Best Apps for Android Phones and Tablets

Here are some of the best apps for android Phones and Tables which 2013 got to see. If in case I've missed out an app which you feel deserved to make the list, do leave it in the comments section below.

1. Hangouts
   Google rolled out its Hangouts central messaging hub in 2013, which replaced the old Google Talk chat app. Now your Google+ conversations, text and video chats, and SMS (Android KitKat 4.4) are all integrated in one place.
   
   
2. Google Keep
   Google's note-taking Evernote rival, Keep, is fast, simple and tied to your Google Drive account. 2013 saw Google adding in features such as Reminders, pics, etc.
   
   
3. AnyDo
   AnyDo makes keeping track of your to-do list a little less painful by giving it a beautiful design and easy, quick entry options. The best feature is called "Moment," a daily triage of your tasks that actually manages to feel empowering.

4. SwiftKey 4 Keyboard
   Android's keyboard has gotten better over the years, but the vagaries of custom manufacturer skins can still make typing a pain. Swiftkey's latest version makes for a great replacement, which improved correction, prediction, and gesture-typing. You can also chose various themes, and patterns which suit your keyboard needs.

5. Swype Keyboard
   The Swype trace keyboard has been around for years, but in 2013 it finally exited beta and hit Google Play. It even comes pre-installed with some of the Android devices.
   
   
6. Fleksy Keyboard
   It isn't for everyone, but Fleksy is another alternative keyboard that has a gorgeous layout and boasts of accurate auto-correction – even if you aren't looking at your phone. Fleksy even has an invisible keyboard option, for the truly brave souls.

7. 1Password
   You'll have to sign up and wait for an invite, but AgileBits' popular password storage client for iOS, Mac, and Windows is finally getting a full-fledged Android client.

8. Photoshop Touch
   It isn't full-blown Photoshop, but it's the closest you'll get on a smartphone. About the only downside here is that owners of Photoshop Touch for Tablets will have to make another purchase to enjoy it on their phones.

9. Dashclock
   Now that Android allows you to put widgets on your lock screen, you could spend hours hunting down the one that shows exactly the information you want. Don't. Just install Dashclock, which gives you the time, weather, and customizable notifications.
   
   
10. Buy me Pie
    Grocery apps may not be the sexiest category of apps, but they can be extremely handy for families keeping their shopping requests in sync. Buy Me a Pie is a simple and user-friendly grocery app that made its way over from iOS.
    
    
11. Pocket
    There are two big, popular "read it later" apps: Instapaper and Pocket. On Android, at least, Pocket gets the nod for more frequent updates and support for video. Articles are synced automatically and saved offline, with options to adjust the layout to your liking.
    
    
12. Snapseed
    As a photo editor, the app moves well beyond basic filters into the kinds of changes usually reserved for the desktop. With a set of simple tools the app makes even complex photo adjustments understandable and accessible.

13. Slice
    Slice, is a super clever service app, that automatically watches your inbox for emails from big-name merchants and shipping companies. Why would you risk giving that access? To get automated package tracking, deal alerts, and price-drop notices. So useful, it's creepy.
    
    
14. Nova launcher
    All too often the stock home screens on Android phones either get boring or are terrible. Nova Launcher makes it better, with cleaner designs and plenty of customization and theming options. You can pony up for premium versions that offer more features, too.

15. VSCO Cam
    A longtime favorite on the iPhone, VSCO Cam is finally available on Android and it works really well. You’ll get photo filters that aren’t as heavy-handed as Instagram’s along with the ability to quickly revert the image if you don’t like how it turned out.
    
    
16. Dynamic Notifications
    An Android app called DynamicNotifications arrived in Google Play that wakes up the screen by plugging into the notification listener or accessibility options (pre-4.3 devices) to put your notifications on the screen. If you're on Android 4.3 or higher, you can even dismiss all the notifications right from that interface. It supports DashClock extensions too.
    
    
17. Push Bullet
    Google used to offer an app called ChromeToPhone, but has since moved on to offering a less powerful (but reliable) tab syncing solution for Chrome. However, early in 2013 a neat app called PushBullet hit Google Play and I've made sure to have it installed ever since. This app lets you push text and files across devices using the cloud, and it keeps adding new and interesting features. This app is free, and definitely one of the best things from 2013.

18. Timely
    Timely has a ton of useful features and it is stunningly beautiful.The app is split into three tabs that you can swipe between. The left panel is for your alarms, the middle is the clock, and the right is a stopwatch and timer. To set new alarms, just drag in from the left of the screen and move up and down to set the time. You can then add repetition, various sounds, and dismissal challenges to make sure you're awake. ne of the coolest parts of Timely is the way it syncs between devices.
    
    
19. Aviate
    Although it's still in beta, Aviate is one of the coolest makeovers you can give to your phone. This home screen is based around predicting what you're going to need before you need it. Aviate does this by tracking the time and your location to group apps and settings. It's usually at least partially right, and you can tweak it as needed to make it more right. It's sort of like Google Now for your home screen.

20. Riptide GP2
    This game uses Google Play Games for achievements, multiplayer, and (most importantly) cloud saves. I wish all developers would make use of this feature, but very few do. When you install Riptide GP2 on a device and log into Play Games, it asks if you want to download the cloud game data. You never have to worry about losing your progress again. The visuals in Riptide GP2 are almost worth the price of admission alone.

Source: Gizmag.com, theverge.com, tested.com

Best iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch apps of 2013

With hundreds of apps on the Apps store for social netwroking, travel, news, photography, productivity and more, here is a list of the 20 best apps which are available for your iPhone 5S, iPhone SC, iPod Touch and iPad.

1. Facebook
   The world's biggest social network brings a tightly honed experience to the iPhone and iPod touch, but nonetheless still enables you to access your contacts, feeds and other important information. This sense of focus makes it in many ways superior to using Facebook via a desktop browser.
   
   
2. PhotoSynth
   PhotoSynth is a really great panorama app; it's user-friendly and fun to use, especially when watching your panoramas take shape while you capture them. (The iOS Camera app also has a panorama mode, but PhotoSynth's more flexible and works with older devices.)
   
   
3. RunKeeper
   RunKeeper has been touted as better than Nike+ and unbelievably also provides a free version. Previously split into 'pro' and 'free' versions, the developer now generously includes all the features in one free app. That means you can spend no money, yet use your iPhone's GPS capabilities to track your jogging and cycling routes, and examine mapping and details of your pace and calories burned. Activities can be shared online, and treadmill runs and other exercise details can be entered manually.

4. TonePad
   Virtual pianos and guitars are all very well, but purely digital musical toys are more suited to Apple handhelds. TonePad, is the best of them, using a grid-based interface that enables you to turn notes on and off and compose pleasing and harmonious loops; your creations can be edited, saved and uploaded to share with other users.

5. Comics
   The app might be a little awkward, while using it on an iPhone. But this app is free, with loads of free downloadable comics. Also many more are available, if you're ready to pay for it. Reading works on a frame-by-frame automated 'zoom' basis, and is surprisingly usable.

6. Evernote
   Evernote is multi-platform software service designed for note taking and archiving. A “note” can be a simple piece of formatted text, an image, webpage excerpt, a voice memo, or a handwritten note. It is available in free and paid version, with a few restrictions in the free version.

7. AroundMe
   The app figures out where you are and lists local stuff - banks, bars, petrol stations and, er, Apple Retail Stores. The app's reliance on Google Maps info means there are gaps, but it's nonetheless handy to have installed when in unfamiliar surroundings, and the 'augmented reality' landscape mode is amusing, if flaky.
   
   
8. Dictionary.com
   Over two million definitions, synonyms and antonyms are available in the palm of your hand with this free, offline dictionary and thesaurus app. The app is fast and efficient, includes phonetic and audio pronunciation of words, and its interface seems perfectly suited to the iPhone.

9. Adobe Photoshop Express
   The Adobe Photoshop Express doesn't have half the power of its Photoshop desktop application. However, if you're after a quick, free, highly usable tool for making edits to your iPhone photos, Adobe's app is ideal. Use it for cropping, straightening, exposure adjustments, colour effects, sharpening and more.
   
   
10. Pocket
    The service formerly known as Read It Later enables you to save pages from websites, to read them later, bereft of the advertising and other junk on the original page. The service is free, which downloads your articles, so that you can digest them without a web connection.
    
    
11. AfterLight
    Games aren't the only apps that can be addicting, and dedicated iPhone photographers may find Afterlight just as hard to put down. Just like Photoshop Express this app also allows users to do the basics, like crop and rotate photos, but it also has an expansive collection of filters, borders and textures to turn your iPhone photo into an iPhone masterpiece. Of course, the app also allows users to share the edited photos to their social media accounts. Put these added features come at a price as this is a paid app.

12. Duolingo
    Apple selected Duolingo as the company's top iPhone app of the year -- and it's pretty clear why. Duolingo helps users learn a new language from their iPhones with both visual and verbal lessons. Learners are rewarded with experience points, which they can use to buy perks within the app. Perhaps the best part: it's free. Right now the app offers five languages, including Spanish, German, French, Portuguese and Italian.

13. Phot Light Meter
    If you are an avid photographer, Photo Light Meter is the real deal. The app provides photographers with a functioning, quality light meter that tests the intensity and exposure of the photography subject. Light meters cost anywhere from $15 to $200 at the store and online. The iPhone app is free, plus you won't need to carry around an extra gadget with you at all times.
    
    
14. Over
    A picture says a thousand words, but sometimes you need to add a few more of your own. Over allows users to overlay text onto the images that they take with their smartphone. The messages can turn routine smartphone pictures into e-cards, or simply provide a fun way to spruce up your photos before sharing them to social sites such as Instagram or Twitter.

15. Venmo
    Nothing says "you'll never see that $5 again" quite like a friend saying, "I'll pay you back later" after you buy him a beer. Enter Venmo. The app allows friends (or roommates, or siblings, or couples) to pay one another via iPhone at the touch of a button. Simply connect your checking account to your Venmo app and settle debts (no matter how small), without paying any processing fee to send payments or cash out back to your bank account. Users can also use the app to "charge" others -- a gentle reminder to send along the money when possible.

16. Temple Run 2
    Jump. Slide. Jump. Turn. Argggghh!
    If you've ever played Temple Run, you know this feeling. Thankfully, gut-wrenching failure doesn't stop us from playing the game. Temple Run 2 turned out to be a great sequel to its predecessor, which set lofty standards. For starters, the new game has much better graphics. Plus, there are more characters to choose from and new terrains to conquer. All of this added up for iPhone users -- the app was the third most downloaded iPhone app in 2013, behind only Candy Crush Saga and YouTube.
    
    
17. ThirdLove
    The biggest danger of buying clothes online? The risk they won't actually fit when they arrive in the mail. That's the problem ThirdLove aims to solve. The app allows women to send in iPhone photographs that can be analyzed to determine the proper bra size (the company also designs the lingerie). This is a good example of an app actually using advanced technology to solve a real-world problem.

18. Vine
    The six-second video sharing app came out in January, and was the fourth most downloaded iPhone app from the past year. The video length is short enough to keep things interesting, and the free app has just enough editing control to give users flexibility to create unique content.
    
    
19. Proust
    Think of the game Marry, Date or Dump. Now add two more options, and change the categories to anything your heart desires. That's the idea behind Proust, a game that allows users to create their own Marry, Date or Dump scenarios with any items they choose. You can write in your own choices, or the app will generate random ones for you, and you can send your list to your friends to see which topics they deem most important. It's a simple game, but you can learn a lot about your friends (which we realize isn't always a good thing).

20. Mextures
    Mextures is another great photo editing app for iPhone. Users can save setting packages for use on other photos in the future, and the app has more than 70 pre-loaded textures. Users can blend, layer, or simply adjust lighting levels.

The best apps from 2013 for iPhones, iPod Touch and the iPad have been listed above, if in case you feel, an app should have made the list above, but has been missed, do leave a comment, so that it can be added.

Move over Apple and Samsung; make way for the new phone on the block

With Motorola revealing that its modular phone prototype is almost ready, the dawn of the fully customizable smart phone might not be too far away 

The Phonebloks concept has the ability to switch out the handset’s components and replace them with whichever component the user wants. With Motorola backing this project, it may soon become the dream phone of millions of mobile phone users around the world. Motorola, has called this as “Project Ara”, and is working with Dave Hakkens, the creator of Phonebloks, on building an endoskeleton and the modules. The company has already done a lot of technical work in opening the process up to the volunteers’ community (known as Ara Scouts) to design the hardware modules. Their goal is to develop a third-party eco-system, with low barriers to entry, which will help increase the speed of innovation, and help compress development timelines.  The various modules which have been suggested currently are the CPU, display, extra Battery, external sensors, and anything that a human mind can think of.  The modular phone is being hailed as the phone which can never get obsolete, since every module can be taken out and replaced with an upgraded module.

The CEO of Motorola, Dennis Woodside in an interview with Marquees Brownlee on YouTube said,
“The idea is to have a skeleton that holds together a set of components and the components slide in and out. If we have the interfaces and the protocols that enable the speaker to speak directly to the CPU then this would all be possible”. He also dropped hints that once completed, the modular smartphones and its components will be sold on the Moto Maker customization website. He further added, “Moto Maker was the beginning of a more exciting and longer term story which is how do we involve consumers and give them more choice”.  “Ara is much further out but you can see how those two things tie together and how as we introduce new materials into Moto Maker we’re going to pursue that theme across our product line going forward. What we’d like to eventually get to is customizing functionality within the device and that’s where Project Ara and Moto Maker may converge”.

The Moto X will offer custom colour schemes, materials, backplates, and Project Ara will take those directions to a whole new level for the tech enthusiasts.

List of devices to get the Android 4.4 KitKAt update

Android 4.4 Kit Kat is finally launched, and it’s that time of the year again when android users start impatiently waiting for their carriers/ cell phone-providers to roll out the new upgrades onto their devices. For the recently launched high-end devices, you can definitely except to receive the KitKat update. But for the older devices, you will have to wait and watch to see whether your manufacturer decides to send the update for that device, if the hardware supports it.  

Information is flowing in from all sources, and there’s a lot of good news. Below is a list of the official announcements and the rumours regarding the devices which are going to get the step up to the next big Android OS.

The Google Nexus Phones Line-up

Though the recently launched Google Nexus 5 will be coming with the Android 4.4 KitKat, Google is moving away from its tradition, as KitKat will also be seen on the Verizon Moto X at around the same time. Google has informed the new Android OS will soon be coming to the Nexus 4 phones and also the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 tablets. The Google editions of Galaxy 4 and HTC One will also be getting the new OS upgrades soon. However, Google Nexus users may be disheartened to hear that their phones may not make the list, as it has already crossed the 18 month window period.

The Samsung Phones Line-up to get the Andriod OS 4.4 update

Samsung has earned a reputation of missing the self-imposed deadlines on numerous occasions, hence it’s no surprise that they have not been to forthcoming about its roll out plans for its flagship phones. In its statement to CNET UK, it said it be announcing it roll out plans for Android 4.4 KitKat “in due course”. But surely, Samsung Galaxy S4 and Samsung Note 3 will be at the top of the Samsung’s list for updates. Speculations are that compatibility with the Galaxy Gear will slow things down as currently Android 4.3 is still only just rolling out for some Samsung S4 users.

According to an internal Samsung Knox document, which got leaked, below are the Samsung devices which are expected to get the 4.4 Update:

1.     Samsung Galaxy S4

2.     Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom

3.     Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

4.     Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini

5.     Samsung Galaxy Note 3

6.     Samsung Galaxy Note 2

7.     Samsung Galaxy Mega

8.     Samsung Galaxy S3

9.     Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 & Tab 3

The HTC Phones Line-up to get the Andriod OS 4.4 update

HTC USA sent an official tweet on the November 13^th, 2013 and confirmed that the responsibility of update of the Google Play edition of HTC One was with Google.

HTC has also sent an official tweet naming the devices which would definitely be getting the Android 4.4 update.

·         HTC One (Verizon Wireless) – around end of Jan’14

·         HTC Droid DNA – in the 1st quarter of 2014.

Other expected HTC devices to get the update are:

·         HTC One X

·         HTC One X+

·         HTC Butterfly

·         HTC J

·         The Desire series phones launched in 2013

·         The HTC One Max, which is to be announced soon, is also expected to get the update.

  

The Sony Phones Line-up to get the Android OS 4.4 update

The company hasn’t provided any fixed dates for the arrival of the updates, but it has mentioned that the below devices will be getting the updates:

·         Sony Xperia Z1

·         Sony Xperia Z

·         Sony Xperia ZL

·         Sony Xperia Z Ultra

·         Sony Xperia Tablet Z

Sony also mentioned that the devices a few devices which will be getting the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean update. There’s a possibility that that these devices may not get the upgrade to Android 4.4 KitKat. Even if they do it’s still a long way away. The devices are; Xperia T, Xperia Tx and Xperia V.

The Motorola Phones Line-up to get the Android OS 4.4 update

 According to Motorola’s website dedicated to software updates, the Moto X will be the first to get the Android 4.4 update. Among the Moto X users, the Verison users are expected to be the first ones to be able to get the first-hand experience of the KitKat android on their phones.

The new Moto G, which is a recently launched device, it expected to get the update to Android 4.4 before/in January 2014.

The site also mentioned Verison’s Droid Mini, Droid Ultra and Droid Maxx will also be getting the updates, but unfortunately no exact dates have been mentioned.

The Huawei Phones Line-up to get the Android OS 4.4 update

Huawei’s Ascend P6 smartphone which is the company’s flagship phone will be getting the Android 4.4 KitKat update by January’14. The company has confirmed on the Sina Weibo social network that it would be skipping the Android 4.3 update and directly working on the Android 4.4 update.

The LG Phones Line-up to get the Android OS 4.4 update

LG’s flagship phone LG G2 is sure to get the update very soon. LG’s Optimus G Pro is also expected to receive the update. Below are the other LG phones which are expected to receive the update though no actual dates have been divulged:

·         LG Nexus 4

·         LG Optimus L7, L5,L3

·         LG Optimus G

·         LG Optimus Vu

Though the above list is just an initial list, we should keep in mind, that the dates provided by the manufacturers are not set in stone and do keep changing from time to time. As the updates first pass through network for approvals and even after they get a green signal, distribution is usually staggered to help identify any previously unseen problems. In the meantime please do let me know if I’ve missed any updates.

Sources: Androidadvices, Android community, Androidpolice

Google’s Nexus 5 16GB ( black ) model sold out

Google’s current flagship smartphone the black Google Nexus 5, which was launched on the 31^st of October,2013 is sold out. Since its launch, it has already seen the shipment dates gradually increase by 2-3 weeks.

The Nexus 5 smartphone has still not started selling in India, and is showing as “Coming soon” in the Google Play store. Google has listed the price of the 16GB phone at Rs. 28,999/- and the 32GB at Rs. 32,999/-. This is the first time Google Play store will be officially selling the Nexus phone in India.

Snapdeal.com, an e-commerce website has claimed that the phone would be released in India in the fourth week of November, but has started taking pre-orders from Monday at a hefty price. Within hours of selling, the website had sold out all its units. Another online shopping website, iBhejo.com too had been selling the Nexus 5 16GB (Black) phone at an inflated price of Rs. 30,198/-, claiming that importing the phones from USA was adding to the original cost. Other online stores, such as flipkart, ebay, saholic etc., too have announced the phone will be coming soon, but have not mentioned any dates. The 16 GB Black version of the phone is currently available in the black market at Rs. 37,500/-.

The Nexus 5 comes with Google’s latest Android 4.4 KitKat. The phone comes with following specifications:

-          1920 x 1080 resolution display with 5- inch full HD Touchscreen screen, 441 ppi (pixels per inch), slightly less than HTC One’s 469 ppi

-          2.26Ghz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor and a  2 GB Ram

-          8-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization and a 1.3 megapixel front camera. A new HDR+ mode has been added which automatically snaps rapid burst images and combines them to give you the best possible shot. It also includes Android’s Photosphere which lets you take 360 degree pictures.

-          4G networking using LTE, Bluetooth 4.0, microUSB , Wi-Fi, GPRS

-          2300mAh Battery, promising a standby time of 300 hours and talk-time up to 17 hours.