Last September, I took a look at Samsung’s home screen replacement called Pure Breeze Launcher. At the time, I went easy on them. It was pretty bad when it first came out, but I praised Samsung nonetheless for “thinking outside the box” (ugh). But that was then. And this is now. Pure Breeze Launcher [...]]]>

Last September, I took a look at Samsung’s home screen replacement called Pure Breeze Launcher. At the time, I went easy on them. It was pretty bad when it first came out, but I praised Samsung nonetheless for “thinking outside the box” (ugh). But that was then. And this is now. Pure Breeze Launcher has been tweaked, updated to work with Android 4 and boasts a “new modern user experience.” Too bad it still sucks.

The theory behind Pure Breeze Launcher isn’t all that terrible. A minimal way to keep all your apps organized, giving you constant access to what you use the most. But the execution is so poor, I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out what the hell Samsung is really going for.

If I had to describe Pure Breeze Launcher in one sentence? It’s like Samsung took Apple’s always-open-app-drawer approach, added the ability to make folders into an entire page and color coded it all. If I had to elaborate? Actually, one sentence is fine. There’s nothing to this launcher. Some frosted glass accents, crazy names for everything (the Kite?!) and a whole lot of bugs.

Even though it says Pure Breeze Launcher was updated for Android 4, it barely works on my Nexus S. Icons keep disappearing. I can’t scroll between pages, err groups, err the Kite. No wait… it didn’t start me off in the Kite. It started me off in the all apps page. So how do I get to the Kite… OK, press home again. So then to get to my groups… No, that doesn’t make sense, maybe I… Well my groups are supposed to be here… What?! There’s no icons, but pressing this blank area takes me to my groups… Well then how do I… SCREW IT.

But hey! You can have wallpapers now! Samsung is kind enough to start you off with a wallaper of a guy wearing some Adidas jersey shorts and an athletic shirt (at least I think that’s the PC term for “wife-beater”) fishing off a pier. Now that’s art.

Look, I really wanted to like Pure Breeze Launcher. I swear I did. The idea of the Kite, an endlessly scrollable area where you can throw apps and widgets and shortcuts sounds kinda cool. But it just doesn’t work. If fact, it drove me partially insane. Which is why I probably shouldn’t do this, but if you want, you can download the Lite version of Pure Breeze below. Just remember, I can’t be held responsible for any medical expenses incurred from trying to remove the memory of this thing from your brain.

Pure Breeze Launcher Lite Samsung San Jose Mobile Lab PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

“FIRE UP THAT TANNING BED AND BREAK OUT THE HAIRGEL! DJ Pauly D is here with a ton of fistpumpin’ fun.” Yes! It’s just what I’ve been waiting for! A game starring Jersey Shore’s DJ Pauly D that steals heavily borrows character design from the original Mega Man series! No, no. Wait a second. This [...]]]>

“FIRE UP THAT TANNING BED AND BREAK OUT THE HAIRGEL! DJ Pauly D is here with a ton of fistpumpin’ fun.” Yes! It’s just what I’ve been waiting for! A game starring Jersey Shore’s DJ Pauly D that steals heavily borrows character design from the original Mega Man series! No, no. Wait a second. This is all wrong. That’s exactly what I don’t want.

When DJ Pauly D was first brought to my attention, and I took a gander at the app listing, I was surprised. A solid 3.8 stars? I’ve used great apps that have been ranked worse than this. So I choked up the courage to drop $2 on this bad boy and hoped for the best.

Here’s the thing about DJ Pauly D – Beat that Boardwalk. The gameplay isn’t really all that bad. It’s like Streets of Rage, but without the fighting. Just moving up and down. And jumping. If I were giving this my opinion free review, I’d probably say something like, “with relatively solid gameplay, if you like Jersey Shore and have a spare $2 in your bank account, you might want to give Pauly D the game a shot.”

But this isn’t that review.

This is the review where I can barely hold back my loathing for the disgusting freak show that is Jersey Shore. Everything about the app amplifies that by about x50. From the email announcing the app (“The player did G.T.L. right when they get a ‘Guido Streak”, starting to look frail well the players know its time for ‘Going to the Gym’, and when Pauly D’s skin starts to look moon color the users know its time for ‘Going to get a tan.),’ to the app listing itself (“BOMB THE BOARDWALK! BOARDWALKERS, MUSIC AND BLING! PUMP IRON TO ACTIVATE JUICEHEAD MODE! STOP AND TAKE TAN! LAUNDROMATS KEEP YOU LOOKIN’ FLY!” yes I swear those are real quotes), everything screams, “this is what’s wrong with the youth of our nation!”

And did I mention the characters look an awful lot like the characters from the original Mega Man series? Way to stomp on my childhood.

I could never take a game like this seriously. Which is exactly why it’s the CrApp of the Week. If you’re a rich sadist, or there’s just something wrong with you, go ahead and download DJ Pauly D – Beat the Boardwalk. Or you can take my word for it. That $2 could be far better spent not doing virtual laundry, TAKING TAN and PUMPING IRON.

DJ Pauly D MEDL Mobile PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Let’s face it: the official Twitter for Android app is only decent at best. Thankfully, there’s always been alternatives. From the glory days of Twicca, to the transition of Touiteur into Plume, third-party Twitter apps have stolen the show from day one. We’re always on the lookout for new Twitter clients, but things have been [...]]]>

Let’s face it: the official Twitter for Android app is only decent at best. Thankfully, there’s always been alternatives. From the glory days of Twicca, to the transition of Touiteur into Plume, third-party Twitter apps have stolen the show from day one. We’re always on the lookout for new Twitter clients, but things have been quiet for quite some time now. Until today, that is, when a demo video for Carbon for Android found its way online.

Carbon isn’t exactly new to the Twitter scene, but they are new to Android. Originally released as a webOS application, Carbon has made the jump to Windows Phone, and now the development team behind the app has Android in their sights. So just makes Carbon any different from the rest of the third-party Twitter client mafia?

The first thing that pops out from the demo video is the smooth gesture based UI. By swiping left and right, you can navigate through different layers of Twitter, only needing a few touches here and there to completely master the app. There’s a ton of flashy animations to accompany swipes that make the app look genuinely fun to use.

And there’s how Carbon for Android looks. It looks native. Like it belongs on Android. The official Twitter app for Android is made to work on multiple OSes. There’s practically nothing in the app made specifically for Android. Carbon not only features Android’s default on-screen menu button and blue highlights, it even uses the same blue circle from the notification window for a horizontal sliding info shade. It looks impressive to say the least.

There’s no release date for Carbon yet (or price), but the developers promise it’s coming soon. In my case, it can’t come soon enough. I’m dying to give it a shot.

It’s not everyday you get awesome press emails detailing apps like Kick Kony’s Ass, there must be something special in the air this afternoon.

Advertised as, “an attempt to provide some relief for those distraught and frustrated from seeing and hearing about the crimes against humanity as shown in the KONY 2012 video,” Kick Kony’s [...]]]>

It’s not everyday you get awesome press emails detailing apps like Kick Kony’s Ass, there must be something special in the air this afternoon.

Advertised as, “an attempt to provide some relief for those distraught and frustrated from seeing and hearing about the crimes against humanity as shown in the KONY 2012 video,” Kick Kony’s Ass is exactly what one might think. The app provides you with a virtual Kony of your own, created purely for your beating pleasure.

Hyper-realistic sound effects and an immersive African inspired soundtrack will whisk you away from your boring life, and suit you up as the sole defender of all that is good in the world. Knock off Kony’s hat, break out his teeth, blast him ’till his eyes are swollen shut (“essentially giving him a taste of his own medicine”), and you make the front page of the New York Times with the headline, “KONY CAPTURED.” Sounds pretty sweet, right? Trust me, playing it is even better than it sounds.

Despite what the press release for Kick Kony’s Ass says, I can’t find the app in any reputable app stores. It’s supposed to be in the App Hysteria store, GetJar, Handango and the Google Play Store, but I could only get the app by installing a mystery .apk file found in the YouTube description of a demo video for the app. Until it actually shows up somewhere safe, install at your own risk.

If you don’t feel like installing Kick Kony’s Ass, hopefully the video below will sate your bloodlust.

Have a fantastically terrible Android CrApp you’d like to see covered? Let us know in the comments below.

Ah, it’s finally that time of year again. When warm spring air ushers in the end of a long, hard winter, and the beginning of the best month of the year for college basketball fans: March Madness. Whether you’re an all-season type of fan, or the kind that just tunes in for the tournament, chances [...]]]>

Ah, it’s finally that time of year again. When warm spring air ushers in the end of a long, hard winter, and the beginning of the best month of the year for college basketball fans: March Madness. Whether you’re an all-season type of fan, or the kind that just tunes in for the tournament, chances are you’re not going to be able to make it to a TV to catch all 67 games this year. But fret not fellow Android user. With NCAA March Madness Live for Android, you can view every tournament game and more right from smartphone.

Available now in the Google Play store, Turner Sports Interactive has released NCAA March Madness Live. Giving Android users complete access to all 67 live NCAA basketball games, brackets, social feeds, score alerts and a heap of other in-depth information on the tournament.

The initial app download is free, but certain features, like game streams, are unavailable until you pay a $3.99 fee. Once you pay for the live streaming, you can use the same login info associated with the Android app on your desktop computer for access to games there as well. Before you buy the streaming package, make sure to check the device compatibility list in the March Madness Live app listing. The app doesn’t work on tablets, and streaming is only available for devices running Android 2.2 and 2.3.

Who are you rooting for this season? Be sure to show your team pride in the comments. As for me, I’m going all green. Go Michigan State!

To download NCAA March Madness Live for Android, just use the handy download widget below.

NCAA March Madness Live Turner Sports Interactive, Inc PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Torrent remote controllers, applications that give you access to various torrent clients on your PC from your Android device, are nothing new. However, a bona fide torrent client for Android is. Imagine being able to download and seed any and all types of files directly from your Android device. It may seem a little far [...]]]>

Torrent remote controllers, applications that give you access to various torrent clients on your PC from your Android device, are nothing new. However, a bona fide torrent client for Android is. Imagine being able to download and seed any and all types of files directly from your Android device. It may seem a little far fetched right now, but with a uTorrent client in the works for Android, it’s about to become a reality.

As Android inches closer to desktop replacement territory with hardware like the Transformer and software like Ubuntu for Android, traditional desktop apps well suited for post-PC devices are set to evolve at a rapid pace. Photoshop is one application that has made the transition with ease.

Photoshop Touch has set the standard for just how well desktop applications can work on post-PC devices. Advanced photo editing is well suited for the experience a tablet offers. For some who have replaced their laptop with a Transformer Prime, not having the ability to edit photos with their mobile computer would be a deal breaker. The same goes for torrenting.

Plenty of people rely on torrents for legitimate file sharing (not just pirating) all over the world. A complete uTorrent app for Android would likely push millions of users towards tablets and phones that can run the app.

If Google really wants to see Android hit the next stage of evolution, they need to push for software developers like BitTorrent, the folks behind uTorrent, to make applications for Android. Apple’s iPad may have a leg up on Android when it comes to app selection right now, but Android’s open market and flexibility gives it a huge advantage when it comes to which platform is best suited to make a smooth transition from desktop to mobile.

BitTorrent has gone on the record to say there’s no ETA for uTorrent for Android.

While Sprint remains committed to Google Wallet for Near Field Communications based mobile payments, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are all backing Isis. Slated to make an appearance on smartphones this summer, Isis is making news today with an announcement of their first banking partners, and a screenshot showcasing what to expect from the service.

When I got my first Android phone a little over three years ago, one of my favorite things was to browse the Android Market and watch which apps were being pushed to the Android Market. Developers soon began to exploit the Just In section of the Android Market with fake updates to get their app to the [...]]]>

When I got my first Android phone a little over three years ago, one of my favorite things was to browse the Android Market and watch which apps were being pushed to the Android Market. Developers soon began to exploit the Just In section of the Android Market with fake updates to get their app to the top of the list, so Google eventually removed that feature.

Now when I want to see what’s new in the Android Market, I turn to AppAware. I’ve covered the app before and it’s been around for a couple years, but they just relaunched a couple months ago with a completely overhauled version that turned the service into a social network for app discovery.

AppAware Find the Best Apps 42matters AG - AppAware PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

I’ve found that one of the best ways to discover useful apps is to look at what people are actually updating, and not focus on which apps have the most installs. This shows me which apps have active support from their developers and sometimes reminds me of an old app that I might have removed long ago.

The following is a Top 10 list of apps which were updated in the last seven days and received the most updates during that time period on AppAware. I hope you enjoy this weekly feature and discover some apps that you might find useful.

Google Maps – Version varies with device

Since it comes pre-installed on most devices, I’m sure most of you already have this app. I’m still amazed at how many of my friends never update their apps though. The latest version features improved battery performance, so make sure you grab it right away.

What’s new in this version:

1. Improved battery performance for Latitude and Location History users.
2. Bug fixes

Maps Google Inc. PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Adobe Flash Player 11 – Version varies by device

Flash Player for mobile devices is essentially dead, but Adobe is still pushing out minor bug fixes and performance tweaks. The latest version improves support for Android 4.0 devices and includes performance improvements, so grab it while you still can.

What’s new in this version:

1. This update to Adobe Flash Player 11 includes compatibility with Android 4 supported devices, performance improvements and bug fixes related to security and stability. The complete set of release notes can be found at: http://adobe.ly/s16mAX

Adobe Flash Player 11 Adobe Systems PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Facebook for Android – Version varies with device

Facebook is the most popular Android app and it saw a major update this week. New additions includes games, faster navigation, access to mobile timelines, and more. Consider this a must update for any Facebook fans.

What’s new in this version:

1. Navigate anywhere, fast: Get to your groups, apps, pages, and settings with a single press
2. Search and you will discover: Look through friends, subscribers, apps, and pages
3. See your friends tags on pictures and zoom: New photo viewing experience
4. Faster notifications: Get alerted in real time with new push notifications
5. Games & Apps: Play games and access your favorite apps on the go
6. Access to mobile timeline (If you already have a timeline)
7. Access to friend lists and subscriptions

Facebook for Android Facebook PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Kindle – Version varies with device

I don’t know what triggered it, but Kindle has seen an explosion in installs during the last 30 days. This recent update is just a minor bug fix, so we have nothing cool to report. If you have never checked out Kindle, they have thousands of free ebooks to read along with over a million books to purchase.

What’s new in this version:

1. Fixed a critical bug where the app would not open on certain devices.

Kindle AMZN Mobile LLC PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Lookout Security & Antivirus – Version 7.4-8155d1c

I consider Lookout Security a must install for Android users. Not everyone needs the antivirus scanning features, but it’s always nice to have that extra layer of security. The real reason I use it is for the phone locating feature that provides a peace of mind in case I ever lose my device. We also appreciate the Lookout blog that attempts to educate users rather than scare them like most security firms.

What’s new in this version:

1. Lookout now supports French and Japanese! Set your device’s language to French or Japanese to access this functionality.
2. Threat details now available in German, French and Japanese for security and privacy alerts.

Lookout Security & Antivirus Lookout Mobile Security PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

ES File Explorer – Version 1.6.1.1

Can you believe Android still doesn’t have an official file manager? Android 3.0 added a downloads manager which helped a little, but I still find myself needing a full featured file manager at times. ES File Manager is the one I go to most often, and other users love it too. It currently has an average rating of 4.7, which is amazing when you consider it has over 10 million installs.

What’s new in this version:

1. Batch Uninstall
2. Disk Usage Graph
3. Uninstall System App
4. Customize Background
5. Change Language

ES File Explorer EStrongs Inc. PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Titanium Backup ★ root - Version 4.7.7.1

If your Android device is rooted, Titanium Backup has a special version just for you. It has too many features to even list, so check out the Market description if you are rooted. Titanium Backup was recently voted as the top app for rooted devices and maintains an average review score of 4.8 with over 4 million installs.

What’s new in this version:

1. Added support for MIPS platforms (experimental)
2. Fixed FC when creating TB widgets (sorry!)
3. Updated translations
4. This is a bugfix release

Titanium Backup ★ root Titanium Track PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Pulse News – Version 2.7.6

When I read my news, I prefer Google Reader for its simplicity and speed. For those that want a more visual friendly version of the news, I suggest Pulse. This update is a minor one, but the last version added a completely redesigned catalog of content and a feature called Smart Dock, that recommends sources based on what you read. If you use Pulse, make sure to browse their Android catalog and add Android and Me to your sources!

What’s new in this version:

1. blank reading view bug fixed
2. follows global sync settings (requires new permission)

Pulse News Alphonso Labs PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Firefox – Version 10.0.2

Before I switched to Chrome a couple years ago, Firefox was my browser of choice. I haven’t touched Firefox in years, but it’s still a popular alternative browser. However, it appears their mobile version is still pretty sub-par with an average review score of 3.5. This update is minor, but you might want to check it out if you haven’t used it since they moved to version 10.0.

What’s new in this version:

1. Improved Sync set-up
2. Bug fixes

Firefox Mozilla PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Layar – Version 6.1

Layar is one of those cool augmented reality apps that is fun to show off to your friends, but not something that you actually use that much. I’ve had it installed on my phone for awhile, but I rarely open it up. Over 10 million people have installed it, but it only has an average review score of 3.6. The latest version features a “friendlier design”, so check it out if you haven’t played with it in years.

What’s new in this version:

1. Directly Access Scan View via improved app navigation
2. App opens in scan mode
3. Tap to View: tap anywhere on the screen to initiate scan
4. Friendlier design

Layar Layar PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Honorable mentions

Did you see any Android apps that received notable updates in the last week? Share your suggestions in the comments below and we will add them to our honorable mentions list.

Bump 3.0: “Bump is totally new! Bump two phones together to share photos, contacts, and apps!”

Bump Bump Technologies, Inc PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Flickr: “9 New languages! German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Bahasa Indonesia.”

Flickr Yahoo! Inc. PLAY QR POWERED BY APPAWARE

Back in early February, the Swype Twitter account announced an update to the ever-popular alternative keyboard would be coming soon. At the time, Swype didn’t say what the update would include. I reached out to them on Twitter for more details, and they confirmed that the update planned would indeed include Android 4.0 [...]]]>

Back in early February, the Swype Twitter account announced an update to the ever-popular alternative keyboard would be coming soon. At the time, Swype didn’t say what the update would include. I reached out to them on Twitter for more details, and they confirmed that the update planned would indeed include Android 4.0 support. Today, that update has finally been made available.

Of all the alternative keyboards to ever grace Android, Swype is undoubtedly the most popular. Instead of pressing each individual key to spell out words, Swype allows you to touch on the first letter of the word you’re spelling, and swipe your fingers through the letters in the rest of the word. Once you reach the last letter, lift your finger and voila, that’s all there is too it.

Hacked versions of Swype for Android 4.0 have been around ever since Ice Cream Sandwich was first made available to the masses. Unfortunately, the hacked versions of Swype have never really been bug free. The main purpose of today’s update to Swype is to get the keyboard fully functional on Android 4.0 and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

The latest version of Swype also includes downloadable languages for tablets, accuracy improvements and add-ons for DragonGo!.

To download Swype for your device, head on over to the Swype beta website and follow the instructions provided.

Of all the video games to come out in the last five years, Portal might just be one of the best. If you’ve never played the game, it’s an absolute must. It’s won a ton of awards, and thanks to its immense popularity, has been made available for Windows, OSX, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. [...]]]>

Of all the video games to come out in the last five years, Portal might just be one of the best. If you’ve never played the game, it’s an absolute must. It’s won a ton of awards, and thanks to its immense popularity, has been made available for Windows, OSX, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Unfortunately, the game has never gone mobile. But with today’s high-end Android hardware and game engines, it’s possible right? Yes. And there’s even a proof-of-concept clone to prove it.

Android Police‘s David Ruddock recently got his hands on a proof-of-concept Portal clone for Android. According to David, the clone not only works, but does so impressively well. Controls are functional, and graphics are great. David says that there’s not a whole lot to play right now, and one of the most important aspects of the game, the portals themselves, aren’t fully functional, but it’s enough to leave us excited for the future of Android gaming.

If a group of Russian software developers can build their own Portal clone in their free time, the day when Android is included as a normal launch platform for high-quality games can’t be far off. Right now, there’s several app developers pushing Android to its limits. As great as that is, we’d love to see the next Call of Duty, Battlefield, Portal, Fallout or any other high-end game launch on Android right along with Xbox, PC and PS3. The quality of today’s Portal clone let’s us know it’s possible.

C’mon Valve, we know you have the resources, Android users want to think with portals too.