It’s a busy time of year, so you might not have time to browse the various app stores to find something new, so we’ve done it for you. Here are a few apps to check out this week.
FilmoraGo is a nice-looking video editing app that lets you grab videos and photos from your camera roll, Facebook, and Instagram. The free app offers the ability to add themes, music, filters, and titles as well. The music comes from FilmoraGo’s library of licensed music, or you can choose something from your own device. Once you’ve trimmed the video to your liking and added filters or themes, you can share it straight to multiple apps including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, Vimeo, and more. There’s also a Windows and Mac version, should you want to work on a video on a desktop, and the iPhone app is on the way.
If you find yourself gazing out the window thinking about traveling, you might want to take a peek at Ascape VR. It’s a virtual reality app that offers 360 degree images, videos, and virtual tours. The company behind the app is adamant about offering the highest image and video quality, as well as positional sound to make you really feel as if you’re at the location. The app works best if you have a virtual reality headset like Google Cardboard or the Oculus Rift, but it’s not necessary. Do note, you’ll have to download each “trip” to view it.
Just when you thought GIF integration into messaging apps was getting popular, out comes Yarn. Yarn for Messenger works the exact same way as other app integrations like Giphy for Messenger do, except rather than sending GIFs, it sends a short video clip. So say you want to say “hello,” a little differently: once downloaded, hit the Yarn icon in Facebook Messenger and type “hello” to get a variety of short clips ranging from Adele’s Hello, to Luke Skywalker saying “hello” to R2-D2 from Star Wars. Tap on the clip you want, and that’s it — Your friend will be able to play the short video clip.
Fair warning, playing this may raise your temper to an all time high. What else can you expect from the developer of the popular Flappy Bird? Swing Copters 2 is a sequel and it’s more or less the same as the original, but it offers relatively better visuals while keeping the same, incredibly difficult gameplay. You’ll be moving vertically, and basically all you have to do is tap to change the pilot’s direction. Sounds easy enough right? Well no, it’s not. You’ll be a pro if you can get more than one point. Good luck.
Want to track your miles per gallon? Jerrycan can help you with that. The app tracks mileage, fuel, MPG, and more, as long as you remember to use it. When you fill up your tank, add the price, volume, and the gas station’s location. The app will collect that data and will give you back information on distance traveled, spending, and more. It’ll cost you $3, but it’s a pretty-looking app, which might be worth it to you. It’s not out for Android yet, but it could arrive on the OS eventually.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.
Samsung’s scandal over its Game Optimizing Service, or GOS, has returned with a bill attached. South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has tentatively fined the company 20.1 billion won, or about $15.1 million, over gaming claims made for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22, and Tab S8.
The regulator says Samsung promoted the devices as gaming powerhouses without disclosing that GOS placed preset CPU and GPU limits on certain demanding games. Samsung disputes that conclusion, calling GOS a legitimate way to manage heat.
Apple's next cheaper iPhone could get a brand-new processor while keeping its most stubborn display compromise. Digital Chat Station tips the iPhone 18e for a 2027 release with a 2nm A20 chip and a 6.12-inch OLED screen still limited to 60Hz.
The rumored camera setup includes a single 48MP rear camera and a possible 24MP selfie camera. There's new hardware to consider, but buyers hoping Apple would extend that upgrade generosity to smoother scrolling could be disappointed.