Best free Android apps

Got a new Android phone or tablet? Then you may wonder which apps are worth installing. It really depends on how you want to use it. Are you big on messaging? Or do you love streaming music and movies?

There are a lot of apps to sort through so to make it easier, here's a list of the best free Android apps. The best thing about this app list is that all of them are compatible with any screen size and don't require the latest devices, unless it's a game that features high quality graphics.

We'll be updating this post regularly with new apps so be sure to come back to see what's new.

Google apps

If you buy an Android phone, you're going to have a lot of stock Android apps installed. While you may think that Google is forcing you to use their apps but you can actually disable most of the apps. But these included apps are actually great and you may want to keep them around.

Gmail

If you use Android, then you need a Google account. You sign into different accounts with your Gmail email. Now that Gmail also supports POP3 and IMAP accounts and not just Gmail, it is your all-in-one email client. The best thing is that the same functions that were supported in Gmail are now available for all other accounts like swipe to delete and starring emails. Gmail also replaces the Google Email app, which was definitely showing its age.

Chrome

If you use Chrome on your desktop, then having Chrome on Android is perfect. By signing into your account, you can sync bookmarks and different Chrome tabs on other devices. This means you can quickly pick up reading that article on your phone that you were reading on your desktop. You can also enable to option to reduce data usage which saves data when your're not using Wi-Fi.

Google Calendar

There are more visually attractive calendar apps, but there are few that are as seamlessly integrated with Gmail. The updates that Google has put in Gmail and Calendar and how they communicate with each other is great. If you have a plane ticket, Gmail will automatically add it to your Calendar.

The only weakness is that the layout of Calendar is better formatted for tablets for a general view while the schedule view is better for phones.

Google Authenticator

Having strong passwords is very important. Using two-factor authentication is an added level of security for your various online accounts. Authenticator supports more than your Google accounts and can be used to verify other important accounts if the service supports it.

Google Drive

Even though Google Drive only gives you 15 GB of storage (upgradable via subscription), it's more than enough for someone who just uses email or shares small files with friends. If you enable Auto-backup on your Android device, your photos are stored in Google's shared storage space automatically. This means that if you lose your device, photos you took are still available.

Drive is also supported by the different Google Doc apps like Docs (word processor),Sheets (spreadsheets), and more which are available within the browser version of Drive. Android has separate apps for Docs, Sheets, and Slides so you can edit on the go.

Hangouts

Previously known as Google talk,  Hangouts is now the default messaging app on Android and is used to chat with your contacts. You can also enable SMS integration to unify all your messages in one place or you can download the Messenger app, which just handles texting. Hangouts is a simple, but very useful app that supports photo uploads as well as animated GIFs.

Google Play Music

Android doesn't rely on a desktop app to sync music. Instead it uses Google Play Music for streaming. With support to upload 20,000 songs or use YouTube Music Key (which includes a subscription to Google Play Music's entire library) to stream or download for offline playback, Play Music is a simple music app that focuses on being simple while offering a lot of options.

If you upload your music to Google Play Music, you can listen on the web or up to ten different devices.

Google Maps

If you're looking for directions, Google Maps is still one of the best travel apps. With navigation "for driving, biking,and walking," Google Maps presents an easy to understand interface and easy to read maps. Maps is even better because you can search for places within the app and then tap on a business and get information about it like hours and a phone number.

There are apps that are better for a specific travel tasks, but Google Maps is one of the easiest to use, especially if you're traveling.

Android Device Manager

If you ever lose your device, you'll be able to locate it with Android Device Manager. Supported on the web and a mobile app, Device Manager contains all the devices registered on Google. So if you're missing your Android tablet, you'll be able to locate it if it's connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.

The service lets you ring the device, lock the device, or erase the device so that whoever has it won't be able to access your personal data.

Best free apps

Amazon

Chances are, you've bought something from Amazon. The app is a gateway to Amazon's store where you can quickly purchase stuff. The smartphone app lets you access Amazon Instant Video too, but the feature is missing on the tablet version of the app. You can evendownload Android apps from inside the Amazon app if you find a better deal on an app you've been watching.

Netflix

Even though it's a battle between Netflix and Hulu, the fact that Netflix doesn't have ads makes it one of the best video binge services available. Even more, Netflix is available on any streaming device so you can stop and pick up from where you left off anywhere. The app is easy to use (though finding something to watch can be a challenge) and adapts to any screen video is being played.

Chromecast

The Chromecast app is only a utility to connect the device to your Wi-Fi network. It can also give access to photos so you're not stuck looking at the default Google images, but once you set up your Chromecast you will have support for a good number of apps that you can now watch on your TV.

MX Player/VLC for Android

The included video player in Android is basic and only plays videos. But what if you have a video file that has subtitles or want support for more formats? Then you need a video player like MX Player or VLC. The reason both are included is that MX Player has support for Android 5.0 Lollipop and VLC is in beta so it's not 100% stable. So if one player won't work, try downloading the other.

Bandcamp

It wouldn't be surprising if you haven't heard of Bandcamp before. It's a music service that allows musicians to sell digital music and merchandise directly to fans. One of the best features of Bandcamp is that artists decide prices and offer downloads in a variety of audio formats like MP3 320 kpbs to FLAC, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, and ALAC. Basically lossless fans will like using Bandcamp. The app lets you stream any releases in your collection and you'll find a lot of excellent musicians on the site.

Spotify

For a subscription service, Spotify is among the top. Offering a huge library of music and a free or paid option, if you want to explore all kinds of music then this is the way to do it. The premium subscription offers some great extras like no ads and saving music for offline playback, but even though Spotify has millions of tracks, you should give the free ad-supported subscription a try first and see if everything you want is available.

Feedly

If read a lot of different websites but don't want to directly visit each one every day, Feedlycan make life much easier. It's a RSS app that can aggregate websites, YouTube, and RSS feeds into one location. It updates when you open the app so you'll always have the latest content. You can also share through Facebook, Twitter, and Evernote so other people can see what you share. It's easy to use and since it can still pull updates from sites without an actual RSS feed.

Evernote

If you need to have your content synced everywhere, then Evernote is the best app to use. You can save notes, photos, and websites and have them available with any connected app. It's great for collaboration with people and can replace a physical notebook. The possibilities are really up to you.

Pushbullet

One of the biggest annoyances is getting files from one device to another. You can upload it to online storage or email it to yourself, but Pushbullet makes it easier by directlypushing content from device to device. It supports links, photos, files, and notes from Android devices and browsers with the plugin installed. You can also set up notifications on your computer so you don't miss phone calls or texts.

Pocket

While Feedly is great for getting the newest articles from your favorite websites, it requires a data connection to work. Pocket lets you save articles, videos, photos, and videos from the web and other apps to view offline. It's a great tool to keep your favorite content available really quickly.

My Data Manager

When you have a limited data plan, it's important to know how much data you're using on a daily basis. Streaming anything can eat data and you may not even notice how high it gets. Android does have a built-in data monitor, but it might not be as accurate as you need. My Data Manager monitor your data use and has options for family plans, monthly plans, and roaming. You set up your billing cycle in My Data Manager and you know exactly how much data you have left to use. It can also show which apps are using the most data which is important if apps are using a lot of background data.

IFTTT

IFTTT means "If This Then that." The app creates connection from that statement to perform different actions. That simple statement can be used for simple tasks like backing up photos or files or creating chains of actions by using the different commands. You are also able to browse different channels to get even more Recipes.

ES File Explorer

It's always helpful to have a file explorer on your device. It makes manually moving files from folders without a computer much easier. But ES File Explorer has another feature that is great. It recognizes USB drives plugged into the micro-USB port. If you own a small USB drive and connect it to your Android device, you can access and transfer files. Some Android devices don't support SD cards, you're stuck with limited storage. But you can manage unimportant files directly and even export them to an external USB stick with the app.

DashClock Widget

DashClock Widget isn't an app but a widget. But unlike a lot of crappy widgets, DashClock supports add-on widgets to give you more information about your device. By default you can get the time, unread emails, and missed calls. But search for compatible add-ons and you can get battery life and temperature,  detailed weather, and more useful information right on your home screen instead of opening an app.

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Best free iPhone apps

ile everyone is currently going nuts about the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, the fact remains that you don’t need Apple’s latest gizmo to enjoy the plethora of apps available for the iPhone. Keep in mind however that some apps have been optimized to take advantage of the larger screens and more powerful processors that the newer products boast. That said, whether you’re rocking the latest piece of tech to come out of Cupertino or you’re keeping it old school, we’ve put together what will be an ever growing list of the Best Free iPhone Apps.

Inbox by Gmail

Inbox by Gmail rethinks how email should work. A radical departure from what we know as email, if you can get over Inbox's learning curve, you may finally be able to reach the elusive “inbox zero.” Inbox may seem like it came out of the blue but Google has been preparing us for its release for years. Gmail first experimented with its Priority Inbox feature, which let Gmail show you more important emails first. Then the company introduced its Category Inbox feature which sorted your emails automatically. Inbox by Gmail combines both of these features, leveraging automation for priority and bundling your emails into sections for Travel, Promos, Forums, Social, and more allowing users to interact with email in bulk, with one-click archiving.

Google Chrome

If you're looking for a good alternative to Safari, look no further than Google Chrome. The address bar doubles as a search box, which gives you a cleaner interface. You can also perform searches using your voice. Chrome’s incognito mode is also much easier to use than Safari’s, as you don't have to access it from Settings. If you use Chrome on other devices, you can sign in and sync with them meaning you can easily use your bookmarks from home, and open the pages that are open on other instances of Chrome.

Instagram

Instagram lets you take photos and videos with your iOS device, apply a few special effects and share them on its own social network - or via other social networks like Twitter and Facebook. The best thing about Instagram are the plethora of filters the program sports. There are 20 to choose from (Lomo-fi, Earlybird, Lily, Apollo, Nashville, 1977...) with different color, brightness and lighting effects. Instagram also includes support for videos, allowing you to capture up-to 15 seconds of footage to share. As with photos, you can choose from a range of effects to apply to your videos.

Flipboard

Flipboard is a media aggregation app that pulls content from a wide variety of sources and creates a digital “magazine” specifically for you. Much like an RSS feed, Flipboardimports content from many different sources. This includes not just sites, but also hashtags, people, blogs and trending topics. You can also connect a number of social networks, such as your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Google+ accounts into the feed of content and add other sites through their RSS feeds, which will display their content in the main menu of Flipboard. You can save articles to your personalized magazine to read offline later or share with friends, like and comment.

Spotify

Arguably the leading music streaming app, Spotify lets you listen to millions of songs on your iPhone, iPod, or iPad. You can sync with playlists you have on your desktop, create new ones, or just listen to tracks, albums, or artist selections. Spotify is getting better at music discovery and there are plenty of ways to expand your musical horizons. For example, the Browse section allows you to explore curated playlists based on different genres of music. There are thousands available and it's a great way to check out subgenres of the type of music you like.

Google Maps

Google Maps for iOS provides an unrivaled way to find your way using your mobile phone. With Google Maps installed on your device, you can view street and satellite maps of the whole world. Not only this, but it can be used to plot routes as well as find local places of interest. Google Maps is incredibly easy to use on your iOS device. The application automatically detects your current location and displays it on screen. You can move around by holding your finger and dragging the screen and zoom in and out by pinching with your fingers.

Uber

Uber is a ride sharing app that connects passengers with drivers. With a presence in more than 40 countries and 100 cities around the world,  Uber is an alternative to regular taxis. Instead of hailing a cab on the street or booking one over the phone, this app lets you to order a private driver with the tap of a button. With Uber, you can choose between five categories of vehicles ranging from economy (uberX) to luxurious (LUX), although these options aren't available in every city. Before ordering a driver, you can get a quote by entering your starting point and your destination. While it's only an estimate, it's pretty accurate to what you'll pay. Unlike traditional taxis, payment is done solely through the app. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or Google Wallet, and even split the bill with your fellow travelers. After the trip, Uber lets you to rate the service and leave a comment that can be accessed by other users. Note that drivers can also leave comments about their clients. Using geolocation, Uber automatically detects where you are and offers a pick-up point. This can also be set manually on the map. Then, all you have to do is press the button to call a driver; the one closest to you will be notified of your request. If the driver accepts, you will receive an SMS with confirmation. Thanks to geo-location, you'll also be able to follow the driver in real time on the map as he makes his way towards you.

Dropbox

Dropbox is an easy way to sync files between your iPhone and computer, allowing you to share and access your files remotely. If you haven't used the desktop version before,Dropbox basically adds a special folder on your computer, and anything you put in it is uploaded to the web. This can then be accessed from anywhere else by the account owner. This iOS version allows you to access your Dropbox files and also upload and share pictures and videos taken with the phone. Dropbox features a public folder, too. This is designed for files you want to share, and you can send friends or coworkers links that will take them directly to what you want to share. The free account is limited to two gigabytes of online storage but you can earn more by referring friends or enabling Camera Upload.

Amazon Mobile

If you love shopping on Amazon, this is a must-have application. It's the perfect tool for doing research or just browsing for products. The app is easy to use and allows you to access all of your Amazon information, including wishlists, purchase history, and recommendations. The home page of the Amazon App is dedicated to your personalized recommendations and there's a special section for any deals going on at the moment. Amazon's Lightning Deals features new products every day so the Amazon Mobile app is handy to have around to check the deals every morning. When you've done all your research and are ready to purchase, you can do it right from the Amazon App. If you have 1-click purchasing enabled, your orders will be completed instantly. Users can choose which credit card and address to ship to so you're not limited to only one preset. You can search by typing in keywords but you can also use the built-in barcode scanner, or the 'Flow' feature (where you simply take a photo of an item) to quickly search products. This is a must download for all Amazon shoppers.

Hangouts

Google replaced Google Talk with Hangouts, a cross-platform unified messaging service. With support for photos and emoji as well as video calls with up to ten friends, Hangouts is a required replacement for Talk. Hangouts syncs across devices and only get notifications once. Interestingly enough, Hangouts doesn't support "invisible" status. The chat app also features photo sharing support, multiple accounts, and read notifications showing how far your contact has read in your chat. Now in Hangouts, if you slide over the dialer screen there is now a call credit display in the upper right hand corner. You can tap the button up there to open a browser and add more money to your account as well. Even if you use Google Talk, Hangouts will replace it with this update.

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Best free iPad apps

whether you want to relax, get some work done, or watch some videos, if you download the right app, your iPad can function as a jack of all trades.

What makes apps better for an iPad than say, your iPhone or Android? It's a combination of practicality, usability, and design– some things just make more sense on a big screen.

These free apps cover the basics and can help you take advantage of your favorite functions and services to make the most of your iPad.

Reading

Pocket

Pocket is all about saving things to read or watch later, and what better 'later' is there than seeing it on a bigger screen? If you have Pocket on your iPhone or Android, or  the browser add-on, you can use the same account on your iPad so that when you see something you'd rather read or watch on a big screen, you can easily sync it with Pocket for iPad.

The app saves things offline, meaning you don't have to be connected in order to access articles. It also scales content to whatever screen size you're using, making it perfect for the iPad.

Download Pocket for iPad

Flipboard

This aggregated digital magazine feels perfectly at home on an iPad. Similar to an RSS feed, the app pulls content from sources that you choose, ranging from news sites, to blogs, to people, to hashtags.

The real beauty of the app is the swiping gestures that let you turn the page as if you're flipping through a real magazine, making both the interface and its navigation really intuitive. Like Pocket, Flipboard lets you save articles to read later, even if you're offline.

Download Flipboard for iPad

Browsing

Chrome

Google's Chrome browser is a good alternative to Safari for your iPad; it's quicker, has a simpler interface, and gives all the convenience of Chrome for desktop on your mobile device. If you use other Google services like Gmail or YouTube, having your accounts synced on your iPad is a must. Along with tabbed browsing and a smart search in the address bar, you have access toincognito mode, bookmarks, and voice search.

Overall, Chrome's browser does a pretty good job of giving a seamless mobile browsing experience without making you feel like you're compromising functionality or speed.

Download Chrome for iPad

Dolphin

If you're not a big fan of Chrome, you can try Dolphin, a browser that offers more versatility than even some desktop browsers. Its tabbed browsing feels comfortable on the bigger iPad screen, and it intelligently scales web pages to fit any screen size. You've got the option to use either the mobile or desktop view of a website, and load times of both are really fast. You'll get access to all your bookmarks, including those in Chrome and Firefox, and can even clip things to Evernote.

If gesture controls are more your thing, you can create your very own custom gestures, although you'll have to access them in a separate menu.

Download Dolphin for iPad

Games

Asphalt 8: Airborne

The newest iteration of this free-to-play arcade racer is probably one of the best free racing games available on mobile. Like previous Asphalt installations, you have a ton of different game modes, including a Career Mode that lasts 8 racing seasons, a Quick Race mode with 6 different types of races, and aMultiplayer Mode that lets you play against friends over the internet. This time though, unlike previous versions, you'll be able to race without waiting.

The controls are easy and intuitive, making accelerating and drifting a lot of fun, but what's best about Asphalt 8 is the number of new car models available, with over 47 to choose from.

Download Asphalt 8: Airborne for iPad

Plants vs Zombies 2

The second installment of the super popular Plants vs Zombies game has proven just as successful as the first. Like the first game, Plants vs Zombies 2 involves zapping zombies using strategic gardeningmethods. With a collection of plants including a pea shooter, a sunflower, and a cabbage thrower, you'll have to prevent zombies from getting to your house.

Full of new worlds including the Wild West, Ancient Egypt, and the Dark Ages, you'll never get bored with each world's distinctly unique challenges and appropriately characterized zombies (think mummified zombies in Ancient Egypt). Depsite being free-to-play, the game does a very good job of balancing gameplay without getting overly frustrating, and if you're good, you can easily get through worlds without having to shell out any money.

Download Plants vs Zombies 2 for iPad

Productivity

Evernote

The file organization and note-taking productivity app is perfect for getting things done with your iPad. Primarily, the app is perfect fortaking notes, especially if you have an external keyboard for your iPad. You can also manage and share files, collect articles, and store images. One of Evernote's best features is it's ability to create shared notebooks to collaborate, as well as it's tagging system that lets you easily organize all your notes and quickly find them later.

If you feel like upgrading to the Premium version, you'll be able to do even more, like annotate PDF files, use AirPlay to present your work, and use notebooks offline. Regardless, the free version still provides a ton of useful features to help you stay productive.

Download Evernote for iPad

Adobe Photoshop Mix

Designed specifically for iPad, Adobe Photoshop Mix is Adobe's free photo editing app for the Apple tablet. It excels in touch-friendly photo editing, giving you the quality tools you'd expect from Adobe to let you edit photos on a mobile device (although it doesn't have the same quantity of tools as Adobe Lightroom).

Photoshop Mix stands our for its ease of use, much easier than the classic Photoshop or Lightroom, but still with enough advanced features to make editing an image worthwhile. You can precisely edit parts of an image, or even cut and paste multiple images together, all without losing the original (everything is reversible). On top of that, it also syncs with Adobe's Creative Cloud, letting you edit photos stored in the cloud, or upload your edited photos to the service.

Download Adobe Photoshop Mix for iPad

Video

YouTube

A staple on any mobile device, YouTube is a must for iPads too. While the iOS version doesn't have as many features as the Google-ownedAndroid version, you'll have all the necessities for finding your favorite videos on the video streaming service.

Signing in with your Google account will give you all the benefits of the desktop version, including a personalized 'What to Watch' section, videos you've marked to watch later, and playlists. It's great streaming quality, especially on newer devices, and the ability to change the resolution for iPad screens, makes it perfect for the iPad.

Download YouTube for iPad

TED

If you're a big fan of TED Talks, the TED app will give you your daily fix of knowledge and inspiration. You can browse for and search thousands of motivational talks ranging from professionals in the field of business, to music, to education. The app updates almost every day, so there'll always be new talks available to stream.

The discovery feature will help you find exactly what kind of talks you're looking for, and you can star talks you find to watch them later. You can watch videos directly within the app, or use AirPlay to watch on an even bigger screen. If you constantly have the urge to learn something new, TED for iPad is a good option.

Download TED for iPad

Subscription

Netflix

Netflix subscribers shouldn't forget about the Netflix app for iPad. If you've got an account, you'd be smart to make use of it on any and every mobile device you have.

Much like the web app, Netflix lets you browse titles and gives you recommendations based on what you've watched before. Video streaming works with both Wi-Fi and data connection, but remember that streaming over data could get costly if you don't have a data cap. Video buffering means that as long as you have a solid connection, playback will be smooth. Like TED, you can stream via AirPlay to other connected devices.

Download Netflix for iPad

Hulu Plus

Much like Netflix, if you want to make good use of your online streaming subscription, download the Hulu Plus app on your iPad. The service lets you watch all your favorite TV shows and movies at your convenience, including episodes of shows currently airing on TV.

Integration between devices means that you can continue watching from where you left off on any device. You can stream to your TV using Wi-Fi or data, and use the app to control what you're watching via AirPlay, Chromecast, Xbox One, and Playstation 3 and 4.

If you want to sign up for Hulu Plus, you can also do so through the iOS app, which will charge the monthly subscription fee ($7.99) to your iTunes account.

Download HuluPlus for iPad

Communication

Skype for iPad

To optimize the Skype experience, Microsoft has developed a versionoptimized for iPad. The tailored VOIP calling app is noticeably more comfortable than the iPhone version, working in both landscape and portrait mode. Split into two panels, you can access contacts, recent chats, and history in one panel, while you'll find your actual conversations and Skype calls in the second panel.

While group video chats are limited to four people, and call quality can be pretty hit and miss, Skype for iPad is a definite must-have if you use the service on mobile or desktop.

Download Skype for iPad

Hangouts

Google's chat app is a good choice if you're looking for a way to chat with friends without a SIM card or phone number tied to your account, like you would need with WhatsApp.

The app has a surprising number of features, one of the best being a group video chatfunction that lets you talk with up to 10 people at once. Aside from that, it's got the benefit of syncing your Gmail contacts so that you don't have to worry about adding people manually to your contact list.

Download Hangouts for iPad

Audio

Spotify

The leader in music streaming got a huge redsign this year for its iOS apps, making the Spotify mobile experience even more streamlined. Aslide-out side bar lets you access all the app's features including playlists, 'Your Music', and any additional apps you've installed. Streaming is of a high quality, typical for Spotify.

Unlike video streaming services Netflix and Hulu, you'll be able to use Spotify on mobile for free, but you'll be plagued with ads, limited to radio listening only, and no offline listening unless you upgrade to the premium version.

Download Spotify for iPad

Stitcher

As a radio and podcast app, Stitcher is a great option to manage all your audio content on your iPad. If you're a podcast lover, it's good to search for, discover, and manage your podcasts. If news is more your thing, you can check out the Front Page, which you can filter by headlines, news content from your playlists, or recommended content.

As an added bonus, you can share files via Facebook, as well as save them to listen later.

Download Stitcher for iPad

Shopping

Amazon

If you're a big fan of the online shopping service, you won't be able to live without the Amazon app. Whether you're just browsing or are looking for something specific, you're almost guaranteed to find it with the search function. Logging in gives you access to all your information, including wishlists, purchase history, and recommendations, which are also housed on the home page of the app.

There are a few limitations in the mobile version when compared to the web, like the inability to play product videos or to access user-submitted photos, but if you want to shop around on your iPad, the Amazon app is one of the best options.

Download Amazon for iPad

Target

The Target app brings one of the largest US retailers to your iPad, and in a surprisingly complete way– you can buy almost anything online that you'd expect to see in an actual Target store. With the tailor-made iPad app, you can shop even easier, set favorite stores, check pick-up locations, get weekly ads for stores near you, and even shop via Instagram.

The tiled design makes browsing products a lot easier, while your personalized homepage will show you your top categories and even stuff that's trending on Pinterest.

Download Target for iPad

When bigger is better

Some things are just easier on an iPad, and whether you want to read, watch videos, get something done, or shop around, there are plenty of iPad apps that'll help optimize any and all of these experiences.

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