App stores are crowded places these days, and because storage space on your phone is often at a premium, you’ll want to fill it with not only the best, but also the most helpful apps out there. Because they come and go quicker than the latest fashion trends, and digging through Google Play, the iTunes App Store, or any of the others is such a mission; a little nudge in the right direction is often very welcome. Here are the apps we think you need to check out this week.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and as cameras have improved — along with data speed and mobile network coverage — pictures truly have become a means of conversing with people. We’ve all had that moment in the middle of a text conversation where we’ve stopped typing and said, “let me just show you.”
Pixty is a messenger built around photos first. The app allows you to create photo streams with groups of people that you pick. It can be as few as one or as many as 200. Everyone in the group can share what they’re up to by snapping a picture and sending it into the stream. The process takes just three taps. Others in the group can comment or send a picture back. To save data, the photo-heavy app displays a compressed version of the photo until you’re connected to WiFi, then you can access the full resolution image.
Squad is billed as “Tinder for groups,” though you probably should withhold whatever dirty thoughts that concept inspires in your mind. Add your friends to your squad so you can keep track of who’s going out with you, what they’re doing, and when. Then browse through other squads and see what likeminded people are up to in your area. Meet up with the ones you like and maybe make your night even better.
Taking a great selfie is an art, and one that requires full resolution. While front-facing cameras are getting increasingly better, they still aren’t up to snuff with the high-resolution lenses on the back of the devices. SelfieX is the equalizer, helping you get perfect selfies while using the better camera. The app provides you with directions on where to point the camera so you’re assured to get your best side in every photo you take.
You know what the weather is like right now. You can look out your window and figure it out pretty quickly. But your plans for tomorrow could wind up ruined if you’re greeted by an unexpected hurdle from Mother Nature. If there are any changes in weather on their way overnight, WeatherIf will notify you of what to expect so you don’t step out into a rain storm without an umbrella. If you truly need to know what the weather is like right now, the app widget has you covered.
We’re all looking for a little inspiration. As it turns out, you might be able to find it in an app. Spark exists to jumpstart your brain and get you thinking in creative ways. The app provides prompts and ideas to keep your mind churning and thinking about things in new ways. You can share your favorite cards via Twitter and get feedback and ideas from your connections, making for an impromptu brainstorming session.
Two new highly requested iCloud plugins just got added to ChatGPT, giving people who rely on Apple’s Mail and Calendar services a way to search emails, check appointments, and manage their schedules directly through the chatbot.
The integration is rolling out to all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier. You can access it on the web, desktop, and iOS.
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.