Development’s little and big war games have a fervent fanbase on Android, and this latest one looks like it won’t disappoint. It’s another turn-based strategy game where you take your troops into battle over 60 missions. “Just jump in and start shooting,” advises its Google Play listing. And thankfully, it really is that accessible.
Up, Down, Left, Right (Free)
Up, Down, Left, Right is probably one of the most frustrating games I’ve played on a mobile phone – up there with Flappy Bird – but in a way that means you play it more, not less. It sounds simple: tap the up, down, left, right keys on a virtual keyboard in time to a beat, switching one of them every so often in response to falling keys above. If you don’t throw your smartphone out of the window within 10 minutes, you’ll be hooked.
Up, Down, Left, Right is probably one of the most frustrating games I’ve played on a mobile phone – up there with Flappy Bird – but in a way that means you play it more, not less. It sounds simple: tap the up, down, left, right keys on a virtual keyboard in time to a beat, switching one of them every so often in response to falling keys above. If you don’t throw your smartphone out of the window within 10 minutes, you’ll be hooked.
QuizTix: World Football (Free + IAP)
QuizTix is a new brand of “collectable quiz” games for Android and iOS, with this the third following versions focused on pop music and movies. Here, you’ll be answering football trivia in a range of categories, taking on friends or asking them for help with tricky
QuizTix is a new brand of “collectable quiz” games for Android and iOS, with this the third following versions focused on pop music and movies. Here, you’ll be answering football trivia in a range of categories, taking on friends or asking them for help with tricky
questions.
Fluid SE (£1.19)
Fluid SE is being described as part racing game, part Pac-Man, which does a good job of describing its charms. There are 40 levels to speed through, collecting dots and avoiding spectres – yep, Pac-Man – with a well-worked star system to grade your times and keep you coming back to improve your score.
Fluid SE is being described as part racing game, part Pac-Man, which does a good job of describing its charms. There are 40 levels to speed through, collecting dots and avoiding spectres – yep, Pac-Man – with a well-worked star system to grade your times and keep you coming back to improve your score.
CN Superstar Soccer (£1.79)
Finally, one more football game, this one from Cartoon Network. It sees you playing as characters from shows including Adventure Time, Ben 10 and Regular Show. Power-shots, online multiplayer and spiffing visuals make it worth a look for children and parents alike.
Finally, one more football game, this one from Cartoon Network. It sees you playing as characters from shows including Adventure Time, Ben 10 and Regular Show. Power-shots, online multiplayer and spiffing visuals make it worth a look for children and parents alike.
Those are our
picks, but what have you been enjoying on Android this week? Post your
recommendations (or feedback on these) in the comments section.
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