Medisafe offers short videos for most medications where a doctor describes the medication and explains possible side effects and other useful information. The app will even flag possible interactions if you are taking multiple medications. The free version is excellent, but you can get rid of ads and unlock some extra customization options with a subscription ($5/month or $40/year).
How to Set Reminders on an Android Phone
There are various ways you might set a medication reminder on an Android phone.
Use Google Assistant
Google via Simon Hill
The quickest and easiest way to set a reminder on your Android phone is to use Google Assistant. For example, you can say, “Hey Google, remind me to take my pill every day at 9 am.”
If you have a family group set up, you can also set reminders for other folks in your family by saying something like, “Hey Google, remind Jenny to take her pill every day at 8 pm.”
To review and tweak any reminders you have set, say, “Hey Google, show my reminders.”
Use Google Calendar
You could also set up medication reminders in Google Calendar. Open the Calendar app, select a day, tap the Plus icon, and choose Reminder. You can specify a time and tap where it says Does not repeat, then change to Every day or set another interval. When you are happy with the details, tap Save.
Use a Medication App
As we said above, of the many medication apps available for Android, our top pick is Medisafe’s Pill Reminder and Med Tracker. This slick app is the Android version of the iPhone app we recommend above, and it’s easy to set up and offers the same wealth of features. You can set reminders for multiple medications, track your consumption, set up refill alerts, track symptoms, and get warnings about possible interactions.
How to Set Reminders on a Samsung Phone
As well as the methods listed above for Android phones, Samsung offers excellent medication reminders in its Health app on Samsung phones. Here’s how to set them up:
Open the Health app, scroll down to the Medications section and tap on it.
Tap Add medication and start typing the name of your medication. You should see a list of suggestions pop up. If you can’t find yours, tap Add custom medication at the bottom.
Once you have selected your medication, you can select the type and strength. You can also identify the pill shape on the next screen.
Now it’s time to set your schedule. You can select the time and dosage required and the period to complete the course (if applicable).
The last screen allows you to review the schedule you have created and set a medication nickname and notes, if you want to. Hit Save if it all looks good.
The final screen warns you about potential interactions with other drugs or substances, such as alcohol. You can tap on possible interactions for further information on the risks.
Once added, you will see medications listed in the Health app via the Medications section with a timeline along the top and a log of what you must take each day. You can mark it off for that day by tapping Take.
Tap on any medication in the Your medications section to edit that record. You can also add your number of remaining pills and toggle on a Refill reminder.
When you’re done with a medication, tap on it under Your medications and tap the three vertical dots at the top right to Archive or Delete. You should use Archive if you want to retain a record of that medication and when you took it.
You can also share medication data by opening the Health app, tapping the Medications section, tapping the three vertical dots at the top right, and selecting Share medication list.
Most mobile apps with subscriptions do not make money, a new in-depth analysis finds.
The “State of Subscription Apps” report comes from RevenueCat (via TechCrunch), a prominent mobile subscription toolkit provider. With nearly 30,000 apps utilizing its platform for monetization management, RevenueCat is able to provide a reliable overview of the subscription app landscape thanks to its data collection capabilities. The analysis delves into data from over 29,000 apps and 18,000 developers, collectively responsible for more than $6.7 billion in revenue and over 290 million subscribers.
RevenueCat found that while the top-performing 5% of subscription apps amass revenue 200 times greater than those in the bottom quartile, the median monthly revenue for apps after one year is less than $50. Only 17.2% of apps cross the $1,000 monthly revenue mark. Reaching this milestone significantly boosts the likelihood of further financial growth, with 59% of these apps progressing to achieve $2,500 in monthly revenue, and 60% of those reaching the $5,000 mark. A mere 3.5% of apps achieve $10,000 in monthly revenue.
Health and fitness apps generate at least twice the revenue of all other categories combined, both in the bottom quartile and among the top 5% of earners. In contrast, travel and productivity apps face the most significant challenges, with even the top performers in these categories struggling to make over $1,000 per month after a year on the market.
Despite these statistics, the subscription app market continues to grow and the average price for monthly subscriptions has increased by 14% from $7.05 to $8.01. However, the report also noted a recent shift in consumer behavior, with a 14% drop in subscriber retention over 12 months.
While the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are still around six months away from launching, there are already many rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped new features and changes expected so far. These are some of the key changes rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models as of March 2024:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch…
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Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple’s flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple’s iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company’s more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%…
Apple’s next-generation iPad Pro models are expected to be announced in a matter of weeks, so what can customers expect from the highly anticipated new machines? The 2022 iPad Pro was a minor update that added the M2 chip, Apple Pencil hover, and specification upgrades like Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. The iPad Pro as a whole has generally only seen relatively small updates in…
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Apple plans to release new iPad Pro and iPad Air models “around the end of March or in April,” according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. He also expects new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil accessories for iPads to launch simultaneously. Apple is expected to release a larger 12.9-inch iPad Air In his Power On newsletter on Sunday, Gurman reiterated that Apple is preparing a special build of the…
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Whatever challenges come your way in a day, you’ll be better prepared to deal with them if you’ve had a restful night. According to the NIH, sleep experts recommend no fewer than seven hours of sleep each night, but some tech, like scrolling through social media or obsessively checking your email, can actually impair your down time — so take advantage of the bedtime modes for iPhone and Android. Other technology, however, can actually help maximize shut eye. Sleep apps and devices like fitness trackers, sleep machines, blue light glasses and smart light bulbs can help you fall asleep and stay there. We’ve tried out a number of gadgets that have worked for us, and we gathered them here so you can see if they’ll work for you, too.
Headspace
Personally, the best thing I’ve done for my sleep is banishing my phone from the bedroom, so it may seem ironic to add a smartphone app to this list. Headspace, however, has the opposite effect on sleep that social media does. Like the Hatch Restore, this iOS and Android app has an extensive library of meditations and exercises to help you relax and fall asleep.
I prefer the shorter, wind-down segments that last a few minutes and help you do a full body scan to relax. Longer “Sleepcasts” run around 45 minutes and tell you stories in calm voices – there are even a few Star Wars-themed tales, but those just made me want to get up and watch more Mandalorian. Sleep music and soundscapes combine ambient sounds with tones and melodies, lasting up to 500 minutes. And perhaps most critically, there’s a “Nighttime SOS” page, with guided exercises to help you get back to sleep if you wake up with bad dreams, work stress or something else.
The yearly subscription is $70 or you can pay $13 a month. In addition to sleep content, you also get daytime meditations and sessions that help you breathe, manage stress and focus, which can also help with sleep. If you do decide to bring Headspace into the bedroom, make sure you have your phone’s sleep focus or bedtime mode turned on before you do, otherwise nighttime spam emails and Messenger alerts will undo all of the good work your sleep app just rendered.
Like the previous generation, the Hatch Restore 2 is part sunrise alarm clock, part sleep-sounds speaker and is programmed through an app filled with continually renewing sleep content.
This new model adds a fabric overlay atop the sunrise light and comes in more subdued colors. It also has a new shape with large, tactile buttons that are easy to feel in the dark. The concave button starts your sleep music/sounds and the convex one controls your morning routine.
Everything else is controlled via the Hatch App, which has a vast library of sleep stories, meditations, music and white noise to help you fall and stay in asleep, as well as a big selection of wake-up pep talks and stretches to get you energized in the AM. The catch is that only a small portion of the library is included with the free version — full access costs $5 per month. When I reviewed the device, I thought I’d pay for the duration of my testing and then cancel. But many months later, I’m enamored enough of the nighttime “Ambient Overlook” tunes and Dane’s morning “Jump Start” that I’m happy to keep paying.
Oura’s smart ring tracks your activity during the day and your sleep at night (or whenever it is you go to bed), giving you an overall score from one to 100 each morning. Using temperature, movement, blood oxygen and pulse sensors, Oura gains insight into how long you stay in the various sleep stages and uses that sleep data to offer suggestions on ways to get better sleep. When we tested it out, we called it the “perfect wearable for people who don’t like wearables,” appreciating the data it provides while slipping seamlessly into everyday life. After a few days of wearing it, our reviewer quickly started to ignore its presence, which means you’re probably much more likely to wear it to bed than a fitness band.
Since it doesn’t have a screen, all of Oura’s information comes to you via the companion app. That lack of screen is also the reason you can squeeze up to seven days of battery life out of it, an important feature since no sleep tracker can help if it has to spend its nights on a charger.
In our guide to budget fitness trackers, the Xiaomi Mi Band 8 beat all the others because it has an easy-to-navigate interface while also being one of the most comfortable bands to wear while sleeping. Unlike an Apple Watch and most other smartwatches, which you may need to charge each night, fitness trackers can go for a week or two before needing a refill. And in the case of the Mi Band 8, we got about two weeks of use on a 30 minute charge.
We were impressed with the level of detail the sleep insights delivered. Plus, unlike Fitbit devices, the Mi Band 8 provides that feature for free instead of requiring a subscription to access all of your data. The sub-$50 price tag makes it even more attractive — and could make a contender for a sleep-only device, especially if you have another smartwatch you already like for daytime use.
If you don’t want a wearable at all, the Sleep Pod 3 from Eight Sleep will track your metrics and give you a sleep score. It also heats or cools your side of the bed and wakes you up with a subtle rumble beneath your chest. The mattress-and-cover combo goes for between $3,000 and $4,400, depending on the size and thickness of the mattress, which puts it well above any traditional wearable in terms of affordability. The bulk of the cost is in the cover, which conceals tubing through which warm or cool water flows from an external base, regulating the temp, while sensors in the cover monitor your sleep.
You can buy the cover alone and that will save you between $900 and $1,900 off the sticker price, but it’s still not cheap. You’ll also need a $19 per month subscription to access all the sleep tracking features. But in our review, with a score of 81, our reviewer (and new dad) Sam Rutherford said the Pod 3 has delivered some of the best sleep he’s ever had.
The Wiim Wake-up Light is also a sunrise alarm and noise machine, but it’s cheaper than the Restore 2 and doesn’t require a subscription. The rounded design has a high-gloss finish instead of the more muted aesthetic on the Restore. As a sleep machine, the Wiim gives you about four dozen sounds including naturescapes, music and white/pink/brown noises.
It’s also a smart speaker, so it can tap into music services like Spotify, Deezer, Tidal and others. Alexa is built in and, though I prefer to keep listening devices out of my bedroom, it’s pretty nice to ask for the PJ Harvey song that’s stuck in my head or request the weather forecast as I get dressed. The on-device buttons can be a little confusing and I wish there was a way to set a podcast or an individual track to work as the alarm, but the provided sounds combined with the slowing-brightening light are a pleasant way to start the day.
We think Philips Hue White + Color are the best smart light bulbs you can buy, and certain features can even help with sleep, such as programming them to change to a warmer color when it’s getting close to bedtime. You not only get a subtle hint that it’s time to wind down, but the warmer tones have lower levels of sunlight-mimicking blue light and can help your brain prepare for sleep. You also have the ability to control them using your voice, so instead of getting out of bed to shut off the lights, you can ask Alexa or the Google Assistant to do it for you.
Speaking of blue light, it’s not great for sleep. But the habit of staring at screens isn’t going anywhere, which is why blue light-blocking glasses exist. I’ll admit I first thought they were a gimmick, but have since come to rely on the pair I bought from Felix Gray. The science seems to check out and do I notice a difference with my sleep quality and patterns when I wear them versus when I don’t. I initially only wore them in the evening hours, when I was working past 5PM or otherwise still using my computer. Now I wear them basically all day because I feel like they help my eyes feel far less tired. They come with or without your prescription and in enough styles to make them your own.
You’ve probably met someone who swears by their weighted blanket. Our colleague Nicole Lee is one of them. As someone plagued by insomnia, she finds she’s “nodding off faster and staying asleep longer” with the Bearaby weighted blanket and recommends it as one of our top self-care gifts. Unlike other weighted blankets that are filled with glass or plastic beads, Bearaby comforters are hand-knit from a heavyweight cotton, Tencel or eco-velvet, looking more like enormous scarves than a bland sleep aid.
While blue light is bad before bed, any type of light hitting your eyelids can keep you from reaching those deeper levels of REM sleep. Along with blackout curtains and shutting off the nightlight, we recommend this sleep mask from Manta. There are a ton of sleep masks out there, but Engadget’s Igor Bonifacic finds this one to be better than the rest and recommends it for travelers in our guide. It has removable, repositionable eye cups for a customized fit and they stand up to their claim of blocking out 100 percent of ambient light. You can also buy additional eye cups that you can microwave to provide a warming effect, or eye cups wrapped in silk that will be gentler on your skin and others.
Apple today announced three further changes for developers in the European Union, allowing them to distribute apps directly from webpages, choose how to design in-app promotions, and more.
Apple last week enabled alternative app stores in the EU in iOS 17.4, allowing third-party app stores to offer a catalog of other developers’ apps as well as the marketplace developer’s own apps. As of today, Apple is allowing third-party app stores to offer apps solely from their own catalog. For example, a games studio could create an app store on iOS that exclusively offers their own games.
When directing users to complete a transaction on their website, developers can also now choose how to design their in-app promotions, discounts, and deals. Apple’s templates for designing these links out to websites are optional as of today.
In addition, developers will soon be able to distribute apps directly from their websites, providing they meet Apple’s specific criteria, such as being a member of the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more and having an app with more than one million first installs on iOS in the EU in the prior year, and commit to ongoing requirements, such as publishing transparent data collection policies. Apps distributed in this way must meet Apple’s notarization requirements like all other iOS apps and can only be installed from a web domain registered in App Store Connect.
Authorized developers will gain access to APIs to facilitate app distribution from the web, integration with system functionality, back up and restore, and more. Web distribution will become available following a software update later in the spring – allowing app downloads directly from a website for the first time on iOS.
The latest changes are part of Apple’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) compliance plan and only apply within the European Union.
While the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are still around six months away from launching, there are already many rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped new features and changes expected so far. These are some of the key changes rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models as of March 2024:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch…
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Best Buy this weekend has a big sale on Apple MacBooks and iPads, including some of the first notable M2 iPad Pro discounts in months, alongside the best prices we’ve ever seen on MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Air, and more. Some of these deals require a My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total membership, which start at $49.99/year. In addition to exclusive access to select discounts, you’ll get…
Discord has been experimenting with embedding apps and games directly in chats for a while, via the Activities feature. Now the company is for developers to join the chat-based fun. The Embedded App SDK rolls out on March 18 and allows devs to build experiences that are embedded in an iframe within Discord.
Discord
“Plenty of Discord Developers out there have had their eyes on Activities, wondering when they could create their own,” the company . Prior to this announcement, these tools were limited to select developers. Currently, Discord users can do stuff like watch YouTube, play poker and share a whiteboard while participating in a chat. The SDK should open up the floodgates and allow for a drastic increase in the number of available shared experiences. So how long ?
The platform’s also bringing back app pitches. This program encourages developers to pitch app ideas and snag up to $30,000 in funding. Discord ended up , including a coral reef cam, a city-building sim and an art portfolio app, among others. Who knows what 2024 will bring.
Discord
Finally, Discord announced that it’s experimenting with technology to allow users to add apps to their accounts, so these experiences will follow them across servers. A beta version of this tool will launch alongside the SDK on March 18. The company says that users will begin to see apps popping up “within DMs, group chats and small servers.”
These updates come just two months after the company announced a brutal round of layoffs that impacted . CEO Jason Citron said the cuts were necessary to put Discord “in the best position to continue building a strong and profitable business.” To that end, the company recently with game developers to sell themed avatars and various profile effects.
Powerful new health and wellness apps take advantage of visionOS’s “infinite canvas” to use spatial experiences to improve patient outcomes in clinical settings and at home, Apple said Monday. It seems that Vision Pro health apps are changing medical care.
“We’re thrilled to see the incredible apps that developers across the healthcare community are bringing to Apple Vision Pro,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “The imagination and drive of our developers, combined with the technical capabilities of visionOS, are igniting new possibilities for physicians, frontline workers, and even students, and we can’t wait to see what’s to come.”
visionOS health apps benefit users through spatial experiences
Accordingly, Apple pointed out that medical institutions and developers have worked with products like iPad and iPhone for a long time. Apple gear has helped improve patient outcomes, increase efficiency, save money and supercharge research. Now it’s Vision Pro’s turn.
“Vision Pro seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world, unlocking powerful spatial experiences in an infinite canvas,” Apple said. “And with the unique capabilities of visionOS, healthcare developers are creating new apps that were not previously possible. [They] transform areas such as clinical education, surgical planning, training, medical imaging, behavioral health and more.”
In support of the premise, the iPhone giant listed some choice examples of healthcare and wellness apps.
Aiding behavioral health and wellness
Cedars-Sinai’s Xaia app (pictured above; watch a video demo) uses Vision Pro to support patients’ mental health. The app’s “trained digital avatar offers patients AI-enabled, conversational mental health support in relaxing spatial environments where they can also do deep breathing exercises and meditation.” The patient could be at home or somewhere like a beach. And privacy remains intact, as the app requires no patient information.
“Apple Vision Pro’s stunning display offers a gateway into a world of immersive, interactive behavioral health support — a quantum leap beyond previous technologies,” said Brennan Spiegel, MD, MSHS, professor of medicine, director of Health Services Research, and director of the master’s degree program in Health Delivery Science at Cedars-Sinai.
“With Xaia, we leverage every pixel of that remarkable resolution and the full spectrum of vivid colors to craft a form of immersive therapy that’s engaging and deeply personal,” he added. “With this remarkable device, our team was able to completely reimagine how spatial computing can support behavioral health and overall wellbeing in ways never before possible.”
And you can explore other behavioral health and wellness apps:
The Mindfulness app on Vision Pro creates calm, immersive environments for users.
TRIPP delivers illuminating visuals and Spatial Audio for guided breathing exercises and sleep experience.
Healium helps Vision Pro users “relax and build resilience by creating stress-reducing memories of nature-based escapes.”
Odio uses Spatial Audio and intuitive gestures to display 3D images for focus, relaxation or peaceful sleep.
Surgical planning and education with Vision Pro health apps
Apple pointed out Stryker’s new myMako app for the company’s Mako SmartRobotics hip and knee replacement surgeries. The app helps surgeons use Vision Pro and iPhone to extend their experience in and beyond the operating room for better surgical outcomes. It helps surgeons prepare by visualizing and reviewing patients’ Mako surgical plans through immersive visuals.
“The myMako app for Apple Vision Pro allows surgeons the ability to access intricate surgical plan details and insights at their fingertips in a 3D-native, intuitive, and dynamic way. This level of insight — anytime, anywhere — was previously not possible,” said Robert Cohen, Stryker’s president of Digital, Robotics, and Enabling Technologies.
“With Apple Vision Pro, Stryker’s market-leading enabling technologies such as Mako SmartRobotics have the exciting potential to transform the way surgeons think about preoperative planning and the intraoperative experience, all consistent with Stryker’s mission to make healthcare better.”
Virtual environments for training
Boston Children’s Hospital created CyranoHealth, an app that offers immersive, comprehensive training on new medical equipment for frontline workers. Photo: Apple
In addition, Apple cited Boston Children’s Hospital’s CyranoHealth app. Its comprehensive learning experience in a virtual environment helps with onboarding and training of clinicians. This is especially helpful in prepping them for real-world use of new medical equipment.
“CyranoHealth utilizes spatial computing to revolutionize the training of healthcare professionals, offering immersive, lifelike simulations to enhance learning and combat burnout. The app represents a significant leap forward in healthcare training, blending technology and medicine to create a future-ready workforce,” said John Brownstein, Ph.D., Boston Children’s chief innovation officer.
And you can explore other surgical planning and education apps:
Fundamental Surgery delivers surgical training through spatial computing.
CollaboratOR 3D by KARL STORZ enhances surgical learning opportunities.
Elsevier’s Complete HeartX “delves into … the human body to create a realistic and engaging learning environment.”
Insight Heart helps users understand the human heart. With ARKit, they can scan physical surroundings and visualize 3D hearts using CT data.
Interactive holograms
Siemens Healthineers’ Cinematic Reality app for Vision Pro lets clinicians and patients see immersive, interactive holograms of the human body taken from medical scans.
So here’s Apple’s description of how it works:
Using Metal and the power of the M2 processor, the app integrates advanced path-tracing technology, simulating light interactions with virtual objects to deliver breathtakingly realistic lighting and reflections.
“Cinematic Reality gives people the opportunity to immerse themselves in a world of photorealistic renderings of the human anatomy,” said Christian Zapf, of Siemens Healthineers. “Apple Vision Pro perfectly presents that three-dimensional experience, combined with great flexibility and standalone use. We see great potential for the technology for clinical as well as educational purposes.”
Vision Pro health apps: Collaborative medical histories
Epic Spatial Computing Concept allows physicians to experience charting, secure chat, and in-basket workflows with Apple Vision Pro using gestures. Photo: Apple
And another good example of an enhanced health app involves all-important medical records.
Epic Systems’ Epic Spatial Computing Concept for Vision Pro helps healthcare workers in various ways. They can “easily complete charting, review labs, communicate using secure chat, and complete in-basket workflows through intuitive gestures.”
“Creating the first electronic health record experience for spatial computing was an exciting project for our developers,” said Seth Howard, Epic’s senior VP of R&D. “With Apple Vision Pro, clinicians will be able to interact with their patients’ health information in new, immersive ways. We welcome ideas from the physician community about how this technology can expand the future of healthcare delivery.”
And you can explore other productivity and collaboration apps:
Visage Ease VP supports immersive spatial experiences for diagnostic imaging and multimedia. UC San Diego Health became the first health system to pilot the technology t0 improve patient care.
Falcon Vue unleashes the power of spatial medical imaging viewing.
Medivis brings SurgicalAR Vision to Apple Vision Pro, enhancing medical imaging to support surgical precision.
March 6, 2008: Apple releases the iPhone software development kit, finally allowing coders to start creating native mobile apps for the new smartphone. The iPhone SDK gives developers the tools they need to unlock the new smartphone’s potential.
When the App Store eventually opens a few months later, a new industry springs up overnight. Third-party devs rush to take advantage of Apple’s lucrative distribution network.
Birth of the App Store
From the moment Apple unveiled the iPhone, developers prayed for an SDK. At first, debates raged inside Apple about whether a marketplace for third-party apps made sense. Some thought the move risked watering down Apple’s level of control, potentially allowing low-quality software on iPhones.
The main person against the App Store initiative? Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs.
Others, such as Phil Schiller and Apple board member Art Levinson, lobbied Jobs to change his position and make the iPhone a generative platform rather than keeping it locked down.
Eventually, Jobs changed his mind. On March 6, 2008 — around nine months after the iPhone’s big reveal — Apple hosted an iPhone Software Roadmap event. Here the company announced the iPhone SDK, which became the basis of the iPhone Developer Program.
You can watch him reveal the iPhone SDK in the video below:
Apple releases iPhone SDK, the key to building iPhone apps
iPhone apps had to be built on Macs running a new version of Apple’s integrated development environment, Xcode. Other Apple software allowed developers to design iPhone-friendly interfaces and monitor iPhone memory usage. A particularly useful tool called Simulator let them mimic the iPhone’s touch interactions on a Mac with a mouse or keyboard.
Developers who wanted to launch apps on the iPhone paid a standard $99 annual fee. (A higher-priced enterprise tier was initially available only to companies with more than 500 employees.) Developers, Apple said, would receive 70% of the sales revenue from their apps — with Cupertino taking the other 30%.
By the time the App Store opened in June 2008, 500 third-party apps were available, with 25% of them being free to download. By 2024, the App Store — bringing software to more than 2 billion devices worldwide — has become a revenue-generating powerhouse, for devs as well as Apple.
“The efforts, innovation, and creativity of the developers who leverage Apple technology to build these incredible experiences, coupled with the power of the App Store’s global platform to connect businesses of all sizes with over 600 million people each week across 175 countries, has led to developers selling digital goods and services earning more than $260 billion since the App Store launched in 2008,” Apple said in a 2022 press release.
App Store success brings scrutiny
Opening up the iPhone to third-party developers with the iPhone SDK was a monumental step in the device’s history. The popularity of apps also became a big driver of growth for Apple’s smartphone.
However, Apple’s “closed garden” approach to the App Store has drawn international scrutiny from antitrust regulators. The European Union’s broad Digital Markets Act forced Apple to make changes to the App Store, among other things. Apple opened the iPhone to sideloading of apps and alternative app stores with iOS 17.4 — but only in the European Union — despite the company’s lingering security concerns about these sorts of changes.
Were you an early developer for the iPhone? What was the first app you downloaded? Leave your comments below.
In the ever-evolving world of Android applications, where innovation meets necessity, discovering apps that genuinely enhance your smartphone experience can be a game-changer. Whether you’re a productivity enthusiast, a customization aficionado, or someone who simply enjoys exploring the vast Android ecosystem, you’re in for a treat. Today, we delve into six remarkable Android apps that stand out for their unique features and the potential to elevate your device’s utility and aesthetic appeal. The video below from Mr Android FHD walks us through six awesome Android apps that are worth trying out.
Rhythm Walls: Your Portal to Stunning Visuals
First on our list is Rhythm Walls, an app that’s changing the game in wallpaper customization. If you’re someone who values personalization and craves high-quality, AI-generated wallpapers, this app is your go-to. Rhythm Walls offers an impressive selection of images across ten diverse categories, allowing users to even create their wallpapers using AI technology. The user interface is simple and ad-free, making your experience seamless and enjoyable. Rhythm Walls is the perfect companion for those looking to infuse their home screen with a touch of personality, all at no cost.
Dress Launcher: Simplify to Amplify
In the pursuit of productivity, less is often more. Enter Dress Launcher, a minimalist launcher designed to keep you focused on what matters. With its clean home screen layout, favorite apps at your fingertips, and a unique “scribble to search” feature, Dress Launcher declutters your digital space while offering extensive customization options. It’s the ideal solution for users aiming to streamline their smartphone experience without sacrificing functionality.
Float Browser: Multitask Like a Pro
Ever wished you could watch a video while browsing the web on your smartphone? Float Browser makes this a reality by enabling websites to open in floating windows. This feature not only enhances multitasking capabilities but also allows for a flexible and improved browsing experience. Users can resize, reposition, and open multiple floating windows as needed, proving that Float Browser is more than just a browser—it’s a productivity powerhouse.
Screeny: Master the Art of Home Screen Customization
Customizing your home screen has never been easier, thanks to Screeny. This app provides a comprehensive guide to applying home screen setups, complete with wallpapers, widgets, icon packs, and backup files for effortless application. Whether you’re into sleek and modern designs or prefer something more eclectic, Screeny caters to all tastes, enabling users to transform their home screens into works of art.
Always On Edge Lighting: Bring Your Display to Life
Imagine having pixel-inspired Android 14 widgets on your always-on display, regardless of your device. Always On Edge Lighting makes this possible with its recent update, featuring new clock styles for the always-on display. Time, date, music playing, and notifications are all elegantly displayed with customizable visualizer and edge lighting options, bringing a touch of sophistication to any device.
Noty Notes: Quick-Access Note-Taking
Last but certainly not least, Noty Notes redefines convenience in note-taking. Integrated directly into the notification panel, this app allows users to add, view, and edit notes with ease. You can personalize your notes by changing colors and even hide them on the lock screen for added privacy. It’s the ultimate solution for capturing thoughts and reminders on the go.
Each of these applications brings something unique to the Android experience, catering to a wide range of preferences and needs. From aesthetic improvements to functional enhancements, these apps promise to enrich your smartphone usage in ways you hadn’t imagined. You can find all of the links to the Android apps listed above over at YouTube at the link below.
Source & Image Credit: Mr Android FHD
Filed Under: Android News, Mobile Phone News
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Android apps have become our go-to tools for almost every need, from enhancing productivity to unleashing creativity. Among the plethora of options available, certain apps stand out for their unique functionalities and the ability to significantly enhance our daily routines. If you are on the lookout for some standout Android apps that cater to a diverse range of needs, you will be pleased to know that we have an awesome video from Brett In Tech with seven amazing apps that promise to elevate your smartphone experience. These apps range from video editing and news aggregation to music creation, language learning, advanced camera functionalities, navigation, and city transit solutions.
Quick by GoPro: For those who love to capture life’s moments and transform them into memorable videos, Quick offers an intuitive solution. This video editor lets you craft stunning videos from the photos and clips stored on your device. It simplifies video creation with automatic editing options and enriches your projects with a selection of over 80 free songs. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned editor, Quick ensures your video editing process is as seamless as it gets.
Flipboard: Staying updated with the latest news without the hassle of jumping between websites and apps can be a breeze with Flipboard. This sleek news aggregator brings together stories from a myriad of sources, presenting them in a beautifully designed interface. Tailor your feed with personalized categories such as technology, sports, and science, and dive into the world of informed reading.
Music Maker Jam: Unleash your musical creativity with Music Maker Jam, an app that allows you to produce your own tracks using loops, beats, and melodies. It’s equipped with a beginner-friendly tutorial and supports voice recordings, making it perfect for aspiring musicians and seasoned artists alike. Experiment with different sounds and create music that resonates with your style.
Memrise: Language learning has never been more engaging than with Memrise. This app takes a unique approach by focusing on vocabulary acquisition, native speaker videos, and AI-driven conversation practice. Offering lessons in more than 24 languages, Memrise is designed to make language learning not only effective but truly enjoyable.
Open Camera: For photography enthusiasts looking to elevate their smartphone camera’s capabilities, Open Camera is a treasure trove of features. It extends beyond the default camera app, offering customizable settings and remote photo taking with voice commands. This app ensures that your photography skills are only limited by your imagination.
Here We Go: When it comes to navigation, having a reliable app is crucial. Here We Go offers dependable directions, offline maps, and real-time public transportation options. It serves as a solid alternative to more well-known navigation apps, ensuring you reach your destination without a hitch.
Citymapper: Tailored for the urban explorer, Citymapper provides comprehensive transportation solutions for navigating the city. From bus and rail to ferry and bike, it offers detailed route options along with cost and time estimates. This transit app is indispensable for city dwellers and visitors looking to traverse urban landscapes efficiently.
These seven apps are more than just tools; they are gateways to enhancing various aspects of your life, from creativity and learning to exploration and productivity. Each app is highly recommended for its exceptional functionality and user-friendly design, promising to be a valuable addition to your Android device.
Whether you’re looking to create, learn, capture, or navigate, this curated list of Android apps is a testament to the incredible versatility and innovation available at your fingertips. Embrace these technological marvels and experience how they can transform your digital interactions and daily routines.
Source & Image Credit: Brett In Tech
Filed Under: Android News, Guides, Mobile Phone News
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Android’s app ecosystem is a treasure trove of innovation, brimming with tools that not only elevate your productivity but also infuse creativity and a personalized touch into your digital experience. If you’re on the hunt for some groundbreaking applications to transform how you interact with your Android device, you’re in for a treat. The video below from Sam Beckham walks us through a range of awesome Android apps. Let’s dive into 11 remarkable Android apps that stand out for their unique functionalities and how they can enrich your daily digital life.
Video Summarize: Imagine having the power to condense long YouTube videos into concise, digestible summaries. Video Summarize does exactly that, leveraging AI to extract key talking points from videos. This app is a boon for learners and professionals alike, helping save precious time while ensuring you don’t miss out on valuable insights.
Color Changing Camera: Ever wished you could change the color of objects in your photos with just a tap? The Color Changing Camera app turns this fantasy into reality. Using your phone’s camera, this app lets you alter the hues of objects in real-time, adding a creative flair to your photographs effortlessly.
Voice GPT: Elevate your device’s functionality by setting Voice GPT as your default assistant. This app brings the prowess of Chat GPT’s voice chat feature to your fingertips, offering a seamless and more intuitive way to interact with your smartphone through voice commands. It’s about making technology work smarter for you.
Sync Thing: In our multi-device world, keeping files and folders synchronized across platforms can be a hassle. Enter Sync Thing, a free, open-source solution that automates the process, ensuring your data is up-to-date across all your devices without the need for a central server. It’s privacy-focused syncing at its best.
Batang: This app addresses a common yet often overlooked problem: unexpected battery drainage across your devices. Batang keeps you informed about the battery levels of all your gadgets, helping you manage their usage more effectively and avoid sudden power losses.
AtMySite: Unleash your inner app developer with AtMySite, a no-code platform that empowers you to create and publish your own apps without needing to write a single line of code. It’s an invitation to innovate and share your ideas with the world, no technical expertise required.
Groovify: Music lovers, rejoice! Groovify is here to enhance your Spotify experience by generating playlists based on your selected song and vibes. Tailor your listening experience with customizable filters for mood, genre, and more, and discover new tunes that match your taste perfectly.
The4: Habit formation is made stylish and effortless with The4. This app focuses on design and user experience, encouraging you to track and maintain habits through its visually appealing interface. It’s about turning aspiration into action with elegance and ease.
Nothing Pro KWGT: Personalize your Android home screen with Nothing OS-inspired widgets thanks to Nothing Pro KWGT. This app offers a collection of sleek, minimalist widgets that bring a fresh aesthetic to your device, allowing you to customize your home screen like never before.
Twine: For those who love staying updated with the latest news and articles, Twine is an elegantly designed RSS reader that transforms news consumption into a visually pleasing experience. It’s about browsing your favorite feeds with fluidity and style.
Show Taps: Enhancing screen recordings has never been easier. Show Taps adds a layer of visual feedback to your recordings by indicating taps and swipes, making it an invaluable tool for creating more informative and engaging tutorials or demonstrations.
Each of these apps showcases the versatility and ingenuity within the Android ecosystem, offering solutions that cater to a wide range of needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking to boost productivity, explore your creative side, or simply enhance your device’s functionality, these applications promise to deliver a richer, more efficient, and personalized mobile experience. Dive into the world of Android apps and discover how these tools can reshape your digital landscape. You can find the links to all of these apps over at YouTube at the link below.
Source & Image Credit: Sam Beckham
Filed Under: Android News, Guides, Mobile Phone News
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Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, timeswonderful may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
March 6, 2008: Apple releases the iPhone software development kit, finally allowing coders to start creating native mobile apps for the new smartphone. The iPhone SDK gives developers the tools they need to unlock the new smartphone’s potential.
