Welcome to the 495th version of Android Apps Weekly. Listed below are the massive headlines from the final week:
- Google’s Outcomes About You instrument obtained a lift in performance right here lately. The service now alerts you in the event you it detects new personally identifiable data in Google Search outcomes. It then provides you the instruments you have to eliminate it. Click on the hyperlink to be taught extra, however nearly everyone ought to test it out.
- YouTube Shorts obtained just a few new options this week. A few of them even got here from TikTok and Instagram Reels. The options embody a brand new Collab function just like TikTok’s Sew function, new instruments to transform panorama content material into portrait-oriented content material, and extra. Hit the hyperlink to be taught extra concerning the adjustments.
- Google might take away the Chrome from Chrome OS quickly. Google has spent a few years attempting to decouple Google Chrome from Chrome OS already. Some references within the code recommend that folk will be capable to allow a standalone browser beginning with Chrome OS 116.
- Fitbit is redesigning its app. The corporate boasts refreshed visuals, less complicated navigation, new options, and higher monitoring for achievements and badges. The beta rolled out on August 1st, so these adjustments ought to come to everybody within the comparatively close to future.
- A leaked Google memo reveals that it’s nonetheless dedicated to Google Assistant. It’s not a query a ton of individuals have requested, however ChatGPT and Bard sort of do what Assistant does. Google says they’re including AI smarts to Assistant to make it even higher than earlier than. To be completely trustworthy, that is the trail I assumed Google was going to take as an alternative of Bard, so it’s good to see they’re getting round to it will definitely. You may learn the leaked memo on the hyperlink.
Protection Derby
Worth: Free to play
Protection Derby is an aggressive tower protection recreation. You and three different gamers primarily bid for towers. The winner of the bids will get to put the tower as a part of their protection. The winner is the final participant standing. Successful video games nets you rank, which helps you to ascend to the subsequent league for stiffer competitors. It’s a singular twist on on-line PvP video games and tower protection. There are just a few PvE recreation modes as properly in the event you’re not feeling significantly aggressive on any given day. There are additionally some issues for gamers to gather and a few upgrades. Happily, you don’t want in-app purchases to do properly, nevertheless it does require some grinding.
FeedFlow is a brand new RSS app. We don’t see plenty of RSS apps as of late, so it’s a comparatively distinctive launch. This one includes a clear UI the place you possibly can scroll via your feed in peace. Clicking hyperlinks opens articles on their native web site, which is each a professional and a con. On the plus aspect, you’re supporting the creator and the web site by visiting. On the draw back, you lose out on RSS-specific reader features that another apps have. Nevertheless, we expect it’s an total good app. It feels light-weight, virtually like a standalone, extra customizable model of Google Uncover . You too can import your RSS feed with OPML information, which this app helps.
Snowbreak: Containment Zone/h2>
Worth: Free to play
Snowbreak: Containment Zone is a hybrid between a shooter and a gacha RPG. The characters you gather have varied talents but additionally use various kinds of weapons. You employ these characters to clear missions and earn rewards. It makes use of comparable controls to different gacha RPGs the place every characters has a base assault, a help skill, and an final skill. By way of gameplay, it’s really fairly enjoyable. There’s a co-op mode to play with pals, which already makes it a extra enjoyable expertise than most gacha RPGs. The graphics are respectable and the controls are okay. It has plenty of potential, however we’ll see how the sport grows over time.
Shortwave hit the Web this week like a ton of bricks. It’s developed by ex-Googlers and it’s primarily a follow-up to Inbox by Google. It has fairly just a few options and so they appear fairly good. You get the same old 2023 stuff like an AI helper that generates summaries of your electronic mail, which I really discovered insanely helpful for PR emails. That’s doubtless why skilled bloggers already prefer it a lot. Different options embody supply schedules, the same old stuff like pinning and snoozing emails, sensible labels, and the outdated Inbox by Google trick of grouping comparable emails collectively into teams. This app is free in the interim, and it’s fairly practical.
Practice Supervisor 2023
Worth: Free to play
Practice Supervisor 2023 is the most recent iteration of the moderately standard Practice Supervisor franchise. It’s, at its core, a practice tycoon recreation the place you create and handle your individual rail system. Like most, you begin with mainly nothing and develop your empire worldwide. You may observe your trains as they progress via their routes dwell. There are additionally varied upgrades and different issues you will get to extend your income. There are some objects which are solely attainable with in-app purchases, however fortunately, a minimum of early on, you don’t want them to progress via the sport. In a while within the recreation, although, it could develop into an issue.
If we missed any huge Android apps or video games releases, inform us about them within the feedback.