Android app developers had a busy year.
There was a new operating system and mobile payments platform, not to mention the latest and greatest handsets and smartwatches.
On top of all that, many of the new apps that came out this year became some of our all-time favorites in the Play Store.
Try out our top picks of 2015 and let us know how they measure up to your go-to apps.
(Meanwhile, iOS users should take a look at our picks for best iPhone and iPad apps of 2015.)
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
Lightroom has long been a staple for professional photographers, but Adobe’s mobile version is a must-have for amateurs as well. The app — which, unlike the desktop version, doesn’t require a Creative Cloud subscription to use — makes it easy to color-correct, crop, add filters and make other adjustments on the fly.
Apple Music
Though technically not Apple’s first Android app (that honor belongs to its move to iOS app), Apple Music’s Android app marks the first time the Cupertino company has provided a way for Android users to access their iTunes libraries. The app is still in beta for now but it’s worth checking out if you’re at all curious about Apple’s streaming service.
If you’re curious about virtual reality, then Google Cardboard is without a doubt the easiest way to get a taste of what the experience is like. Google’s Cardboard Camera app makes the experience more interactive by allowing you to capture your own 360-degree images (and sound) to experience through the virtual reality viewer.
Crossy Road
Crossy Road was one of our favorite iOS games in 2014 so we were happy to see it finally make its Android debut in 2015. The addicting endless runner meets Frogger gameplay and rotating cast of whimsical animal characters is nothing short of delightful.
Google Photos
We’ve said it before but Google Photos may just be the best photo management app ever. The app automatically backs up your device’s photos, organizes them and allows you to search them based on keywords, objects in the photos and where they were taken. Oh yeah, and there are no annoying storage limits for photos.
HBO Now
A cord-cutter’s dream come true, HBO finally gave us a way to stream our favorite content without a cable subscription. It may have started off iOS-only, but we were relieved to see HBO Now come to Android this year. The app has every episode of Silicon Valley, The Wire and Game of Thronesever, along with the rest network’s other original series. ‘Nuff said.
Inbox
Google surprised us this year with a completely new email app from the Gmail team. The goal of the app is to make your inbox smarter and easier to manage, and Inbox, for the most part, lives up to that promise. The app bundles similar messages together, picks out the most important parts of your messages, provides extra info about what you need to get done and can even write some replies for you.
Microsoft Word
Microsoft brought its suite of touch-friendly Office apps to Android this year and we were pleased to see they are every bit as good as their iOS counterparts. Microsoft Word makes it easy to create and edit documents on the fly whether you pay for Office 365 or not.
Office Lens
Microsoft’s document scanning app is one of the best out there. Snap a photo of business cards, paper documents or even whiteboards and the app can translate it into searchable, editable text. The app can also convert documents to PDFs or Word or Powerpoint files.
VLC
VLC’s media player can handle just about any audio or video file type you throw at it. It plays both files stored locally on your device and network streams, and supports subtitles and aspect ratio changes. Better still, it’s free of ads, in-app purchases and other gimmicks.
Yahoo Video Guide
Have a million streaming services but can’t figure out what to watch? Yahoo Video Guide can help. Choose the services you use — the app connects to dozens — and the app allows you to easily search them all for content based on keywords, genre or your mood.
Yallo
Yallo’s slick voice over IP calling app aims to make phone calls easier by providing a range of productivity tools you can use to enhance your calls. The app has in-call recording, call-captioning, and international calling plans that let you keep your existing number if you want.
Android App Manager
Syncios Manager is a powerful Android backup & restore tool and Android device manager, trusted by millions Android users. It can help you backup and restore your cellphone or tablet with a few clicks as well as transfer data between your PC and mobile phone. Besides, you are able to convert and enjoy music, ringtones, video in unsupported format on your phone, make personalized ringtone and text tone from your favorite music without cost you a penny.
Main Features:
- Transfer data between Android device & PC: Music, Videos, Photos, Apps, Contacts, Messages.
- Data backup and retrieve in lossless quality at any time.
- Millions of free downloads: wallpaper, ringtones.
- Exclusive, personalized ringtone and text tone maker .
- Handy audio & video converter
- Both Wi-Fi & USB connection supported.
Reference: Mashable
You can follow Syncios on Twitter, Facebook for more tips and tricks.
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