Google Offers (FREE!)

Google Inc.

Posted on 05/11/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Living Social and Groupon have some pretty formidable competition in the form of Google Offers. The… More

Living Social and Groupon have some pretty formidable competition in the form of Google Offers. The web giant has joined other websites in providing flash-sale events to you right to your Android phone. Google Offers deals are easy to sort, and there are usually many specials available in multiple cities. You can choose the city to browse from a drop down box of major metro areas, or you can let Google Offers access your phone’s GPS capability and find the deals closest to you. Right now, Denver is the nearest city represented in this app, but I’m sure that if anyone can incentivize local participation, it’s Google.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Stitcher Radio – News & Talk (FREE!)

Stitcher, Inc.

Posted on 05/11/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Listen to subject-specific podcasts or music on your android phone, with Stitcher Radio. Search for… More

Listen to subject-specific podcasts or music on your android phone, with Stitcher Radio. Search for audio content by keyword or subject, or listen to featured content. Select from subjects like Lifestyle & Health, Spirituality or Politics and let Stitcher aggregate content it thinks you’ll like. Once Stitcher adds stations to your feed, you can easily remove them and add new content, just by using the app’s editor.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Youda Survivor (FREE!)

G5 Entertainment

Posted on 05/11/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Move a gaunt, shipwrecked avatar through a series of time-management puzzles in Youda Survivor, the… More

Move a gaunt, shipwrecked avatar through a series of time-management puzzles in Youda Survivor, the latest trending game by G5 Entertainment. You can move through some of these puzzles without having to pay for the unlocked version. I made it through one before I got locked out, though other reviewers have said there are four levels you can play free. This game is okay fun. Like other time management games, the graphics are okay, and there is nothing very difficult or complex about the rules. Youda Survivor prevents your phone from going to sleep, so if you foresee a long day of gaming, keep it plugged in. Before you open the game, too, Youda Survivor spends some time downloading game data.    Less

Related Categories:  Games

Slate (FREE!)

The Slate Hotel

Posted on 05/11/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Get Slate’s stories updated to your phone in real time. This app lets you view all of the website’s… More

Get Slate’s stories updated to your phone in real time. This app lets you view all of the website’s latest stories, and easily scroll through chronological content. You can listen to podcasts, watch slideshows, and view video content.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Hipmunk Hotel & Flight Search (FREE!)

Hipmunk

Posted on 05/11/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Reserve hotels and find flights with Hipmunk. For hotels, just input the name of the city you’re visiting,… More

Reserve hotels and find flights with Hipmunk. For hotels, just input the name of the city you’re visiting, then select the date from a drop-down calendar. Hipmunk will select a number of hotels in these metro areas, color-coded by price, that you can reserve right from your app. Flight reservations work much the same way. If there was a way to input the date of your travel or reservation, this app would be a lot easier to use. As it is, setting the date requires you to scroll down past any calendar date between the present and your travels, so planning a trip or reservation in advance is a somewhat tedious process when you compare Hipmunk to websites like Hotels.com or Hotel Tonight.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Instagram (FREE!)

Instagram

Posted on 05/03/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Instagram, the newly Facebook-acquired photo sharing site, becomes pocket-sized with this app for Android.… More

Instagram, the newly Facebook-acquired photo sharing site, becomes pocket-sized with this app for Android. Take pictures and share them to social media like Facebook (though you don’t have to), Twitter and Tumblr, and follow friends’ photos more easily than ever. Instagram uses your phone’s camera to take pictures, and can also access your photos from your gallery. The app for Android offers users the free customizable filters and backgrounds veteran Instagram-users have gotten used to, now with the added bonus that you can edit photos saved to your phone.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Rhapsody (FREE!)

Rhapsody International, Inc.

Posted on 05/03/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Listen to all the music you want, on multiple devices, with a monthly subscription to Rhapsody, a free… More

Listen to all the music you want, on multiple devices, with a monthly subscription to Rhapsody, a free music app for Android. Sign in with your Rhapsody account or create a new one, and access a library of over 5 million MP3 music files. Rhapsody comes with its own integrated music player where you can play your purchased downloads.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Noogra Nuts (FREE!)

Oren Bengigi

Posted on 05/03/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Noogra Nuts is a genuinely fun tilt (or accelemerator-based) app for your Android phone. Though the… More

Noogra Nuts is a genuinely fun tilt (or accelemerator-based) app for your Android phone. Though the free version is ad-supported, and ads are annoyingly obtrusive on the bottom of your screen (but never during gameplay!) you can unlock new levels by earning the developer's currency, Noogra Coins, for free. Tilt your screen to move a hungry squirrel and tap to make him jump for nuts. Get as many nuts as you can to advance. Each board is timed, and after the first minute or so, nuts start raining from the sky in a most unnatural way. As this reviewer is one of those lame people who instinctively tilts her video game controller and sometimes her whole body (hello, Mario Kart) I was pretty good at this game, but found after one minute of too-frenzied tapping that it’s easier and better for your score to just defer to gravity and let your squirrel avatar run around and earn points.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

Paint Joy - Movie Your Drawing (FREE!)

Bejoy Mobile

Posted on 05/03/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Paint Joy is a touch-screen sketching app with a few more-than-basic features. Draw pictures on a customizable… More

Paint Joy is a touch-screen sketching app with a few more-than-basic features. Draw pictures on a customizable background, or write over photos saved to your phone, then share them easily via social media. Paint Joy also shows you a playback of your drawing, so you can watch the process after the fact. This app offers customizable paint styles, with neon or plain stroke effects, and different brush styles.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

GrubHub Food Delivery/Takeout (FREE!)

GrubHub

Posted on 05/03/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Order take-out or delivery from a number of restaurants in your area. Let GrubHub find restaurants near… More

Order take-out or delivery from a number of restaurants in your area. Let GrubHub find restaurants near you by using your phone’s GPS capability, or input the address or location of your choice. GrubHub aggregates menus and reviews in one place, so you can figure out where you want to go based on more than just what's close. GrubHub also lets you order food from restaurants it determines are open and accepting online orders, and you can input your credit card info right to your device, making ordering delivery or take-out as easy as pressing a button.   Less

Related Categories:  Food

TuneIn Radio (FREE!)

Hooked

Posted on 04/26/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Listen to more than 50,000 radio stations from all over the globe, with TuneIn Radio for Android. Input… More

Listen to more than 50,000 radio stations from all over the globe, with TuneIn Radio for Android. Input a favorite city or just browse by category. You can even input a search term, whether it is a zip code, type of music, or a station name, and TuneIn will generate a list of options for you. Then select the radio stations you like and either stream them or add them to your list of presets.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

StumbleUpon (FREE!)

StumbleUpon

Posted on 04/26/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Do you Stumble? If so, you should download this app, and extend the StumbleUpon experience to your wireless… More

Do you Stumble? If so, you should download this app, and extend the StumbleUpon experience to your wireless device. StumbleUpon for Android works just like the browser add-on you’ve come to love. Just input your interests, follow content you approve, and let StumbleUpon show you content recommendations based on your history and preferences. You can type a word or phrase into the “Explore” field in the app to see match stories, or pick from a list of “Interests.” StumbleUpon mobile even makes it easier to email content to friends.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Moment Diary (FREE!)

Utagoe Inc.

Posted on 04/26/2012

Visit Google Play Page

CTime-stamp your journal notes with this free Android app. This app shows you a calendar, and you can… More

CTime-stamp your journal notes with this free Android app. This app shows you a calendar, and you can select a date to attach your observation to. Just click the date you want, and then select whether you want to compose a note, or take a photo. Whatever content you save will be time-stamped so you know exactly when it happened when you reread your diary later. A search feature lets you search through your own notes for keywords, and you can also back up any of your content onto your SD card.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

WorldMate (FREE!)

WorldMate

Posted on 04/26/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Consolidate your travel information in one place with WorldMate, an Android app that stores your flight… More

Consolidate your travel information in one place with WorldMate, an Android app that stores your flight and lodging information, and provides you with up-to-the-minute travel updates. Just input the city you live in, and forward your travel and lodging documents to WorldMate. They’ll consolidate your trip information into the app on your phone, and provide you with updated information like the status of your flight. This app can read itineraries that are in the body of an email, or .PDF documents.    Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Tap Fish Plus (FREE!)

Mobage

Posted on 04/26/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Turn your phone into an interactive aquarium, with Tap Fish Plus for Android. Sign into the app through… More

Turn your phone into an interactive aquarium, with Tap Fish Plus for Android. Sign into the app through Facebook, or by providing a user name and password. As is the case when dealing with real fish in a tank,you have to clean your virtual one, make sure you feed your fish, and you can even breed them for a little extra Mobage cash. Make sure you maintain your tank, because any diligent care for your new pets results in being awarded with coins. You should be aware, though, that any time your phone times out during gameplay, so does Tap Fish Plus, which takes a moment to load.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Hooked – best games for you (FREE!)

Hooked

Posted on 04/20/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Can’t get enough of gaming on your Android device? Then download Hooked, and let it recommend you… More

Can’t get enough of gaming on your Android device? Then download Hooked, and let it recommend you the hottest games tailored to your specific interest. When you open the app for the first time, it will scan games already on your phone, then ask you to rate your satisfaction with them. Based on these results, Hooked provides you with similar app recommendations. Hooked is social, too. You can sign in through your Google Plus or Facebook accounts, or just set up a unique account after submitting a valid email address. Sort results by what’s trending, or view your personalized recommendations.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

Karma (FREE!)

Karma Science

Posted on 04/20/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Gift-giving just got a lot easier, thanks to Karma for Android. Karma accesses your contacts so you… More

Gift-giving just got a lot easier, thanks to Karma for Android. Karma accesses your contacts so you can send gifts to them easily. Just browse Karma’s product database, with items filterable by price, and sortable product categories. It’s easy to purchase items just by clicking, inputting the recipient, and customizing your card. Karma’s social features mean it can even remind you in advance to purchase a gift for a Facebook friend’s upcoming birthday.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Woomark (FREE!)

ITREEGAMER

Posted on 04/20/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Put your city on the map, with Woomark, a crowd-sourced venue ranking app for Android. Woomark collects… More

Put your city on the map, with Woomark, a crowd-sourced venue ranking app for Android. Woomark collects user rankings of stores and businesses, then catalogues these reviews into a global database. The best thing about Woomark is that it’s social. Connect to contacts via Twitter, Facebook, Google Buzz and StumbleUpon. The app uses GPS to calculate your location so you can rank local businesses and share you preferences with the world. Unlike the more popular crowd-sourced social venue apps, though, Woomark is not a very intuitive app to use, and has a host of non-universal symbols and very few text directions to help you navigate it.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Fancy (FREE!)

thingd

Posted on 04/20/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Bookmark your favorite web images and other content with Fancy, for Android. To get started, just submit… More

Bookmark your favorite web images and other content with Fancy, for Android. To get started, just submit a user name, password, and valid email address, and select images to “fancy” from a grouping chosen by the app. So Fancy is kind of like a very limited Pinterest – letting users set up a profile full of images of stuff they like, except from a pre-determined list of content. And the app has a more commercial bent, as well; if you see an image of a product that you like, you can actually purchase it right there. This shopping convenience aside, I have to give this app low marks for interspersing a picture of a faceless woman in a bikini as one of the images I might “fancy” – in between pictures of various stationary and certainly non-sentient “stuff”. Seriously, the sheer volume of underwear shots available to bookmark makes this app pretty creepy.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

ShakyTower (physics game) (FREE!)

HyperBees

Posted on 04/20/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Calibrate your Android phone and tilt it to stack blocks, make lines and perform a bunch of other tasks.… More

Calibrate your Android phone and tilt it to stack blocks, make lines and perform a bunch of other tasks. Billed as a physics game, ShakyTower requires players to perform a series of tasks while tilting their phones to accommodate the shapes that drop down into their board level. Do anything from building a tower by stacking blocks to moving your block through a puzzle board.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

SCVNGR (FREE!)

SCVNGR

Posted on 04/12/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Get social with SCVNGR for Android. Visit local restaurants, stores and other businesses, and earn rewards… More

Get social with SCVNGR for Android. Visit local restaurants, stores and other businesses, and earn rewards points good toward prizes. When you run this app, it will locate all the businesses nearby, with challenges at each of them. Each challenge is worth a different number of points, and some are as easy as taking a picture and posting it to SCVNGR, or saying anything you want about the businesses, to store-sponsored challenges like the one at Boca Grande asking players to create origami out of a used burrito wrapper. Players are encouraged to check into their locations on Facebook or Twitter, and can earn points by checking in themselves or friends. Once you’ve earned a certain amount of points, local vendors can offer prizes like vouchers for free items or discount coupons that generate right to your device.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Jewels Star (FREE!)

ITREEGAMER

Posted on 04/12/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Get your Match-3 fix with Jewels Star for Android, a slightly different take on the classic arcade game.… More

Get your Match-3 fix with Jewels Star for Android, a slightly different take on the classic arcade game. Like in other versions of the game, the goal is to clear your board of jewels by connecting three or more. In Jewels Star, the game also drops down special jewels that can be used to clear an entire color off the board, or can give you bonuses like an extra life or clear an entire row for you. With nearly 200 levels, you won’t get bored with Jewels Star.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

DoodleJump (FREE!)

GameHouse

Posted on 04/12/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Move your green, doodled avatar through a series of perilous jumps in DoodleJump for Android. This game… More

Move your green, doodled avatar through a series of perilous jumps in DoodleJump for Android. This game was popularized by iPhone and iPad users, but Android users don't need to feel left out. Just open this app, and you'll be prompted to calibrate your phone. Once you’ve successfully done that, just tilt your screen to guide your doodle up a game board, while defending himself against enemies by shooting balls at them from his nose.
Calibrate your Android phone and play DoodleJump, the game that lets you guide your green doodled avatar through a game board just by tilting your phone. Guide your doodle up to the top of a level, and shoot balls at bad guys from your nose.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

Ant Smasher the Best Free GAme (FREE!)

Best, Cool & Fun Games – Free Game Creation S.A.

Posted on 04/12/2012

Visit Google Play Page

The first time I ever saw a version of this game was on Buzzfeed, when a contributor posted a video… More

The first time I ever saw a version of this game was on Buzzfeed, when a contributor posted a video of his iguana playing Ant Smasher on an iPad. The iguana, who happened to be very good at this game, is also proof positive that Ant Smasher is not particularly cerebral. Sure, identifying bees and wasps (don’t smash these, because, ouch) requires some attention, and as you amass a pile of bug corpses near the top of your screen, the rest of the critters come out of the woodwork with increasing speed. All in all, though, the premise of this game is basic; win by smashing ants.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

NET-A-PORTER (FREE!)

HotelTonight

Posted on 04/12/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Stay current on all things high fashion with NET-A-PORTER for Android. This app collects images from… More

Stay current on all things high fashion with NET-A-PORTER for Android. This app collects images from well-known designer collections and puts them into a clean, well-organized feed. Add your favorite pieces to your profile, or view recommendations on how to build an outfit. You can shop with this app, too, though be aware that most items average in the hundreds (not surprising considering the designers whose work is showcased in this app). You can also filter items by category, and read the latest relevant fashion articles.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Foodspotting (FREE!)

Foodspotting

Posted on 04/06/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Foodspotting for Android provides users with a comprehensive list of popular restaurants in their area.… More

Foodspotting for Android provides users with a comprehensive list of popular restaurants in their area. Using GPS, the app finds user-submitted restaurant reviews to recommend. The difference between this app and a lot of similar ones is that users can also identify a favorite dish at a particular restaurant- even if, overall, that restaurant has not received very good ratings. Users generally upload photos of their recommended restaurants or dishes, and Foodspotting lets you customize your search by following users with similar tastes, allowing you to bookmark favorite dishes and restaurants, and by letting you provide your own feedback of other users' recommendations. Foodspotting, which just hit the Google Play store's Editor's Pick list this week, is a user-submitted work-in-progress, so if you live in one of our more rural coverage areas and Foodspotting recommends you dine at a restaurant 50 miles or more away, do us all a favor and add your own local recommendations.   Less

Related Categories:  Food

Amazon Student (FREE!)

AMZN Mobile

Posted on 04/06/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Never pay full price at the campus bookstore again, thanks to Amazon Student for Android. After you… More

Never pay full price at the campus bookstore again, thanks to Amazon Student for Android. After you get your course reading list, use Amazon Student to search for your books by title, or if you're already at a bookstore, scan barcodes to compare online prices and decide whether it makes more sense to order your books through Amazon or to just buy them on the spot. Amazon Student also helps with the process of selling back books, one of the more irksome jobs for college students, by scanning barcodes on your trade-in. Just sign in through your Amazon account, scan products for trade-in, and let Amazon host your product sale.   Less

Related Categories:  Shopping

Fiabee (FREE!)

Tuso Technologies

Posted on 04/06/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Upload, save and print files from Google Documents, Picasa and Flickr, with Fiabee for Android. Fiabee… More

Upload, save and print files from Google Documents, Picasa and Flickr, with Fiabee for Android. Fiabee lets you take pictures or share them over a data or wireless connection, so you can access all your multimedia from any device. You can use Google's Cloud Print with this app to remotely print any images saved to the app. Fiabee will also save edited images across devices. There are a few UI issues; for instance, each time you close the app, and it times out, you must reenter your login ID and password. If you're not close to a computer, and you forget your password, woe is you. There is no password request option in this app.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

TED (FREE!)

TED Conferences

Posted on 04/06/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Access one of the largest databases of educational content with TED for Android. Keep up with technology… More

Access one of the largest databases of educational content with TED for Android. Keep up with technology and cultural trends by searching TED’s libraries for popular talks, or search for what appeals to you by keyword. Once you find video content that strikes your fancy, bookmark or download it to watch again, and let TED find similar talks for you.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Hotel Tonight (FREE!)

HotelTonight

Posted on 04/06/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Save money on hotels by taking advantage of Hotel Tonight's special deals and rates. Just select the… More

Save money on hotels by taking advantage of Hotel Tonight's special deals and rates. Just select the city you’re traveling to, and (as long as it is later than noon, that city’s local time) the app will generate a list of time-sensitive hotel specials. Choose from a variety of hotel types, like basic rooms, "Hip" and "Charming" locations, or pricey "Luxe" rooms for special occasions. Once you make a purchase, Hotel Tonight will store your booking information for when it’s time to fly. Easily share deals with friends via social media, and get your own $25 voucher good toward a room purchase from Hotel Tonight.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Angry Birds Space (FREE!)

Rovio

Posted on 03/29/2012

Visit Google Play Page

The Angry Birds are back, this time, in zero gravity. Unlike your heroic mission in Rio (saving illegally-captured… More

The Angry Birds are back, this time, in zero gravity. Unlike your heroic mission in Rio (saving illegally-captured wildlife), Angry Birds Space brings back green pigs as your target for outer-space annihilation. So if you are already an Angry Birds fan (who isn't?) you'll like this app, and if you’ve never tried the game before, you will now, and you’ll like it.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

Glenn Miller SF (FREE!)

appsbar susu

Posted on 03/29/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Glenn Miller is big potatoes in Fort Morgan, mostly because he is a pretty big deal everywhere. Glenn… More

Glenn Miller is big potatoes in Fort Morgan, mostly because he is a pretty big deal everywhere. Glenn Miller, Fort Morgan’s most famous personality, is honored by the city with music and dancing every summer, at the Glenn Miller Swing Festival. This year, the event will be held from June 21-24, with the usual gamut of Glenn Miller-related activities- music (of course), dancing, food, comedy and a lot of other entertainment. Created by our friend Cathy Shull (who also developed Morgan Now, reviewed here), Glenn Miller SF is your guide the festival, with event information, a history of the festival, contact and information request fields, and social media share options. Tickets for the event go on sale Saturday at your local Viaero Wireless store. To find out where that is, input your location in our Store Locator.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Android Central Forums (FREE!)

Mobile Nations

Posted on 03/29/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Discuss Android with other Google enthusiasts with this free app for Android. Browse by device name… More

Discuss Android with other Google enthusiasts with this free app for Android. Browse by device name or topic category, and read and contribute to user-generated threads. And as someone who reviews 5 apps a week, some in not-so-perfect working order, I appreciate that, in case of a hiccup, you can always access this forum on your browser. Other users have complained about the barren interface; all topics are listed vertically, with a grayscale background. But this format, while unattractive, is not difficult to navigate. Android Central Forum will ask for call permissions, but the developer explains in the Google Play store that this is just so that the app can pause when you receive incoming calls.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Get Glue (FREE!)

AdaptiveBlue

Posted on 03/29/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Think of Get Glue as Foursquare, but for sharing media recommendations. Share your reading, viewing… More

Think of Get Glue as Foursquare, but for sharing media recommendations. Share your reading, viewing and listening habits with your social network, by “checking in” books, movies and TV you’re currently consuming. If you enjoy watching TV socially, this app hosts discussion forums you can have, in real-time, with your network, or even with other viewers who have checked into your show or movie. In addition to hosting forums about the more popular television shows and movies, Get Glue also has a pretty fleshed-out book check-in. You can even create your own topic threads, discuss video games and music. I did encounter one bug when trying to sign in with an email account; Get Glue told me, once I submitted a user name, email and password, that it wasn’t able to connect to the Internet in spite of my device having a data and wireless connection. However, it is possible to skip that field and browse as a non-member, and doing that helped me bypass the connectivity bug.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Pose: Fashion, Beauty, & Style (FREE!)

Pose.com

Posted on 03/29/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Most of us who care have fallen into a fashion rut now and again. Refresh your style and your enthusiasm… More

Most of us who care have fallen into a fashion rut now and again. Refresh your style and your enthusiasm with Pose for Android, an app that lets you follow style icons’ looks. Take the app’s style quiz by identifying your favorite looks, and Pose will find you a list of style icons to follow. Once you’ve added people to follow, your app will populate with a number of sartorial looks from which you can draw endless inspiration.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

NPR News (FREE!)

NPR

Posted on 03/22/2012

Visit Google Play Page

This is the first time I've ever lived in an NPR desert. Until downloading this app, I didn't even realize… More

This is the first time I've ever lived in an NPR desert. Until downloading this app, I didn't even realize our closest NPR station was located 55 miles SW, in Greeley, Colorado. I did notice, however, how grainy and impossible it was to listen to 90.1 or 91.5 during my 3-mile cumulative daily drive down the city's one major street. NPR for Android lets you read stories from the nationally-syndicated organization, stream content from other NPR stations over a data or wireless connection, or create a playlist, where you can search for content by popular stories or topic. You can even set up a playlist for drives through 4G-country.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Scramble With Friends (FREE!)

Zynga

Posted on 03/22/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Scramble With Friends is the new sure-to-impress game by Zynga, the company that brought you Words With… More

Scramble With Friends is the new sure-to-impress game by Zynga, the company that brought you Words With Friends, Zynga Poker and too many other games to list. Like these other apps, Scramble With Friends doesn't really respect your privacy, so unless you're comfortable having your game performance posted on Facebook, you might want to avoid this game, as signing in via email is impossible (though the app claims it can create your account automatically. Then why would I need a "correct" password, Zynga, huh?). But to move on to the game: I wanted to like Scramble With Friends because it is very similar to one of my favorite games, Boggle. Unfortunately, it has just a 4X4 grid (I have lamented this in previous posts), though scores are weighted by word length, as they should be. Like other Zynga games, you can either play with Facebook friends, or with a random partner, but be aware that the awesomer you are at this game (I speak, humbly, from experience), the fewer strangers will stick around through an entire tournament.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

ScoreMobile for Android (FREE!)

Score Media Ventures Inc.

Posted on 03/22/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Track scores and game schedules with ScoreMobile for Android. Pick your favorite NHL, NBA, NFL, NCAA… More

Track scores and game schedules with ScoreMobile for Android. Pick your favorite NHL, NBA, NFL, NCAA or other team to follow, and the app will populate relevant score and schedule information for you. This March, ScoreMobile is particularly handy, with an overall NCAA bracket you can check yours against. The app also streams video and aggregates online news content relating to your selected teams. This app even has a widget, or notification options, so you never miss a beat.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Slice - Shopping Organized (FREE!)

Slice

Posted on 03/22/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Online shoppers, rejoice! Gone are the days you must log into eBay or ideeli or Fab.com to view your… More

Online shoppers, rejoice! Gone are the days you must log into eBay or ideeli or Fab.com to view your orders, track shipping and save receipts. Slice - Shopping Organized for Android is a one-stop database that compiles all your e-shopping information. Advertised as safe and secure, the app is also easy to navigate, with a retailer-differentiated list detailing what was ordered and when it will ship.    Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

PaperKarma (FREE!)

Readabl

Posted on 03/22/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Put an end to junk mail once and for all, with PaperKarma, an app for Android. When your mailbox is… More

Put an end to junk mail once and for all, with PaperKarma, an app for Android. When your mailbox is stuffed to the brim with fliers and circulars, and phone calls to the offending company don't help curb this intrusion, simply snap a picture of your junk mail and PaperKarma will research what steps are necessary to remove your name and address from these mailing lists. For someone who lives in a town bereft of recycling facilities, I can't justify receiving fliers (I'm looking at you, Bresnan) advertising cable and Internet bundling packages, especially since (as I've told Bresnan time and time again) I have no TV with which to use said cable.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Skitch (FREE!)

Evernote Corp.

Posted on 03/16/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Notate pictures and share them with your friends, with Skitch by Evernote Corp. Take photos and edit… More

Notate pictures and share them with your friends, with Skitch by Evernote Corp. Take photos and edit them through the app, or access your photo gallery and select what you want to edit. This app lets you draw freehand on pictures, or overlay text, with several customization options. A staff and editor’s favorite, Skitch makes edited images easy to share via social media or messaging.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Bubble Blast St. Patrick's Day (FREE!)

Magma Mobile

Posted on 03/16/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day with a holiday-themed bubble blaster game by ubiquitous developer… More

Get in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day with a holiday-themed bubble blaster game by ubiquitous developer Magma Mobile. Just like the original unthemed Bubble Blaster game by the Android giant, pop multicolored bubbles (or, in this case, pots of gold) to set off a chain effect to eliminate all the bubbles on your screen. Pick from two game modes- puzzle and arcade (arcade is locked unless you purchase the app). And though technically free, users should be aware that puzzle mode also comes with its own price, in the form of Magma Mobile news alerts in your notification bar.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

College Basketball Scoreboard (FREE!)

FitNow, Inc.

Posted on 03/16/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Stay updated on basketball scores, news and more this March, with College Basketball Scoreboard. Though… More

Stay updated on basketball scores, news and more this March, with College Basketball Scoreboard. Though you can’t manage your bracket with this app, it auto-refreshes to provide you with an updated score ticker and news stories, and you can sort content by conference. The app also provides updated game schedules.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Bartender (FREE!)

Jon Lerner

Posted on 03/16/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Spice up your St. Patrick’s Day gathering with Bartender, for Android. Sort through an alphabetical… More

Spice up your St. Patrick’s Day gathering with Bartender, for Android. Sort through an alphabetical list of drink recipes by name, or search for ones with ingredients of your choosing. This app would be much easier to use with a keyword search bar, or there was a way to select the first letter of your drink name. Instead, users are left with the tedious task of scrolling through the database until they find the recipe they’re searching for. This app allows users to add their own drinks, which means it’s being constantly updated. Results can also be sorted by user favorites.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Favorite Recipes (FREE!)

Handy North

Posted on 03/16/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Save, send, share and search for recipes with this Favorite Recipes for Android. This user-generated… More

Save, send, share and search for recipes with this Favorite Recipes for Android. This user-generated recipe database lets you search through recipes by name or keyword, or look at popular recommendations. This simple app provides the user with tab views displaying ingredients, directions, and a comment field to share notes about your cooking experience with other users.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Pinger Textfree Free Texting (FREE!)

Pinger Inc

Posted on 03/09/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Pinger, for Android, lets you send text messages to contacts over a data connection. After you submit… More

Pinger, for Android, lets you send text messages to contacts over a data connection. After you submit your name and a user ID, age (to ensure users are at least 13 years old), and a valid email address, Pinger will assign you a phone number in your area code which you can use to send text messages to contacts. Recipients will see your user name, and they won’t be charged for data usage (although if they have to pay for text messages, they will be charged a fee for receiving a Pinger message from you). You can even sync your Android text messages with this app, so you don’t have to check two texting accounts. The layout of the app looks good from what I’ve seen, and you can also synchronize Pinger with Facebook chat.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Universal Password Manager (FREE!)

Adrian Smith

Posted on 03/09/2012

Visit Google Play Page

If you’re anything like me, it can get pretty hard to remember all the passwords I’ve selected for… More

If you’re anything like me, it can get pretty hard to remember all the passwords I’ve selected for my various password-protected email, banking and even shopping accounts. With UPM for Android, you can safely store all your user ID, password and other log-in information, then password protect that database. In case you have security questions you doubt your ability to answer consistently, there is even a notes field where you can input random information like this. I don’t know how secure, in today’s age of celebrity hackers, this app really is, so if you have incredibly important information that might allow someone to steal money or other assets from you, I suggest locking that information up in your brain-box.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Draw Something Free (FREE!)

OMGPOP

Posted on 03/09/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Though I don’t think you can beat SketchBook Express for touchscreen drawing quality, Draw Something… More

Though I don’t think you can beat SketchBook Express for touchscreen drawing quality, Draw Something Free has been trending on the Android Market thanks to its simplicity, and interactivity. Not just a drawing pad, Draw Something Free actually lets you draw a picture, then play a game with your friends to see who can guess what your image is. Contemporary Rembrandts may be disappointed in the quality of image they’re able to create on their touchscreen phone or tablet, but amateurs will be happy to know that the more indistinct their drawing, the more fun the game. Like in Pictionary, players are given a keyword they must illustrate for their team to guess. Log in to this fun, addictive app via Facebook, or provide an email address for your user ID, and play with Facebook or email contacts, or let the app set you up with a random opponent.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Word Game (FREE!)

Craig Hart | funqai.com

Posted on 03/09/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Unscramble letters to create words with the simply-named Word Game, for Android. This app is very similar… More

Unscramble letters to create words with the simply-named Word Game, for Android. This app is very similar to other word games reviewed here, like Word Mix Lite, which requires players to create as many words from a sequence of letters as is possible. Unlike Word Mix, though, once you submit a word, new letters appear in your scramble sequence. For each word over two letters you submit, you get a certain amount of points. The layout is surprisingly garish, with a bold background, and bold secondary colors. It’s not particularly pretty to look at, but it is a fun game.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Ceramic Destroyer (FREE!)

RUNNERGAMES

Posted on 03/09/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Shooting clays is loud, but thankfully for your friends (and coworkers, perhaps?), Ceramic Destroyer… More

Shooting clays is loud, but thankfully for your friends (and coworkers, perhaps?), Ceramic Destroyer for Android lets you indulge in your shooting fantasies sans ear protection. Okay, technically you are throwing bombs to break down a variety of shapes (including a guitar, a butterfly and a robot), but the principal is the same. Gain points and pass levels by destroying 90% or more of your target, and try out a variety of different bombs to achieve your goal.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Bump (FREE!)

Bump Technologies

Posted on 03/01/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Easily share apps, instant messages, pictures and other multimedia with Bump for Android. Bump two Android… More

Easily share apps, instant messages, pictures and other multimedia with Bump for Android. Bump two Android phones together (this app is also available for iOS) to establish initial contact, then send instant messages, pictures and even apps to members of your contacts list. Once you’ve created an account with Bump on your device, you have the option of creating your own “business card” with contact information to share with friends. Once your multimedia content loads, you can select what apps, pictures or videos you’d like to send to your contact. Bump’s initial requirement that you “bump” two phones together ensures that only people you know can send content to you, or receive content from you.   Less

Related Categories:  Social Media

Oregon Settler (FREE!)

Gameloft

Posted on 03/01/2012

Visit Google Play Page

I downloaded this app because I thought it would be similar to Oregon Trail. Instead, it is much more… More

I downloaded this app because I thought it would be similar to Oregon Trail. Instead, it is much more like Farmville, with colorful, interesting graphics, task lists, and very little historical context. First, select your character, then perform tasks by tapping a blinking area on your landscape grid. Although this game is visually engaging, Oregon Trail users will be disappointed there are no substantative decisions to be made, or when decisions must be made, the app tells you what to do. Expend energy when performing tasks like building shelters, or harvesting crops, and collect food for you and your (not particularly helpful) family. Because this game is so graphic-rich, it takes a long time to load, and if your device times out while you’re playing the game, expect delays while swiping to access your homescreen. The only difficulty I encountered with this app was after initially downloading it, I couldn’t load the game without my device timing out. I remedied this by constantly tapping or swiping the screen while it loaded, and to be honest, as little as this game resembles old favorite Oregon Trail, I’m glad I did.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

EggDrop - Local Marketplace (FREE!)

EggCartel Inc.

Posted on 03/01/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Just like Craigslist, EggDrop provides Android users with a virtual shopping community, and a place… More

Just like Craigslist, EggDrop provides Android users with a virtual shopping community, and a place to post items for sale. Once you’re in the app, you can either see a list of products for sale in your area, sorted by distance, or search for items by keyword. If your item is not available, then you can request other sellers add this item. Posting items to sell requires users to either create an EggDrop account, or to sign in to the app through Facebook or Twitter. Like all community apps like this one, the main measure of success is participation. The fewer people in your area who are aware of EggDrop, the fewer products listed. EggDrop has a clean, easy-to-navigate layout, and it has a lot of promise as long its membership list grows.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Any.DO: To Do List | Task List (FREE!)

Any.DO

Posted on 03/01/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Any.DO for Android is an app that to help you create memos. You can either dictate a message to your… More

Any.DO for Android is an app that to help you create memos. You can either dictate a message to your assistant via Google Voice, or you can manually input what you want to create, like a memo, a list or a reminder. Once you’ve recorded your memo title, and the app has converted your voice command to text, click your new memo to add notes to it. Although this app allows you to set alerts or reminders, the layout is far from intuitive, and there is nothing unusual about how you can access your information. In my opinion, you’re much better off creating a memo in Taskos, where the process of creating and saving memos, then setting reminders, is intuitive and uncomplicated.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Cluzee Your Personal Assistant (FREE!)

Tronton LLC

Posted on 03/01/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Designed as a later substitute for Siri- as opposed Wolfram Alpha search engine’s pre-Siri offerings-… More

Designed as a later substitute for Siri- as opposed Wolfram Alpha search engine’s pre-Siri offerings- Cluzee for Android is purportedly a multi-functional voice-recognition personal assistant app. Interestingly, using the app’s speech recognition causes it to force-close! So while this app may work as well as Siri for some users, I don’t know of any iPhone 4S owners who have had to perform hard resets on their phones simply because converting speech to text caused a force-close. This may happen because downloading this app requires a great deal of memory, but when an app requires so much memory that it is unable to run, I can’t give it anything but a bad review. Sorry, Cluzee.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

TaxCaster by Turbo Tax (FREE!)

Intuit Inc.

Posted on 02/23/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Predict your return before filing your 2012 taxes with TaxCaster for Android. This app claims to accurately… More

Predict your return before filing your 2012 taxes with TaxCaster for Android. This app claims to accurately calculate your tax return based on your income and federal and state withholding. The only reason I can’t confirm this is that I haven’t filed yet, but several reviews on the Android Market claimed their TaxCaster return forecast was accurate. The app is easy to use, with fields to input your salary and federal and state withholding. Supplemental income from interest or dividends, and capital gains and losses can be recorded in another submission field, and TaxCaster will continuously update your return or owed amount as you input more information. I do think that Intuit Inc., the developer creating all the Android apps featuring Turbo Tax, could have allowed for integration so that the income information you input into the forecaster could transfer to a form you could use to file with Turbo Tax online, but as a forecaster, this app works nicely.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Movies by Flixster (FREE!)

Flixster Inc.

Posted on 02/23/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Check movie listings, manage your Netflix queue, read new release DVD reviews and more with Movies by… More

Check movie listings, manage your Netflix queue, read new release DVD reviews and more with Movies by Flixster. This all-in-one app accesses movie database Rotten Tomatoes and its reviews and recommendations. Another great feature is that Flixster lets you manage your Netflix DVD queue, which is really useful when you find a newly-released movie in the app. You can also create a page to save movies you’d like to see, review movies, and share recommendations and ratings with Facebook friends. Flixster also syncs with Yelp, so after you pick a movie theater, you can search for local restaurants and plan your entire evening out.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

APP Lock (FREE!)

mobile Lock

Posted on 02/23/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Keep your apps and other content on lockdown, with APP Lock for Android. This app lets you password-protect… More

Keep your apps and other content on lockdown, with APP Lock for Android. This app lets you password-protect any app from your Android Market, your text message history and lets you require a password to be input in order to answer incoming calls. This app is really easy to use, and besides listing all the applications you can lock there is even a search bar for you to input a keyword. You can set your own four-digit PIN, and in case you ever forget it, you can access it by correctly answering a security question that you wrote yourself.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Lomo Camera (FREE!)

Wise Shark Software

Posted on 02/23/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Take enhanced photos with Lomo Camera, a photo utility for Android. You can’t use this app to alter… More

Take enhanced photos with Lomo Camera, a photo utility for Android. You can’t use this app to alter pictures you’ve already taken, but you can take pictures with special effects like “Film” (your picture will appear with a filmstrip border),” Dream” (blurred edges), and “Rusty” (for your sepia-toned, vintage photo creations). There are six effects in all. The result is usually very nice-looking, and makes mundane things (like this desk phone I look at every day) look interesting. After you’ve taken your picture, it’s easy to share the image on Facebook and Picasa, or to send it via email or SMS. The app could use a few improvements. For one, there is no “home” or menu option, so in order to return to the theme selection page you have to hit the back button on your device, and there is also no way to silence the incredibly loud shutter click.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Personality Test (FREE!)

Yuval Luzon

Posted on 02/23/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Are you an introvert? Creative? Find out what kind of personality you have with Personality Test for… More

Are you an introvert? Creative? Find out what kind of personality you have with Personality Test for Android. Choose your favorite image from a page of nine pictures, and let the app tell you your innermost secrets.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Pulse News (FREE!)

Alphonso Labs

Posted on 02/16/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Pulse News for Android is an Editor’s Pick on the Android Market this week, and there are lots of… More

Pulse News for Android is an Editor’s Pick on the Android Market this week, and there are lots of reasons why. Pulse aggregates posts from your favorite blog and news sites, then organizes them into a customizable feed. Pulse lets you select content from a variety of sources including The Atlantic, Gawker Media publications, Associated Press niche content, and more, then consolidates the latest stories into your home page feed, complete with thumbnail images. Maybe because so much of my favorite media are represented in this app, I can’t recommend it highly enough. Organizing your feed is really easy, as Pulse News is extremely customizable and intuitive. You can even adjust your font size without having to pinch and zoom, and going back to your home page is as easy as tapping the app’s icon. Pulse also makes it easy to share content with your friends via email or social media. If compelled, the only criticism I’d make is that I’m more used to scrolling to new content vertically, and the Pulse feed appears as a horizontal timeline. Otherwise, the only downside to this app is the amount of time it can sap from your day!   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Wattpad (FREE!)

Wattpad.com

Posted on 02/16/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Wattpad for Android has been getting a lot of attention lately as Android users flock to its libraries… More

Wattpad for Android has been getting a lot of attention lately as Android users flock to its libraries to download e-reading content. This app boasts over 100,000 downloadable titles, from recent fiction to non-fiction to classics. You can search by keyword or category, then select what titles to download from the filtered results. Unfortunately, the majority of content available in this app is awful. “Colonial romances,” “werewolf” fiction, and stories about cyborgs may be the newest literary trends, but when so much of the content is peppered with syntactical or grammar or spelling errors as to make it unreadable, I take serious issue. Writing is a serious business, after all! But if you are not particular about the content (or you limit yourself to the “Classics” category which I admit contains the incomparable Andrew Lang’s Arabian Nights), Wattpad provides an almost-endless supply of light, vapid reading. Beware that because of this app’s prodigious library, selecting categories, searching for keywords and even opening the application can take a long time to load, and books that have not been split into multiple downloads are often difficult to scroll through.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Endomondo Sports Tracker (FREE!)

Endomondo

Posted on 02/16/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Track all your workouts with Endomondo Sports Tracker. This app tracks the duration of your workout,… More

Track all your workouts with Endomondo Sports Tracker. This app tracks the duration of your workout, plus how many calories it thinks you burned. You can choose from a variety of activities besides running, including like rowing, kayaking, weight-lifting, or swimming (although that seems like a terrible idea to me). It can even track calories burned by golfing. You can either have the app record your exercise in real time, using your GPS coordinates to track your distance, or you can manually input your results after your workout (in which case, swim away). Unlike other activity-tracking apps, Endomondo accesses your phone’s music library, so you can listen to songs while you view your workout results.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

PhotoWall Live Wallpaper (FREE!)

Larva Labs Ltd.

Posted on 02/16/2012

Visit Google Play Page

PhotoWall Live Wallpaper by Android pulls photos from your phone’s gallery or camera, or your Facebook… More

PhotoWall Live Wallpaper by Android pulls photos from your phone’s gallery or camera, or your Facebook or Picasa accounts, then randomly generates them to display as live wallpaper on your home screen. Though you can customize how you want your pictures to display (grid pattern vs. puzzle layout), the pre-loaded “Polaroid” layout is the only free option. My friends- and family-heavy photo albums make for an extremely cluttered background, though, and the only way to select which photos you’d like displayed is to dedicate an image folder for wallpaper images, and select that alone to display.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Slice It! (FREE!)

Com2uS

Posted on 02/16/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Slice It! for Android is a fun tool to help kids (and adults!) understand fractions, and improve their… More

Slice It! for Android is a fun tool to help kids (and adults!) understand fractions, and improve their spatial reasoning. This game presents the player with an object, and a directive to slice that object into a certain amount of pieces, using a limited amount of strokes. Like Angry Birds, players can earn up to 5 points after making their “slice,” then move on to advance to the next level. Once the player slices a shape into however many pieces the app requests, a results page will generate, showing the player the fraction of area his sliced pieces contain.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

Sincerely Ink Cards (FREE!)

Sincerely Inc

Posted on 02/09/2012

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Send customized greetings to your loved ones this Valentine’s Day, with Sincerely Ink Cards app for… More

Send customized greetings to your loved ones this Valentine’s Day, with Sincerely Ink Cards app for Android. With this app, you can create your own customized greeting cards- complete with Valentine’s Day themes- and Sincerely Inc will print and send them to your recipients. This app makes it easy to import your own images and create your cards, or you can search through its library of themes..   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Boat Browser Mini (FREE!)

Boat Browser

Posted on 02/09/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Android supports many browsers, available free on the Android Market. This week, I downloaded Boat Browser… More

Android supports many browsers, available free on the Android Market. This week, I downloaded Boat Browser Mini, a typical browser app that works a lot like the one preloaded onto all Android phone. This app is unique in some respects. For instance, unlike Dolphin Mini Browser, Boat does not let you open new pages in a tab view. You have to open new windows, when you open a link in a new window, you’re redirected to that page. There are options at the bottom of your browser window that let you view a list of your favorite pages, see all your windows, or go back or forward in your session. Adding bookmarks is slightly different with Boat Browser, but the interface is still pretty intuitive. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough differences between this browser and the one already pre-loaded on my phone, and since Google Chrome is only available in beta for devices running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, I’ll probably end up downloaded Dolphin Mini Browser again.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Google Goggles (FREE!)

Google Inc.

Posted on 02/09/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Browse the web differently with Google Goggles for Android. This app lets you photograph a product,… More

Browse the web differently with Google Goggles for Android. This app lets you photograph a product, then uses Google’s image search filter to find similar web results. Besides scanning your snapshots, Google Goggles can find image matches of any pictures from your library, or scan item barcodes. Google Goggles has an easier time identifying branded products, I discovered out while photographing my lunch, and as it will tell you itself in a guided introductory tour. If Google Goggles is unable to locate a logo or text (Google Goggles likes text) in your image, Google Goggles will find images with the same coloring or motif.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Line Runner (FREE!)

Robert Szeleney

Posted on 02/09/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Line Runner is a fun, fast, and very difficult game that used to be popular with iPhone users, and is… More

Line Runner is a fun, fast, and very difficult game that used to be popular with iPhone users, and is now available on Android. Right tap to jump and left tap to roll through a complicated obstacle course, as fast as you can. While I suspect memory and my operating system are partly to blame, running the program caused problems with my swipe to unlock my home screen.    Less

Related Categories:  Games

SketchBook Express (FREE!)

Autodesk Inc.

Posted on 02/09/2012

Visit Google Play Page

SketchBook Express and its paid, enhanced counterpart, SketchBook Mobile, by Autodesk, are surprisingly… More

SketchBook Express and its paid, enhanced counterpart, SketchBook Mobile, by Autodesk, are surprisingly sophisticated sketch composition apps for Android. Express, the free version, gives you a variety of virtual brushes and pencils to sketch with, with a full color-wheel and none of the clunkiness you expect with touchscreen sketch books. Using this app will make you wish you had a bigger screen, and if you’re like me, some more artistic talent.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Voxer Walkie-Talkie PTT (FREE!)

Voxer

Posted on 02/02/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Turn your Android phone into a walkie talkie, and send instant messages to your friends, without using… More

Turn your Android phone into a walkie talkie, and send instant messages to your friends, without using your voice minutes. Voxer Walkie Talkie sends messages over a data connection so you can save your minutes for mobile to landline calls. If you and your contact are both signed into Voxer, you can communicate via the “walkie talkie” feature, the standard feature that lets you listen while your partner talks and vice versa. Voxer keeps a detailed recorded history of any messages (live or saved), but it’s easy to clear your history completely. When demoing the app, I noticed that occasionally, it would alert me of a new message even when there wasn’t one. Killing the app from my task manager did keep it from alerting me of old or non-existent messages all night, but once the app is closed, you can only be alerted that someone has left you a message. Voxer also makes it really easy to take and send pictures or other documents over a data connection.   Less

Related Categories:  Social Media

Skyfire Web Browser 4.0 (FREE!)

Skyfire

Posted on 02/02/2012

Visit Google Play Page

This browser has almost too many features to mention, in addition to the usual functions you’d expect… More

This browser has almost too many features to mention, in addition to the usual functions you’d expect from a mobile browser. Skyfire offers users unique Facebook and other social media dashboard functions, and completely supports Flash. One neat feature is that the app won’t load videos on your web page unless you prompt it to. This means that your pages load faster (and you don’t get that annoying screen jump when the video loads long after you’ve started reading the text), but the downside is you have to prompt it to display video in order to know whether there is one there. The home page is pretty busy, and since it’s a free, upgradable browser, there are a lot of ads. I prefer the cleaner layout of Dolphin Mini Browser and even Opera, though it’s very easy to bookmark pages on Skyfire, and the browser has the most social media shortcuts of any mobile browser I’ve ever used. After I downloaded Skyfire this week, it crashed almost immediately after its first open, but made a good recovery.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

WeatherBug (FREE!)

Earth Networks

Posted on 02/02/2012

Visit Google Play Page

One should never shoot the messenger of bad tidings, and so I’ll try to do this app credit in spite… More

One should never shoot the messenger of bad tidings, and so I’ll try to do this app credit in spite of its prediction of two days of blizzards instead of the balmy, spring weather I was hoping for. WeatherBug for Android provides you with detailed, up-to-the-minute weather information for your area (this app utilizes GPS) or areas you have added to your profile. You can either view this information from within the app, or add the widget to your home screen. You can view a calendar weather overview, daily briefs or in-depth forecasts, and hourly predictions. Information refreshes once you reopen the app, and once you’re inside, you can manually refresh, too. The layout of this app, because of the sheer volume of information it provides, is naturally content-heavy, but with a very intuitive interface (click for details, scroll up and down). The only difficulty I had with it was adding a new city to track; it took five attempts before WeatherBug would add Denver, Colo. to my list of locations.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Scanner Radio (FREE!)

Gordon Edwards

Posted on 02/02/2012

Visit Google Play Page

I downloaded this app thinking that you could listen to the radio with it. However, it turns out this… More

I downloaded this app thinking that you could listen to the radio with it. However, it turns out this app appeals less to music lovers, and more to those of us who like to keep a close eye (or ear) on our neighbors. Radio Scanner picks up a range of police and emergency scanners in your hometown and nationally. You can search by popular feeds, or location. Today must be a slow day in Fort Morgan (thank goodness) because all I got an earful of was dead air, before an officer reported a 1542 or something like that. This app also tells you how many other people are listening to the scanner, which, at the moment, are 16 besides me. The app does have a tendency to cut in and out regardless of your data connection or wireless Internet speeds, disappointingly, since I totally missed just what the guy with Oklahoma plates was taken into custody for.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Word Mix Lite (FREE!)

Greenrift Software LLC

Posted on 02/02/2012

Visit Google Play Page

This challenging, timed word game was popularized by iOS’s Word Warp. Word Mix Lite is a free Android… More

This challenging, timed word game was popularized by iOS’s Word Warp. Word Mix Lite is a free Android app that provides players with a series of letters to unscramble. Unlike most word scramble games, there are multiple solutions you can find by inputting three-letter or larger words into your solution field. Each correct word you find generates into a solution field, with blank spaces for all the words you have yet to make. This version is supported by ads, though a paid version is also available.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

TurboTax SnapTax (FREE!)

Intuit, Inc.

Posted on 01/27/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Filing your taxes has gotten progressively easier, and less expensive over the last decades, and the… More

Filing your taxes has gotten progressively easier, and less expensive over the last decades, and the Internet has a lot to do with that. Websites like TaxAct and TurboTax help even the most inexperienced accountant make sure he or she files taxes accurately, ensuring refunds when earned, and minimizing the hassle of potential audits. TurboTax SnapTax makes things even easier, letting you take a snapshot of your tax summaries and automatically inputting that information into the correct fields. File for only $19.99, which is not much more money than you would pay to manually input your tax information into a website and file through there. There are several ways to input your information into this app, though, including manually inputting your W-2 fields. I tried the easier way- photographing my W-2- and after one unsuccessful attempt ('Hold steady,' the app told me, as I tried snapping a picture), I was able to capture my document. Next, the app extracted that information, and input it into their forms. This took several minutes, and though I'm glad I proofread the form, because some fields were left blank, it seemed like a very efficient process. Once you've entered your W-2, there are three more default forms: your 1099-INT, 1099-G and Student Loan Interest. Any additional forms can be added.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Opera Mini Web Browser (FREE!)

Opera Software ASA

Posted on 01/27/2012

Visit Google Play Page

After Dolphin Mini Browser, my go-to browser, unexpectedly crashed before mysteriously disappearing… More

After Dolphin Mini Browser, my go-to browser, unexpectedly crashed before mysteriously disappearing from my hard drive, I downloaded Opera for Android. What's nice about this app is that it's easy to scroll through your tabs, even to see which tabs are loaded, and which pages are still loading. If you close your tabs or windows, your bookmarks page appears. I liked this browser, though there isn't anything groundbreaking here. It's easy to bookmark sites, and Opera claims to open websites faster than other browsers, and while I thought pages did load quickly, I can't confirm that claim.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

CamScanner - Phone PDF Creator (FREE!)

IntSig Information Co., Ltd.

Posted on 01/27/2012

Visit Google Play Page

Convert attachments to PDFs on your Android device, with CamScanner PDF Creator. This free app lets… More

Convert attachments to PDFs on your Android device, with CamScanner PDF Creator. This free app lets you snap images of documents, then converts it to PDFs for easy viewing and sharing. Aggregate your memos, receipts and more with this easy-to-use app.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

AlarmDroid (FREE!)

Fabian Leughausen

Posted on 01/27/2012

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Though Alarm Clock Plus has lasted me a long time and has never let me oversleep (including when I accidentally… More

Though Alarm Clock Plus has lasted me a long time and has never let me oversleep (including when I accidentally set it to ring on the weekends), I am tired of the relatively few alerts available, and I lost a lot of tones when I switched from the Motorola XT720 to the Samsung Galaxy Ace. AlarmDroid has a ton of ringtones, some good, some bad, and some customization features that have become fairly common in alarm clock apps. You can set timers for naps, adjust whether you'd like the tone to ring softly then crescendo gradually, and set alerts from your music libraries, a playlist, or even from streaming music sites like Pandora.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

WordSearch Unlimited FREE (FREE!)

VirtueSoft Ltd.

Posted on 01/27/2012

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WordSearch for Android is one of those games you can play half-asleep, and still lets you feel good… More

WordSearch for Android is one of those games you can play half-asleep, and still lets you feel good about your (sleep-deprived) cognitive abilities. WordSearch Unlimited is an easy game with a fairly large 10X10 grid, so it does take a moment to get your bearings and find your eight or nine words. There are two ways to input a solution- you can tap on the first letter of the word, then tap on the last, or you can slide across the whole word and input it that way. The first way is definitely easier. Based on your time, the game will score you once you've located all your words.   Less

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Morgan Now (FREE!)

TownWizard, Inc.

Posted on 01/19/2012

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Developed by Fort Morgan local (and my neighbor!), Cathy Shull, Morgan Now is a pocket-sized database… More

Developed by Fort Morgan local (and my neighbor!), Cathy Shull, Morgan Now is a pocket-sized database for your Android device or iPhone that lists all sponsored events in Morgan County. If you live in Fort Morgan and haven’t checked out the website Morgan Now, be sure to do so. This website neatly lists all events in the area along with weather information, local promotions, and even solicits opinions from local users on their favorite venues, restaurants or any other entertainment recommendations. Now in app-form, Morgan Now is even more portable. Take a walk through town, and let the app show you local restaurants and stores by distance, let it refer you to the best deals in town, and view user-submitted images of your hometown.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Mobiflock Parental Control (FREE!)

Mobiflock, Inc.

Posted on 01/19/2012

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The best child-rearing tool, in my opinion, is communication, but sometimes a young person’s moral… More

The best child-rearing tool, in my opinion, is communication, but sometimes a young person’s moral compass requires some parental fine-tuning. Make sure your child isn’t browsing unsavory websites on his or her cell phone, with Mobiflock for Android. This app logs your child’s browser history, regardless of whether he or she is savvy enough to clear a cache, cookies or browsing history. Mobiflock also shows you your child’s GPS coordinates on a handy web dashboard downloadable to your PC, call and SMS logs, and even lets you block certain phone numbers and websites from your child’s device.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

HealthTap Express (FREE!)

HealthTap, Inc.

Posted on 01/19/2012

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With HealthTap for Android, you can pose your medical questions to hundreds of accredited doctors, and… More

With HealthTap for Android, you can pose your medical questions to hundreds of accredited doctors, and receive advice in real time. To set up this app, you’re required to submit a valid email address, and some other personal information that can potentially identify you, like your age and name. However, none of these fields, with the exception of your email address, needs to be verified, so if you’re worried about security, you can always punch in a fake name or lower or increase your age by a year or two. Once you’re part of the system, a doctor will respond to your question, or you can browse popular questions posed by cohorts your age and gender. You can also input a symptom keyword, and read their library of questions and responses, but be warned the majority of doctors advise users to contact their own physicians.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Out of Milk Shopping List (FREE!)

Capigami, Inc.

Posted on 01/19/2012

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Never run out of milk (or at least replace it faster) with Out of Milk Shopping List for Android. There… More

Never run out of milk (or at least replace it faster) with Out of Milk Shopping List for Android. There are a couple of ways to add items to your list, like manually inputting a product or scanning an item with the app’s built-in barcode scanner. If the app isn’t able to recognize your product, which happens often in the case of gluten-free and other niche products, it will prompt you to manually input the item. The app also lets you input pantry items, and you can input them the same way as in your grocery list, or pick from a very diverse offering of pre-listed spices. The paid version of this app, which runs a somewhat hefty $4.99 pricetag, hosts your list on its website, letting you access your database from your PC, or to share it with roommates or significant others.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

MapMyRIDE Riding Cycling GPS (FREE!)

MapMyFitness, Inc.

Posted on 01/19/2012

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Show off your biking talents to all your friends with MapMyRIDE, a social pedometer app for Android.… More

Show off your biking talents to all your friends with MapMyRIDE, a social pedometer app for Android. Input your age, height and weight (as well as a valid email address) and the app will tell you how many calories you should consume based on these metrics, as well as on the exercises you have logged. There is also a field into which you can input your daily food log, and the app will consider these items, too, when making its nutrition recommendations. Easy social “share” features let you communicate the details of your workout (including GPS coordinates) to friends, and lets you view workouts of people in your contact list.   Less

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Commodity Prices (FREE!)

Jaybus

Posted on 01/12/2012

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Many of our Viaero’s customers are small business-owners in the ranching and farming industries. It’s… More

Many of our Viaero’s customers are small business-owners in the ranching and farming industries. It’s important for them to stay on top of commodity prices, and this free app for Android compiles that information into a handy, auto-updating ticker. With pricing information from NYMEX and the Chicago Board of Trade for commodities like oil, natural gas, live cattle and others, Commodity Prices provides a comprehensive update for people who need it.   Less

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WebMD (FREE!)

WebMD, LLC.

Posted on 01/12/2012

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Check your symptoms on-the-go with WebMD, a free app for Android. While self-diagnosis is not a substitute… More

Check your symptoms on-the-go with WebMD, a free app for Android. While self-diagnosis is not a substitute for a doctor’s care, WebMD for Android can help you keep track of your condition and symptoms, helping you work with your primary physician. Besides the popular symptom-checking database, WebMD for Android has other features, too, like a library where you can save a list of your medications, a tab that provides drug interaction information, and a database of journal articles.   Less

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1tap Cleaner – cache/his/def (FREE!)

Sam Lu

Posted on 01/12/2012

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Clear your browsing, texting and call history, cookies and anything else that might be slowing down… More

Clear your browsing, texting and call history, cookies and anything else that might be slowing down your operating system with one tap. 1tap Cleaner for Android will boost your phone’s speeds by eliminating data you no longer need. This app has a handy screen with a few cache-clearing options, like browser history, or call and text history. You can also scan your existing apps for ones that save search histories, and clear those.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Diversion (FREE!)

Ezone.com

Posted on 01/12/2012

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Despite crashing my operating system twice, force-closing the Android Market the first time I tried… More

Despite crashing my operating system twice, force-closing the Android Market the first time I tried downloading it, and being generally too difficult for me to beat the second level, I can see why Diversion is a popular game. In Diversion (well, in the levels I made it through), guide a lanky snowman through a course of stars (good) and bombs (bad). Initially, there aren’t many commands, though continued gameplay unlocks new characters, levels and abilities. The graphics in this game are very good, and evidently, there are puzzle boards. In spite of my slow start, thanks to the app’s interesting description, I am looking forward to spending some more time with this game.    Less

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iPhone Lock Screen Theme Pro (FREE!)

inoXapps

Posted on 01/12/2012

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Though I don’t suffer from it myself, I know that iPhone-envy is a serious and widespread condition.… More

Though I don’t suffer from it myself, I know that iPhone-envy is a serious and widespread condition. I do understand that there are those who would like to make their Android phones look as much like an iPhone as possible, and so, for them, here is iPhone Lock Screen Theme Pro. This app makes your lock screen look just like the lock screens you’d find on an iOS device, and doesn’t seem to do much else. This app offers 10 wallpaper images with matching sliders, all available in high-definition.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Pageonce – Money & Bills (FREE!)

Quaerendo Games

Posted on 01/06/2012

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Keep all your financial information close with Pageonce, for Android. Keep an eye on your bank accounts,… More

Keep all your financial information close with Pageonce, for Android. Keep an eye on your bank accounts, bills and investments with the app’s single-page overview feature, or click for detailed information. Pageonce seems utterly secure, if the lengthy verification process to simply add a checking account is any indication. Adding accounts is easy; if you live in a bigger city (than Fort Morgan) you might even be able to automatically input your utility or cable provider and access account information from your app. Otherwise, you can manually input expenses and bills, but you can do that with a lot of budgeting apps. What sets apart Pageonce is the single-page overview feature and clean user-friendly layout. This app is free, and supported mostly by ads and offers by credit card companies.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Wordplay (FREE!)

Quaerendo Games

Posted on 01/06/2012

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Wordplay for Android is a free word search game like Boggle. This app has a 4X4 letter grid (seriously,… More

Wordplay for Android is a free word search game like Boggle. This app has a 4X4 letter grid (seriously, why is it so hard to find games with a 5X5 letter grid? A 4X4 grid is technically Boggle Junior, but I digress), and is stationary (unlike Dropwords) so you can keep adding words until they run out. The game is straightforward once you know the premise- connect three or more touching letters to form words diagonally, horizontally and vertically- and when you’re ready to give up, click to finish your game. The app will take you to a score list where your points are based on a percentage of the total number of words the app located on the grid. As usual, the word bank isn’t failsafe. Some common words, often plurals, are not accepted as words by Wordplay, and the app’s results lists contain more British slang than I’m used to. Luckily, you can customize the app after extended play by blocking certain words from its database. This will ultimately help you score higher in the future, without forcing you to take into account any colloquialisms or abbreviations that might be used in the UK.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

Zombie Village (FREE!)

fungame land

Posted on 01/06/2012

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In Zombie Village (or Zombieville, as it appears on my phone) collect guns, loot houses, and above all,… More

In Zombie Village (or Zombieville, as it appears on my phone) collect guns, loot houses, and above all, kill the zombies. It’s virtually impossible to lose this game which may or may not add to its appeal, thanks to the numerous weapons you can pick up or buy. Play each board for as long as you want. Collect coins by bashing a zombie’s head with a bat, shooting it with a gun, throwing grenades at groups of them, burning them with a flame-thrower, then upgrade your weapons and health before starting the next level. Zombies get faster with each level, but your weapons also get more advanced as you progress.    Less

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Plumber (FREE!)

Monsters Game

Posted on 01/06/2012

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In this challenging puzzle game, tap to rotate pipes to connect the tap to the output source, or else… More

In this challenging puzzle game, tap to rotate pipes to connect the tap to the output source, or else risk “flooding” your screen. Once you’ve rotated enough pipes to connect your plumbing system, you can check your work by tapping the water source. There isn’t much to this game, and there are a limited number of levels (50). Also somewhat disappointing is that when you turn on your tap with unconnected pipes, you don’t get to see a flash flood on your screen- just a big, demoralizing “Game Over.”   Less

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Evernote (FREE!)

Evernote Corp.

Posted on 01/06/2012

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Sync memos, snapshots and audio recording to online storage site Evernote with this app for Android.… More

Sync memos, snapshots and audio recording to online storage site Evernote with this app for Android. Evernote consolidates all your notes and uploaded files into an easily-searchable app, then backs up your information to an online account accessible from your PC. The app’s smart technology filters keywords for easy searches, and, according to the app’s description, is able to parse text from photos. However, this feature did not work for me, whether I took a photo of hand-written or printed text. Evernote recommends using this feature to sync whiteboard content with memos, but this feature unfortunately lacks functionality.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

New Year Countdown Widget (FREE!)

Mishchenko Igor

Posted on 12/29/2011

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Count down to 2012 on your home screen with this handy widget for Android. New Year Countdown Widget… More

Count down to 2012 on your home screen with this handy widget for Android. New Year Countdown Widget displays how many days, hours, minutes and even seconds until the new year. Surprisingly, the app is able to tailor your countdown to your timezone without requiring you to manually input it. Depending on your wallpaper, though, the widget can be difficult to see. However, tapping the countdown widget opens the app, providing a much larger display.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Lose It! (FREE!)

FitNow, Inc.

Posted on 12/29/2011

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One of the most difficult New Year’s resolutions to keep is probably also the most popular one. Lose… More

One of the most difficult New Year’s resolutions to keep is probably also the most popular one. Lose It! for Android is a sensible diet and exercise tracker to help you maintain your weight loss goal throughout 2012, and even beyond. Unlike other calorie-counting apps, Lose It! uses an algorithm to help you determine a reasonable calorie cap to reach your ideal weight, or maintain your current size. After registering your account, the app prompts you to enter your current and ideal weight. After inputting how soon you’d like to achieve your goal, Lose It! tells you how many calories a day you should consume to help you reach your goal. After each meal, fill in what you ate and let Lose It! calculate the number of calories you consumed and have left. This app works best if you eat out a lot (which is not really conducive to weight loss, I think), since the Lose It! database has the most calorie information about restaurant- and not home-cooked- items. One of the better features of this app is its multi-tiered approach; instead of simply tracking your calorie count, you can also input the exercise you have done that day and Lose It! will consider your daily activity when calculating the amount of food you are allowed to consume that day.   Less

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Motivational Quotes (FREE!)

Mike the Android Farmer

Posted on 12/29/2011

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If you’re the kind of person who struggles to keep his or her New Year’s resolutions, Motivational… More

If you’re the kind of person who struggles to keep his or her New Year’s resolutions, Motivational Quotes for Android might be for you! Use Motivational Quotes as an app, or a widget, and customize how often you’d like a new one to appear. If used as a widget, you have the option of customizing the size of your quotes’ fonts, background and font color and even size. Once a quote generates, you can scroll past it and read more, or you can click on it to see it in a full-page view.   Less

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Quit Smoking (FREE!)

Google Inc.

Posted on 12/29/2011

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To stop smoking is never easy, but maybe one of the best ways to quit is to understand exactly what… More

To stop smoking is never easy, but maybe one of the best ways to quit is to understand exactly what makes you reach for that lighter. Quit Smoking for Android provides you with a cigarette “usage” chart after two days of logging your activity. Since I don’t smoke, I can’t comment on how effective this app really is, but I thought that asking you to measure your level of craving, as well as your stress level, will likely provide with some insight on your smoking habit that may help you quit.   Less

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MoneyWise (FREE!)

Handy North

Posted on 12/29/2011

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Another popular New Year’s resolution is to budget better. Moneywise, for Android, helps you track… More

Another popular New Year’s resolution is to budget better. Moneywise, for Android, helps you track your expenses by providing a handy database for you to input your daily purchases. After you enter your expenses, Moneywise will graph your expenses by type so that you can see where the majority of your paycheck goes. Tab options let you view your purchases in list or graph form, and are laid out conveniently at the top of your app.   Less

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Free Christmas List (FREE!)

Developers Simplify Lives

Posted on 12/15/2011

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Track your holiday shopping (and most importantly, budget) with Free Christmas List for Android. This… More

Track your holiday shopping (and most importantly, budget) with Free Christmas List for Android. This app provides a database for you to input holiday gift recipients along with gift ideas and purchases, right into your phone. The app also provides you with a total spending summary so you can make sure your good intentions don’t make you go overboard.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

UNO Free (FREE!)

Gameloft

Posted on 12/15/2011

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Gameloft has finally released a free version of UNO, the game you loved as a kid. Reverse, reverse,… More

Gameloft has finally released a free version of UNO, the game you loved as a kid. Reverse, reverse, skip and make your friends draw four with this fast-paced version of an old favorite. You and your opponents (real or computer) are dealt your hands, then a card from the deck is played. If you are playing solo, against computerized opponents, you will always have to play first. If you don’t have a card that matches the color or number of the previous card played, you’ll have to draw. The only rule in the Android version of UNO I’m not familiar with is the “challenge” rule; if your opponent plays a Wild Card, you, or another player, can challenge him to prove he didn’t have a like-colored or like-numbered card to play instead. Whoever loses the challenge must draw more cards. The ads in this version appear at the top of the board and are pretty unobtrusive and difficult to accidentally click. Dragging the cards to play isn’t always easy, and occasionally requires multiple attempts.   Less

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Tap Tap Revenge 4 (FREE!)

Tapulous

Posted on 12/15/2011

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My biggest problem with this Rock Band-like app is that I have never heard of any of the songs on it.… More

My biggest problem with this Rock Band-like app is that I have never heard of any of the songs on it. Featuring the likes of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Ke$ha and Linkin Park, Tap Tap Revenge 4 for Android lets you tap your touchscreen to the beat of the song you select. Three free songs are included in the multi-level app after your original download, though more free tracks can also be added. The download selection is scant, though, in terms of genre, but if you are a pop music aficionado, you will probably find several songs that are familiar enough to rock out to. Lucky for me, it is pretty easy to decipher when to tap based on the timeline, at least in Easy mode.    Less

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CamCard Lite - Business Card Reader (FREE!)

IntSig Information Co., LTD

Posted on 12/15/2011

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Consolidate all your business contacts with CamCard for Android. The free version of this app lets you… More

Consolidate all your business contacts with CamCard for Android. The free version of this app lets you photograph business cards, then auto-fills the information into a contacts database. Since business card layouts are hardly standard, this app doesn’t always get it right, but each field can be easily edited, and doing so is probably far more convenient than carrying around a wallet bursting with other people’s business cards.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Crazy Garage - Zuma Game (FREE!)

GameCycle

Posted on 12/15/2011

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Another bubble-shooting, or “zuma,” game is making the rounds of the Android market. In Crazy Garage,… More

Another bubble-shooting, or “zuma,” game is making the rounds of the Android market. In Crazy Garage, shoot at a rapidly-approaching line of multi-colored bubbles before they reach the end of the tube. Unlike other zuma games, there are special balls in Crazy Garage, which makes the game a little more exciting.    Less

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Christmas Wallpapers (FREE!)

Federic

Posted on 12/09/2011

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I downloaded this app for inspiration while making hand-made holiday cards. There are almost 500 images… More

I downloaded this app for inspiration while making hand-made holiday cards. There are almost 500 images in this wallpaper library, and I feel truly prepared for future craft endeavors after scrolling through about ten pages of them. Designs run the gamut, from kitschy to avant-garde to… parade photos. It’s easy to download the themes and set them to display as wallpaper right from the app. Oddly, the wallpapers I downloaded stretched to fill all my desktop screens instead of just displaying completely in one.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Price Check (FREE!)

Amazon

Posted on 12/09/2011

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This season, save when you do your Christmas shopping with Amazon’s Price Check app for Android. Find… More

This season, save when you do your Christmas shopping with Amazon’s Price Check app for Android. Find items in-store, then scan their barcode’s with Amazon’s Price Check app. Amazon will find you that product in its database, then issue you one $5 coupon good toward any purchase from their website.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Santa’s Village (FREE!)

Making Fun, Inc.

Posted on 12/09/2011

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Santa’s Village for Android is a fun, seasonal take on popular society-building games like Sim City… More

Santa’s Village for Android is a fun, seasonal take on popular society-building games like Sim City and Farmville. Playing this game requires a lot of memory, though. I could not download this app on my phone, which only has a 4GB memory card. Like in Farmville, players develop Santa’s village by building houses for elves, growing and decorating Christmas trees and earning enough points to perform tasks, like building toys to deliver to kids. Tasks can be set in advance, but make sure you set a timer to collect the fruits of your elves’ labors before Santa’s enemies, the Grumpkins, get their hands on them!   Less

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MagicMarker (FREE!)

Jaytronix

Posted on 12/09/2011

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Keep your kids busy and yourself entertained with MagicMarker for Android. This app lets you turn your… More

Keep your kids busy and yourself entertained with MagicMarker for Android. This app lets you turn your touchscreen into a sketchpad, with a full color palette to choose from. MagicMarker records your touch screen swipes as images. There are only a few buttons on your sketchpad, but one of them has multiple share features that let you choose where on your phone you’d like to save your image, email it, or easily set it as your desktop image. If you click a second option in the share dropdown, you will be asked whether you’d like to browse more apps by Jaytronix on the Android market. When I declined, the MagicMarker app became very unresponsive, and didn’t allow me to perform any more functions on my current file.    Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Fruit Ninja Free (FREE!)

Halfbrick Studios

Posted on 12/09/2011

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I know I’m late to the game where Fruit Ninja is concerned. This week, though, while attempting (unsuccessfully)… More

I know I’m late to the game where Fruit Ninja is concerned. This week, though, while attempting (unsuccessfully) to free up enough space on my phone to download Santa’s Village, I ended up deleting most of my apps and now I found myself in the surprising position of having no games on my phone. Enter Fruit Ninja. Though I downloaded the free version of this game, the Android market is celebrating its 10 billionth app download by practically giving away some of its most popular paid apps for just $.10. So try Fruit Ninja today and buy it on the cheap if you like it (the deal is only good until the December 15th). You might already know how the game is played, but if not, it’s pretty simple; swipe your touch screen to slice fruits as they fly into the air, but beware cutting open bombs which will cause your screen to explode (not really). Ads abound in the free version, appearing as soon as the app opens, to when you select your level, to after you’ve lost a round- in most cases, an appeal to compare your scores with other players’ on Openfeint social media. If you really like this game, take advantage of Android’s 10 cent special and make your purchase for the ad-free version soon.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

shopkick (FREE!)

free stuff while shopping

Posted on 12/01/2011

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Frequent shoppers can reward themselves with shopkick, a free “points” program to help you save… More

Frequent shoppers can reward themselves with shopkick, a free “points” program to help you save on future purchases. shopkick generates a list of featured items in your area, and every time you purchase one, you earn credits, or “kicks,” toward your next purchases. You do have to submit your phone number and your email address in order to redeem rewards, though the developer claims it does not share or sell your contact information to other companies. While shopkick may work better in larger cities, where there are more stores and shopping specials, for those of us living in rural America, this app may not be the most useful. While I’m all for saving money on grocery shopping, apps like this one force users to consume particular items, and they may not end up saving money at all.    Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Path (FREE!)

Path, Inc.

Posted on 12/01/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Share your memories with loved ones, even when they can’t be with you, with Path for Android. Path… More

Share your memories with loved ones, even when they can’t be with you, with Path for Android. Path lets you share photos, drawings and videos with your contacts, with customizable “covers” for your journals. Path also syncs with social media, so you can share your location or any other information easily via Facebook, Twitter and even Foursquare.   Less

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ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner (FREE!)

ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner

Posted on 12/01/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Compare prices and get the best deal on your favorite products, with ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner for Android.… More

Compare prices and get the best deal on your favorite products, with ShopSavvy Barcode Scanner for Android. Just scan the barcodes of your favorite items in-store, and let ShopSavvy find them at other local retail stores, online, or check out its database of product reviews by Amazon shoppers. ShopSavvy probably works better in larger towns, and there is no way to add stores to the database (though you can add stores to your personal account). In Fort Morgan, Colo., for instance, this app only lists food items at Walgreens and Walmart, and never the Safeway. If you’re an online shopper, you will have better luck. This app provides a great deal of web options to help you save money on purchases, by listing sites where the product is available, again, in ascending order of price. There are no other sort options. This app also displays local specials, though they update so fast you might see an appealing special, only to have it disappear or move before you get a chance to click on it. Since there’s no way to search for specific product specials, the deals on ShopSavvy are best for the flexible shopper. Barcodes scan very accurately, though it took me a while to figure out the best way to scan a barcode while holding my phone vertically (the display does not rotate while this app is open).   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Glympse (FREE!)

Share your where

Posted on 12/01/2011

Visit Google Play Page

If we could figure out a way to force kids onto Glympse, all the time, this might be a good location-tracking… More

If we could figure out a way to force kids onto Glympse, all the time, this might be a good location-tracking app for parents. But Glympse is pitched as a business app- and I can think of very few scenarios where giving clients or coworkers unfettered access to your whereabouts (via a GPS map route) might come in useful. Glympse’s developers claim that the app can help you share your location on the go, without having to text or call while driving, but since setting up permissions for who can and can’t see your whereabouts (not to mention when, and for what duration of time- all customizable options) requires prior planning, this claim seems disingenuous. But even more embarrassing than this line of logic is Glympse’s commercial on the Android Market website, showing a family huddled around the computer, watching Dad’s drive home mapped before their eyes.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

The National Dog Show (FREE!)

NBC Universal, Inc.

Posted on 12/01/2011

Visit Google Play Page

If you were so busy watching sports, cooking or cleaning up on Thanksgiving that you missed the 2011… More

If you were so busy watching sports, cooking or cleaning up on Thanksgiving that you missed the 2011 National Dog Show, you can catch it now on your Android phone! Meet the dogs, watch the finalists or even the entire dog show event with NBC’s free dog show app. Sorted by group, you can scroll through this year’s contestants and watch video clips, or just jump to the Best in Show competition real-time viewers can’t wait for. Since this app is free, and NBC has to get their revenue somewhere, you’ll see quite a few ads in the lower part of your screen.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Hey Tell (FREE!)

Voxilate, Inc.

Posted on 11/23/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Communicate with your friends, across platforms, with HeyTell text messenger. This app can be downloaded… More

Communicate with your friends, across platforms, with HeyTell text messenger. This app can be downloaded on both Android and iOS devices, but be warned- you can only use it with others who have downloaded the app. Inviting them to do so is easy. Just input the contact you’d like to invite, and HeyTell will send that person an invitation to download the app. HeyTell lets you send short voice messages to your friends, and alerts you, in your notification bar, when you receive your own messages.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Stupid Zombies (FREE!)

GameResort

Posted on 11/23/2011

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What a fun game! If you are dying to play this on a tablet, be sure to visit the new store in Hays,… More

What a fun game! If you are dying to play this on a tablet, be sure to visit the new store in Hays, KS, which has this fun app on their in-store Samsung 7” Galaxy Tablet. The premise is that you are a sharp-shooting zombie killer, in an Angry Birds-like scenario in which several zombies are standing in hard-to-reach spots. Shoot your gun at them, and let your bouncing bullet kill them, dislodge barrels to kill them, explode bombs, thereby killing them, etc. It’s worth knowing that your bullet, miraculously, cannot harm you. Once you have performed all the Rube Goldberg-esque maneuvers required to kill all the zombies on your board, advance to the next level after being given a score on a three-star point scale.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

Wild West Sheriff Lite (FREE!)

Four Pixels

Posted on 11/23/2011

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Wild West Sheriff Lite for Android, an ad-supported, free first-person-shooter game mixes tiresome gender… More

Wild West Sheriff Lite for Android, an ad-supported, free first-person-shooter game mixes tiresome gender and ethnic stereotypes with the fast-paced fun of shooting a variety of bad guys. Obviously, this game takes place in the wild west of Billy the Kid, Calamity Jane and the like, so sensitive characterizations of women settlers and Native Americans are not to be expected. That being said, here is your (male cowboy) objective: protect “your women” (ugh), shoot other cowboys as they draw their pistols at you, and perhaps unsurprisingly, all the Native Americans you encounter are fair game. Move your finger to direct your gun’s sight, then tap with your other hand to shoot. You will have to reload, and you may lose the right moment to shoot an enemy because of it. This game is really fun on a tablet, but works best on a touchscreen phone, since you have less distance to cover with your trigger finger.    Less

Related Categories:  Games

AroundMe (FREE!)

Tweakersoft

Posted on 11/23/2011

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AroundMe is a convenient retail, restaurant and venue locating app for your Android. Unlike Poynt, which… More

AroundMe is a convenient retail, restaurant and venue locating app for your Android. Unlike Poynt, which requires multiple steps (which can be frustrated when using slower data speeds), AroundMe requires only opening the program and choosing what type of venue you are looking for. In moments, a list of nearby restaurants, stores or other locations will generate in an easy-to-read list format. Click on the venue you like, and AroundMe will map the area for you, or compile directions.   Less

Related Categories:  Social Media

TouchPal Keyboard (FREE!)

CooTek

Posted on 11/23/2011

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I don’t like to review things I can’t figure out, but it’s worth being aware that some apps are… More

I don’t like to review things I can’t figure out, but it’s worth being aware that some apps are easier to set up and use than others. For instance, I don’t want to bother with the time it takes to figure out how to enable TouchPal Keyboard, which is, all the same, a seemingly promising app. This app is supposed to work like Swype, but better. Enhanced dictionary and autofill settings are supposed to ensure that normal typos are kept to a minimum (hilarious typos are always a different story), and TouchPal’s developers have also created bonus language downloads, letting you text accurately in Spanish, German, Russian, French, and more. I still do believe this app has a lot of potential, but will just serve better a more technically-savvy and patient downloader than I am.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Dropwords (FREE!)

Ben Garrett

Posted on 11/18/2011

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This Boggle copycat actually has some really neat and unique features, not to mention you don’t have… More

This Boggle copycat actually has some really neat and unique features, not to mention you don’t have to deal with aggravating, loud die shaking (my only complaint with Boggle). Dropwords, for your Android phone, is a free word game that lets you connect letters to create words, then “drops” new letters onto your gameboard to replace the ones you used. Each letter is marked with a unique score, and word scores are tallies of these letter totals. There are several modes to choose from, mostly with different difficulty options. You are on a timer, so depending on your mode, it may be difficult to up your high score, a trait I feel is common to many good word games.    Less

Related Categories:  Games

Mouse Trap (FREE!)

Magma Mobile

Posted on 11/18/2011

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Clear a space for your mouse friend to escape in Mouse Trap for Android! This fun puzzle game helps… More

Clear a space for your mouse friend to escape in Mouse Trap for Android! This fun puzzle game helps your spatial reasoning (which will help you beat everyone else on that IQ Test, reviewed below) by moving a series of obstacles, and your mouse, to help it “escape” your screen. As you move through the game, each level gets slightly more difficult, but never does it reach the levels of impossibility of its counterpart, Unblock Me.   Less

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IQ Test (FREE!)

DPS

Posted on 11/18/2011

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Forgive me for liking this app, because I feel the number one reason I do is because it thinks I AM… More

Forgive me for liking this app, because I feel the number one reason I do is because it thinks I AM A GENIUS (blammo!). Test your IQ through a series of word problems, spatial reasoning, and pattern comprehension modules, then brag about your amazing score to all your friends. I downloaded this app to help myself feel better after being roundly trounced in Monopoly. Be aware, though, that if you do try to take this test again, you’ll retake the EXACT same test- meaning, your score is subject to suspicion after any duplicate effort. A lot of reviewers have complained of spam appearing in their notification bars after downloading this app, but it doesn’t particularly bother me. It is, however, a little difficult to navigate to the test part of the app after opening it, because there are so many ads you can accidentally click on.    Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Zedge Ringtones & Wallpaper (FREE!)

Zedge

Posted on 11/18/2011

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Make sure that when your phone rings, everyone knows someone is calling you by downloading a custom… More

Make sure that when your phone rings, everyone knows someone is calling you by downloading a custom ringtone from Zedge. This Android app also lets you download wallpapers from their vast library but honestly, they’re not worth the price (I know they are free). So the very first wallpaper option is of a girl’s behind, in skimpy underwear. In other words: “tacky”. So I will steer clear of reviewing this app’s wallpapers, which, when they are not blatantly and disturbingly sexist or sexual, look like primitive experiments with Technicolor. As for ringtones and notification alerts, there are a lot (more than 500,000) to choose from, from popular music (well, they must be popular to someone), to movie quotes, to just plain weird sounds. I didn’t recognize any of the songs featured, and the novelty ringtones, like “Wife Warning,” which featured a tornado siren and a “Your wife is calling!” shriek, are awful, in my opinion. But this app is very popular among some of my coworkers, so obviously it’s a matter of taste. Download at your own risk. I, for one, can’t wait to delete this terrible app, and use my newly freed space to download another IQ test. Mensa, here I come!   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

TV Guide Mobile (FREE!)

TV Guide

Posted on 11/18/2011

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Though I don’t own a TV, there are times I do have access to one and you can bet I don’t want to… More

Though I don’t own a TV, there are times I do have access to one and you can bet I don’t want to waste my time watching anything but my favorite shows. TV Guide Mobile lets you check local listings and even sends you reminders when your favorite show will be on. As soon as you open the app, fill in your zip code and cable provider, and TV Guide will pull up the day’s schedule. You can also manage your favorite shows and alerts manually, by filling in your favorite show’s name or searching for it.   Less

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7 Little Words (FREE!)

Blue Ox Technologies Ltd.

Posted on 11/09/2011

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Challenge your vocabulary with 7 Little Words for Android. Since this is a free version of the game,… More

Challenge your vocabulary with 7 Little Words for Android. Since this is a free version of the game, you will only be able to unlock one level before you’ll have to upgrade to the paid version. However, in the unpaid version alone you can play up to 30 modules, which is not bad- especially considering that many of the puzzles are somewhat difficult and may take more than one go to solve. Like a crossword puzzle, 7 Little Words challenges you to fill in missing words. The only clues you get are crossword puzzle-style hints and character limits. At the bottom of the screen are a series of letter sequences. Tap those letters to put together a word, and if your word is the answer to any of the level’s puzzles, the answer will autopopulate in your solution field. There is no time limit.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

Buzzfeed (FREE!)

Buzzfeed

Posted on 11/09/2011

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Your favorite social media news aggregation site now fits handily into your pocket, with an easy-to-navigate… More

Your favorite social media news aggregation site now fits handily into your pocket, with an easy-to-navigate interface, and features that are not available on the site’s mobile version. Buzzfeed.com has long since been one of the best places to track Internet trends, whether substantive or inane. Filter the posts you want to view by category (“OMG Feed,” “EW Feed,” and more), and view viral posts with the click of a button. You can toggle between the filter and your home screen very easily, and the app is laid out well. Of course, Buzzfeed itself isn’t for everyone. It is for the consummate time-waster, the trend-seeker and generally anyone who loves videos of puppies playing with turtles or kittens cuddling with dogs.   Less

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Memory Trainer (FREE!)

Urbian

Posted on 11/09/2011

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Memory Trainer by Urbian purports to improve your spatial reasoning and memory by providing you with… More

Memory Trainer by Urbian purports to improve your spatial reasoning and memory by providing you with a series of memory-enhancing modules. Perform a sequence of actions, Simon-style, pick out the extra tile from a series of images you had only seconds to memorize, or try remembering relevant information from a paragraph. I don’t know if games like this actually enhance memory or not, though many experts have claimed that repetitive mental stimuli should help. This app for Android is pretty fun, though, and as long as you make sure to read the directions before you get started on your training, it’s very likely you’ll notice some positive effects from using this app.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Skyvi (Siri for Android) (FREE!)

BlueTornado

Posted on 11/09/2011

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To my way of thinking, to call Skyvi “Siri for Android” is a somewhat gross overstatement. The idea… More

To my way of thinking, to call Skyvi “Siri for Android” is a somewhat gross overstatement. The idea behind Skyvi is good, but in reality, it is an unresponsive and buggy application. As soon as I opened it, the screen froze. One bathroom break later, it had frozen on a different screen. Several taps later it unfroze and took me to the main menu, which was after all very helpful in describing in detail all of Skyvi’s functions. In some ways, Skyvi actually has better features than many of the other voice apps it emulates. It integrates with Twitter and Facebook, so you can have Skyvi read posts on your wall, or dictate status updates and tweets to it. One of the widely-publicized features of this app is its supposed ability to answer questions. Unlike Vlingo or Siri, which input your question into a search engine search field, Skyvi seems to have a database of responses to commonly-asked questions. Ask it to tell you a joke, and it knows just what to do. Ask it to help you find a Laundromat, however, and you will find yourself 15 miles away in a hotel in Weld County. I still don’t know what it meant by, “Is it better to go at it alone?” to my statement, “I want sushi.”   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Math Workout (FREE!)

Workout Games

Posted on 11/09/2011

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Brush up on your mental skills with Math Workout for Android. Test your mental arithmetic with six different… More

Brush up on your mental skills with Math Workout for Android. Test your mental arithmetic with six different types of problem sets. Once you’ve solved them quickly and accurately, you can unlock higher difficulty levels. The problems in this app are not difficult, but I do think that repetition of simple arithmetic is an easy way to get the blood flowing to your brain. I did notice after doing a few rounds of this game I was able to do the “Brain Cruncher” at Medium Pressure totally accurately, and without difficulty. Since this is the free version of the game, beware that each time you complete a module, you will be prompted to purchase the paid version.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Sonalight Text by Voice (FREE!)

Sonalight

Posted on 11/03/2011

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Since the introduction of Siri, I’ve gone a bit crazy trying to find ways to make my Android phone… More

Since the introduction of Siri, I’ve gone a bit crazy trying to find ways to make my Android phone as hands-free as possible. Text to Voice for Android is a free app that converts a dictated message to text, then delivers it to your contact. Actually, the recipient doesn’t need to be your contact- you can also text to a phone number, but just be sure you read the number fast enough or risk being cut off by a voice with an authoritative British accent trying to send a text to a three-digit area code. Text by Voice also reads incoming texts aloud to you (though it ignores emoticons). Unfortunately, this means the app is always running in the background, though it doesn’t seem to drain much battery. The voice recognition is pretty good, especially when it comes t recognizing your contacts, though I couldn’t successfully dictate a proper name within a text.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Free Dictionary (FREE!)

Baris Efe

Posted on 11/03/2011

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This is a very neat app that runs off the Freedictionary.com database. You can dictate terms to it and… More

This is a very neat app that runs off the Freedictionary.com database. You can dictate terms to it and it will look up its dictionary definition, show you a picture of what you dictated or let you find search results for that keyword on the web. This app is a lot more than a dictionary. It’s really an add-on to your preloaded Google browser, and lets you explore much more than the meaning of a word or place. This app has really good voice recognition (it uses Google Voice). I tried hard to trick it, and I didn’t even faze it with “Mount Kilimanjaro.” In fact, Free Dictionary seemed to relish in pulling up the Google Images results page for this keyword, displaying some very impressive images of the summit.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Taskos To Do List | Task List (FREE!)

taskos

Posted on 11/03/2011

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I’ve been searching for an app like Taskos for a while. Since the release of Siri for the iPhone 4S,… More

I’ve been searching for an app like Taskos for a while. Since the release of Siri for the iPhone 4S, I’ve been looking for a way to make my Android phone even more hands-free. Taskos is a memo app that takes dictation and sends you alerts. This app is really customizable as far as letting you set the alerts most helpful to you. You can choose whether to store your memo in the app, or have it appear at a certain time as a status alert. The voice recognition is mediocre, though. Compared to a lot of voice assistance apps, you need to enunciate very clearly with Taskos, and even then, your memo to “buy groceries” can turn into a reminder to “cypress trees.”   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Pizza Hut (FREE!)

Pizza Hut Inc.

Posted on 11/03/2011

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A Pizza Hut app is a good idea, right? Since moving to a small town, my dinner habits have changed drastically,… More

A Pizza Hut app is a good idea, right? Since moving to a small town, my dinner habits have changed drastically, and I found myself thinking one night, while pouring over the Pizza Hut menu on my Android phone, that I should probably have the app they were advertising on their website. I downloaded it- but to honest, I don’t really understand the point of this app. Pizza Hut has a really good mobile site already, and the app basically mirrors it. Since the point of the app is to convey an order for delivery or pick-up to the Pizza Hut of your choice, you can’t use it offline, and again, it’s not at all different from the website. I suppose you do save a moment of not having to open your browser and unless you have Pizza Hut set as your home page (I swear I don’t!) having to input the URL into your phone.    Less

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Trippo Mondo – Voice Translator (FREE!)

Cellectica Ltd.

Posted on 11/03/2011

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I admit I’m not the best qualified to review foreign language apps, as I only speak two. However,… More

I admit I’m not the best qualified to review foreign language apps, as I only speak two. However, my limited French is good enough to review translations from basic English, so I happily downloaded this app. The French translation was quite accurate, although it translates any phrase to the informal “tu,” which is not considered polite when speaking to strangers. Other than that, this is an interesting app. While it does convert text to speech, it can’t convert speech to text. Practically speaking, what this amounts to is that while you can have your app speak to the locals using textbook pronunciation, you have to manually input the phrase you want translated. This seems odd, if you consider the infrequency that a traveler in a foreign country would be able to perfectly input a sentence or phrase in a foreign language while not being able to understand that language in the first place. It would be better, I think, if the app could “listen” to a phrase in a foreign language, then convert it to text for you in your native tongue. Otherwise, this is a really fun app, and particularly useful if you are interesting in learning proper pronunciation along with basic conversation skills in one of dozens of languages.   Less

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Facebook Messenger (FREE!)

Facebook

Posted on 10/27/2011

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Facebook Messenger, an application now available for Android, BlackBerry and iOS, is a chat add-on to… More

Facebook Messenger, an application now available for Android, BlackBerry and iOS, is a chat add-on to the Facebook app that lets you send messages to your friends through their Facebook accounts, or via text message. You can even create group chats, and add new chat members when you want to. The app is a bit slow on notifications, but otherwise, a simple, easy-to-figure-out chat messenger that integrates nearly seamlessly with your Android device.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

US Bank (FREE!)

Google Inc.

Posted on 10/27/2011

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Finally, US Bank has an app for Android! Prior to the US Bank app release, the only way to track your… More

Finally, US Bank has an app for Android! Prior to the US Bank app release, the only way to track your account balance was to download third-party apps like Mobile Banking (reviewed here). Unfortunately, these apps typically have a terrible time updating your account information. Since installing Mobile Banking months ago on my Android phone, I’ve checked my balance three times. It was only right the first time I checked it, which was immediately after installing it, before making any additional purchases from my checking account. The rest of the time, it tried to update my information for so long that my device timed out, and nothing ever came of the refresh. The US Bank app for Android, on the other hand, is extremely accurate, and is set up very much like the website. There is one difference- while US Bank requires multiple security fields to filled in the first time you log in via your PC, the app takes for granted that your cell phone belongs to you. I suppose there is a certain logic to this; people rarely share cell phones with multiple users, whereas PCs are sometimes used by many. The app lets you perform almost all the functions you could from the website- including making funds transfers, looking at account statement, making deposits and more. You can’t, however, take out cash advances via the app, which, given the high interest rate, is probably not a good habit to get into anyway.    Less

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Edwin (FREE!)

neureau.

Posted on 10/27/2011

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Edwin, a voice recognition search app like Vlingo (reviewed last week), has been available on the Android… More

Edwin, a voice recognition search app like Vlingo (reviewed last week), has been available on the Android Market much longer than Siri has been around, which might explain why Siri is by far preferred over this app. For whatever reason, I’ve had a lot of trouble finding any TTS/voice recognition search app for Android that actually work as advertised (I use the Samsung Galaxy Ace). Edwin was kind of an exception; while the app does recognize my voice, and doesn’t have too much trouble (most of the time) understanding my question or comment, I was not impressed that the app requires you to pay for a search engine download of WolframAlpha (an admittedly cool app; I just hate paying for necessary add-ons to free apps), for $1.99. Considering that without this paid add-on, there’s no way to even test the functionality of this app, it seems like a dubious investment. Vlingo clearly works much better, and uses your device’s existing, pre-loaded search engines.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Mint.com Personal Finance (FREE!)

Intuit, Inc.

Posted on 10/27/2011

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This is just not my week for apps. I have been trying to budget better, and figured that my ever-present,… More

This is just not my week for apps. I have been trying to budget better, and figured that my ever-present, trusty Android phone could help me down the road of not spending everything I make. With a host of banks in its database, Mint.com, I thought, was making it very easy to add my bank. In fact, I found my bank immediately, and then was asked to provide my log-in credentials. After doing so, the app spent so long searching for a secure connection and verifying my information that my phone timed out, and when I enabled it again, I had to begin the verification process all over again. This is not pleasant when your login ID is 16 characters and the horizontal keypad doesn’t work. So, unfortunately, the app continued to route me to the “Add Account” page, and even though they sent me an email with my current bank balance, I never did manage to log into my account (the first- and required- setup step for this app) from the app. Therefore, I can’t very well review the app’s other functions. I think the idea is good, since so many budget apps for Android don’t integrate with your current banking institution, but Mint.com’s implementation is bad. For now, I will be using Easy Money, or just a plain old pencil and paper.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Afternoon Sweets (FREE!)

AMU Mobile

Posted on 10/27/2011

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Afternoon Sweets is twee, simplistic live wallpaper for your phone that morphs from one lovely combination… More

Afternoon Sweets is twee, simplistic live wallpaper for your phone that morphs from one lovely combination of pastels to another as your day progresses. Developed by AMU MOBILE, makers of cute things, the app creates a beautiful background for your home screen, and every day, at 3 pm, the app sends you a virtual snack to replace your current wallpaper- usually an attractive, stylized pastry that is sure to make your stomach growl. Like most live wallpapers, though, this app is an unnecessary drain on your battery.    Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Vlingo - Virtual Assistant (FREE!)

Vlingo Corp.

Posted on 10/20/2011

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Since the recent release of the iPhone 4S, a lot of developers are jumping on the “Siri” bandwagon,… More

Since the recent release of the iPhone 4S, a lot of developers are jumping on the “Siri” bandwagon, and trying to come up with a similar voice-recognition search engine app for Android phones. Vlingo comes pretty close to being the best virtual assistant around, though it does have some limitations. The voice recognition is pretty accurate, although I do find myself enunciating better when talking to it. Like Siri, Vlingo will even take on some existential baggage, like attempting, in a computer’s analytical way, to divine the meaning of life. More practically, Vlingo can perform some really basic commands, like to search for keywords on your Google browser, text or send emails to contacts, and make outgoing calls. One of the best features about this app also drains a lot of battery, though. You can make Vlingo even more hands-free by using a feature called “SafeReader.” Supposedly, it is the app’s driving mode, but it’s not that hands-free. I was also disappointed that I couldn’t figure out a way to sync my Outlook calendar to enable a Siri-esque “tell me what I have to do today” conversation. Also, even though my GPS “nerd setting” was enabled, the app was not able to pick up on my current location, and instead, mapped all search results by proximity to my home. Otherwise, this is a really neat app, and while I think the advent of Siri will result in a greater market of voice-recognition assistants, Vlingo has been around for a while, and it works. Vlingo is modest, too. When I told my new app, “Good job, Vlingo,” it responded by finding me a list of gun shops in Lincoln, Nebraska.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Trulia - For Rent (FREE!)

Trulia

Posted on 10/20/2011

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These days, we go where work takes us, and sometimes it can be hard to find the perfect rental in your… More

These days, we go where work takes us, and sometimes it can be hard to find the perfect rental in your new area. Trulia tries to take the guesswork out that process with its rental app for Android. Searching for rentals on this app isn’t as easy as it should be. For instance, if you are trying to search for rentals in a different city than the one you are in, you have to input really broad terms, like city name or zip code, which means your search results are not filtered in a very relevant way. Also, disappointingly, but perhaps not surprisingly, there just aren’t many rentals listed on Trulia. For the moment, at least until this app has been around a while longer, I suggest continuing to search for your next rental on Craigslist.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Fab.com (FREE!)

Google Inc.

Posted on 10/20/2011

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Get the best deals in shopping for yourself and your home with the app for Android by Fab.com. Since… More

Get the best deals in shopping for yourself and your home with the app for Android by Fab.com. Since this app isn’t limited to sales of designer clothing, or luxury vacations, the inventory is diverse, and there aren’t good ways to limit your searches by category or clothing items in your size, or for your gender. However, if you are looking for an online deal, and have the time to scroll through pages and pages of brands and products, you’ll find a lot of furniture, clothing and household items discounted up to 70% off their original prices.    Less

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GO Launcher EX (FREE!)

GO Launcher Dev Team

Posted on 10/20/2011

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GO Launcher EX makes your Android phone customizable in an unprecedented way. Go Launcher Ex’s app… More

GO Launcher EX makes your Android phone customizable in an unprecedented way. Go Launcher Ex’s app drawer also has a built-in task manager, though you can also download a task manager widget for your home screen. It’s easy to customize your menu, including adding extra docks, using the app’s “Edit” option, which also lets you view each window independently and select the one you want to edit. You can add apps to your home screen, but you have to make sure that when you select them from your app drawer, that you drop and drop it into a screen with capacity. Otherwise, the action will just fail. Another nice feature about GO Launcher EX is that it’s been around for a while, and there are a lot of developer’s who have created free downloadable themes for GO Launcher users.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

GO Note Widget (FREE!)

GO Launcher Dev Team

Posted on 10/20/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Since getting my first Android phone, I’ve come to rely greatly on memo apps. I liked Catch Notes,… More

Since getting my first Android phone, I’ve come to rely greatly on memo apps. I liked Catch Notes, which I reviewed in the past, and use ColorNotes on a near-daily basis. I hoped, based on the screenshots, that GO Note Widget, an add-on to GO Launcher, could replace my reliable and otherwise predictable ColorNotes. There’s not ever much to say about memo apps (except Catch Notes, which is so much more than just a memo app), and GO Note Widget has a fun doodling option, but as far as functionality and customizability, I think I will stick with my ColorNotes for now.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Hotmail (FREE!)

Microsoft + SEVEN

Posted on 10/13/2011

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Though my Gmail addressbook tells me otherwise, there are still some people on Hotmail, it seems, and… More

Though my Gmail addressbook tells me otherwise, there are still some people on Hotmail, it seems, and why shouldn’t they have an app as handy as the Gmail app for Android? Manage your Hotmail account with this Android app by Microsoft, and set it to send alerts directly to your home screen, whenever you receive new messages. Easily manage junk mail or spam, delete unwanted messages, and reply to your contacts from the convenience of your phone.   Less

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iRecord (FREE!)

DSS

Posted on 10/13/2011

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Never miss a beat, with iRecord, for Android. This app lets you turn your wireless device into a handy… More

Never miss a beat, with iRecord, for Android. This app lets you turn your wireless device into a handy voice recorder, with features that help you record lectures, memos and more. The easy-to-use application lets you begin recording with the single push of a button. Once you’ve completed your recording, you can assign it a title and save it to your phone. The only menu option that exists in this app will take you to your list of recordings, which will play with just a push of a button.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Androidify (FREE!)

Google Inc.

Posted on 10/13/2011

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“Androidify” your friends, family and self, with Androidify by Google. There isn’t really a point… More

“Androidify” your friends, family and self, with Androidify by Google. There isn’t really a point to this app, except that it is fun, and is also a good way to show your appreciation for the omnipresent Android robot and the fabulous operating system it represents. Choose from a variety of hairstyles, accessories, facial features and even “skin” pigments to create your own, customized Android robot. You can then set your creation as your profile avatar, or share it via email or SMS.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Walgreens (FREE!)

Walgreens Co.

Posted on 10/13/2011

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Easily manage your Walgreens pharmacy account on the go with Walgreens for Android. Actually, this app… More

Easily manage your Walgreens pharmacy account on the go with Walgreens for Android. Actually, this app lets you do a lot more than just manage your pharmacy account; you can order photos for print, locate a store, scan a barcode or current prescription (though this feature did not work at all on my Samsung Galaxy Ace), check out current specials and shop the Walgreens website. Like the website, you can search for products by category, read user reviews, and check product availability in your local store.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

TripAdvisor (FREE!)

TripAdvisor

Posted on 10/13/2011

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Arriving at a vacation destination can be disorienting unless you have an experienced, well-traveled… More

Arriving at a vacation destination can be disorienting unless you have an experienced, well-traveled guide. TripAdvisor for Android is your pocket-sized guide to various cities around the United States, helping you find the best hotel rates, local restaurants by category, and even plane tickets. This app doesn’t differ from other crowd-sourced navigation apps or websites in many ways, but it does have a “save” feature, something even my well-beloved Poynt app lacks. There is nothing more frustrating than performing a search, navigating directions, then answering a phone call- only to return to your reset app.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

PicsIn: Photo, Draw, Share (FREE!)

PicsIn

Posted on 10/06/2011

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From the arsenal of PicsIn comes yet another tool for painting and stylistic photo editing. If you’ve… More

From the arsenal of PicsIn comes yet another tool for painting and stylistic photo editing. If you’ve ever used PicsIn’s Photo Studio, be aware that this is the updated version of the application, and Photo Studio should be deleted before installing the updated app reviewed here. PicsIn lets you edit photos by enhancing your device’s built-in camera with extra editing features, and lets you dress up photos with Blingee-like frames, backgrounds and designs. PicsIn for Android also lets you easily share your pictures on social media or by email and SMS.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Flickr (FREE!)

Yahoo! Inc.

Posted on 10/06/2011

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Popular photo-sharing website Flickr goes one step further with their app for Android. Flickr for Android… More

Popular photo-sharing website Flickr goes one step further with their app for Android. Flickr for Android lets you take pictures with an in-app camera, lets you adjust your image with Flickr’s filters, then post them directly to your Flickr feed. With easy “share” options, Flickr for Android lets you post or send pictures to friends on Facebook and Twitter, or by email or SMS. The app lets you set your privacy guidelines right from your phone, so you only share pictures with people you want seeing them. Another nice feature is that Flickr uses your geolocation to tag your photos- so that even if you don’t remember where you took them, Flickr will.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Craigslist Mobile (FREE!)

Dudu Apps

Posted on 10/06/2011

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Post your own Craigslist content, or search for items to buy or trade with Craigslist Mobile for Android.… More

Post your own Craigslist content, or search for items to buy or trade with Craigslist Mobile for Android. This app lets you search your area for deals on products just like the Craigslist website. Pictures of products can be opened to fill your screen for maximum resolution and clarity, and this app syncs to your email and outgoing calling, letting you contact posters directly. Posts also fit to your screen flawlessly.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Halloween Live Wallpaper II (FREE!)

Skin Yourself

Posted on 10/06/2011

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Get ready for the Halloween season by downloading spooky wallpapers to your desktop, with Halloween… More

Get ready for the Halloween season by downloading spooky wallpapers to your desktop, with Halloween Live Wallpaper II for Android. This simple app lets you download your wallpaper, and customize the animations to suit your device and battery requirements.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Family Locator (FREE!)

Life360

Posted on 10/06/2011

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Although we’d like to always assume that our family members are making safe, sane decisions, we can’t… More

Although we’d like to always assume that our family members are making safe, sane decisions, we can’t always do that, especially when there are children involved. Family Locator for Android lets you keep an eye on your family’s whereabouts through the GPS on their cell phone, or through external tracking devices available at Life360.com. Your app will show you on a map exactly the coordinates of family members based on their device location, and even highlights threats like sexual offenders whose homes might be close to where your child is.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Andie Graph (FREE!)

Doug Melton

Posted on 09/29/2011

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When I was in high school back in the day, sophomore year was The Year, because you could finally buy,… More

When I was in high school back in the day, sophomore year was The Year, because you could finally buy, and bring to class, a Texas Instruments graphing calculator, the litmus test of coolness. Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but how many of us actually learned advanced graphing equations to make those funny-looking shapes kids love making? Most of us, I’d bet. Andie Graph for Android lets you turn your phone into a graphing calculator, a useful feature for engineers and mathematicians. Unlike most of the apps we review here, though, there is one extra step that is necessary before your phone will perform this app’s specific function, and that is that you download the ROM from your existing graphing calculator. For more information on how to do this, visit the Android Market link on your phone or PC, or visit the developer’s website by clicking http://dougmelton.com/andie-graph/%23faqs&usg=AFQjCNGVBf9lh1z855ejjkn_qmlhD6sCgA.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Mp3 Music download (FREE!)

Dictionary.com

Posted on 09/29/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Mp3 Music download for Android makes it easier than ever to search and play or download music from your… More

Mp3 Music download for Android makes it easier than ever to search and play or download music from your favorite bands. This app seems almost too good to be true, but it really does work as well as advertised. While I did read a few reviews in the Android Market accusing the app of no longer working after some time, I haven’t had the app long enough to know if this is universally true. In my (brief) experience using Mp3 Music download, I was able to find a surprising amount of somewhat obscure music, and either play or download those songs. Searching through this app’s database is easy, and in searching for the most obscure artists I could think of, there were only very few I searched for that did not show up.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Pixlr-o-matic (FREE!)

Autodesk Inc.

Posted on 09/29/2011

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Add special effects to your photos with Pixlr-o-matic, a fun, free app from Android. This pretty neat-… More

Add special effects to your photos with Pixlr-o-matic, a fun, free app from Android. This pretty neat- though definitely limited- app lets you edit pictures stored in your gallery, or you can edit a picture you take while using the app. With options to “sepia tone” your image, or add a variety of tints, to letting you choose a frame for your image, to offering a variety of other unusual special effects, your boring cell phone snaps can get the Hollywood treatment, with Pixlr-o-matic for Andriod.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Hanging with Friends (FREE!)

Zynga

Posted on 09/29/2011

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Reliably entertaining app developer Zynga brings a new game to their Facebook-based arsenal, this time,… More

Reliably entertaining app developer Zynga brings a new game to their Facebook-based arsenal, this time, a hangman-style game that lets you create your own puzzles and compete with a friend. Zynga’s Hanging with Friends lets you build a hangman puzzle from a pre-selected list of letters, which your opponent will then attempt to solve. Unlike traditional “hangman” games, there is no hanging man in Hanging with Friends. Instead, for each incorrect letter you choose, you get six chances to choose the wrong letter, and each time, an “x” will appear in your score box. Once you do win, however, you have the option of creating a puzzle for your friend. Like most of Zynga’s games, Hanging with Friends can be played across platforms (with iPhone users) and on Facebook. Unfortunately, the profusion of animations in the app’s background means that despite the game’s simplicity, it also has the potential to completely drain your battery.   Less

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Lookout Security and Antivirus (FREE!)

Lookout Mobile Security

Posted on 09/29/2011

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We all want to get the most out of our Android phones, and apps are often the way to do it. You have… More

We all want to get the most out of our Android phones, and apps are often the way to do it. You have to be careful, though, that the app you downloaded doesn’t contain viruses, and Lookout Security and Antivirus can help you with that. And with the ability to bypass your device’s GPS settings, if your phone is ever lost or stolen, Lookout Security and Antivirus will help you locate it, even if your GPS is turned off. Lookout allows you to trial their app for free for 14 days, and after that, the app costs I don’t know how much it costs. As soon as you initialize your trial, Lookout Security and Antivirus will go through your downloaded apps and scan them for malware or spyware. I was happy that of my 141 applications, no malware or spyware was detected (I was surprised to have so many applications on my phone, too) and the test took less than a minute. You can use advanced location features from the Lookout website, which will help you do things like find your phone on a map (this won’t help you if you’ve just lost your phone in your house, though I recommend checking the washing machine), or emit a loud “scream” from your device to scare the fiends who stole it. If, however, the situation becomes dire, and you need to lock your device, or completely wipe clean your hard-drive, you will need to cough up for the Premium version of this app, but at that point, protecting your privacy from shady characters will likely be worth the cost.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Netflix (FREE!)

Netflix, Inc.

Posted on 09/23/2011

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Commuters with 4G or WiFi access can rejoice- while streaming their favorite Netflix movies and shows… More

Commuters with 4G or WiFi access can rejoice- while streaming their favorite Netflix movies and shows to their Android phones. Netflix for Android turns your phone into a high-quality video streaming device, albeit with a tiny screen. While you can’t sign up for a Netflix account through this app, customers with existing accounts can log in using their app to view their “Continue Watching” list, top recommendations from Netflix, and to browse for streaming movies and DVDs. Once the new website changes go into effect, though, I don’t know how the DVD browsing feature will work, but then again, no one does. The Netflix player for Android has nice touchscreen features, including a timeline that lets you play or pause your video, or skip to the middle. You can even go full-screen without having to worry about any size-restricting borders. Be warned, though, that this app uses a lot of your battery. I did lose about 10% of charge after streaming about 30 seconds of video. Luckily, though, I never go far without my charger, and I suggest that if you download this app, to make sure you do the same.   Less

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iTriage (FREE!)

Healthagen

Posted on 09/23/2011

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Consolidate medical and prescription information into one app with iTriage, for Android. While this… More

Consolidate medical and prescription information into one app with iTriage, for Android. While this app should never be used as a substitute for your doctor’s care, there are times when self-diagnosis comes in handy, and iTriage lets you input your symptoms before generating a list of possible ailments. Once you select the illness that sounds best (or worse, or most like what you have), the app will display a series of secondary features, including treatment options complete with recommended medications and a GPS-based list of specialists in your area. But while iTriage is a great place to store information, most of us don’t have the luxury of being able to see any doctor or specialist in our area, and even though you can input your specific health insurance plan from a long, prefilled list, the app has no way of filtering providers that accept your plan. Also, the only way to save your preferred doctor to this app is to search by location, rather than letting you simply input the name of your doctor. On the whole, though, while I’d recommend this app stay out of the hands of hypochondriacs, it’s useful to have in case of an emergency, or for maintaining peace of mind while awaiting an appointment with your physician.   Less

Related Categories:  Health

TiKL - Touch to Talk (FREE!)

TiKL Inc

Posted on 09/23/2011

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Save your voice minutes and talk to your friends with TiKL – Touch to talk for Android. This easy,… More

Save your voice minutes and talk to your friends with TiKL – Touch to talk for Android. This easy, walkie-talkie-style app lets you make VoIP, push to talk calls to other Android and iPhone, iPad or iTouch users who have the Facebook app. Just like Google Voice or Skype, TiKL uses data to let you talk to your contacts, which is useful for those of us without unlimited voice time, but not so much for people with limited data. What makes TiKL special is that it allows you to easily talk to multiple contacts at once, and the touch to talk feature is designed so that it’s pretty hard to be on a call without realizing it.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Flashcards (FREE!)

Dictionary.com, LLC

Posted on 09/23/2011

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In addition to containing a series of prebuilt flashcard decks, you can use Dictionary.com’s Flashcards… More

In addition to containing a series of prebuilt flashcard decks, you can use Dictionary.com’s Flashcards app for Android to create your own deck of vocabulary flashcards to study on the go. In order to create a customized deck, you must submit some information, I’m guessing, that will either help the app’s advertisers better target you, or simply to provide demographic information to the developer. Once you’ve registered your email, name, age and gender, you can create your own deck by inputting words, then selecting from one or more definitions offered by Dictionary.com. In a previous review of the Dictionary.com app for Android, I lamented the omission of several real words, and so was unsurprised to find the same to be true for Flashcards. For instance, when I input “abnegation,” two definitions immediately populated, while “elision” elicited none (though this word can be found on the Dictionary.com website). This might make it more difficult to customize a deck for higher-level cramming, for tests like the LSAT or GRE, since there is no way to manually input a word’s meaning. It would also be useful to be able to return to the app’s home screen from wherever you are, which is not currently possible; instead, you must hit your device’s Back button repeatedly. But these limitations aside, the Flashcards app for Android is intuitive to use and also fun, as long as you call defining words from a list of four choices “fun” (and I sure do).    Less

Related Categories:  Educational

Origami (FREE!)

KarenElissa

Posted on 09/23/2011

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In the somewhat adult-centric Android app market, it’s not always easy to find a well-designed app… More

In the somewhat adult-centric Android app market, it’s not always easy to find a well-designed app that also performs an educational function. Origami, by KarenElissa, does both. While the app is simple, and too basic for the advanced paper-folder, the layout is great, emulating typical origami instructions, but with the added benefit of putting each step onto a different screen. There are no detailed written instructions for diagrams in this app, which means that people with a basic knowledge of origami folds will have an easier time deciphering the steps in Origami for Android. And, as I mentioned earlier, this app focuses on basic patterns that Origami folders have probably made since childhood, I was pleased to find a diagram to build Google’s green “Droid”!   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle / Entertainment

Dolphin Mini Browser (FREE!)

Dolphin Browser

Posted on 09/15/2011

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Browse in style with the Dolphin Mini Browser for Android. With easy tab navigation, and a customizable… More

Browse in style with the Dolphin Mini Browser for Android. With easy tab navigation, and a customizable homepage layout, browsing on Dolphin Mini is just like browsing the web on your PC. You can create your own touchscreen symbols to help you navigate to your favorite pages, and setting up all these customizable features is really easy. Plus, the tab navigation is easily the best part of this application- and there are even on-screen shortcuts that let you go back of forward a page. Dolphin Mini Browser is definitely better than the preloaded browser on Android phones, with more easily-customizable features and intuitive navigation.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility / Lifestyle

Tetris Free (FREE!)

Electronic Arts Inc.

Posted on 09/15/2011

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I always like to provide full disclosure, and here is something- I used to work for a software developer… More

I always like to provide full disclosure, and here is something- I used to work for a software developer peripherally related to EA, so I’m always interested in new projects from this company. Plus, I grew up in the 90s, when EA really reigned supreme in gaming (hello, GoldenEye 007 and Sim City!). While this version of Tetris looks more streamlined than other versions of the game for Android devices, the unfortunate touchscreen-enabled piece rotation and dragging is hard to control. A tap on the screen turns your piece, and a drag pulls it down and to the side, but sometimes, it’s hard to not tap when you’re trying to drag, which all Tetris players know means the pieces turn the wrong way, at the worst time. And forget about dragging a piece under another one- it is basically impossible on my Samsung Galaxy Ace. Compared to other versions of the game that have handheld controller-styled buttons at the bottom, this one doesn’t match up. However, like I mentioned before, the game is styled really well, with colorful pieces, the traditional Tetris music we’re all used to, and if you do buy the paid version, you get “magical” mode, which drops down odd-shaped pieces and lets you pentris. However, I highly recommend you try before you buy, and if you have a trigger-happy thumb like I must, consider downloading Pentris, by MardelGames, instead.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment / Games

Smoothie Recipes (FREE!)

Delicious Food Recipes

Posted on 09/15/2011

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I know smoothie season is almost over, but let’s break out our blenders one last time in honor of… More

I know smoothie season is almost over, but let’s break out our blenders one last time in honor of this app for Android. Search the database for recipes by inputting an ingredient, or by scrolling through their list of favorites. This app is not at all complicated- in fact, it is very simply done, but when it comes to smoothie recipes, I don’t think design has to be overly complex. A nice feature included in this app lets you bookmark your favorite recipes, and an ad-free version is available at the Amazon app store.   Less

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Zynga Poker (FREE!)

Zynga

Posted on 09/15/2011

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Since my few competitive poker experiences left me cleaned out, and occasionally unhappy with my friends,… More

Since my few competitive poker experiences left me cleaned out, and occasionally unhappy with my friends, I can’t comment much on the experience of this app beyond the UI and display. And these are nice. I guess the main appeal of this app is for Facebook users who currently only play this game on their PCs. Zynga Poker for your Android device, though, lets you play by signing in to your Facebook account, or as an unregistered guest. With all the gaming apps that require you to provide personal information like your email address, this is a nice, relaxing change.    Less

Related Categories:  Games

The Moron Test: Section 1 (FREE!)

DistinctDev, Inc.

Posted on 09/15/2011

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I was first alerted to the existence of The Moron Test by some morons… I mean… friends who were… More

I was first alerted to the existence of The Moron Test by some morons… I mean… friends who were visiting me. After learning neither of my friends could get past the third question, I became intrigued, and began wondering, myself, am I a moron? I’d like to think I’m not, but for the purposes of this review, I will go with whatever the app tells me, and judge it accordingly. It’s only fair. Well, this moron got through most of the sections without difficulty, until the trickster nature of this game tripped me up. Oh, well; the app does admit that I am a moderately intelligent mammal (how does it know I’m a mammal?) though I gave up once I had to alphabetize a number of subjectively-named objects. This was a fun game, and best of all, it makes it easy to compare my relatively superior intelligence to that of those around me. So, let me ask you, are you a moron?   Less

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Epicurious (FREE!)

Condé Nast Digital

Posted on 09/09/2011

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I was lucky enough, over the long weekend, to have some good friends visit me. One of them called me… More

I was lucky enough, over the long weekend, to have some good friends visit me. One of them called me on Saturday morning, announcing she had bought five zucchinis at her local farmer’s market, and her conviction that I’d know “what to do with them.” With that aim in mind, I downloaded Conde Nast’s Epicurious app for Android. In the interests of full disclosure, I am long-time member of the epicurious.com website, and was surprised, upon opening the app, that I couldn’t sign into my account, where I have a prodigious library of saved, favorite recipes. However, the app for Android is easy to navigate, and lets you search by recipe type, meal, or do an ingredients keyword search. Once you find one you like (I recommend “My Kids’ Favorite Banana Pancakes”), you can add it to your Favorites, to be accessed from the app’s home page. And like the well-designed website, this app also includes the handy grocery list feature that will generate a list based on ingredients in the recipe you’d like to prepare. As for the zucchinis, some of them ended up in “Sweet Potato and Zucchini Bread,” which is currently being featured in my refrigerator.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

WiFi Finder (FREE!)

JiWire Inc.

Posted on 09/09/2011

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While most Android phones have a setting that allows your phone to detect open, available WiFi networks… More

While most Android phones have a setting that allows your phone to detect open, available WiFi networks for your use, WiFi Finder for Android has a somewhat more sophisticated interface than an alert appearing on your status bar. For one thing, the app creates a map to help you find open networks that may not be in your immediate area. You can even input an address and find open wireless networks within miles of your location. However, listings for local rural and farther metro areas seemed scant, so I wonder how comprehensive or current this list can be. I also had to force-close the app once after it stopped responding, probably because I had multiple apps running. A nice feature of WiFi Finder is that it does not require a network connection if you have downloaded its World Wide Database.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Android Boost -- Performance (FREE!)

DroidSnacks

Posted on 09/09/2011

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Although this app does offer seven handy tips to help you optimize your phone’s battery performance,… More

Although this app does offer seven handy tips to help you optimize your phone’s battery performance, the majority of their tips are simple commonsense (turn off your GPS to save battery life, switch off your WiFi when not using it, put your phone into airplane mode whenever possible), the main way to “optimize” your battery using this app is to allow it to force-close all running applications. Given that this is easily done using your phone’s preloaded Task Manager, or any task killing app, I can’t help feeling this app is extraneous for most Android users. However, opening the app offers a detailed graph showing the amount of battery life you have left, as well as a widget that tells you, at any time, the number of active tasks running on your device.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

APPY Geek (English) (FREE!)

MobilesRepublic

Posted on 09/09/2011

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For tech enthusiasts, APPY Geek for Android lets you customize your tech news alerts, helping you stay… More

For tech enthusiasts, APPY Geek for Android lets you customize your tech news alerts, helping you stay ahead of the tech curve. Add an APPY Geek widget to your home screen get updated on your subscribed feeds, or just open the app and view articles on your home page. The layout of this application is busy, but I guess that goes with the territory. Given that technology is so dynamic, it’s not surprising that “smart phone” or “Android Market” feeds have a tendency to fill up during the day. Easily add subject feeds to your list of “favorites,” and filter posts based on keywords. APPY Geek also lets you share articles and other content with your friends through social media, like Facebook, your email or via text message.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility / Entertainment

Quotes Mania (FREE!)

Free Appss

Posted on 09/09/2011

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Including a surprisingly vast list of quotes by the late, great Jimi Hendrix, Quotes Mania for Android… More

Including a surprisingly vast list of quotes by the late, great Jimi Hendrix, Quotes Mania for Android lets you generate quotes by searching a catalog of well-known sayings from your favorite public figures or from a list of categories, with obvious ones like “Death,” and “Love” and some more baffling ones like “Failure,” some of which still manage to be uplifting. There are a few amateurish features of this app- for instance, there are three categories for “Truth & Peace,” “Truth & peace,” and finally, “Truth and Peace,” but overall, this is a fun app that lets quote-seekers find something appropriate for self-edification or to share with friends via email and other share features, and lets you post your favorite quotes directly to your Facebook status. You can also comment on quotes within the app’s social networking forum, but at the moment, the feature seems to be unpopular or at least underused.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility / Entertainment

Handcent SMS (FREE!)

handcent_admin

Posted on 09/01/2011

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I had gotten used to the texting function on my last phone, a Motorola Milestone, when I started using… More

I had gotten used to the texting function on my last phone, a Motorola Milestone, when I started using the Samsung Galaxy Ace and realized the text message feature was completely different than what I had gotten used to. For one thing, no matter what my Settings, I could never get the QWERTY keypad on my Ace to go into portrait mode when it was turned horizontally. Downloading this app and setting up the portrait feature in Handcent SMS fixed that problem across the board for me- now I can use a sideways QWERTY keypad when browsing the Internet, while texting, and searching for apps in the Android Market. There is also a nice, large field in which to compose your texts (if you need) and a smaller one for quick messages, that doesn’t have a spellcheck, or a text to speech function. Though I haven’t managed to figure out how to turn off my original Android texting just yet (meaning, I get two alerts for every text I receive) I have every intention of keeping this app, and sending all of my texts with it.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Angry Birds Seasons (FREE!)

Rovio Mobile Ltd.

Posted on 09/01/2011

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The Angry Birds are back, taking on pigs and protecting their eggs once again. In Angry Birds Seasons,… More

The Angry Birds are back, taking on pigs and protecting their eggs once again. In Angry Birds Seasons, the latest version released to celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival, the Angry Birds travel to China to defeat pigs and win mooncakes, a pastry served during this holiday. Play 110 levels and unlock one new level a day for a month. New social media features allow you to send Angry Birds Seasons greeting cards to friends on Facebook.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

Unblock Me FREE (FREE!)

Kiragames

Posted on 09/01/2011

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I was ready to declare this app impossible, but actually it is just a somewhat difficult and time-consuming… More

I was ready to declare this app impossible, but actually it is just a somewhat difficult and time-consuming puzzle game. After ten tries, and new levels, I finally solved one of these in the Beginner’s “Relaxation” mode. While I don’t hate this app quite as much now that I’ve managed to solve the tenth puzzle I tried, I don’t think I will ever play it again even if the concept is interesting. Using your touchscreen, slide vertical blocks up and down, and horizontal blocks from side to and clear a path for a horizontally-moving colored piece to exit through a hole. I suppose this is one of those games that encourages people to conceptualize a multi-step plan ahead of time, thereby improving that important hypothalamus function, but if you like a game with a happier medium between winning and losing, download Tetris instead.    Less

Related Categories:  Games

Backgrounds (FREE!)

OQG

Posted on 09/01/2011

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Although I laughed a little at this app developer’s claim that downloading matching wallpaper can… More

Although I laughed a little at this app developer’s claim that downloading matching wallpaper can rekindle romance with your significant other, Backgrounds for Android does offer a variety of wallpaper options for your device. Set your background to a variety of historical architecture images, landscape photography and more, all in high definition. User reviews in the Android Market back up that this is a good, solid wallpapers app, with periodic updates to add new image categories, and to fix bugs reported by users.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

GeoQpons - Coupons & Shopping (FREE!)

Most Useful Shopping App

Posted on 09/01/2011

Visit Google Play Page

When it comes to spending money, I think we can all agree that less is better. Turn your cell phone… More

When it comes to spending money, I think we can all agree that less is better. Turn your cell phone into a deal-stealing machine with GeoQpons for Android, and start shopping! The GPS-based app first locates deals in your area, then lists them in an alphabetized results list. Go through and find your favorite retailer, and pull up a variety of coupons codes available for online and in-store shopping, and share them on social media, by SMS, email it yourself to have a printable copy, or open and scan your coupon in-store. Some reviewers claimed that previous versions of the app didn’t allow for easy sharing, but newer versions have corrected that bug.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

NOOK for Android (FREE!)

Barnes and Noble

Posted on 08/25/2011

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Turn your Android phone into a portable reader, with NOOK, by Barnes and Noble. Browse works by popular… More

Turn your Android phone into a portable reader, with NOOK, by Barnes and Noble. Browse works by popular authors, with full book texts running from $1.99 to $12.99, perhaps depending on popularity. There are some free books, as well, though I was unable to find any by my favorite authors. Search for authors or titles, find books by genre, and download free samples to test how well your handset can work as a reader. I downloaded the app onto my Samsung Galaxy Ace, and was pleasantly surprised by how readable the text appears. You can customize your reading options, but there really is no way to set no margins (smaller margins still result in about ½ an inch of white space bordering all text). Turn pages just like you would on a reader- but be warned- if you download this app onto a cell phone, you’ll be turning pages every few seconds, given that your screen size will not accommodate any more than a few sentences of text, and landscape (two-page) formats have even less content. And while NOOK offers full libraries of popular works by well-known, mainstream authors, like my current favorite, Neil Gaiman, more controversial writers, like Anias Nin, for example, are nowhere to be found in NOOK’s Android library- not even scholarly criticisms of her works. And while you can access your library from the home page, or browse NOOK’s database from your NOOK home menu, you must revert to that page in order to perform any other function than what you’re currently performing. I’d like to see a version that allows you to search from books even if you are in your library, but that’s a minor complaint, and ultimately allows users to more easily navigate the application.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

The Economist (FREE!)

The Economist Newspaper Limited

Posted on 08/25/2011

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The Economist is not for everyone. Some of their stories can border on stuffy, and since the release… More

The Economist is not for everyone. Some of their stories can border on stuffy, and since the release of their podcasts, I can’t read anything of theirs without hearing the content in a proper English accent. Despite the journal’s focus on international events from a distinctly Euro-centric perspective, it’s hard to argue The Economist’s stories aren’t well-written, well-researched, and full of global information followers of mainstream American media are rarely privy to. The Economist for Android lets you browse current and past editions of the journal, allows you to pay for the privilege of subscribing to the e-journal, or to just purchase single editions. Some stories contain free previews, but before I managed to learn too much about the app, it force-closed on me. That doesn’t bode well, nor did the app’s inability to allow me to actually view a preview (instead, I got an error message). However, if you are already a subscriber to the magazine, and have a penchant for electronic reading, download this free app, and save some paper. Otherwise, the print edition, unlike the app for Android, is failsafe, and you’ll be able to read your stories whether or not you have a data connection, or it’s one of the app’s bug-free days.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Mom's Best Recipes - Volume 1 (FREE!)

iappthat

Posted on 08/25/2011

Visit Google Play Page

I wanted to like this app, because I love to cook, and sometimes the inspiration to make something exceptional… More

I wanted to like this app, because I love to cook, and sometimes the inspiration to make something exceptional doesn’t always come from within. The design of the app is very quaint, no doubt in order to remind users of a personal stash of recipes cards, or a weathered, but well-loved cookbook, but unfortunately, the interface was not designed with navigation in mind. From the home screen, you can choose from a number of food categories, including cakes, candies, entrees, and breads. Once you select the category you’d like to peruse, you’ll be taken to an index page listing all the recipes included by the developer. Unfortunately, here is where the navigation issue starts: instead of being able to click on the recipe you’d like to view, you must instead scroll down a long page to find that recipe (in between all the others). This is nothing more than a minor inconvenience, but given what we can do with our smartphones and PCs, it comes off as an overly-simplistic way of reducing the number of pages needed to be developed. Also be aware that before entering the index page, the “book cover” page will not allow your phone to time out, so until you begin perusing recipes, don’t expect your battery to last long.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

AudioNote LITE (FREE!)

Luminant Software, Inc.

Posted on 08/25/2011

Visit Google Play Page

If you’re a compulsive note-taker, or just a student who finds himself unable to type or write as… More

If you’re a compulsive note-taker, or just a student who finds himself unable to type or write as fast as a professor can lecture, try out the free, LITE version of AudioNotes before deciding whether or not to commit to the $4.99 paid version. Like other memo apps for Android, AudioNotes lets you input text into a lined-paper format using your device’s keypad, then lets you organize and label your information. Unlike basic memo apps, though, AudioNotes lets you record meetings or class, then input the sound bite into your notes by letting you highlight relevant text and appending the playback feature to that.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

My Coffee Card (FREE!)

birbek

Posted on 08/25/2011

Visit Google Play Page

This app is a lot like CardStar, which we reviewed last week. However, the main feature of this card… More

This app is a lot like CardStar, which we reviewed last week. However, the main feature of this card is that you can upload your Starbuck’s card credentials, and use it to pay for coffee. Like CardStar, you can use this app to consolidate your Safeway and Target frequent buyer card information into one place, making it easier and more convenience to cash in on your gas or grocery rewards.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

CardStar (FREE!)

CardStar, Inc.

Posted on 08/18/2011

Visit Google Play Page

As much as our new Events Coordinator loves accessories, she doesn’t love filling her Vera Bradley… More

As much as our new Events Coordinator loves accessories, she doesn’t love filling her Vera Bradley bags with junk. That’s why she recommends CardStar, the Android app that lets you store your frequent buyer information right to your phone, with a barcode generator for when you need to use it. Stores like Safeway, King Sooper’s and other grocery giants aren’t alone in offering perks to frequent buyers- in addition to getting money off of gas, many stores in the CardStar database offer cash-back or incentives for use. So throw out those cards and download CardStar- and start saving money.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

myTextSpeed (FREE!)

mydroidsoft

Posted on 08/18/2011

Visit Google Play Page

In this age of innovation, while many of us lament the lost art of conversation, others revel in the… More

In this age of innovation, while many of us lament the lost art of conversation, others revel in the new art of texting. Test how fast you can complete a thought with myTextSpeed for Android. This simple app tests your texting speed by timing how fast you can type tropes onto your keypad, or paragraphs designed to trip up the average texter. Once you’ve completed your test, and your time and accuracy results generate, you can, of course, check your results against local and international players. One interesting feature is that while the app maintains a database of speed results, you can’t share your results with friends via your Facebook or Twitter apps. Whether this limitation is good or bad, though, is totally subjective.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Corporate Addressbook (FREE!)

Vivek M Iyer

Posted on 08/18/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Some phones that use the Android platform don’t allow you to configure exchange servers to receive… More

Some phones that use the Android platform don’t allow you to configure exchange servers to receive automatic email updates. Luckily, Corporate Addressbook for Android provides an easy fix. Download the app, and then it’s a simple matter of configuring your exchange account. If you use Microsoft Outlook for work, and still can’t figure out how to set up your Corporate Addressbook app, contact your system administrator and ask him or her to write you log-in instructions. Once you have the app on your phone, you can search for contact information, then add those contacts to your device. This app could work better, though, if it could integrate better with your exchange email account; for instance, BlackBerry users will easily be able to search for contacts within their email, but if you are writing an email to a new contact, you will have to open this application, find the contact, then save his or her information separately before it will generate in your recipients list.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Buildings (FREE!)

OpenBuildings Inc

Posted on 08/18/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Get to know your town better, or explore new places with Buildings, for Android. This app uses your… More

Get to know your town better, or explore new places with Buildings, for Android. This app uses your GPS coordinates to match points of interest to its database of over 40,000 historically-significant buildings, including trading posts, historic architecture, and buildings that have local significance. Once you find a site that interests you (and you can search by distance, or building type), click on the link to view a library of images, and a text-heavy historical description of each site.   Less

Related Categories:  Educational

Skyscanner - All Flights! (FREE!)

Skyscanner.net

Posted on 08/18/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Maybe “Denver” isn’t a big enough city for these app developers to have heard of, or the state… More

Maybe “Denver” isn’t a big enough city for these app developers to have heard of, or the state name “Colorado” is something only a fraction of us knows. Though I would have argued to the contrary, that was before I downloaded this app, which has a nice interface, and unfortunately refuses to recognize anywhere in the United States as being a valid departure point. It is pretty hard to provide a review of an app that fails so dismally and immediately, so I’ll just stop here. If you’re looking for a flight, out of one of the many airports that do in fact exist in the world, consider downloading Kayak or FlightTrack. It’s too bad, though, because the marketplace screen caps of Skyscanner really look very nice, and many other users have given the app great reviews. But not recognizing my closest metro area does not bode well for its future on my device.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

NASA App (FREE!)

NASA

Posted on 08/12/2011

Visit Google Play Page

It’s rare to find apps that are both fun to use and informative, but NASA App for Android is both.… More

It’s rare to find apps that are both fun to use and informative, but NASA App for Android is both. You can check out footage from NASA’s missions, browse a library of breath-taking images, and learn more about our planet and our galaxy from some of NASA’s top aerospace engineers, astronomers, and scientists. NASA’s Android app also lets you share images with your friends on social media, and read about NASA’s ongoing missions. Best of all, a handy feature shows you, by using your GPS coordinates, when you can spot the International Space Station, or any other craft launched by NASA, in your neighborhood.    Less

Related Categories:  Educational

Skype (FREE!)

Skype

Posted on 08/12/2011

Visit Google Play Page

As a chat feature, Skype has become a very popular tool for individuals and companies alike. With Skype… More

As a chat feature, Skype has become a very popular tool for individuals and companies alike. With Skype for Android, you can stay connected with your Skype contacts wherever you go. Since Skype app users are still charged for VOIP calls, it doesn’t make sense to use this application for calls to phones, but you can use the app to chat with contacts, manage your profile, or view recent threads. It also has customizable chat settings that will either autocorrect or autofill, which makes detailed communication easier on the hands.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Lyrics App (FREE!)

TuneWidgets

Posted on 08/12/2011

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There is a time and a place for rocking out to your favorite songs while singing aloud the lyrics, and… More

There is a time and a place for rocking out to your favorite songs while singing aloud the lyrics, and Lyrics App by TuneWidgets makes that even easier by finding those lyrics for you. Lyrics App will automatically detect and display the lyrics to songs playing on your default Android player, as well as some other players, too. However, this app won’t save lyrics- so even if they have displayed lyrics for songs in your music library, you won’t be able to view them again without a data connection.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Google Translate (FREE!)

Google Inc.

Posted on 08/12/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Google Translate lets you input phrases and have them translated into 50 foreign languages. While at… More

Google Translate lets you input phrases and have them translated into 50 foreign languages. While at least one non-Latin-based language was translated slightly incorrectly, and there’s no way to differentiate formal conjugation, this is a pretty promising, functional application. Simply input a phrase or word into a translation field, select what language you’d like to translate to (or from) and Google Translate will generate a phonetic translation. While the app admits some of its language translations are in alpha or experimental mode, others, like English to Spanish or French, work relatively flawlessly. While it’s unlikely that downloading this app will make word travelers of couch potatoes, exposure to new cultures and language is always invaluable, wherever you get that from.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Easy Phone Tunes (for iTunes) (FREE!)

Media Mushroom

Posted on 08/12/2011

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A lot of us iPod users also find ourselves, now, with Android phones. Easy Phone Tunes, by Media Mushroom,… More

A lot of us iPod users also find ourselves, now, with Android phones. Easy Phone Tunes, by Media Mushroom, lets us sync our iTunes library to our Android phone by installing an app onto our devices, and software onto the PC that houses our iTunes library. First, visit the Android Market link and download Easy Phone Tunes to your phone, then download the app’s software onto your PC from http://www.easyphonetunes.com/. Once you’ve begun to initialize the app, you’ll be prompted to configure your phone to your PC by plugging it into your USB port. Then select what you’d like to import, and it’s easy as that. All your files can be located in your phone’s “Music” menu- meaning you’ll always have your library at your fingertips, even when you leave your iPod behind.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Speedbump (FREE! + $9.99 monthly)

WirelessESP

Posted on 08/04/2011

Even though you can’t go everywhere with your kids, you can be sure they’re driving safely with… More

Even though you can’t go everywhere with your kids, you can be sure they’re driving safely with Speedbump for Android. Speedbump is a newly-developed app that tracks your child’s speed, route, and cell phone activity, allowing you to customize the information you think is most important. Best of all, Speedbump won’t distract your teen driver with unnecessary messages or spam. All of your child’s driving data can be easily found in your secured account on the website, or you can request the app send you text messages or emails when your child breaks one of the rules you’ve set up in your customizable account settings. This app is worth more than its cost of $9.99 a month, but Viaero customers can try it out for free for 15 days by entering “VIAERO” into the affiliate code field.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Calorie Counter by FatSecret (FREE!)

FatSecret

Posted on 08/04/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Calorie Counter for Android is a useful tool to help you track your weight-loss or nutritional goal.… More

Calorie Counter for Android is a useful tool to help you track your weight-loss or nutritional goal. Start out by filling out your current weight and height, then your ideal weight. In terms of recognizing that having an unrealistic weight loss goal can be both physically and psychologically damaging, this app seems hyper-aware. For instance, I entered a goal weight of 5 lbs. less than I currently weigh, only to be told that is an unhealthy weight for my height, and to contact my physician, presumably for some kind of body image counseling, or some sort of medically-necessary intervention. As losing 5 lbs. might inconvenience (but certainly won’t kill) me, this warning seemed a bit extreme, but maybe it’s not surprising- given the lengths some people will go to in order to lose weight- that Calorie Counter errs on the side of caution. You can use the app to fill out what you’ve eaten that day, and its database will assign what it thinks are the correct nutritional values, letting you track whatever you need to. The barcode feature is pretty neat. If you eat prepackaged items, just scan the item’s barcode, and the app will automatically populate the item’s nutritional information. Since losing or gaining weight is never a one-size-fits-all program, this app is certainly limited. However, given those individual variations, Calorie Counter does a good job of being inclusive, and helping you track your optimal weight goals.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Groupon (FREE!)

Groupon, Inc.

Posted on 08/04/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Groupon, the popular local deals website, lets you plan your money-saving excursions from the convenience… More

Groupon, the popular local deals website, lets you plan your money-saving excursions from the convenience of your cell phone. In addition to showing you at the time of log-in all the deals in your area, Groupon for Android also alerts you when new deals are added in your area.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Battery Widget (FREE!)

geekyouup

Posted on 08/04/2011

Visit Google Play Page

This simple widget, which is added to your home screen, tells you what percentage of your battery life… More

This simple widget, which is added to your home screen, tells you what percentage of your battery life you have left. Without many options to customize your existing battery life settings, this add-on is a useful feature, letting you know exactly how much battery is depleted by your apps, browsing or even voice use.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Google Voice (FREE!)

Google Inc.

Posted on 08/04/2011

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Send text messages for free, call international at low rates, and receive voicemail through Google Voice,… More

Send text messages for free, call international at low rates, and receive voicemail through Google Voice, all while displaying your Google phone number. If you already have a Gmail account, signing up for Google Voice is a simple matter of signing into your account, though Viaero users should be aware that we are not a listed Google Voice carrier, so you won’t be able to set up a mailbox to receive voicemails. I did find, though, that after I set up Google Voice, my phone started acting up- flashing from the home screen to dead and vibrating, until I pulled out the battery and power cycled it. Once I rebooted, though, everything ran fine. Although I might consider using Google Voice in the future, to make cheap international calls, I do feel that by excluding smaller carriers from their mailbox list means that Viaero customers can’t use the most appealing function of this app.   Less

Related Categories:  Social Media

Wikitude World Browser (FREE!)

Wikitude GmbH

Posted on 07/29/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Wikitude for Android provides users with an alternate reality (AR) experience from their phones, while… More

Wikitude for Android provides users with an alternate reality (AR) experience from their phones, while connecting them to other Wikitude social media users via GPS-based check-ins. You can use this app to track nearby Twitter users, find out about local towns on Wikipedia, and pretty much locate any type of business that has ever been checked into on Foursquare. Wikitude uses your device’s built-in camera to augment your surroundings, like overlaying a list of places you can get pizza, or by showing you widgets of points of interest nearby. If you have shaky hands, or like to see things in list form, you can view business or social media results that way. Since this app requires both your camera and your GPS coordinates, it is a drain on your battery life. But it’s also a really cool way to view local businesses and points of interest, whether you’re a tourist or a townie.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Fandango Movies (FREE!)

Fandango

Posted on 07/29/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Fandango has long been known as the go-to for movie ticket pre-orders, to check movie times and locations,… More

Fandango has long been known as the go-to for movie ticket pre-orders, to check movie times and locations, watch trailers, and to read and post movie reviews. Fandango for Android doesn’t dish up any surprises, but it does offer the convenience of letting you plan your movie night wherever you are. Just like on the website, you can search local theater listings, buy tickets or watch trailers, and you can customize your search by looking for movie title listings or see what’s playing in nearby theaters.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Shoparatti (FREE!)

Shoparatti, LLC.

Posted on 07/29/2011

Visit Google Play Page

In the last couple of years, websites like Ideeli have cropped up all over the place. These once invitation-only… More

In the last couple of years, websites like Ideeli have cropped up all over the place. These once invitation-only sites have expanded their reach to include anyone on the hunt for a bargain on luxury goods, and now Shoparatti has even created an app for this growing market. If those email alerts of daily deals have started to make your eyes glaze over, check out Shoparatti’s editor’s picks of the best deals from the best of these shopping sites. You can view images of items, see details, and even buy them instantly by logging into your Ideeli, Rue La La, Gilt Groupe and Hautelook accounts.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

ColorNote Notepad Notes (FREE!)

Notes

Posted on 07/29/2011

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ColorNote is a simple memo app that integrates well with the Android OS. You can make a checklist or… More

ColorNote is a simple memo app that integrates well with the Android OS. You can make a checklist or just a memo, and then set an alert to appear on your status bar. Notes themselves are customizable by color, and once you’ve read your alert, it’s easy to dismiss and delete them.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Tiny Flashlight + LED (FREE!)

Nikolay Ananiev

Posted on 07/29/2011

Visit Google Play Page

It’s important for any flashlight app to perform two functions: to create a bright enough light to… More

It’s important for any flashlight app to perform two functions: to create a bright enough light to see by in the dark, and for it to not drain your battery too much. Tiny Flashlight + LED for Android uses your device’s LED camera to create light, with power saving options so you don’t necessarily burn through your battery. You can customize your light- you can shine different colors, police flashers, or stoplight colors, and you can always adjust your brightness to conserve your battery.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Ustream (FREE!)

Ustream, Inc.

Posted on 07/22/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Ustream.com has always been a popular website for music fans to watch their favorite bands and artists… More

Ustream.com has always been a popular website for music fans to watch their favorite bands and artists perform on a live, video feed. But there’s more to Ustream than just music- you can watch live sports, browse the site’s cache of videos, which include adorable sleeping puppies, etc., and now, you can easily stream your own live feed from your Android phone using the free Ustream app. After you launch the app, and tap one of the options, you’ll be prompted to either sign in, or register. Just don’t do what I did- which was to open the app, click “Go Live,” and then register. After I submitted a login ID, password, verified password, and email address, the screen suddenly became a video camera. I realized, with much embarrassment, that I was live-streaming my blank bedroom wall, and an utterly messy pile of (clean!) clothes I’d tossed onto a trunk. So I’d say the worst part about this application is that makes live-streaming a little too easy, but that’s a silly reason to not use it. Also, it will drain your battery, but no more than you’d expect.    Less

Related Categories:  Social Media

Pandora Internet Radio (FREE!)

Pandora

Posted on 07/22/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Stream all your Pandora stations to your Android phone, with the Pandora app. The app functions much… More

Stream all your Pandora stations to your Android phone, with the Pandora app. The app functions much like the website, where your music is occasionally interrupted by ads (unless you pay for the ad-free version), you rate songs you hear to customize your stations, and you can only skip bad songs so many times. And one thing Pandora for Android lets you do that I wish other ad-supported apps did, is to let you close some of the annoying ads. The app does have some obvious, and not unexpected, weaknesses: using Pandora drains your battery, the app uses lots of data- so don’t download this app if you don’t have an unlimited data plan- and it works best with WiFi. Its less obvious weaknesses are more concerning. Some of the app’s poorer reviews come from people suspicious of granting Pandora permission to access their contacts, which is required because of a new, user-initiated social media sharing feature. More research, though, showed that Pandora doesn’t have a good track record of keeping your information private. A 2010 Wall Street Journal article revealed that Pandora was discovered to have shared Android and iPhone users’ personal information- including name, location, and gender- to third party ad networks. This may dissuade some of you from downloading the app. But since I think trying to avoid targeted online ads is about as possible as not using email, I’ll keep my Pandora app.    Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle / Entertainment

Waze: Community GPS Navigation (FREE!)

Waze

Posted on 07/22/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Waze, for Android, uses crowd-sourcing, like a lot of Android apps, to help you map a trip, provide… More

Waze, for Android, uses crowd-sourcing, like a lot of Android apps, to help you map a trip, provide you with traffic reports, and to let you submit your own reports. This easy-to-use app uses GPS to pinpoint your location, your drive, and that way, filters feeds of other “wazers” in your vicinity. Waze is also social media-friendly. You can post your location from Facebook or Twitter, and the app will add your GPS-based coordinates to the Waze map.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility / Navigation

Hashable (FREE!)

Hashable Inc.

Posted on 07/22/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Hashable for Android lets you map your activities with your friends and acquaintances by issuing them… More

Hashable for Android lets you map your activities with your friends and acquaintances by issuing them an identifying hashtag. You can record lunch plans, meetings, really any interaction this way on the app, just like you’re using it as a calendar. Hashable will aggregate that information so you can keep track of all your interactions with your Hashable contacts. Obviously this program requires access to your contacts, as you can sync your email and phone contacts to your Hashable account, just to make things really simple.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle / Social Media

Tank Hero (FREE!)

Clapfoot Inc.

Posted on 07/22/2011

Visit Google Play Page

This is one of those fun, violent first-person shooter games that’s simple enough, and lacking in… More

This is one of those fun, violent first-person shooter games that’s simple enough, and lacking in gore enough, that even we non-violent types find ourselves playing it. The graphics are nice. It doesn’t try to be realistic. Move your tank, using arrow keys on your touch screen, to avoid being shot by enemy tanks, then double tap your screen to shoot at them. Once you’ve destroyed everyone else on the board, you advance. Advancing just means that the barriers between you and the other tanks are smaller, or harder to maneuver around, and there are more bad guys. If the game gets monotonous, race against the clock in a timed feature that reveals itself after you defeat the first level. Also, you can use those old-school arcade skills to bounce your bullets off walls and shoot your enemies while you hang, chill, in your own safe zone   Less

Related Categories:  Games

Twitter for Android (Updated Review) (FREE!)

Twitter

Posted on 07/18/2011

Visit Google Play Page

In response to criticism about its application for Android, Twitter has just announced a few necessary… More

In response to criticism about its application for Android, Twitter has just announced a few necessary add-ons. In addition to providing push notifications, which will alert you to Twitter activity whether you’re browsing the Internet, texting or talking on the phone, now you can set up multiple Twitter accounts on your device. For more information about this application, visit the developer’s website by clicking here   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Pentris (4 & 5 Blocks Tetris) (FREE!)

MardelGames

Posted on 07/18/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Obsessed Tetris fans like me know that a “pentris” is like achieving a tetris- only with five lines… More

Obsessed Tetris fans like me know that a “pentris” is like achieving a tetris- only with five lines instead of four. A lot of the newer, console-based Tetris games let you play this unusual version of the game, which usually has a 5-cell stick, and other oddly-shaped pieces. Mardel Games developed Pentris for Android with these variations in mind. Unlike other drag-and-drop versions of the game, Mardel’s Pentris offers controls at the bottom of your screen that are reminiscent of hand-held controllers. To move your piece to the left, touch the left-pointing arrow below the game board, turn your pieces by touching the requisite command, and so on. This means that it’s far easier to get your pieces into place than with other versions of the game, which is doubly important given that the pieces in this application are non-traditional. Although the game is moderately fun, I was put off by the game’s ads, which don’t appear in the application but rather in your device’s notification bar. And compared to other versions of Tetris for Android, Pentris looks a little less pretty, with a smaller gameboard in order to accommodate motion commands at the bottom of the screen.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

Official eBay Android app (FREE!)

eBay Mobile

Posted on 07/18/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Compulsive eBay shoppers, this is your app. Just like at the website, you can go into your eBay for… More

Compulsive eBay shoppers, this is your app. Just like at the website, you can go into your eBay for Android application and type in a search term for products, track bids, check your account, and even sell your own products. You can even view their daily deals by easily selecting that option on the app’s main menu. Sometimes product images, depending on your search, can be a little small, but otherwise, picture quality is comparable to what you’d see on your PC.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

RunKeeper (FREE!)

FitnessKeeper, Inc.

Posted on 07/18/2011

Visit Google Play Page

We’ve long known humans are social creatures, but in the age of social media, we’ve become more… More

We’ve long known humans are social creatures, but in the age of social media, we’ve become more competitive, too. RunKeeper for Android is a GPS-based application that records your exercise routine, whether you’re walking, running, cycling or even using aerobic equipment at the gym. Simply select your workout, start it, and the application will use GPS to record your distance. You can customize the display to show the information you think is most relevant, whether you’d like to see your heart rate or the distance you’ve traveled. The best part is that you can choose whether or not to share your workout history with your Twitter and Facebook friends, instead of having to opt out of the social media feature. Some Android Market reviewers reported trouble enabling the GPS in the application, but for me, it worked as advertised.   Less

Related Categories:  Health / Lifestyle

Foursqaure (FREE!)

foursquare

Posted on 07/18/2011

Visit Google Play Page

This is an old social media function, and not one for people who like to keep their private lives private.… More

This is an old social media function, and not one for people who like to keep their private lives private. Nonetheless, Foursquare has caught on among all age groups, and the app for Android simplifies the process of posting, to your Facebook or Twitter profiles, exactly where you are at what time. Once you sign into the application, it will pull from your contacts list to see who is already on Foursquare. A recent update has also added features that allow you to post photos to your check-in, and has enabled commenting. Once you start checking into venues you visit, the application will pull that information in order to provide you with recommendations.    Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle / Entertainment

Words With Friends Free (FREE!)

Zynga

Posted on 07/01/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Words with Friends, the popular Android version of the classic game Scrabble, lets you play across platforms… More

Words with Friends, the popular Android version of the classic game Scrabble, lets you play across platforms with friends using Android or iOS. Sign up for an account, and search for friends by username, or from your email contacts list. You can go up against a random opponent, or use the “Pass and Play” option, which lets you and a nearby friend play on the same device. And like other versions of this game, double-tapping the board lets you zoom in to more easily play your tiles, but unlike other versions, this game has a neat chat feature that lets you encourage- or intimidate- your opponent in real time.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

Bonsai Blast (FREE!)

Glu Mobile

Posted on 07/01/2011

Visit Google Play Page

This addictive game for Android is on a par with Jewels in its ability to effectively waste time. There… More

This addictive game for Android is on a par with Jewels in its ability to effectively waste time. There are two types of gameplay: Adventure, and Survival. The point of each is to shoot a colored marble at a series of marbles coming through a pipeline, to make matches of three like colors. The game gets progressively faster as you defeat more levels. Advance to new levels in Adventure, or play against an unlimited onslaught of marbles in Survival.    Less

Related Categories:  Games

Contact Photo Finder (FREE!)

Eclipson

Posted on 07/01/2011

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At first glance, the concept of this application is interesting, and no doubt, if your contact list… More

At first glance, the concept of this application is interesting, and no doubt, if your contact list was filled with Internet personalities, it might work very well. This application for Android advertises an ability to sift through your contact list, and use that information to search for images of your friends. Of my 100+ contacts, images could only be found for three of them (one of them actually a well-known philanthropic organization). One image may have been a contact’s Google profile image, but the app didn’t manage to capture accurate images for the other two- not even the organization’s logo. But this app’s failure may have more to do with my social failings, so if you have famous friends, or friends whose pictures are all over the Internet, this might be a really fun application. Let me know if it is.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Colorado Beer Tour (FREE!)

Raymond Larry Smith

Posted on 07/01/2011

Visit Google Play Page

For many Coloradoans, outdoor activities, exercise and food go hand-in-hand with a cold beer. With about… More

For many Coloradoans, outdoor activities, exercise and food go hand-in-hand with a cold beer. With about 50 well-known breweries in the state, drinking beer is a serious activity, and any tool to help us get closer to that goal is welcome. Colorado Beer Tour, for Android, is a free, GPS-based list of breweries compiled by the developer. Based on your position, the app tells you which breweries are closest, provides descriptions of each, including the reviewer’s favorite beers, navigation options and website links. It’s a simple app, but one that’s bound to get you more than one step closer to that cold, refreshing local brew.   Less

Related Categories:  Navigation / Lifestyle

Mobile Queue (FREE!)

SilentSmuggler

Posted on 07/01/2011

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Every so often, I start reviewing an application that is so buggy that I feel like I should give up… More

Every so often, I start reviewing an application that is so buggy that I feel like I should give up and download a completely different one. At first, I thought Mobile Queue for Android was going to be that app. But once I got past the initial Javascript error message, a page that refused to load, and finally managed to enter my login information, I realized that the account page is actually very nicely, and sparsely, laid out, letting me access my DVD queue, my Instant queue, Suggestions and even my viewing history. Since I’m the kind of person who adds a bunch of movies to her queue at once, then promptly forgets ever having added them, I’m always surprised when I get the email from Netflix that tells me what to expect. Mobile Queue is the perfect application for me, then, since I can always access my queue and use the app to rearrange it if I’d like, or click on any DVD in my queue and get its Netflix synopsis.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Strava Cycling (FREE!)

Strava, Inc.

Posted on 06/24/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Competitive cyclists, take note: now you can download this social app and keep up with your friends’… More

Competitive cyclists, take note: now you can download this social app and keep up with your friends’ workouts, with Strava Cycling for Android. This app uses GPS to track your bike rides and intensity, then posts the results of your workout onto the social forum, strava.com. Using the social feature, you can compete with your network by seeing who can ride longer or faster, or whose ride was most difficult.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility / Health / Lifestyle

Video to Facebook (Ads) (FREE!)

Matt Hawley

Posted on 06/24/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Video to Facebook for Android lets you upload videos stored on your phone directly to your Facebook… More

Video to Facebook for Android lets you upload videos stored on your phone directly to your Facebook account. This may not be the most useful, or commonly-used, Facebook function, but if you do upload videos to your Facebook page straight from your phone, this app is a convenient way to do it. There isn’t much more to say about this product; it works as advertised (except, apparently, on some Samsung devices), and lets you easily title and upload your video to your Facebook profile. This app works as an add-on to Facebook for Android.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility / Lifestyle

Kid Mode: Play + Learn (FREE!)

Zoodles

Posted on 06/24/2011

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This application is only a “utility” in the broadest sense of the word; while Kid Mode for Android… More

This application is only a “utility” in the broadest sense of the word; while Kid Mode for Android is a great way to lock your phone while letting your kid play with it, it actually offers a series of child-friendly, educational games, too. I had a lot of fun with this app- you can use the paint function to draw freehand on your device (fun), view videos appropriate for kids, or have a book read to you. Parents can even visit the Zoodles website and record themselves reading e-books to their child. However, with the exception of one free book included in your download, the rest of this content is paid. Also, be aware that you must submit an email address to log in to this app, and that your child’s actions can trigger a series of messages to be sent to you. And while Kid Mode can be used to lock your home screen, this function must be set up in independently, through your settings; if you don’t do this, be prepared to receive prompts from the application until you manually kill it.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility / Lifestyle / Entertainment

Wordfeud Free (FREE!)

hbwarews

Posted on 06/24/2011

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A fellow Scrabble enthusiast turned me on to Wordfeud, for Android. There are a few gameplay options:… More

A fellow Scrabble enthusiast turned me on to Wordfeud, for Android. There are a few gameplay options: you can search for existing players by inputting their email addresses, you can invite players the same way (although this did not work for me; I kept submitting an email address, and the recipient never got the invitation), and if you don’t have a friend to play with, you can compete on the spot with random opponents. Playing the game is easy- you just drag and drop your tiles onto an easily viewable board, then choose the option to “play” your word. I’d recommend inviting a friend to play, as your random opponents will likely drop out of the game at the first sign of defeat. This is a fun game, and it may be worth the expense of purchasing the ad-free version. The free version I tested routes you to full-screen ads after you make a play, which can get annoying. But if you’re not willing to invest the $3.09 it takes to buy the paid version of this app, this is a good substitute, especially for Scrabble addicts.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

Hangman Free (FREE!)

Optime Software

Posted on 06/24/2011

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Unless there is a food known as “wok” or a cuisine called “bowl,” Hangman Free for Android has… More

Unless there is a food known as “wok” or a cuisine called “bowl,” Hangman Free for Android has a few categorization issues. The premise behind this game is genius- it’s a very simple, “chalkboard” version of the popular, pre-industrial word-game, hangman, with categories designed to help English-language students increase their vocabularies. There are categories like SAT, and TOEFL, which have the potential to help users learn new words, yet with only 7 chances (gallows, head, torso, two arms, two legs) to submit your letter, solving some of these puzzles can be ridiculously hard. Add to that the fact that some of the results are so bafflingly miscategorized, your computer opponent, Android, will soon rack up a number of wins. However, the game is free, the ads are very unobtrusive, and if you ever enjoyed this game (I never did), maybe this application is for you.   Less

Related Categories:  Games

Mobile Banking (FREE!)

Firethorn Holdings LLC

Posted on 06/17/2011

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US Bank customers used to using the bank’s convenient, user-friendly iOS application can now bank… More

US Bank customers used to using the bank’s convenient, user-friendly iOS application can now bank from their Android devices. Mobile Banking is a simple and useful way to track savings and checking accounts from a number of banks, including US Bank, Regions Bank and SunTrust. Signing up is easy— securely supply your bank account information and soon the app will populate and aggregate your accounts. Navigating the application is easy, and you can see all your view options by clicking your device’s menu button. Sometimes your balances won’t update until you refresh your account by clicking on it, but otherwise, Mobile Banking by Firethorn Holdings LLC. is a secure, convenient way to access your personal financial information from the privacy of your phone.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility / Lifestyle

Dashboard Cam (FREE!)

Busy WWW

Posted on 06/17/2011

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For the last few years, there has been an urban legend floating around that apps like this one can help… More

For the last few years, there has been an urban legend floating around that apps like this one can help you avoid speeding fines, elevate you to the level of public defender, all while you “wow” an entire courtroom of awed spectators. Too bad then, that for the most part, much of the third-party data this app will record (speed levels, GPS coordinates) are inadmissible in court. But if what you’re looking for is an app to track, for your personal information, where you’ve been, how fast it took you, and a play-by- play of your drive, this app offers all that and more. It even has a speedometer, which might be a useful feature for cyclists.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

IMDb Movies & TV (FREE!)

IMDb

Posted on 06/17/2011

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Just like the popular website that developed this app, IMDb for Android offers users access to its prodigious… More

Just like the popular website that developed this app, IMDb for Android offers users access to its prodigious database of movie information. From user reviews to top picks to trailers for upcoming releases, IMDb offers a wealth of entertainment information, with an easy-to-use keyword search function.    Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle / Entertainment

Redbox (FREE!)

Redbox Automated Retail, LLC

Posted on 06/17/2011

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Access the popular movie rental kiosk’s inventory from your Android phone with the Redbox application.… More

Access the popular movie rental kiosk’s inventory from your Android phone with the Redbox application. There are several neat features in this app, including a Redbox location search feature that uses your GPS coordinates to find the closest kiosks. Once you’ve selected your Redbox location, the app deviates very little from the site, which also lets you search the box’s film inventory and reserve movies. Though the app is easy to use and navigate, most of the pages take longer than expected to load. However, searching for movies is very convenient, and the app is probably indispensable for frequent Redbox renters.    Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle / Entertainment / Shopping

Violin Tuner (FREE!)

Alvin Yu

Posted on 06/17/2011

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The reason I chose to download this tuner as opposed to any of the many free string instrument tuners… More

The reason I chose to download this tuner as opposed to any of the many free string instrument tuners out there is because I don’t like chromatic tuners. If you do, then you may not like this app because this isn’t one- all it does is play all four open string pitches for the violin, which is admittedly overkill for skilled players. This is the definition of a no-frills app, yet its accurate, standard 440 Hz A pitch playback proves its functionality. I also thought the application’s display was very attractive, featuring a shadowy violin against a black background. The colors and theme reminded at once of William Michael’s Harnett’s iconic “The Old Violin,” and that it’s been a while since I’ve practiced.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Compass (FREE!)

Catch.com

Posted on 06/10/2011

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Many of our customers have the luxury of being able to use the mountains as a marker, while others of… More

Many of our customers have the luxury of being able to use the mountains as a marker, while others of us can’t see a landmark for miles. Compass, a utility application developed by popular media storage website catch.com, instantly impresses with its accuracy, and clean design. There is nothing remarkable about this app; it works consistently and accurately, and like most of Catch.com’s applications, is easy on navigation, and the eyes.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility / Navigation

Easy Money (FREE!)

Handy Apps Inc.

Posted on 06/10/2011

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Though I’ve only used the free version, and the paid, $9.95 version of Easy Money by Handy Apps Inc.… More

Though I’ve only used the free version, and the paid, $9.95 version of Easy Money by Handy Apps Inc. promises even more features, Easy Money Free for Android offers all the bill-tracking assistance I need, in a neat, easy-to-navigate package. While this is an app with many bill pay and banking-related features, the feature I find most valuable are the apps’ bill pay alerts, which are easy to add and customize.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility / Lifestyle

aCar (FREE!)

Armand Avanes

Posted on 06/10/2011

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Track your mileage, get service updates for your car and export mileage expense reports to an Excel… More

Track your mileage, get service updates for your car and export mileage expense reports to an Excel spreadsheet easily and convenient with aCar, a free app for Android. While this application is designed for people who travel in their personal vehicles for business, certain features, like service updates and fuel tracking are useful for all of us, especially when we use it in conjunction with money-saving apps like GasBuddy.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Gist for Android (FREE!)

Gist, Inc.

Posted on 06/10/2011

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I have my phone synched to my Gmail account, so I was able to easily sign up for service with Gist using… More

I have my phone synched to my Gmail account, so I was able to easily sign up for service with Gist using my Android device. The dashboard view lets you customize your contact list by importance, and includes updates from your contacts’ social media. The calendar feature also lets you consolidate contacts that will be attending professional events, so that you can send mass messages, or just to receive publicly-available information about new business contacts.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility / Lifestyle

Red Panic Button (FREE!)

Ultimate Communications Software, LTD.

Posted on 06/10/2011

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None of us wants to think we’ll ever need an application like this one, and luckily, it’s unlikely… More

None of us wants to think we’ll ever need an application like this one, and luckily, it’s unlikely we ever will. However, in case you did find yourself in an emergency, wouldn’t it be nice to able to post your GPS coordinates in a place where lots of people could see it? Red Panic Button, a free app for Android, lets you do just that. Any terrifying scenario becomes less scary when you know that your GPS coordinates, once you’ve hit your panic button, will be sent via sms to a list of emergency contacts. Get the paid version for $2.17, and your GPS coordinates will be posted to your Facebook page, your emergency contact(s) will receive a “panic” email, and more. However, requiring users to open the application and then hit the panic button (which doesn’t, by the way, emit any kind of sound) might be too many steps in a moment of real emergency; instead, if you ever find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation, open the app, and hover above that big red button.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

TripIt Travel Organizer (FREE!)

TripIt, Inc.

Posted on 06/03/2011

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Whether you have a TripIt account, or you use this app to sign up for one, TripIt for Android is navigable… More

Whether you have a TripIt account, or you use this app to sign up for one, TripIt for Android is navigable enough to let you easily sign up for (or into) your account. I set up my account on my Android phone, and verified it by logging into Gmail. Instead of using the import feature, though, which would have automatically forwarded my trip itineraries to my account, I forwarded my travel itinerary to plans@tripit.com from my PC. Less than a second later (seriously) I received an email confirmation that no only had my trip been added to my account, but also weather information and local maps of my destination city. The app also advertises a tempting paid feature that tracks flight delays, a service add-on available through the website for an annual fee of $49. When I reopened the app on my phone, my trip itinerary and local navigation resources were already visible on my account page.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility / Lifestyle

Chime Time (FREE!)

Hyperfine Software

Posted on 06/03/2011

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If you’re disappointed in your preloaded, Android alarm tone choices, you’re not alone. Chime Time,… More

If you’re disappointed in your preloaded, Android alarm tone choices, you’re not alone. Chime Time, by Hyperfine Software, lets you download an old-fashioned chime tone to your phone, with a beautiful display screen, which you can set to ring at chosen times. The downloadable content contains an Aberdeen timepiece display and chimes, and additional clocks and their respective chimes can be downloaded by clicking on the developer’s website link within the app. However, this application did not work well with my device, a Motorola XT720, and uninstalling the app cleared up some minor glitches the occurred in my operating system. The issue was likely due to a problem with my device, however, since no other reviews of this application have mentioned anything like what I experienced.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Catch Notes (FREE!)

Catch.com

Posted on 06/03/2011

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If you are a compulsive phone picture-taker with a yen for organization, I doubt you could survive without… More

If you are a compulsive phone picture-taker with a yen for organization, I doubt you could survive without this application. Not only is any content saved to your Catch Notes application, but your media are also backed up on the catch.com website. The app’s main page is laid out well, letting users choose how they use the application- to take notes, save a picture with GPS coordinates, tag existing media from your gallery, and more. Also, there is no paid version of this application, so you can expect Catch Notes for Android to already contain all the features you might need. You can even save your media by using hashtags as a filtering device. Tagging your photos or notes lets Catch Notes organize your content in an easily-searchable way.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility / Lifestyle / Entertainment

Alarm Clock Plus (FREE!)

cvp - Alarm Clock Plus

Posted on 06/03/2011

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After weeks of perusing the Market, Alarm Clock Plus was by far the most reliable free alarm clock available.… More

After weeks of perusing the Market, Alarm Clock Plus was by far the most reliable free alarm clock available. This application integrates very well with the Android operating system, providing you with the option of using the app as a widget on your home screen, or relegating it to a spot in your menu. When the alarm rings in the “gentle” setting, the tone gradually increases in volume, and the home screen displays a huge, hard-to-miss “Snooze” button. You can even easily set multiple alarms to ring on specific days, much like my original, preloaded alarm clock. However, if you’re not a snoozer—and especially if you’re not a glasses-wearer—the small “dismiss” button might be easy to miss first thing in the morning.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Four In A Line Free (FREE!)

AI Factory Limited

Posted on 06/03/2011

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Did you know that in 1988, mathematicians created a formula allowing the first player in a game of Connect… More

Did you know that in 1988, mathematicians created a formula allowing the first player in a game of Connect Four to win every time? Since I’m not a mathematician, I lost three games of Four In a Line Free, a fairly sophisticated-looking version of the classic game Connect Four, to the CPU before finally eking out an unlikely win. So I didn’t enjoy the game much. However, if Connect Four is your game, Four In a Line is a nice-looking version that delivers no surprises. The game contains ten levels of difficulty, with single- and two-player options. The view is also customizable, and running the app doesn’t drain too much of your battery. Finally, the ads are unobtrusive, and don’t affect gameplay.    Less

Related Categories:  Games

Zappos (FREE!)

Zappos.com

Posted on 05/20/2011

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This shopping app for Android, created by Zappos.com, lets you browse the site’s selection from the… More

This shopping app for Android, created by Zappos.com, lets you browse the site’s selection from the convenience of your phone. Zappos for Android is not unlike a mobile-friendly version of the website, with some extras, like an easy-to-dial customer support line. After opening the app, you can browse a selection of categorized items (not just shoes), including clothes and even housewares. The app is simple, and user-friendly, with easy-to-read text and an attractive interface. The image thumbnails are small, though, so you do run the risk of purchasing something you haven’t gotten a very good look at.    Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle / Shopping

Noom Weight Loss (FREE!)

WorkSmart Labs Inc.

Posted on 05/20/2011

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This neat Android app bundles everything you need to keep track of your weight loss, from recording… More

This neat Android app bundles everything you need to keep track of your weight loss, from recording the distance you’ve walked or run, to logging your meals. Noom even graphs your weight loss for you so you can see just what progress you’ve made. Download along with a calorie counting app, and jump-start your weight loss regimen.   Less

Related Categories:  Health / Lifestyle

Dropbox (FREE!)

Dropbox, Inc.

Posted on 05/20/2011

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Compile all your personal media with Dropbox, an app that lets you password-protect your photos, videos… More

Compile all your personal media with Dropbox, an app that lets you password-protect your photos, videos and documents. Store your media in easily created folders, and have it backed up on the Dropbox website, and your PC, which makes file-sharing a snap. Some users in the Android Market have complained about force closes, but updates to the app seem to have remedied that.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Facebook for Android (FREE!)

Facebook

Posted on 05/20/2011

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If you haven’t downloaded Facebook for Android yet, you should. The app itself is unexceptional, but… More

If you haven’t downloaded Facebook for Android yet, you should. The app itself is unexceptional, but it does make accessing your Facebook profile easier and more convenient than running it on your browser. The downsides are that the app offers users fewer view options, and you can’t delete comments from it, which might sometimes pave the way for embarrassment.    Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Google Listen (FREE!)

Google Inc.

Posted on 05/20/2011

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Browse and download content from online music libraries, with Google’s Listen. Though its library… More

Browse and download content from online music libraries, with Google’s Listen. Though its library is prodigious, and allows for smart podcast subscription, many users have complained that this application is rough around the edges. Many users seem to feel that after developing the app, Google essentially abandoned it, leaving it with a number of minor bugs. However, it is a convenient way to access your favorite podcasts, and most users will admit that in a crunch, Google Listen will do.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

OpenTable (FREE!)

OpenTable, Inc.

Posted on 05/13/2011

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OpenTable was one of the first social living websites to provide members with emailed specials and coupons,… More

OpenTable was one of the first social living websites to provide members with emailed specials and coupons, so it’s not surprising they were one of the first to develop an application in the Android market. This simple app lets you access your OpenTable account from the convenience of your phone, so you can have a guide on all your culinary adventures.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Ringtone Maker (FREE!)

Mobile17

Posted on 05/13/2011

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Customize your phone by turning your favorite songs into ringtones. Ringtone Maker, a free, ad-supported… More

Customize your phone by turning your favorite songs into ringtones. Ringtone Maker, a free, ad-supported app by Mobile 17, lets you create your own ringtones from MP3 and M4A audio files. Drag and drop your music onto Ringtone Maker’s easy-to-use timeline, and edit your clip. Plus, the tones you create can be used for a variety of alerts on your Android device.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Navigation Yelp (FREE!)

Yelp

Posted on 05/13/2011

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Read thousands of venue reviews, make restaurant reservations, and receive exclusive discounts with… More

Read thousands of venue reviews, make restaurant reservations, and receive exclusive discounts with this handy app from Yelp.com. This app uses your Android device’s GSM and GPS technology to deliver location-specific venue information to your phone, plus an all-new navigation feature.   Less

Related Categories:  Navigation

The Weather Channel for Android (FREE!)

The Weather Channel

Posted on 05/13/2011

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This basic weather-tracking app also includes a variety of not-so-basic features, like voice searching,… More

This basic weather-tracking app also includes a variety of not-so-basic features, like voice searching, animated radar maps, and of course, detailed and accurate weather alerts and updates. Customize your phone with the Weather Channel’s mobile widget, and stay notified of weather updates.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Kindle (FREE!)

Amazon Mobile

Posted on 05/13/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Now you can use your Android phone as a Kindle reader, thanks to a popular free app by Amazon Mobile.… More

Now you can use your Android phone as a Kindle reader, thanks to a popular free app by Amazon Mobile. Install the reader onto your device, and access nearly a million e-books from the Kindle library. This app uses Amazon’s Whispersync technology, saving and synching your bookmarks and notations across devices. And while most of the content is paid, you can still download a number of journals and e-books for free.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

GasBuddy - Find Cheap Gas (FREE!)

Gasbuddy.com

Posted on 05/06/2011

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Save money on gas, with free Android app GasBuddy. GasBuddy, developed by Gasbuddy.com, helps you find… More

Save money on gas, with free Android app GasBuddy. GasBuddy, developed by Gasbuddy.com, helps you find the cheapest gas in your area. This app requires users to sign into their service by creating a user name, submitting their email addresses and zip codes, and finally, by creating a unique password. Once you’re in, however, there are a variety of useful features, and even a field for users to submit updated gas prices from stations they’ve visited. While crowd-sourcing isn’t always the best way to get accurate information, in the case of GasBuddy, all the station prices listed in my area were precise to the penny. GasBuddy offers other features, like GPS-based gas location for the closest –and not cheapest– station, and they’ve even come up with a user-submission incentive. If users submit a gas price to correct what’s listed in the app, he or she could win 1000 “points”. GasBuddy points can be redeemed in a few ways, but one of them, obviously, will provide you with credits to use toward gasoline.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle

Watchdog Task Manager ($3.49)

Zomut, LLC

Posted on 05/06/2011

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Killing your tasks is an easy way to save battery life, until you kill one that you need. When the operating… More

Killing your tasks is an easy way to save battery life, until you kill one that you need. When the operating system needs to reboot a task you killed, it actually drains battery life. Watchdog Task Manager, by Zomut, LLC., solves this problem. Instead of killing your tasks, Watchdog lets you monitor CPU-killing apps. Watchdog will alert you if an app begins using more battery than you enabled, letting you decide whether or not to kill it.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Jewels (FREE!)

MHGames

Posted on 05/06/2011

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Jewels, by MHGAMES, is as terrifyingly addictive as its console-based predecessor, Bejeweled. The game… More

Jewels, by MHGAMES, is as terrifyingly addictive as its console-based predecessor, Bejeweled. The game integrates nicely with my responsive Motorola HT720’s touchscreen, and the colors and game resolution are outstanding. The game includes multiple modes: “Standard” is the Bejeweled we’re all used to, that lets you play until you run out of moves. “Timed” lets you see how many sets you can make in one minute, and then there is an “Endless” mode in which the computer makes sure you never run out of plays. Some critics have claimed that Jewels draws too liberally from Bejeweled, but from a gaming perspective, that is a very good thing.    Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment / Games

Vaulty Free Hides Pictures (FREE!)

Theron Rogers

Posted on 05/06/2011

Visit Google Play Page

We all know someone whose phone we’d never dare peruse lest we find a picture or video we would rather… More

We all know someone whose phone we’d never dare peruse lest we find a picture or video we would rather have not seen. We all know: once seen can never be unseen, no matter how many sessions of therapy. For those friends? Please recommend they download Vaulty Free by Theron Rogers. This application lets you password-protect images in your phone’s picture album. You don’t have to password-protect everything- just the things your coworkers and casual acquaintances may prefer not to view. Considering all the potential embarrassment this free application could avert, I would recommend everyone download it, especially if the alternative is to reserve all your racy photos to an actual camera.    Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Healthy Recipes (FREE!)

SparkRecipes.com

Posted on 05/06/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or your family, or that impossible friend who can’t eat gluten,… More

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or your family, or that impossible friend who can’t eat gluten, the Healthy Recipes app, by SparkRecipes.com, has something for everyone. Browse their catalog of recipes by meal, food category, type of cuisine, special occasion, and of course, the ever-useful category of dishes for those with dietary restrictions. The app even includes a search field where you can fill in the ingredient, food type or other requirement you’d like to find in your recipe. I even entered “quick” into the search field, and 13 fast, easy recipes generated. Here is one of the few free apps that makes your life healthier, and easier.   Less

Related Categories:  Lifestyle / Food

Angry Birds Rio (FREE!)

Rovio Mobile Ltd.

Posted on 04/28/2011

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Now Angry Birds fans have even less reason to put down their phones. Angry Birds Rio, a special edition… More

Now Angry Birds fans have even less reason to put down their phones. Angry Birds Rio, a special edition released by the popular gaming franchise Rovio Mobile, features the game’s usual crisp, colorful animation, and allows you to easily update your rankings onto Facebook and Twitter. In this version, the Angry Birds need your help to rescue a slew of random birds, including the two macaws featured in Fox film’s Angry Birds Rio. Fans will be happy to know that the Rio version of this highly-addictive game is no less distracting or appealing than its predecessors.   Less

Related Categories:  Entertainment

Street View on Google Maps (FREE!)

Google Inc.

Posted on 04/28/2011

Visit Google Play Page

Whenever you notice your phone becoming more and more like your PC, thank Google. Street View on Google… More

Whenever you notice your phone becoming more and more like your PC, thank Google. Street View on Google Maps, by Google, allows you to view Google’s street mapping function right from your cell phone. You can drag Google’s “Pegman” wherever you’d like to see, and get a great, satellite view. But Street View on Google Maps is not a standalone application. It is an add-on to Google Maps, so before installing this app make sure you have Google Maps already.   Less

Related Categories:  Maps / Navigation

Barcode Scanner (FREE!)

ZXing Team

Posted on 04/28/2011

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Barcodes are turning up all over the place, from bills from your utility company to billboard ads in… More

Barcodes are turning up all over the place, from bills from your utility company to billboard ads in cities, and they’re still being used to price products in retail stores. This last feature allows users to scan prices on a product, then be taken to a page that lists different product prices from other retail locations. This app will also allow your phone to scan QR codes, which can expose you to company promotions, coupons, product information and more. Use Barcode Scanner by ZXing Team to view a variety of landing page content right on your phone.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility

Lookout Mobile Security (FREE!)

Lookout, Inc.

Posted on 04/28/2011

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In a perfect world, your phone is always on-hand, and you can trust other people not to relieve you… More

In a perfect world, your phone is always on-hand, and you can trust other people not to relieve you of it. In this world, however, it pays to secure your belongings as much as possible, and Lookout Mobile Security, by Lookout, Inc., has a unique way for you to protect your phone and data. You can use the app to back up your contacts, pictures, call history and more, and if your phone is stolen, you can use the app’s GPS feature to locate it. You can even remotely set an alarm to alert others to your phone’s location.   Less

Related Categories:  Utility / Security

Pocket First Aid & CPR ($2.99)

Jive Media Inc.

Posted on 04/28/2011

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Be prepared for any emergency with the Pocket First Aid & CPR app, by Jive Media Inc. Get instruction… More

Be prepared for any emergency with the Pocket First Aid & CPR app, by Jive Media Inc. Get instruction on safety basics like how to help a seizure victim or treat burns, or use the app to store your easily-accessible medical history profile. The application isn’t new, but a recent update added features like the Child & Infant CPR guide, and now lets you set important medical information to your wallpaper. With libraries of videos, images and medical reference materials compiled by the American Heart Association, you’ll have a reliable resource at your fingertips, just in case.   Less

Related Categories:  Health / Lifestyle

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