July 10, 2012 at 11:4120 best iOS and Android apps 2012
- Transfer
As of mid-2012, 1.2 million mobile applications are available for download on iOS and Android devices. With such a huge selection, available in literally one tapu - including dozens of worthy applications submitted to our court daily - the task of compiling a six-month list of the “best of the best” new applications is more difficult (and enjoyable) than ever before.
Of the hundreds (if not thousands) of applications for iOS and Android released in 2012, applications worthy to be included in the list of the top 20 can do everything from assessing the value of a house from his photo to accruing loyalty points to users, just for viewing favorite TV programs. We also welcomed the sequel to the long-awaited game, which, one way or another, exceeded all our expectations.
Let's go over our methodology quickly before we get started. All selected applications were either first released or substantially updated from January 1 to June 30 of this year. Applications that debuted on iOS and Android, which were previously available on other platforms, could also be included in the selection. All our applicants were found, selected and ranked by the Appolicious Advisors service and our community members. In all, about a dozen editors from the Appolicious team submitted their favorite applications for review. We also interviewed the most active and influential users of sites and applications from Appolicious. We did not take into account the number of application downloads or their overall popularity. Our quality assessment is based mainly on the usefulness and creative component inherent in each,
Let's get started.
Camera Awesome (iPhone, iPod Touch: free)
While selling Instagram social network Facebookand was on the front pages of all news publications earlier this year, the best new app of 2012 was another photo-sharing service that also helps you take more beautiful pictures. Created by SmugMug, which has a decade of experience in photo-sharing, Camera Awesome is a revelation in iPhone photography and another reason many of us can throw away our digital cameras. In addition to the amazing interface, Camera Awesome has several ways to dramatically improve your photos, including automatic leveling and color settings. All possible predefined settings and filters can be purchased inside the application for $ 9.99 (or separately, for choice, for 99 cents a piece). The ability to capture video for up to 5 seconds before you press the record button is also a great option.
Pocket (Formerly Read It Later) (Universal: Free, also available on Android )
Independent apps to "read later" can go into the endangered species category this fall after Apple includes its Offline Reading List in Safari as part of iOS 6. Until then (and possibly after) a better application to leave bookmarks in the stream of information you are viewing (and, almost free), Pocket will remain. Previously known as Read It Later, in April the application experienced rebranding, which was not only a change of name and lower prices. Pocket's new features, including the ability to easily view videos and images, as well as article lists compiled on a grid basis, do not overlap with a simple and elegant application interface.
Khan Academy (iPad: Free)
The best thing about this application is that it does not interfere with or distract from expert video lessons created by a new generation of educators, Salman Khan. More than 3,200 educational videos that cover everything from “Getting Initial Financing by a Venture Company” to “Earth Education” or “Landing in the Bay of Pigs” are categorized according to a simple system. YouTube videos with subtitles are generously stocked with logs, allowing users to quickly and easily find a phrase or passage that they might have missed.
TouchTV (iPad: Free)
SkyGrid, a provider of customizable news content, is introducing the TouchTV app, which perfectly shows videos from broadcast and cable networks on the iPad. TouchTV plays video clips (usually up to 5 minutes) from 16 official providers, including ESPN, Bloomberg Television and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Although downloading TouchTV alone is not enough to “cut the wire” from your satellite or cable TV provider, the app only gives a quick overview of what the cable television universe can offer its users. TouchTV has joined video search services such as Showyou and Squrl (each of which has undergone a major update this year) among some of the best iOS apps for watching videos on Apple TV at the moment.
Any.Do(iPhone, iPod Touch: free)
Our favorite Android application of 2011 in June finally got to iOS devices. And it was worth the wait. Any.Do, supported by Google’s board chairman Eric Schmidt, is a super-powerful application that lets you create and complete tasks with the click of a finger. The ability to record voice instructions built into the application allows you to create tasks without having to type text manually. You can also share your task list with friends in the hope that they will help you manage your affairs.
Highlight (iPhone, iPod Touch: Free)
This social local mobile app was first introduced at the Mid-2012 South By Southwest Conference. Highlight alerts you when your friend or Facebook user with similar interests is nearby, and lets you know more about other Highlight users when they are in your area. Like similar services, including Sonar , Banjo and Kismet, Highlight is only effective if a critical mass of other users are in your area. Although each of these services has its own strengths, Highlight seems to have the highest chances of the entire mass of such applications.
Viggle (iPhone, iPod touch: free, also available on Android )
Getting discounts from Amazon, Starbucks and Gap just for watching TV is like fulfilling an American dream. Viggle brings it to life, giving users the ability to register and earn loyalty points for watching their favorite TV shows. The application works reliably, and also offers users additional features and entertainment in the form of simple questions, polls and tweets.
Updated LinkedIn (Universal: Free)
The best thing about the April LinkedIn update on iOS is that the app is finally compatible and optimized for the iPad. Presumably inspired by Flipboard (where it is most used), LinkedIn works best as a social magazine on the iPad. LinkedIn's magic on the iPad is how it integrates information shared across your various contacts and displays your relationship with the sender in a way that no other application or site represents.
Clear (iPhone, iPod Touch: $ 2.99)
Clear is a task list for those who want to move and develop. Although it lacks many of the functions that other long-known task managers have endowed with, such as Omnifocus, or newcomers like Any.Do, Clear is different in that it allows users to quickly create categories and a list of things that they have to do and which fall into these categories. The beautifully designed application interface also allows users to sort tasks by priority and quickly delete them when they are completed.
HomeSnap (iPhone, iPod Touch: Free)
Although HomeSnap cannot do much to bring the American real estate market to the pre-crisis level, this application - using Augmented Reality technology - can help users determine the value of a house simply by taking a photo of it. In addition to the price of the house, you can see information about the nearest schools, data on the history of the house and the number of bathrooms and bedrooms available in this house. The application is not 100% reliable, but in any case, this information is provided by the seller or broker.
It is no coincidence that most of the most popular games released in 2012 are on both platforms. While on the Android platform, when creating games, there are limitations associated withWith many different forms of devices and versions of the operating system, developers understand that they need to work on this platform in order not to lose a huge part of their audience.
Draw Something by OMGPOP (Universal: $ 2.99, also available on Android )
Although the spread of this unofficial version of Pictionary slowed down after its acquisition by Zynga in March, there are several reasons Draw Something recorded tens of millions of downloads in the first weeks after the app’s release (more than Angry Birds, Instagram, and any other app in history). It is really interesting! The rules of the game are simple enough even for a five year old child. In addition, the ability to socially draw Draw Something via Facebook or email also greatly simplifies the process of playing together with friends, regardless of which iOS or Android device they have. No device on any of these platforms? Don’t worry, the Draw Something game TV show is coming soon.
JAZZ: Trump's journey (Universal: $ 2.99, also available atAndroid )
Based on the biography of Louis Armstrong, JAZZ: Trump's journey, is one of the best platform games. With beautiful graphics that convey the atmosphere of New Orleans of the 1920s, convenient controls and, of course, a killer soundtrack, Trump's journey has sufficient capabilities and depth to attract experienced players, and with its liveliness and sincerity it can attract beginners.
Angry Birds Space (iPhone and iPod Touch: $ 0.99, iPad: $ 2.99, Android smartphones : $ 0.99, Android tablets: $ 2.99)
With the start of the advertising campaign, which literally broke all records, there was a fear that Angry Birds Space would not reach the advertised level, or would become a simple variation on the theme of the previous game. These fears flew into the stratosphere as soon as we were able to play it. With a new gravitational mechanism, amazing new birds, a darker sky and a strange entertaining space aesthetics, Angry Birds Space is arguably the most successfully updated and enjoyable app in all twenty.
NOVA 3 (Universal: $ 6.99, also available for Android )
If you are a fan of first-person shooters, then this game is for you. Developed by Gameloft, NOVA 3, of all similar products available on mobile devices, is most reminiscent of a console game. In NOVA 3 you will have to fight aliens and other enemies on several planets (including the Earth destroyed by the war). In multiplayer mode, you can team up with 11 players. It takes about 30 minutes to complete each beautifully animated level. This is a great way to spend seven dollars.
Spellsword (Universal: $ 0.99)
With its furious and addictive gameplay, unique mechanics, retro graphics and music, Spellsword is a new platformer in the world of sword and witchcraft. Use your sword to defeat enemies, simultaneously launching fireballs. As you progress through missions and maps, you will receive new spells and new enemies. The best thing about Spellsword is that it lacks the ability to make internal purchases, which means that the player must earn all the achievements himself.
Many of the best releases on Android were originally created for iOS devices. But we all win when the best applications become available on various devices.
Flipboard (free) The
best iPhone app of 2011 according to Techcrunch in June finally officially released on Android. The social magazine, which offers news, photos and status updates transmitted by your social graph, already included YouTube integration at the time of release. Flipboard is the best way to read content from third-party publishers on mobile devices. On June 28, the New York Times introduced the NYT Everywhere service, thanks to which subscribers can read the newspaper in the app.
Instagram (free)
The appearance of Instagram on Android has a very positive effect on the success of the application. Instagram has been downloaded over 5 million times over the week. A few days later, the company acquired Facebook. Such a triumph makes it clear that in order to become a real pop-cultural sensation, the application must be available on both iOS and Android.
Google Drive (free by subscription, also available on iOS )
Google Drive is a better and more cost-effective solution for storing and sharing documents than Dropbox. For those who already use Google Docs, switching to Google Drive is an obvious step. The application works seamlessly on all Android devices. On June 28, the application became available for iOS, and now nothing prevents him from starting his dominance in the market.
Airbnb(free)
Airbnbs, an Android application that was previously available online and on iOS devices in January, was more than just copying and transferring to another platform. The service intended for rental housing abroad, for the first time, allowed property owners and travelers to exchange instant messages to solve all emerging issues. The app has over 200,000 accommodation options from around the world, as well as personal travel recommendations from people like Ashton Kutcher and Jack Dorsey.
Chrome (free, only on devices with Ice Cream Sandwich, also available on iOS )
If you use the Chrome browser on your PC and you have a smartphone or tablet based on the Ice Cream Sandwich platform, there’s nothing to even think about purchasing this application. Chrome mobile and PC apps seamlessly interact with each other, which means you can access your bookmarks and browsing history from the app. The application also allows you to navigate between tabs without having to go to the menu. The Chrome app supports voice search, bookmarking, and anonymous access. Like Google Drive, Chrome came out on iOS devices on June 28, during the Google I / O 2012 conference.
Note: The author, Brad Spirrison, is the editor-in-chief of Appolicious's mobile app search service , AndroidApps.com (with the appAppolicious Android App ) and AppVee . And this is his fifth semi-annual review of the best applications, made specifically for TechCrunch.
Of the hundreds (if not thousands) of applications for iOS and Android released in 2012, applications worthy to be included in the list of the top 20 can do everything from assessing the value of a house from his photo to accruing loyalty points to users, just for viewing favorite TV programs. We also welcomed the sequel to the long-awaited game, which, one way or another, exceeded all our expectations.
Let's go over our methodology quickly before we get started. All selected applications were either first released or substantially updated from January 1 to June 30 of this year. Applications that debuted on iOS and Android, which were previously available on other platforms, could also be included in the selection. All our applicants were found, selected and ranked by the Appolicious Advisors service and our community members. In all, about a dozen editors from the Appolicious team submitted their favorite applications for review. We also interviewed the most active and influential users of sites and applications from Appolicious. We did not take into account the number of application downloads or their overall popularity. Our quality assessment is based mainly on the usefulness and creative component inherent in each,
Let's get started.
Top iOS apps
Camera Awesome (iPhone, iPod Touch: free)
While selling Instagram social network Facebookand was on the front pages of all news publications earlier this year, the best new app of 2012 was another photo-sharing service that also helps you take more beautiful pictures. Created by SmugMug, which has a decade of experience in photo-sharing, Camera Awesome is a revelation in iPhone photography and another reason many of us can throw away our digital cameras. In addition to the amazing interface, Camera Awesome has several ways to dramatically improve your photos, including automatic leveling and color settings. All possible predefined settings and filters can be purchased inside the application for $ 9.99 (or separately, for choice, for 99 cents a piece). The ability to capture video for up to 5 seconds before you press the record button is also a great option.
Pocket (Formerly Read It Later) (Universal: Free, also available on Android )
Independent apps to "read later" can go into the endangered species category this fall after Apple includes its Offline Reading List in Safari as part of iOS 6. Until then (and possibly after) a better application to leave bookmarks in the stream of information you are viewing (and, almost free), Pocket will remain. Previously known as Read It Later, in April the application experienced rebranding, which was not only a change of name and lower prices. Pocket's new features, including the ability to easily view videos and images, as well as article lists compiled on a grid basis, do not overlap with a simple and elegant application interface.
Khan Academy (iPad: Free)
The best thing about this application is that it does not interfere with or distract from expert video lessons created by a new generation of educators, Salman Khan. More than 3,200 educational videos that cover everything from “Getting Initial Financing by a Venture Company” to “Earth Education” or “Landing in the Bay of Pigs” are categorized according to a simple system. YouTube videos with subtitles are generously stocked with logs, allowing users to quickly and easily find a phrase or passage that they might have missed.
TouchTV (iPad: Free)
SkyGrid, a provider of customizable news content, is introducing the TouchTV app, which perfectly shows videos from broadcast and cable networks on the iPad. TouchTV plays video clips (usually up to 5 minutes) from 16 official providers, including ESPN, Bloomberg Television and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Although downloading TouchTV alone is not enough to “cut the wire” from your satellite or cable TV provider, the app only gives a quick overview of what the cable television universe can offer its users. TouchTV has joined video search services such as Showyou and Squrl (each of which has undergone a major update this year) among some of the best iOS apps for watching videos on Apple TV at the moment.
Any.Do(iPhone, iPod Touch: free)
Our favorite Android application of 2011 in June finally got to iOS devices. And it was worth the wait. Any.Do, supported by Google’s board chairman Eric Schmidt, is a super-powerful application that lets you create and complete tasks with the click of a finger. The ability to record voice instructions built into the application allows you to create tasks without having to type text manually. You can also share your task list with friends in the hope that they will help you manage your affairs.
Highlight (iPhone, iPod Touch: Free)
This social local mobile app was first introduced at the Mid-2012 South By Southwest Conference. Highlight alerts you when your friend or Facebook user with similar interests is nearby, and lets you know more about other Highlight users when they are in your area. Like similar services, including Sonar , Banjo and Kismet, Highlight is only effective if a critical mass of other users are in your area. Although each of these services has its own strengths, Highlight seems to have the highest chances of the entire mass of such applications.
Viggle (iPhone, iPod touch: free, also available on Android )
Getting discounts from Amazon, Starbucks and Gap just for watching TV is like fulfilling an American dream. Viggle brings it to life, giving users the ability to register and earn loyalty points for watching their favorite TV shows. The application works reliably, and also offers users additional features and entertainment in the form of simple questions, polls and tweets.
Updated LinkedIn (Universal: Free)
The best thing about the April LinkedIn update on iOS is that the app is finally compatible and optimized for the iPad. Presumably inspired by Flipboard (where it is most used), LinkedIn works best as a social magazine on the iPad. LinkedIn's magic on the iPad is how it integrates information shared across your various contacts and displays your relationship with the sender in a way that no other application or site represents.
Clear (iPhone, iPod Touch: $ 2.99)
Clear is a task list for those who want to move and develop. Although it lacks many of the functions that other long-known task managers have endowed with, such as Omnifocus, or newcomers like Any.Do, Clear is different in that it allows users to quickly create categories and a list of things that they have to do and which fall into these categories. The beautifully designed application interface also allows users to sort tasks by priority and quickly delete them when they are completed.
HomeSnap (iPhone, iPod Touch: Free)
Although HomeSnap cannot do much to bring the American real estate market to the pre-crisis level, this application - using Augmented Reality technology - can help users determine the value of a house simply by taking a photo of it. In addition to the price of the house, you can see information about the nearest schools, data on the history of the house and the number of bathrooms and bedrooms available in this house. The application is not 100% reliable, but in any case, this information is provided by the seller or broker.
Best games on iOS and Android
It is no coincidence that most of the most popular games released in 2012 are on both platforms. While on the Android platform, when creating games, there are limitations associated with
Draw Something by OMGPOP (Universal: $ 2.99, also available on Android )
Although the spread of this unofficial version of Pictionary slowed down after its acquisition by Zynga in March, there are several reasons Draw Something recorded tens of millions of downloads in the first weeks after the app’s release (more than Angry Birds, Instagram, and any other app in history). It is really interesting! The rules of the game are simple enough even for a five year old child. In addition, the ability to socially draw Draw Something via Facebook or email also greatly simplifies the process of playing together with friends, regardless of which iOS or Android device they have. No device on any of these platforms? Don’t worry, the Draw Something game TV show is coming soon.
JAZZ: Trump's journey (Universal: $ 2.99, also available atAndroid )
Based on the biography of Louis Armstrong, JAZZ: Trump's journey, is one of the best platform games. With beautiful graphics that convey the atmosphere of New Orleans of the 1920s, convenient controls and, of course, a killer soundtrack, Trump's journey has sufficient capabilities and depth to attract experienced players, and with its liveliness and sincerity it can attract beginners.
Angry Birds Space (iPhone and iPod Touch: $ 0.99, iPad: $ 2.99, Android smartphones : $ 0.99, Android tablets: $ 2.99)
With the start of the advertising campaign, which literally broke all records, there was a fear that Angry Birds Space would not reach the advertised level, or would become a simple variation on the theme of the previous game. These fears flew into the stratosphere as soon as we were able to play it. With a new gravitational mechanism, amazing new birds, a darker sky and a strange entertaining space aesthetics, Angry Birds Space is arguably the most successfully updated and enjoyable app in all twenty.
NOVA 3 (Universal: $ 6.99, also available for Android )
If you are a fan of first-person shooters, then this game is for you. Developed by Gameloft, NOVA 3, of all similar products available on mobile devices, is most reminiscent of a console game. In NOVA 3 you will have to fight aliens and other enemies on several planets (including the Earth destroyed by the war). In multiplayer mode, you can team up with 11 players. It takes about 30 minutes to complete each beautifully animated level. This is a great way to spend seven dollars.
Spellsword (Universal: $ 0.99)
With its furious and addictive gameplay, unique mechanics, retro graphics and music, Spellsword is a new platformer in the world of sword and witchcraft. Use your sword to defeat enemies, simultaneously launching fireballs. As you progress through missions and maps, you will receive new spells and new enemies. The best thing about Spellsword is that it lacks the ability to make internal purchases, which means that the player must earn all the achievements himself.
Top Android Apps
Many of the best releases on Android were originally created for iOS devices. But we all win when the best applications become available on various devices.
Flipboard (free) The
best iPhone app of 2011 according to Techcrunch in June finally officially released on Android. The social magazine, which offers news, photos and status updates transmitted by your social graph, already included YouTube integration at the time of release. Flipboard is the best way to read content from third-party publishers on mobile devices. On June 28, the New York Times introduced the NYT Everywhere service, thanks to which subscribers can read the newspaper in the app.
Instagram (free)
The appearance of Instagram on Android has a very positive effect on the success of the application. Instagram has been downloaded over 5 million times over the week. A few days later, the company acquired Facebook. Such a triumph makes it clear that in order to become a real pop-cultural sensation, the application must be available on both iOS and Android.
Google Drive (free by subscription, also available on iOS )
Google Drive is a better and more cost-effective solution for storing and sharing documents than Dropbox. For those who already use Google Docs, switching to Google Drive is an obvious step. The application works seamlessly on all Android devices. On June 28, the application became available for iOS, and now nothing prevents him from starting his dominance in the market.
Airbnb(free)
Airbnbs, an Android application that was previously available online and on iOS devices in January, was more than just copying and transferring to another platform. The service intended for rental housing abroad, for the first time, allowed property owners and travelers to exchange instant messages to solve all emerging issues. The app has over 200,000 accommodation options from around the world, as well as personal travel recommendations from people like Ashton Kutcher and Jack Dorsey.
Chrome (free, only on devices with Ice Cream Sandwich, also available on iOS )
If you use the Chrome browser on your PC and you have a smartphone or tablet based on the Ice Cream Sandwich platform, there’s nothing to even think about purchasing this application. Chrome mobile and PC apps seamlessly interact with each other, which means you can access your bookmarks and browsing history from the app. The application also allows you to navigate between tabs without having to go to the menu. The Chrome app supports voice search, bookmarking, and anonymous access. Like Google Drive, Chrome came out on iOS devices on June 28, during the Google I / O 2012 conference.
Note: The author, Brad Spirrison, is the editor-in-chief of Appolicious's mobile app search service , AndroidApps.com (with the appAppolicious Android App ) and AppVee . And this is his fifth semi-annual review of the best applications, made specifically for TechCrunch.