Andrew Grush / Android Authority
Welcome to the 505th edition of Android Apps Weekly. We’re back with the latest news and apps from the past week. Let’s start with some of last week’s biggest headlines.
- It might have been a bit slow to roll out Android 13 on the Phone 1, but it upped its game with Android 14. Nothing has announced that a beta version of Nothing OS 2.5, based on Android 14, will soon be rolled out to testers. Please register.
- Google has announced that it will integrate AI image generation directly into Google Search. You can request an image to be created right away, but the catch is that you need to opt in to Google Search Generative Experience (SGE).
- Earlier this month, Google announced that it was bringing Bard to Google Assistant in limited testing. A closer look at the code reveals that Tensor-powered Pixels and Galaxy S24s will be the first devices to have access.
- Google recently revamped its software update policy to provide new Pixel owners with seven years of OS updates and patches. According to Samsung executive Shin-Chul Baik, the company is actively discussing improvements to its own five-year software policy to strengthen cooperation with Google. The company hasn’t said what this new policy will include or how many years of support it will provide, but it’s possible we’ll be promised a new update in time for the Galaxy S24. There certainly is.
- Google has announced that its Passkey will become the default security option for Google services, and has also partnered with several other companies, including Uber, eBay, and WhatsApp. A passkey is a combination of your fingerprint, facial recognition, or other local security method and his second key stored online. This method is more secure and much harder to hack.
Android App Weekly: This week’s best new apps and games
Looking for a new Android app or game to immerse yourself in? Here are some of our favorite suggestions from this week. This week he has three game and two app suggestions.
Throne of the Three Kingdoms
- price: Free with in-app purchases
- release date: October 11th
Upon download, you can choose a male or female character and one of three factions: Shu, Wei, or Wu. The game features voice acting that isn’t terrible, although the story itself is relatively basic. Still, if you like kingdom management games where you have to build buildings and armies to protect your faction, you’ll find this game appealing. It’s worth noting that the English translation can be a little clunky at times, but it’s certainly understandable.
triple tile quest
- price: Free with in-app purchases
- release date: October 10th
If you’re looking for a casual game to kill time while waiting in line or taking a break, Tile Match Quest could be a great option. This is a simple tile matching game, the objective is for him to find three matching tiles and clear the group of items. As the levels increase, the game becomes progressively more difficult. I didn’t run into any ads right away, but it’s important to note that as you advance to higher levels, ads can become very intrusive. Looking for more games like this? Check out our guide to the best puzzle games on Android.
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
- price: Free with in-app purchases
- release date: October 12th
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is a turn-based Android RPG based on the anime of the same name. In my short time playing it, I found the action a bit repetitive, but I appreciated the side quests and story elements. There are a lot of microtransactions, but it seems like you can play the game even if you don’t want to pay a single yen. Overall I enjoyed it, but I haven’t seen the anime so it will probably appeal more to existing fans.
ambassador cruise line
- price: free
- release date: October 13th
Want to make the most of your upcoming cruise with Ambassador? This app serves two purposes. First, it helps you pre-register for your cruise and find out more about upcoming cruises. Once on board, the app provides an easy way to check out available activities and explore culinary options.
New York Rangers official app
- price: free
- release date: October 10th
All of this week’s app suggestions are admittedly pretty niche. This particular app is designed with Ranger fans in mind. You’ll find team highlights, exclusive content, and the ability to access and manage tickets directly from the app. I’ve only been to a Rangers game once in my life, so this isn’t for me. But if you love hockey, especially this team, this is a must-have app.