When you think about how technology has evolved over the last ten years, there’s now a very good chance that “there’s an app for that”.
With Android dominating the worldwide Smartphone market with an 82.8% share in the second quarter of 2015 (*1), the demand for apps today is huge.
To celebrate the technological revolution and the passing of another year, we’re taking look back at the most popular free and paid Android apps over the last 12 months.
Top 3 Free Android Apps
Google’s mobile operating system, Android, is available on a host of phones and tablets, including Samsung and Huawei. Here’s a look at the best apps from 2015 you can install.
Facebook Messenger
Facebook’s very own messaging service tops the list – this free app provides an easy way to reach out to the most important people in your life.
Messenger is like texting, although you use data as opposed to credit and it’s available for your Facebook friends as well as contacts in your phone book.
You can also create group chats (ideal for work colleagues or sports teams), share photos and videos, and take free calls with people in other countries, as long as they’re made over a Wi-Fi connection.
A great app for contacting friends, family and loved ones, Facebook Messenger is a must, as it is a great alternative to FaceTime.
Using your phone’s Internet connection, WhatsApp allows you to send messages, videos and photos to other smartphone users for free.
You can also make calls, send and receive WhatsApp messages directly from your computer’s browser and engage in group chats. You’ll always stay logged in as well, so you won’t miss any messages.
New contacts on WhatsApp can also be located via your address book if you have someone’s number stored on your phone and they have an account too.
This app is free for the first year and charges thereafter, but it’s one of the most popular messaging services around, so go get it!
Piano Tiles (Don’t Tap The White Tile 2)
Taking third place in the list is this excellent and addictive game from Clean Master Games and the sequel to the first version, Piano Tiles (Don’t Tap The White Tile).
As the name suggests, users have to hit the black piano tiles in time with the music whilst avoiding pressing the white tiles on screen.
This time round there’s a new global competition mode to see how you compare with other game players around the world.
Reckon you’ve got what it takes to get a top score? Try out the game for yourself.
Top 3 Paid Android Apps
Let’s take a look at the top paid applications that Android has to offer.
Minecraft: Pocket Edition (£4.99)
A firm fan favourite in the Android world, ‘Minecraft: Pocket Edition’ is all about using blocks to build things and go on journeys and adventures.
Take a look around random generated worlds, including temples in the desert, and build a range of structures, such as elaborate houses or intricate castles.
You can play the game with unlimited resources or alternatively choose ‘survival mode’ where you need to craft and create weapons and armour to keep your enemies at bay.
Not played before? Be warned – it’s another addictive one, but extremely fun nonetheless.
The Room Two (£1.49)
The creators of this game call it a “physical puzzler wrapped in a mystery inside a tactile 3D world” and if that isn’t enticing enough, it’s even won a BAFTA game award.
The challenge involves finding cryptic letters from a scientist named “AS” and working out how to escape from each room.
In the updated version, you can even save your progress between multiple devices, allowing you to continue where you left off last time round and unlock new sections of the game.
OsmAnd+ Maps & Navigation (£5.19)
Providing access to free and worldwide Open Street Map (OSM) data, this app is great for navigation in driver, cyclist and pedestrian modes.
Map and navigation information can be obtained online or offline, and there are no roaming charges when you’re abroad.
With voice guidance, automatic rerouting when you go off track and search facilities by geographical location, address or points of interest, it’s easy to see why this app is worth the price.
Explore These Android Apps for Yourself
Now you know which apps have made an impact in 2015, it’s time to try them out for yourself (if you haven’t already got them of course).
With so many apps on the market, it looks as though 2016 will bring with it a whole host of updated apps that we’re familiar with, as well as the latest that technology has to offer.
About the Author
This post was written by Hire Intelligence, a leading UK supplier of state-of-the-art IT products for rental in the UK and Ireland.
References: http://www.idc.com/prodserv/smartphone-os-market-share.jsp
I thoguht finding this would be so arduous but it’s a breeze!