As ever, the prices provided in brackets are for the initial download only: when an app uses in-app purchases, this will be listed as (Free + IAP). Something to look for: a new section of each app’s Google Play store listing, which explains the full range of IAP.
More interested in iOS apps? They’re covered in a separate weekly Best iPhone and iPad Apps roundup, with the latest instalment due to be published later today.
APPS
djay 2 (£1.99)
iPad has tended to get the lion’s share of DJing apps, with the honourable exception of edjing. Now developer Algoriddim has brought the second version of its djay app to Android, with the ability to mix songs from your own collection or – if you’re a subscriber – from Spotify’s wider catalogue. The app is fun for novices and more experienced DJs alike.
iPad has tended to get the lion’s share of DJing apps, with the honourable exception of edjing. Now developer Algoriddim has brought the second version of its djay app to Android, with the ability to mix songs from your own collection or – if you’re a subscriber – from Spotify’s wider catalogue. The app is fun for novices and more experienced DJs alike.
Google Fit (Free)
Announced earlier in the year, Google Fit is now here as an activity and fitness-tracking app, tying in to the wider Google Fit platform. It’ll measure your walking, running and cycling and show you the data in clear graphs, while also linking up to a growing number of other fitness and health apps. More on Google’s plans here.
Announced earlier in the year, Google Fit is now here as an activity and fitness-tracking app, tying in to the wider Google Fit platform. It’ll measure your walking, running and cycling and show you the data in clear graphs, while also linking up to a growing number of other fitness and health apps. More on Google’s plans here.
Microsoft Health (Free)
You wait ages for one technology giant to launch a fitness-tracking app for Android, and then two jog along at once. This Microsoft app ties in to its Microsoft Band wearable device, but will also work with other apps. Expect a similar mix of measurement and graphs, with heart rate and sleep quality part of the mix too, with the necessary hardware.
You wait ages for one technology giant to launch a fitness-tracking app for Android, and then two jog along at once. This Microsoft app ties in to its Microsoft Band wearable device, but will also work with other apps. Expect a similar mix of measurement and graphs, with heart rate and sleep quality part of the mix too, with the necessary hardware.
Makies Fashion (£1.99)
British startup MakieLab started off as a way to customise then order 3D-printed dolls, but has since diversified into mobile games and apps. Makies Fashion is a well-crafted dress-up app for children, getting them to create outfits for their own virtual doll, then send them down the catwalk. Creative and fun.
British startup MakieLab started off as a way to customise then order 3D-printed dolls, but has since diversified into mobile games and apps. Makies Fashion is a well-crafted dress-up app for children, getting them to create outfits for their own virtual doll, then send them down the catwalk. Creative and fun.
Hype Machine (£2.50)
The second music app in this week’s roundup comes from what’s still one of the best sites for discovering new music: Hype Machine. Its official Android app has been a long time coming, but is worth the wait: it lets you quickly browse trending tracks from the music blogosphere, as well as seeing what friends are listening to.
The second music app in this week’s roundup comes from what’s still one of the best sites for discovering new music: Hype Machine. Its official Android app has been a long time coming, but is worth the wait: it lets you quickly browse trending tracks from the music blogosphere, as well as seeing what friends are listening to.
Tidal (Free + subscription)
And more music: Tidal is a streaming music service with a couple of differences to the likes of Spotify and Deezer. First, audio quality: its streams (which can be cached for offline listening) are lossless FLAC-quality. Second, the way it mixes videos and articles – interviews and features – with the basic music. For now, it’s US and UK only, costing $19.99 / £19.99 a month.
And more music: Tidal is a streaming music service with a couple of differences to the likes of Spotify and Deezer. First, audio quality: its streams (which can be cached for offline listening) are lossless FLAC-quality. Second, the way it mixes videos and articles – interviews and features – with the basic music. For now, it’s US and UK only, costing $19.99 / £19.99 a month.
Bitmoji - Emoji by Bitstrips (Free)
Remember Bitstrips? The personalised cartoons were all over Facebook last year, but then the mania died down. Could Bitmoji spark another craze? It’s a collection of emoji based on your own avatar, which can be pasted into your chats, text messages and social networking updates.
Remember Bitstrips? The personalised cartoons were all over Facebook last year, but then the mania died down. Could Bitmoji spark another craze? It’s a collection of emoji based on your own avatar, which can be pasted into your chats, text messages and social networking updates.
Movie Edit Touch (Free + IAP)
I remember Magix for its range of music-editing software back in the day, but in 2014 it’s also handling video editing. This new app aims to make it quick and easy to turn your clips into shareable videos, complete with background music and transition effects. Premium features, including the ability to export at HD quality, are sold in-app.
I remember Magix for its range of music-editing software back in the day, but in 2014 it’s also handling video editing. This new app aims to make it quick and easy to turn your clips into shareable videos, complete with background music and transition effects. Premium features, including the ability to export at HD quality, are sold in-app.
PCMark for Android Benchmark (Free)
One for anyone who likes to boast about exactly how nippy their Android device is: a benchmarking tool that promises to give you an accurate guide to the performance of your device as you’d actually use it, rather than the maximum stats in its tech specs. Also useful when mulling an upgrade, to compare to newer models.
One for anyone who likes to boast about exactly how nippy their Android device is: a benchmarking tool that promises to give you an accurate guide to the performance of your device as you’d actually use it, rather than the maximum stats in its tech specs. Also useful when mulling an upgrade, to compare to newer models.
CityMatchday (Free)
Finally, an interesting app for Manchester City fans, promising to be “the ultimate companion” for matches this season. No, that doesn’t mean it’ll buy you a pie at half-time. Instead, it offers a mix of video interviews; a live “tactical cam” and highlights videos (these two only if you’re at the match); and audio and text commentary for everyone else.
Finally, an interesting app for Manchester City fans, promising to be “the ultimate companion” for matches this season. No, that doesn’t mean it’ll buy you a pie at half-time. Instead, it offers a mix of video interviews; a live “tactical cam” and highlights videos (these two only if you’re at the match); and audio and text commentary for everyone else.
GAMES
The Wolf Among Us (Free + IAP)
For its The Walking Dead adventure games alone, Telltale Games is a developer to cherish. The Wolf Among Us is just as good though: a no-holds-barred adventure based on the Fables comic books (which I’d thoroughly recommend too). The storyline unfolds over five episodes, with all bar the first bought through in-app purchases.
For its The Walking Dead adventure games alone, Telltale Games is a developer to cherish. The Wolf Among Us is just as good though: a no-holds-barred adventure based on the Fables comic books (which I’d thoroughly recommend too). The storyline unfolds over five episodes, with all bar the first bought through in-app purchases.
Angry Birds Transformers (Free + IAP)
The latest branded Angry Birds game is actually one of the most innovative in terms of its gameplay: bird-slinging is out, and stompy robots shooting and transforming into cars is very much in. It’s freemium, so expect timers and energy bars, but the game itself is fun.Read our full review for more details on that.
The latest branded Angry Birds game is actually one of the most innovative in terms of its gameplay: bird-slinging is out, and stompy robots shooting and transforming into cars is very much in. It’s freemium, so expect timers and energy bars, but the game itself is fun.Read our full review for more details on that.
Rival Stars Basketball (Free + IAP)
Developer PikPok’s Flick Kick Football Legends was a marvellous blend of flicky football and card-collecting. Now it’s trying a similar blend for basketball. Your job is to build a team by collecting cards and plotting your strategy, before getting your fingers involved to shoot the hoops.
Developer PikPok’s Flick Kick Football Legends was a marvellous blend of flicky football and card-collecting. Now it’s trying a similar blend for basketball. Your job is to build a team by collecting cards and plotting your strategy, before getting your fingers involved to shoot the hoops.
Football Chairman (£2.99 + IAP)
I lost dozens of hours to the free version of Football Chairman when it first came out: an addictive game that sees you playing chairman rather than manager, developing your club from minnow to might. This is the full version, with more features, tournaments and in-game achievements to track your progress.
I lost dozens of hours to the free version of Football Chairman when it first came out: an addictive game that sees you playing chairman rather than manager, developing your club from minnow to might. This is the full version, with more features, tournaments and in-game achievements to track your progress.
Star Wars: Galactic Defense (Free + IAP)
Disney’s recent Star Wars: Commander was a Clash of Clans-style take on the galactic battle. This new game from DeNA takes a more traditional tower defence approach, as you marshall the likes of Luke Skywalker and Yoda to fend off the hordes. Although as with Disney’s game, you can choose to play as the Dark or Light side, according to your mood.
Disney’s recent Star Wars: Commander was a Clash of Clans-style take on the galactic battle. This new game from DeNA takes a more traditional tower defence approach, as you marshall the likes of Luke Skywalker and Yoda to fend off the hordes. Although as with Disney’s game, you can choose to play as the Dark or Light side, according to your mood.
Battleheart Legacy (£3.12)
Developer Mika Mobile’s Battleheart Legacy was a polished roleplaying game when it came out for iOS earlier in the year, and it’s made the leap to Android well. Expect questing, looting and lots of character customisation: the latter being the element most likely to keep you playing.
Developer Mika Mobile’s Battleheart Legacy was a polished roleplaying game when it came out for iOS earlier in the year, and it’s made the leap to Android well. Expect questing, looting and lots of character customisation: the latter being the element most likely to keep you playing.
Haunt the House: Terrortown (£0.59)
Originally a PC game, Haunt the House: Terrortown has made its way to mobile devices just in time for Halloween. It’s really good fun: a game where you have to haunt a variety of locations, scaring the willies out of anyone you meet. The illustration and animation style mean it’s full of character.
Originally a PC game, Haunt the House: Terrortown has made its way to mobile devices just in time for Halloween. It’s really good fun: a game where you have to haunt a variety of locations, scaring the willies out of anyone you meet. The illustration and animation style mean it’s full of character.
Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition (£6.99)
It’s a strong week on Android if you like your RPGs. This is another remake – this time of a PC game released back in 2000 – using the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons system. It’s an engrossing tale well worth sinking your teeth (well, touchscreen fingers) into.
It’s a strong week on Android if you like your RPGs. This is another remake – this time of a PC game released back in 2000 – using the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons system. It’s an engrossing tale well worth sinking your teeth (well, touchscreen fingers) into.
Secret of Mana (£6)
2000? Pfft. Secret of Mana is an even more venerable game, having first been released by Square Enix in 1993. This action RPG sees you exploring a colourful world, and while the graphics date it, the gameplay remains very moreish – whether you have fond memories of the original or not.
2000? Pfft. Secret of Mana is an even more venerable game, having first been released by Square Enix in 1993. This action RPG sees you exploring a colourful world, and while the graphics date it, the gameplay remains very moreish – whether you have fond memories of the original or not.
NHL 2K (£5.89 + IAP)
NHL 2K is 2K Games’ ice hockey simulation, converted with aplomb from console for touchscreen devices. It’s hard to make these kinds of sports games work well without buttons, but so far this one seems to have navigated the change well, with a choice of career, shootout and mini rink modes for variety.
NHL 2K is 2K Games’ ice hockey simulation, converted with aplomb from console for touchscreen devices. It’s hard to make these kinds of sports games work well without buttons, but so far this one seems to have navigated the change well, with a choice of career, shootout and mini rink modes for variety.
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