Welcome to the 529th edition of Android Apps Weekly, where we discuss the latest mobile news and take a closer look at some of the hottest new apps and games. Let’s jump right in and take a look at some of the biggest events from the past week:
- Android 15 is expected to bring several improvements to the mix, including a completely redesigned desktop mode. While Android has had a desktop since 2010, the new revamped version will have better windowing capabilities and other improvements.
- Google is suing two fraudsters for compromising the integrity of the Play Store, according to a new report. Two people were responsible for uploading 87 fake crypto apps that affected over 100,000 people worldwide.
- Google’s new Find My Device solution is finally almost here, at least according to a recently spotted Find My Device webpage inside the Google Play Beta service. The updated system was announced about a year ago and is designed for greater accuracy and other improvements that should make the service better. Although the new system is not yet live, this is good news because it means we are getting closer.
- Disney Plus has announced plans to begin expanding its password-sharing restrictions to other countries, including the United States, following a successful test in Canada. The crackdown is expected to expand in June, with a full rollout in September. While it’s disappointing to see more streaming services introduce measures like this, it’s also not particularly surprising in our current economy.
- Google Messages may soon offer full support for satellite messages. While we previously spotted lines in the app’s code hinting at the change, a new APK teardown further reveals how the service will work, including a hint that it could be used for more than SOS: “You can send messages to anyone, including emergency services ” .
- Google Search is one of the company’s most important products, and with recent AI changes, it’s getting even better. Unfortunately, a new report also claims that Google may soon start charging for its enhancements that use Gemini Advanced and Google One technologies. Nothing is known yet about how much the company would charge or how the service would work.
- Despite previous security issues surrounding the iMessage solution with Nothing, Sunbird is back with a new app that is being rolled out in “small phases” starting today. The new app reportedly replaces the old system with a more secure implementation that focuses on privacy. Personally, we’d be cautious, but you can always try at your own risk.
Android Apps Weekly: New apps and games
Looking for new Android apps and Android games to keep you busy? There weren’t any big new apps this week, but there were plenty of games worth highlighting.
The lost potato
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
Astra: Knights of the Vedas
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
Astra is a Gacha RPG that has a pretty interesting premise: you died and yet you’re still here. The game initially opens with a big battle, jumping into the hack-in-slash action. Soon the soldiers around you start to come back to life as zombies of sorts. In the end, you too die, but a powerful goddess brings you back and sends you on a mission to save the world. If you like games like this but were hoping for something a little darker, this might be the perfect fit.
Horse Racing Hero: A horse riding game
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
If you’re hoping for something like Rival Stars Horse Riding, this game has a similar premise, but while the previous title feels more like a traditional video game, this version has a much more “mobile” feel to it. It’s basically horse training, but with an arcade, almost automatic approach. You don’t directly control the horses, other than tapping the boost button, although you do have a choice in which horses to use and more. While this isn’t the best horse racing game I’ve played on mobile, it’s still a fun game that kept my son entertained for about an hour.
Ghost Trick: The Phantom Detective
Ghost Trick is a mystery puzzle game from the same creators as the excellent Ace Attorney series, and now it’s back in a new HD remaster. This game has been around on Steam for a while, but its Android port faithfully lives up to the experience. At $30, it’s also very expensive for a mobile game, but that’s the point. Despite playing on a phone, this feels like a complete game and will absolutely keep you occupied for many hours to come.
The mystery of Eigengrau
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
Another puzzle solver, this atmospheric horror game is all about escaping the nightmare room as you try to solve a big mystery, and hopefully survive the process! With solid graphics and decent gameplay, this is a great darker, more mature game for those who want something less casual to play on their phones.