5 Android apps you shouldn't miss this week!

Welcome to the 344th edition of Android Apps Weekly. Here are the big headlines from the past week:

The Google Assistant had a few updates this week. The first contains some improvements to the agenda. The recommendations now change during the time of day, so you can get dinner suggestions for example. The second is a new shortcut feature that is similar to Siri’s on iOS. Click on both links to learn more.
Google and Apple are improving the Exposure API. In some cases it can now also be used without the app. Users can activate the feature without having to download anything specific and still receive notifications when they come into contact with someone with COVID-19. This is still being rolled out so Android users will still need an app, but this is new and should improve over time.
Russia could force Google and Apple to reduce sales of apps and games in the Play Store. A new law in the country can limit the amount companies can charge from 30% to 20%. That way, developers can keep more of their earnings, and the government says that goes for helping developers.
Amazon Music got a new feature this week. It now includes Twitch streams from musicians as part of its library. This is similar to the features already available in YouTube, as well as Spotify and Apple Music. This is a great idea as so many artists are streaming live instead of touring due to the pandemic. The update is now being introduced for those interested.
India pulled the trigger for another round of Chinese app and game bans. The ban covers 117 apps and games from China, including PUBG Mobile and most of APUS’s apps. These apps join the 59 already banned, including WeChat, TikTok, and others. Click the link for the full list.

Pulled over

Price: Free

PulledOver is a resource for people who are afraid of being run over by the police. It has many desirable features in one place so that anxious people don’t have to constantly switch between different apps. Features include a notification button that notifies someone who is important to you that you are going to be run over. There is also a video recording feature and the videos are uploaded for the PulledOver community to view if they choose to. This is obviously a response to the turmoil in the US, and even if you disagree with these things, it never hurts to have an app on hand to keep you safe just in case.

Interesting facts cars

Price: Play for free

Trivia Cars is a nice addition to the trivia genre. The players compete against each other to answer questions. Correct answers will get players to the finish line in a race, while lack of a question will result in ruining your car and starting over. The game also includes weekly PvP events, various unlockable items and over two million questions. The questions are user generated so they are not always well worded. In addition, the game has some connectivity issues and has a negative impact on the game’s energy system. Even so, it’s new so some bugs are to be expected and the idea is fun.

Take care of yourself

Price: Free

Take Care of Yourself is a new app from Philips that focuses heavily on yourself. It contains a variety of tips and tricks, as well as articles and other information about sleeping better, managing stress, and dealing with bad habits. You choose the types of things you want to work on and the app sends you little to-do lists, reminders, and notifications to remind you to do so. It’s a bit boring in terms of app design and functionality, but the heart of the app is in the right place.

Zoo Guardians

Price: Play for free

Zoo Guardians is a simulation game in which players build and maintain a zoo. You can build different exhibits there and keep different animals. The game encourages you to take care of them and ensure that they are at their peak of wellbeing at all times. The game really hammers into the ins and outs of zoology and cares about endangered species. In addition, it has some augmented reality features for interacting with animals. Of course there are also things like missions and goals to complete. The game has some loading issues but we expect these to be fixed sooner rather than later.

Firefox “daylight”

Price: Free

Firefox released a major overhaul to its Android app this week. It’s very similar to when Mozilla redesigned the Firefox desktop browser when Quantum was released last year. This version, dubbed Daylight, includes a major user interface overhaul, expanded tracking capabilities, and incorporates some of the more desirable Firefox Focus features into Privacy Mode. Some other features include easier switching between day and night modes, improved picture-in-picture capabilities, and a revamped expansion experience. You can read about all the new features in the company’s official blog post here.