The FEMA Android app is the official emergency preparedness resource provided by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency.

• Version: 1.1.0
• Size: 633KB (no apps2SD)
• Category: Reference
• Price: Free

FEMA’s mission is to “support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.” Regardless of where you might be from (U.S. or not), the information included in this app is quite universal.

The first section of this Android app addresses the most important question, “Are you prepared?” To be able to confidently answer “yes”, you’ll want to review the information provided for what to do before, during, and after a disaster. The app includes fairly comprehensive instructions for the most likely disasters, e.g. earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. The purpose of this section is to help you understand what you can do now to protect yourself and your family. And if one of these scenarios were ever to occur, you’d have the basic knowledge to handle the situation.

Additionally, the FEMA Android app includes a checklist for creating a Basic Emergency Supply Kit. Included items are things like a flashlight, battery-powered/crank radio, batteries, whistle, and one gallon of water per person, per day for at least three days. Use the +Add button if you’d like to customize the list with personal items, e.g. medications or pet supplies.

The app also lets you save emergency meeting locations you’ve setup with friends/family in advance. The default page includes a primary and secondary in-town location along with an out-of-town location. Examples are places like the end of a driveway, a large tree, or a local community center.

If you are a disaster survivor, the FEMA app even includes the proper channels for applying for assistance through the web and over the phone along with recovery advice and support.

Pros:

• Detailed disaster safety tips
• Emergency kit checklist
• Recovery assistance and centers/shelters
• Offline support for reference information

Areas for improvement:

• Recovery center maps need Google Maps integration for directions
• App does not always respond correctly with hardware Android “back” button

Conclusion: The FEMA Android app offers an excellent starting point for you and your family’s emergency preparedness plan, along with serving as a resource in worst-case scenarios. As Miguel de Cervantes (author, Don Quixote) said, “The man who is prepared has his battle half fought.”

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FEMA Android App, Emergency Preparedness Reference is a post from: Best Android Apps Review

The AccuWeather for Android app offers accurate and localized weather all wrapped together in a beautiful, straightforward interface.

• Version: 2.0.10
• Size: 9.08MB (no apps2SD, necessary for widget functionality)
• Category: Weather
• Price: Free

The AccuWeather app includes one of the best weather widgets in its class of weather Android apps. The 4×1 horizontal widget includes a graphic for the current weather conditions (e.g. partly cloudy/sunny), along with the current temperature (plus the RealFeel® temperature), location, and today’s high/low temperatures. Like most other widgets, tapping it launches the full app.

After initially downloading the app, the first thing you’ll want to do (even before creating the widget above) is to set your current home location. You can also manually add as many other locations as you please, and can quickly switch between them with the drop-down arrow. Each location’s page displays the information described for the widget plus humidity, visibility, UV Index, sunrise/sunset times, and wind conditions. An extremely useful feature here is the ability to swipe through the hourly forecast for the next 24 hours without having to switch screens.

For an extended forecast, use the calendar icon in the bottom menu to see what to expect for the next 14 days. The satellite icon adjacent to the calendar icon displays a time-lapse, radar view of your surrounding area on the map. This view is best used to visualize when and where a storm might be coming from. If you’re l00king for even more detailed information, the clapboard icon lists local/regional weather videos to watch.

Basic settings let you set your preferred units (e.g. °C/°F, time format), choose whether or not you want notifications, and decide the color of the app’s theme (nice for those who like to “theme” their entire Android device).

Pros:

• Accurate and localized weather forecasts for locations around the world
• Current weather conditions updated every 15 minutes
• Unlimited locations can be stored, plus 10 “favorites”
• Elegant, informative homescreen widget

Areas for improvement:

• Increase length of time-lapse progression for the radar/map overlay
• Option to display both °C and °F simultaneously

Conclusion: AccuWeather for Android is one of the best weather apps available because of its attractive interface, informative widget, and up-to-date weather forecasts for locations around the world.

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AccuWeather for Android, Top Weather App is a post from: Best Android Apps Review

The Airbnb Android app offers a trusted community marketplace for searching and booking unique accommodations anywhere in the world.

• Version: 1.0.1
• Size: 7.21MB (apps2SD enabled)
• Category: Travel
• Price: Free

The Airbnb Android app lets you discover unique travel experiences in place of the standard, uninspiring hotel rooms many of us are accustomed to. Whether you’re looking for an “apartment for a night, a castle for a week, or a villa for month,” this app has you covered at any price point. Currently there are over 100,000 listings across 19,000 cities in 192 countries!

To get started, you can search through the available listings either by types of places (a.k.a. Collections) or by the specific city you’re interested in visiting. After your initial search, the filter feature is a convenient way to narrow potential places by things like price, # beds/bathrooms, check-in/out dates, and whether the place is a private room, shared room, or an entire residence. Results can then be viewed in either list format or my preferred method of pinpointed on a map. The latter method lets you quickly see how far you’ll be from things like public transportation, restaurants, and main attractions.

One enticing reason to use the Airbnb Android app is that the hosts (the people who you “rent” from) interact directly with you the entire time; from your check-in, to supplying your amenities, to offering up a local’s recommendations for where to go and what to see. From the many reviews I’ve read for countless locations, the hosts were almost always rated like a 5-star concierge. Note: once you’ve signed up, you can list your own abode directly from the Airbnb website.

All in all, Airbnb gives you a way to branch out and try something different (something worth sharing to family/friends).

Pros:

• Uncover one-of-a-kind accommodations around the world
• Search by location, price, dates, amenities, and more
• Sleek, polished user-interface
• Book, confirm, and pay all via the app itself

Areas for improvement:

• Ability to list places from within the app would be a plus

Conclusion: The Airbnb Android app offers a new and exciting way to spice up your travels by letting you discover and book privately owned locations all around the world.

[AppBrain Link]

Airbnb Android App, Book Unique Accommodations is a post from: Best Android Apps Review

The My Pregnancy Today Android app is a comprehensive daily pregnancy guide with a wealth of information for all expectant parents.

• Version: 1.1.0
• Size: 21.57MB (app2SD enabled)
• Category: Health & Fitness
• Price: Free

To get started with the app, enter (or calculate) your baby’s due date to instantly jump to the most relevant information in the pregnancy calendar. This calendar is the fundamental feature of the My Pregnancy Today app and provides week-specific developmental updates, videos, checklists, and more.

You’ll interact most with the Checklist tab which includes 40+ weeks worth of tips, activities, and reminders to make your pregnancy as comfortable and stress-free as possible (e.g. helps stay on top of your appointments, classes, and future baby planning). An example checklist section (for 20 weeks) is as follows: 1) celebrate your halfway point 2) talk to your baby, sing, or play music 3) keep track of your baby’s movements 4) pack healthy snacks 5) do some Kegel exercises. Click on a specific item for more information (and in some cases supplemental material linked to the BabyCenter.com website).

Overall, BabyCenter provides the highest quality and greatest quantity of valuable information in any pregnancy Android app.

Pros:

• Day by day, comprehensive pregnancy guide
• See what your baby looks like with the fetal development images
• Nutrition tips, birthing videos, and recommended activities
• “Birth Club” community of other women due in the same month

Areas for improvement:

• Integrate BabyCenter.com community forums into the app itself (remove need to leave app for mobile browser)

Conclusion: The My Pregnancy Today Android app is an essential resource for the expectant mother (and probably clueless father) no matter if its your first or fifth child.

[AppBrain Link]

My Pregnancy Today Android App, Daily Guide is a post from: Best Android Apps Review

The 2012 Australian Open Android app is a must-have for the diehard tennis fan looking to stay up-to-date with the latest scores, news, and match updates from this year’s first Grand Slam tournament.

• Version: 1.10
• Size: 1.47MB (apps2SD enabled)
• Category: Sports
• Price: Free

The 2012 Australian Open runs from Monday, January 16th to Sunday, January 29th and this app acts as your information hub for the entire tournament (with a straightforward homescreen that offers one-click navigation to nearly all of its content).

Let’s jump straight to arguably the best feature of this Android app, the live Radio coverage you can stream directly from the app itself. If you aren’t able to watch the matches on TV or online, this is easily the second best option. You can even submit questions directly to the announcers in the booth, which they read aloud and answer periodically.

If you’re lucky enough to be attending in person, use the “Event Guide” section to access seating charts, public transportation details, gate opening times, and places to shop/eat once inside (plus a whole lot more information you may want to reference). If you aren’t so lucky, use the “Photos” and “Video” sections to feel closer to the action.

As you’d expect from such an app, the “Scores” section provides the latest point updates for ongoing matches (or final scores for completed matches). For matches that are in progress, scores are updated every 30 seconds for nearly real-time match tracking. If you’d like to find out when your favorite players are in action, use the “Draws” section to view all match-ups in the respective brackets (men’s & women’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles).

One apparent drawback to this app is that it seems a majority of the information is being pulled straight from the Australian Open website database, which slows the app’s responsiveness and general loading times for certain sections (e.g. Draws).

Pros:

• Official 2012 Australian Open Android app
• Real-time scores, draws, and schedule
• Live, in-app radio coverage
• Extensive event guide for tournament attendees
• Complete player information database

Areas for improvement:

• Add match scores widget
• Option to “follow” players and get their match alerts/updates

Conclusion: With the 2012 Australian Open in full swing, this Android app is your connection to real-time tournament updates while on the go.

[AppBrain Link]

2012 Australian Open Android App is a post from: Best Android Apps Review

The Reversi Paper Blobs Android game is an updated, refreshed take on the classic reversi (aka Othello) board game.

• Version: 1.7
• Size: 2.21MB (apps2SD enabled)
• Category: Games
• Price: Free

If you’re unfamiliar with Reversi (or have forgotten its rules), here’s a quick crash course. Reversi is played against a single opponent on an 8×8 board with two-sided game pieces (which are typically black on one side and white on the other, one color for each player). Pieces must be played adjacent to an opponent’s such that one or more opponent’s pieces are flanked by two of your own. All flanked pieces are then “reversed” (flipped over) to become your own. When the board is completely full, the winner is the player with the most pieces.

This Reversi Android game rendition adds new functional spaces to the board, thereby creating another level of strategy compared with its predecessor. When the “heart square” is occupied, all adjacent opponent blobs will be overtaken after a certain number of turns (displayed on the square), assuming control of the “heart square” is not relinquished. When the “skull square” is occupied, the blob will decay (i.e. be removed from the board) after the specified number of turns. Use these special squares to your advantage but be weary of their ill effects. Note: if you prefer the classic game without these new squares, they can be toggled on/off in the options menu.

Pros:

• Revitalized version of a classic board game
• New board squares require further strategizing
• Four difficulty levels; easy, medium, hard, harder
• Creative, high-quality graphics

Areas for improvement:

• Offer a paid, ad-free version

Conclusion: Reversi Paper Blobs is a reinvigorated version of the classic black/white Reversi board game you’ve likely played in the past. With new board squares, creative graphics, and multiple difficulty options, you’ll surely be entertained and challenged.

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Paper Blobs, Reversi Android Game is a post from: Best Android Apps Review

The Voltage Android game combines a drop-block, Tetris-like gameplay with a more complicated, demanding requirement for removing said blocks.

• Version: 1.05
• Size: 15.45MB (apps2SD enabled)
• Category: Games
• Price: Free

Voltage features a 7×7 game board lined on the sides with oppositely charged electrodes that must be connected to complete a circuit (and remove the included blocks from the board). The challenge is created by the different types of blocks that can form various connections (e.g. up-down, left-right, turns). In true Tetris fashion, blocks can be moved left/right and then sent downward to the position you desire. In addition to different connection types, pay attention to certain blocks that rotate as they’re moved left/right as well as others that cannot be moved at all.

This Android game features three different gameplay types; block limit, time limit, and unlimited (all of which are relatively straightforward). Block limit requires more calculated moves with a focus on planning future circuits while time limit tests your quick thinking and snap-decision making skills. With OpenFeint integration, you can compete against all other Android users for the highest scores in all of the different modes.

Hint: always pay attention to the block that is coming up next as it will likely influence where you play the current block.

Pros:

• Simple, familiar gameplay with a challenging twist
• Success requires logic, planning, and strategy
• Multiple modes to master
• OpenFeint integration, global scores

Areas for improvement:

• Purpose and function of special power-ups need better explanation and more obvious icons

Conclusion: The Voltage Android game features Tetris-like gameplay where you must clear the board by moving/rotating blocks to create a circuit.

[AppBrain Link]

Voltage Android Game, Addicting Tetris-like Puzzle is a post from: Best Android Apps Review

The PicasaTool Android app is the best way to manage and sync your Picasa photos, web albums, and Android photos.

• Version: 5.1.1
• Size: 4.41MB (apps2SD enabled)
• Category: Photography
• Price: Free

With the absence of an official Picasa app from Google, PicasaTool is hands-down the best option for managing your Picasa photos from your Android device. Because this app was designed and developed specifically for Android, its functionality is both efficient and reliable.

To get started, you’ll need to login to the google account associated with your Picasa account (for most of us, these two are one in the same). However, for those of you who have multiple Picasa accounts, you’ll be pleased to know you can login and manage them all from this single app.

Use the “Albums” tab to view all photos you’ve uploaded and synced to your Picasa web albums (all changes, comments, etc. are synchronized bidirectionally, Picasa to Android and Android to Picasa). Each album is represented by its designated (or default) thumbnail, name, and number of photos. Additionally, albums that have been marked as “private” will display a small lock icon denoting that only you have access to them. Inside the album, the top toolbar houses buttons for the most important functions. The leftmost button enables you to make the photos available offline, essentially downloading them to your Android device’s SD card. The rightmost button lets you share/delete the album, upload new photos, change its privacy settings, etc. Lastly, the middle icon lets you perform bulk actions to the pictures in the album, including deleting them and moving them.

For those of us who enjoy taking pictures with our Android devices, the PicasaTool Android app gives you the power to create albums, selectively upload photos (without duplications), and share them all without ever accessing the Picasa web albums website.

Pros:

• Create, upload, sync, and manage Picasa web albums
• Search your albums, photos, and comments or Picasa’s public photos
• Intuitive app interface keeps it simple
• Power of Picasa: photo syncing linked to gmail account

Areas for improvement:

• Automatic sync options related to data connection type, e.g. WiFi only

Conclusion: PicasaTool is the quintessential Picasa Android app with its streamlined ability to create, upload, sync, share, and manage Picasa web albums all from your Android device.

[AppBrain Link]

PicasaTool Android App, Manage & Sync Picasa Photos is a post from: Best Android Apps Review

The Spirit HD Android game is a retro-inspired, arcade experience offering truly unique gameplay unlike any other game of its type.

• Version: 1.5.9
• Size: 15.62MB (apps2SD enabled)
• Category: Games
• Price: $0.99

Spirit HD is considered the tablet version of this Android game, however, the standard Spirit version is also included in the purchase for playing on your Android phone as well.

In the space-like environment, it’s your goal to guide Spirit around the various types of enemies that are also floating around. To get rid of the enemies you’ll have to send them into another dimension by opening up a wormhole. Wormholes can be created by looping Spirit in a circle and connecting back to the tail created by Spirit’s previous path (links). You can create as many wormholes as you like at any time, however, passing through an existing wormhole will interrupt Spirit’s path and future wormhole creation.

To earn the highest score, you’ll need to combine links and create combos where you send multiple enemies to other dimensions simultaneously. The top 10 high scores are recorded for each of the three modes of play; classic, extreme, and pulse. Once you’re able to hold your own in classic mode, try extreme mode for an even tougher challenge. To spice things up a little bit, pulse mode takes away Spirit’s ability to create wormholes and instead replaces them with “pulses” which create wormholes when Spirit passes through them (size proportional to the size of the purple ring).

One of the most noteworthy features of this Android game is its controls. For one, you can control Spirit with one finger from anywhere on the screen, which means your finger won’t obstruct your view (although thus far I’ve preferred to have my finger directly on Spirit to have full screen mobility). Second, the overall sensitivity of the controls is conducive to the fine movements required by the gameplay (and can be adjusted in the settings to your personal preference).

Pros:

• Retro-style graphics and gameplay experience
• Three different modes of play
• Simple, accurate one-touch controls
• Levels of waves of enemies generated randomly for each round

Areas for improvement:

• Option to save progress during the game
• Ability to start at a save point e.g. after a “game over”

Conclusion: The Spirit HD Android game is a retro-inspired, 80′s arcade-like game with sensitive controls and elegant graphics.

[AppBrain Link]

Spirit HD Android Game, Indie Arcade Experience is a post from: Best Android Apps Review

The Blow Up Android game is true to its name with levels of various structures requiring your planned demolition.

• Version: 1.8.7
• Size: 1.85MB (apps2SD enabled)
• Category: Games
• Price: $1.99

Blow Up features 90 challenging levels where it’s your goal to use the allotted dynamite to destroy the standing structure so that every single piece falls below the designated line.

To start, drag the sticks of dynamite from their place in the bottom toolbar to where you think they will be most effective. Note that the dynamite can only be attached to the wood portions of the structure and not the metal sections. The screen will zoom in around the dynamite as you drag it into place. But since your finger is on top of the dynamite, a zoomed in, pop-up window will appear in the top-right of the screen for precision placement.

For more sophisticated solutions, you can set each stick of dynamite to its own, independent time-delay. Like in a real world building demolition, successive explosions at different times and places can manipulate exactly how the building will fall. You’ll want to use this strategy in the Blow Up Android game to avoid explosive barrels and to control how the panda (perched on top of the structure) falls so you can earn the third star (and a better score).

Once all of your sticks of dynamite are positioned, press the red trigger button to watch the explosions take place. If your try was unsuccessful, the retry button resets the level including the previous positions of the dynamite so you can readjust them as you see fit.

Pro:

• 90 levels with easy, medium, and hard settings
• Realistic physics engine and gameplay
• Various explosives and detonation timers give way to a multitude of solutions
• Bonus challenges like getting the panda to hit the star during demolition

Areas for improvement:

• Panda sometimes falls from structure at the start of a level randomly, making earning that 3rd star impossible

Conclusion: The Blow Up Android game offers an entertaining, physics-based challenge where demolishing structures with dynamite is your ultimate objective.

[AppBrain Link]

Blow Up Android Game, Serious Demolition is a post from: Best Android Apps Review