All articles tagged with #apps
Over the winter I tested a string of Android flagships—the Razr Ultra, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Unihertz Titan 2, Fairphone Gen 6, and Pixel 10 Pro—finding Android’s OS and automation generally superior, but the App Store and app availability still pull me back to iOS; after another complicated eSIM switch, I bought an iPhone 17, concluding phones are 'app machines' and that the iPhone best serves my needs, despite nagging iOS quirks and robocalls.
Samsung has published a list of satellite-ready apps that can work on Galaxy devices even without cellular coverage, enabled through carrier partnerships in Europe, Japan, and North America. Galaxy S22+ and newer models generally support direct satellite connectivity (with some markets also supporting select Galaxy A series), and service varies by country. Current satellite-ready apps include Find My Mobile, Google Maps, Google Play Services, WhatsApp, Samsung Account, Samsung Health, Weather, and X (Twitter), among others.
After selling Dark Sky to Apple, its creators launch Acme Weather for iOS, a forecast app that shows a primary daily prediction alongside several alternate forecasts derived from satellite, ground‑station, and radar data. The app uses closely grouped forecast lines to signal reliability and wider spreads to indicate potential changes, and it lets users report conditions on a map with radar, lightning, rain, wind, and other data, plus customizable notifications. It costs $25/year after a two‑week free trial, with an Android version planned.
A tech writer recommends five tablet-optimized apps: Reuters for a clean, centralized news brief; Kindle for reading on a bright, large screen (including comics); Tidal for higher-quality streaming; cloud storage via Google Drive or Dropbox; and Procreate for intuitive digital drawing. The piece emphasizes that tablets excel for reading, on-the-go work, and creativity, while noting caveats like Reuters’ subscription, Tidal’s lack of a free tier, and Procreate’s lack of built-in cloud backup.
Amid heightened tensions over Greenland, Danish developers report a surge in downloads for boycott-oriented apps like Made O’Meter and NonUSA that help shoppers identify US-made products and find European alternatives. While experts say the practical impact on the US economy would be small due to limited US shelf presence, the apps reflect a personal, consumption-based protest and spotlight how tech can empower quick consumer reactions to geopolitical events.
A Tech Transparency Project report identifies 55 nudify apps on Google Play and 48 on the Apple App Store that can digitally remove clothing and render users nude or minimally dressed, with 705 million downloads and $117 million in revenue; Google and Apple have removed many but Grok and X remain under scrutiny amid EU/UK investigations and lawsuits, signaling ongoing regulatory pressure.
The article highlights five lesser-known apps compatible with Android Auto that enhance driving experiences, including Pocket FM for audio stories, Fuelio for fuel expense tracking, VLC for audio playback, Angry Birds 2 for gaming, and EasyPark for parking management, emphasizing their features and benefits.
The article highlights seven top third-party apps for Apple Watch that enhance its functionality beyond built-in features, including fitness tracking with Strava and Nike Run Club, outdoor navigation with AllTrails, mindfulness with Calm, music with Spotify, and navigation with Google Maps, offering users a versatile smartwatch experience.
The article highlights five underrated CarPlay apps—Waze, Simple Radio, GasBuddy, SpotHero, and Weather on the Way—that enhance driving experiences by offering better navigation, entertainment, parking, fuel price comparison, and weather updates, based on extensive personal testing and user ratings.
The article highlights five essential apps for enhancing the Apple TV experience, including Infuse for media playback, Spotify for music and podcasts, Letterboxd for movie tracking, Asphalt 8 for gaming, and Moonlight for game streaming, emphasizing their features and benefits for users.
Smartphones are versatile tools that can be used for a variety of practical purposes beyond communication, including measuring, detecting metals, remote controlling devices, digitizing photos, creating 3D scans, navigation, health monitoring, and more, often with simple apps and built-in features.
The article discusses various apps and websites like JustWatch, Reelgood, and New on Netflix that help users quickly find and organize content across multiple streaming platforms, making it easier to discover what to watch without browsing each service individually.
Google is developing new Android features to manage satellite connectivity, including a Quick Settings tile and a dedicated menu that lists compatible apps like WhatsApp, Maps, and weather apps, which may soon support satellite data and calling. Currently hidden behind developer options, these features aim to enhance connectivity in areas without cellular service, with broader availability expected in future Android updates.
Google is enhancing Android's app security by requiring developer verification and is developing a new flow that allows experienced users to sideload unverified apps at their own risk, with safeguards against coercion and clear warnings, aiming to balance security with user choice.
The article recommends five essential apps to install first on a new MacBook: Discord for communication, GIMP for image editing, Google Chrome for browsing, Steam for gaming, and VLC for media playback. The author also mentions using Macapps.link for easy app installation and emphasizes the importance of these tools for work and entertainment on a Mac.