Welcome to the 288th edition of Android Apps Weekly! Here are the big headlines from the last week:
- HBO Max is coming in 2020. The new service combines the content of HBO GO with a bunch of extra stuff. It’s basically an HBO stuffed version of Netflix. Some of the shows include Friends and Big Bang Theory along with a bunch of other content. Unfortunately, it means even more streaming service fragmentation and it promises to be rather expensive. However, if you’re interested, hit the link to learn everything you need to know!
- Google put a few products down this week. The first is Google Daydream. The Pixel 4 XL doesn’t work with Daydream and Google quietly announced its demise shortly after the Made by Google event earlier this week. Our best Daydream apps and games lists will get a single update and be retired as well. The second product was Datally and the third was Google Clips. Hit the links to learn more about those.
- Google unveiled the new Google Assistant this week. It’s basically like the old Google Assistant. However, this new variant does more things on the device without an Internet connection, better contextual interactions, support for the Pixel Buds 2, and a UI overhaul. It’s only on the Pixel 4 right now but let’s face facts, it’ll get to everybody eventually.
- Fortnite went down on Monday. It was hilarious because it upset a lot of people. However, it also opened the doors for Epic Games to launch its Chapter Two. The new chapter includes a new map with new points of interest along with some other new content. This massive refresh gives players some new stuff to do. Hit the link to learn more!
- Google banned a bunch of predatory apps from the Play Store. This time around, the ban applies to credit card and loan apps with absurdly high interest rates. Such apps give loans to people with bad credit and charge them an arm and a leg in interest. Google says this is a good thing to protect consumers. Loan companies hate it because, of course, they make less money. However, with these loan apps targeting poor people with quick cash, it’s probably for the best.
Vectronom
Price: $5.49
Vectronom is a unique mix of a puzzle game and a rhythm game. The game mechanics are mostly puzzle. You maneuver various levels and avoid various obstacles. However, those obstacles and levels pulse, move, and appear on a beat. Thus, you end up kind of dancing your way through these levels. The music is predominately electronic with a strong bass beat for easy identification of the beat for game mechanic purposes. It’s a neat mix of genres, especially for rhythm game fans. It runs for $5.49 with no additional in-app purchases.
Music Zen
Price: Free / $4.99 per month / $49.99 per year
Music Zen is a rare new sound app. It delivers a variety of sounds that many may find pleasing, relaxing, or otherwise euphoric. Some examples include bubble wrap pops, rain noises, slicing noises, aquarium sounds, and other such things. The app also has sleep app features, visual elements, and some other neat stuff. The app works like you would expect. You can listen to almost any sound at will and you can set things like sleep timers and all of that. It’s simple and it does what it says. The price is a bit steep for our tastes, but it’s up to you if you think it’s worth it or not.
Bad North: Jotunn Edition
Price: $4.99
Bad North: Jotunn Edition is a real-time strategy game. You play the role as ruler after your dad is taken out by Vikings. On top of the regular strategy elements, there is also a protection element. For instance, Viking invaders can throw torches into buildings and kill innocent bystanders. It’s a bit rough. However, the game is quite fun and the art style is pleasing and enjoyable. There are a bunch of various mechanics to make it feel fresh in its genre. There is also a PC and Nintendo Switch version if you want to try it on other platforms.
Volume Control Panel Pro
Price: $0.99
Volume Control Panel Pro is a neat little app for your volume. It creates an overlay with all of your various volumes so you can adjust them all at once. The app overrides your volume buttons and opens this app instead of the normal volume controls. It has a left and right handed mode, customizable themes, and it works with external devices like Bluetooth headphones. It costs $0.99 and has no demo version. However, it worked fine on our testing devices and it’s actually better than the stock volume function on many devices.
Zombieland: Double Tapper
Price: Free to play
Zombieland: Double Tapper is the big name game for this week. It’s your standard free to play arcade mobile experience so you know what you’re in for. This one is an idle RPG so there really isn’t a whole lot for you to do. The game feature gacha elements as well as simple tap controls to shoot zombies. The big draw here is collecting all the characters from the popular movie and using them to shoot bad guys. The idle clicker mechanics are easy to learn and mildly enjoyable to execute. If you like idle clicker RPGs, this may be fun for you.
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