Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Mint-lounge / Features/  App Radar: News apps and games you should not miss
BackBack

App Radar: News apps and games you should not miss

Bored of the usual set of apps? Perhaps, it's time to revisit the app store on your smartphone

OneView Calendar. Premium
OneView Calendar.

Android users have a lot to rejoice this month. After BlackBerry made its email service Blackberry Hub available to Android users Microsoft came up with the beta version of its voice assistant Cortana on Android. There isn’t much for smartphone gamers this month but the few we found are quite fun. As usual, none of the new launches included Windows Phone in their scheme of things.

Though it is dubbed as CoA Preview, it looks and works just like the original Cortana app
View Full Image
Though it is dubbed as CoA Preview, it looks and works just like the original Cortana app

CoA Preview

Price: Free

Available on Android

Microsoft’ personal assistant is finally available to Android users under Google Play’s Early Access category. This means the app is still a work in progress but functional enough to provide an insight into how it works. Though it is dubbed as CoA Preview, it looks and works just like the original Cortana app. You can enter you nickname with which the Cortana will address you and ask anything you want to know. The app creates two icons. The Cortana Mic is like Google’s voice search while the Cortana app looks like a Google news and weather app. It provides news and weather update and the option to ask anything anytime.

BlackBerry’s popular productivity app Hub is now available to Android users.
View Full Image
BlackBerry’s popular productivity app Hub is now available to Android users.

BlackBerry Hub

Price: Free

Available on Android

BlackBerry’s popular productivity app Hub is now available to Android users. The app is a unique aggregator which shows all your relevant email, social media apps, text messages and messengers and calendar on a single page, making it easier for users to go through all work related stuff in one go without leaving BlackBerry Hub. Hub’s other cool highlight is that it also an email service and works with Gmail, Outlook and other major email clients as well. As of now it is available only on Android Marshmallow based smartphones.

Fast Speed Test also calculates the speed on Wi-Fi networks connected to the phone
View Full Image
Fast Speed Test also calculates the speed on Wi-Fi networks connected to the phone

Fast Speed Test

Price: Free

Available on Android, iOS

Developed by Netflix, Fast Speed Test is a speed testing app which can help users check if they are getting the actual internet speed promised by the operator. It also calculates the speed on Wi-Fi networks connected to the phone. The speed is calculated by carrying out a series of small file downloads from Netflix’ servers. The moment you open the app, the test starts by itself. The app is free from advertisements and is pretty simple to use.

OneView Calendar is a unique calendar app which arranges the calendar based on dates which are relevant to you.
View Full Image
OneView Calendar is a unique calendar app which arranges the calendar based on dates which are relevant to you.

OneView Calendar

Price: Free

Available on Android

Every smartphone comes with a pre-loaded calendar app. Though they are good they are often the smartest. OneView Calendar is a unique calendar app which arranges the calendar based on dates which are relevant to you. In case you want to take a look at calendar for the sake of it, all you need is to zoom in and you can see all the dates and the day. Tap on any particular date and you can see the entire 24 hours schedule. You can create an event based on hour or date in the calendar by dragging the plus icon on the date.

Survivor Island Evolve has elements of both an exploration based adventure game and a strategy game
View Full Image
Survivor Island Evolve has elements of both an exploration based adventure game and a strategy game

Survivor Island Evolve

Price: Free

Available on Android

Survival island Evolve is about a ship struck guy whose next big challenge is to survive on an island by finding food, a place to stay safe from the wild animals. The game has elements of both an exploration based adventure game and a strategy game where one has to build a life form whatever resources are available. The first person perspective makes it challenging. The controls are bit erratic and the ads annoying but the game is fun and a visual treat.

Steps is a tap and play game where the user has to clear as many steps as possible using a red coloured ball
View Full Image
Steps is a tap and play game where the user has to clear as many steps as possible using a red coloured ball

Steps! Brutally Difficult

Price: Free

Available on Android

Steps is a tap and play game where the user has to clear as many steps as possible using a red coloured ball. The ball moves by itself but if there is a step missing it is likely to fall over or if a step is too tall it is going to bump into it. The user can prevent this from happening by tapping on the steps to jump form one step to another or climb a step. It is a visually band games with very ordinary graphics but is challenging and fun to play. One can play in single player mode or challenge Facebook friends.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Abhijit Ahaskar
Abhijit writes on tech policy, gaming, security, AI, robotics, electronics and startups. He has been in the media industry for over 12 years.
Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 16 Aug 2016, 02:22 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App