Watching movies/videos on your android phone has its own advantage, you can watch them anywhere with a single tap. The portability is attractive, but it also means you may also end up in a crowded area where listening to the sound can be a bit difficult. This is where subtitles help, you can ready everything being said in the video in real-time. So, even if you missed anything, you can easily read it.

Subtitles are quite handy for many reasons, you can use them to understand a movie in foreign language, or may be you just want to make sure you don’t miss anything. Getting subtitles for the videos on your android phone is just an app away. You can either download subtitles file separately and add it to your video player or use an app to download subtitles automatically.

Here is how to add subtitles on Android

Add Subtitles in VLC for Android (Manually)

May be not your phone’s default video player app, but most of the video/movie player apps on Google Play Store support ability to add subtitles. Subtitles actually come as a separate file from your video file and can be downloaded and added separately. So you can easily download a subtitle file and attach it to the video, or the video player can do this for you.

For this tutorial, we are going to use the popular VLC for Android video player. The process is almost same for all the apps, but some apps may offer some additional features. However, still it shouldn’t be confusing as the adding subtitles process is same.

Before we add subtitles to VLC video player, we need to actually get the subtitles file in our phone. There are many websites that will let you download subtitle files of movies, TV shows and music videos. Most of them are completely free to use and offer subtitles in different languages. Some of the popular websites are mentioned below.

1. ̌http://subscene.com/
2. http://www.opensubtitles.org/en/search
3. http://www.moviesubtitles.org/

Go to one of these websites and search for the movie/TV show of which you would like to download subtitles. Once found, tap on download to download it on your phone.

Note: If you downloaded the subtitles on your PC, then it is recommended that you transfer it to your device’s “Downloads” folder. This way it will be easier for the video player app to look for the file.

Now that you have the subtitle file (most probably with .srt extension), it is time to add it to your video in VLC player.

Open VLC player and play the video of which you downloaded the subtitles file. In VLC for Android, if the subtitles file is in “Downloads” folder, it will be automatically added to the video. If it is not in “Downloads” folder or not added automatically, then tap on subtitles button on the left of “Play” button and then tap on “Select subtitle file”.

Here, you need to navigate to the location where you saved the subtitle file. If the file is in your SD card and you can’t see it, then tap on the “Settings” on the top right corner and from there check the option “Display advanced devices”.

You should be able to see both your SD card memory and internal memory, now just navigate to the exact location and tap on the file to add it. Now you will be able to see all the subtitles in real-time.

Add Subtitles in MX Player

The process of adding subtitles to renowned MX Player is also quite similar.

Just launch the player and play the video of which you got subtitles. To load subtitles, tap on the main menu on the top right corner of the screen (three vertical dots) and then tap on “Subtitle”.

Now, just tap on the “Open” button, then search and add the subtitles file from your phone. The subtitles are now added and you will see them in the video.

Use a Dedicated Subtitles Downloader For Android (Automatic)

Now that you know how to add subtitles to a video, it is time to automate the process. It can be quite difficult to go through the process mentioned above for each video. This is why Google Play Store is full of apps that will let you download subtitles with just a single tap and even in batch mode. Most of these apps can integrate with your current video player (if you are using a popular one) and automatically add subtitles to it.

Note: These apps use the original name of the video to search for the subtitles, so make sure you name your videos right.

Below are some subtitle downloader apps for android that you may find interesting:

1. GMT Subtitles

GMT Subtitles is a completely free to use app without any kind of ads, but you must have android 4.0 or above to use it. The app will search for all the videos in your phone and SD card as well (some apps miss SD Card), and display them in the main interface. From there, all you need to do is tap on the video of which you need subtitles and they will be immediately displayed.

If you think you got the wrong subtitles (rare thing), you can also manually search for the title of the video and grab the right file. It can also look for videos in the folders shared over your network. This means even if the video is on another device, you can still get its subtitles.

Install

2. Get Subtitles

Get Subtitles is an ad supported app with a simple interface. It will automatically look for videos in your phone and show it in the main interface. However, it doesn’t work well with external storage, but you can manually search for the video if it isn’t picked up. We have to say the app is quite fast and accurate when it comes to find the subtitles.

Once you will select a video, all the subtitles related to it will be displayed. By default you will see “English” subtitles, but you can change the language as well with support of up to 170 different languages. All you need to do is tap on the download button next to the subtitle and it will be downloaded. There is also a button to directly play the video in your favorite Video player along with the downloaded subtitles.

Install

3. SubLoader

Subloader is an ad supported app with a premium version that unlocks all features. The free version is actually quite limited, but the paid version is definitely worth the money. Like other apps, it will also automatically search for all the videos on your phone, but the manual search feature is only available in paid version.

The app will search for the subtitles for you and you can easily download with a single tap. Furthermore, it also has the option to rename a video file to get accurate results. The best feature of this app is that it can download subtitles in bulk, but this feature is part of the paid version. With a single tap, subtitles of all your videos will be downloaded.

Install

SEE ALSO: How To Block Texts On Android

The post 2 Best Ways To Add Subtitles To A Movie On Android appeared first on Beebom

Every Android owner knows how important it is to keep their smartphone data backed up at all the times. There’s no reason for you to not backup your phone because backing up takes just a few minutes and gives you total peace of mind. If anything goes wrong with your device then you will always have all your data secured in a backup file which you can restore on your new device within minutes and get all your precious data back. Below we have 9 best Android backup apps that will help you keep all your data safe and secure.

Best Android Backup Apps 

1. Helium

Helium is on top because it’s developed by the guys behind CyanogenMod ROM which is the most popular custom rom available for the Android platform. It’s not just the popularity of the developers that puts this app on top but the app itself is full of features and functions that make it very easy to backup your complete android device with just a few taps. The best thing about Helium is the fact that you can backup all your data and you don’t even need root on your android device. However, users with a non-rooted device will have to download a standalone desktop companion for the app that will let you backup all the data on your android device. If you’re using Chrome browser on your PC then you can also download a Chrome app that works as a companion for the Helium app on Android.

The premium version of Helium also lets you backup and sync your backups with cloud storage service like, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc making it easier to restore your data directly from the cloud. The premium version also gets rid of the ads.

Developer: ClockworkMod

Compatibility: Android 4.0 and up

Availability: Free/Paid ($4.99)

2. truBackup

Most of the backup apps for Android have a bit complex user interface that makes it difficult for a new user to easily perform a backup or restore, however, truBackup is one of the few backup apps for Android that features a very simple and beautiful user interface giving its users something easier to work with. The app doesn’t require root at all and it backs up all your data including, contacts, SMS, music, videos, pictures, and apps. You should know that this app will only backup your apps and not the app data. So, if you have the highest score in Subway Surfers then it won’t be saved, however, the game will still be backed up. You can also schedule automatic backups so everything stays backed up even when you’re sleeping. The app backs up all your data to cloud services or your SD card whichever suits you most.

Developer: 3Frames Labs

Compatibility: Android 2.2 and up

Availability: Free/Paid ($2.99)

3. CM Backup

Clean Master is one of the most popular cleanup and speed boosting utility for the Android platform. The new offering by the same developer is CM Backup which gives you peace of mind by backing up all your important data to the cloud so you can restore it with just a single tap. CM Backup offers you free 5 GB of cloud storage on their personal secure servers. You can backup all your data including, contacts, call logs, messages, browser bookmarks, photos, videos, music, alarm data, calendar data, etc. All this data is available in the cloud and you can restore it on any device that you want by using the CM Backup app. You can also view and manage all your data by viewing it on your PC using the web address of the cloud. The app does not require root permission at all.

Developer: Cheetah Mobile Cloud

Compatibility: Android 2.3 and up

Availability: Free

4. Avast Mobile Backup

Avast is a solid name when it comes to security and safety of your android device or even your desktop PC. Avast antivirus is considered one of the best security tools in the industry and now Avast Mobile Backup & Restore app is trying to make a name in the Android backup apps list. The app lets you backup your data including contacts, SMS, call logs, and photos, however, backing up apps, videos, and music requires the premium subscription. The premium subscription can only be purchased from within the app and it will cost you $20 per year. This app works without root, however, if you have a rooted phone then it will also backup your app data which means all your progress in games will also be saved and backed up. You can backup your data on a SD card or the cloud storage, depends on your preference.

Developer: AVAST Software

Compatibility: Android 2.2 and up

Availability: Free

5. Easy Backup & Restore

The name says it all, Easy Backup & Restore is the perfect app if you’re looking for simple backing up for your data to your SD card or cloud storage services. The app lets you backup everything that you can think of except for app data and settings because that only works with rooted devices. The best thing about this app is the fact that it is free, through and through. There are no premium version and no subscription for you to purchase. You can even email all your backed up content to anyone you like so they can restore the backup on their device as well. Automatic backup scheduling makes it easier for users to keep their phones backed up to the minute.

Developer: MDRoid Apps

Compatibility: Android 2.3 and up

Availability: Free

6. MyBackup

MyBackup offers the most amazing features for a backup app. The best feature includes the ability to backup your device remotely which means that you can start a backup on your android device from anywhere by accessing the MyBackup website on your computer. The free version lets you backup your data to your SD card, however, if you get the pro version of the app then you will be able to use the MyBackup cloud or any other cloud storage service of your choosing. You can also view and manage your backed up content without having to restore it first which makes it easier for the user to see if the content is useful or not. The new migrate feature available in this app lets you transfer the whole content from one device to another supported device within minutes. The app does not require permission as long as you don’t want to backup app data and settings.

Developer: Rerware, LLC

Compatibility: Android 2.2 and up

Availability: Free/Paid ($4.99)

7. GCloud Backup

GCloud Backup lets you take control of your android device and backup all the important stuff to the cloud. You can backup all the data including your Whatsapp, Viber data with just a single tap. Back up your call logs, contacts, SMS, documents and much more. You have to create an account on the GCloud service which lets you easily restore your content by signing into your account and restoring your data from your account. You will get 1 GB of cloud storage for free and you can get up to 10 GB of data easily by completing some steps. You can access all your backed up content on the GCloud website and easily move/delete any of your data. GCloud Backup does not require root permission on your android device.

Developer: Genie9 LTD

Compatibility: Varies with device

Availability: Free

SEE ALSO: 10 Best Task Managers For Android

If you’re looking for simple and easy way to backup your whole android device then the above mentioned backup apps will come in handy. If you have any other suggestions then feel free to share them with us in the comments below.

The post 7 Best Android Backup Apps appeared first on Beebom

Slow motion videos are not just limited to high end video cameras anymore, you can easily get this feature on your smartphone. If you are an android user and looking to give your videos slow motion touch, then you will be happy to know that there are many android apps that will let you create slow motion videos.

Why you may want to create slow motion videos, you ask? Slow motion can make almost any video fun to watch with a completely different experience. Try making a video of yourself talking and then slow it down, you will see how interesting it gets. Furthermore, there are many productive uses of it as well. You can slow a video with visual instructions to easily understand how to do something, for example, a dance move. The possibilities are endless!

Most of the slow motion video apps also offer fast motion features, adding more creativity to your videos. We are going to list down the best slow motion video apps for android, both free and paid. All you need to do is select the best app according to your need.

Best Slow Motion Video Apps

1. Slow Motion Video FX

Slow Motion Video FX is a fully featured app created only for creating / recording slow motion or fast motion videos. It is an ad supported app with a pro version that will just remove the ads. The ads are also not that much annoying and there is no watermark on the created video. The pro version should only be bought if you really hate ads or want to donate for the good cause.

The app is very simple to use and you can both record a new video and make it slow/fast motion video or make an already recorded video slow/fast. All you need to do is select the video (whether new or old) and set how  much slow/fast it will be. A video can be slowed by almost half of its original speed or can be made 5x faster.

You can also cut a specific part of a video to only slow/fast that specific part of the video. The app will create a copy of a video that will be in slow/fast motion, the original video will stay untouched. The whole creating process may take few minutes depending on video size and quality.

When you are done, you can also share the video right from the app to your social networks for friends to see. However, it should be noted that the audio of the slowed video may not be as good as you may expect, but it is good enough to understand.

Install

2. SloPro

SloPro is another great slow/fast motion video recording app that only focus on this feature. The app is perfect with features better than Slow Motion Video FX, but the free version adds watermark to the video. If you have no problem with the watermark, then it is a great free slow/fast motion video app for you. Otherwise, it is better to invest and get some amazing features.

The main reason why SloPro is so interesting is because it will let you make a video slow or fast in real-time. You don’t have to specify a speed and a part of a video to make it slow/fast. You can just play the video and start selecting speed of your choice to make a part of video slow/fast. You can change speed while the video is playing, and that speed will be added to the video.

There are total six speeds you can choose, three fast and three slow. So it doesn’t offer many speed adjustment options, but this also makes the process easier for an average user.

You can also share the video over social media networks, but the watermark will still be there if you are using the free version.

Install

3. Fast & Slow Motion Video Tool

This app also only offers video slow/fast motion feature and is ad supported. However, unlike other apps mentioned above, it excels at offering more adjustable speeds. You can slow the speed up to 1/8x of the original speed and speed it up 8x as well. When you will launch the app, all videos in your phone will be displayed in the main interface. You will not have to worry about searching for the video in your phone.

Just select the video which you would like to edit and you will be prompted to specify the area which you would like to make slow/fast. Unlike Slow Motion Video FX, this app will not trim the part automatically. The whole video will be processed and only the specified area will be slow/fast. However, you also have the option to trim it if you want.

Just provide the speed and tap on “OK” to start the process. The app will take some time to create the video (more than average slow/fast motion video apps) and you can then review it afterwards.

Install

4. KMPlayer

KMPlayer is actually a video player app that supports high definition videos with amazing controlling features. One of its feature include making a video play in slow/fast motion. It might not be a dedicated slow/fast motion video app, but the number of video formats it supports and the quality it offers makes it good enough to be in this list.

If you are just looking to watch a high definition video in slow/fast motion, then KMPlayer is a great option. While the video is playing, you can just increase or decrease the speed of the video by tapping on “+” and “-” buttons on the right of the screen. You decrease speed to 0.1x and increase it upto 4x.

KMPlayer works best for people who need to watch some instructional videos in slow motion or just want to have fun with some fast playback. It doesn’t offer any sharing or saving feature, so it may not be best for creating slow/fast video.

Install

5. VideoShop

VideoShop as name suggest is a fully featured editing tool for videos. It is ad supported and offers tons of editing features and you can edit the video in real time. One of its features is making the video slow or fast. The app offers real-time editing, so you can easily make a video slow or fast using a horizontal slider and see the effects in real-time.

You can decrease speed to 0.1x and increase it to 4x and when you are done just tap on “Done” and the video will be edited. You can also share the video on social media networks Facebook, Whatsapp, etc right from the app. Furthermore, the video can be edited with other editing features of VideoShop, so you can make your slow/fast motion video even more interesting.

Some of the editing features include, annotations, sound effects, Trim, merge, resize, reverse and adjust display, etc.

Install

6. Video Dieter 2

Video Dieter 2 is another video editing app that offers average editing features along with the ability to make a video slow or fast. The app is targeted toward changing the resolution of the video to increase or decrease the size of the video to make it easy to store. It will also compress the video without losing quality.

However, to use the slow/fast motion feature, you will first have to recommend the app to your friends to unlock it. The slow/fast motion feature is standard just like other apps with ability to slow up to 0.25x speed and increase the speed to 4x. It also integrates with social media networks for quick sharing.

This should be your choice of app if you want compressed videos that take less space and also let you slow or fast the video with almost all required features.

Install

7. Hudl Technique

Hudl Technique is an app specially designed for sports and athletes. It only offers slow motion feature and you can easily slow the speed in real-time. The apps is suppose to help sports people to slow down a video and see how an athlete is performing a particular sport. The tools it offers besides slow motion are also targeted towards people interested in sports.

You can comment at any specific time of a video, share the video with other people and annotate video with simple diagrams and text. You can record a new video or import a already recorded video from your phone or cloud storage account. You can also zoom in to any specific area of the video and compare two videos side by side.

You can create teams right inside the app for training and manage videos according to Techniques and athlete filters.

Install

SEE ALSO: 10 Best Music Player Apps For Android

So, these were top 7 slow motion video recording apps for Android. If you have some suggestions regarding the apps mentioned in the list, feel free to comment below.

The post 7 Best Slow Motion Video Apps for Android appeared first on Beebom

Podcasts are one of our favourite ways of catching up with the latest happenings in our preferred niche and they have grown in popularity over the years. As an android user, you’re probably wondering if there are any good podcast apps that can provide a seamless way to search for and listen to your favourite shows. While there are plenty of apps on the app store that promise to do this, they vary greatly in terms of design, function and performance. We have combed through the Google Play store and made a strong selection of apps for you to choose from.

Best Podcast Apps For Android

1. Pocket Casts

Pocket Casts is the most sought after podcast application on the Google Play store with a host of features. It’s well designed, easy to use and includes a discovery option to help you find new shows.

It’s material design interface follows the modern trends and it is well optimised for Phones and Tablets. You can synchronize your subscriptions and data to the cloud so you can always access them on any of your devices.

When you subscribe to a podcast, it gives you the option to download over your data connection or WiFi only and you can also set it to auto download podcasts.

Another great feature is it’s ability to toggle video podcasts to audio and it gives you some audio effects so you can speed up podcasts or give a volume boost. Pocket Casts also comes with Chromecast support so you can send your audio or video with the tap of a button.

Developer: Shifty Jelly

Compatibility: Android 4.1 and up

Availability: Pocket Casts ($2.99) – Google Play Store (also available on iOS, Windows Phone and on the Web)

2. DoggCatcher

DoggCatcher is another highly-rated app that promises to help manage your podcasts and newsfeed for you.

It allows you to import your existing subscriptions in OPML format or search for podcasts via RSS Feed. You also get personalised recommendations based on your history once you’ve used the app for a while.

You can arrange your apps by category and add widgets to your home-screen for quick access to player controls. It also features Chromecast support and offline playback of audio and video podcasts.

Developer: DoggCatcher

Compatibility: Varies with Android device

Availability: DoggCatcher Podcast Player ($2.99) – Google Play Store

3. PodCast Republic

Podcast Republic is a free podcast manager android app that is well regarded on the app store with a 4.4/5 average rating.

The free version of the application comes with adverts but you can purchase the ad-free version via an in-app purchase. However, there is no feature difference between the ad-free and ad supported versions.

It provides customisable widgets that you can place on your homescreen or lockscreen. You also get expandable notification controls so you can easily control the audio without having to open the app.

You can choose to stream your favourite audio or video shows via Wi-Fi or data connection or download them for offline listening. It supports over 10 of the World’s popular languages and features a car mode for quick playback. Android Wear and Chromecast are also well supported.

Developer: Podcast Republic

Compatibility: Varies with device

Availability: Podcast Republic (Free) – Google Play Store

4. BeyondPod Podcast Manager

BeyondPod is another popular option on the Play store with over 3 million downloads.

It comes with a lite version which includes a free 7-day full feature trial allowing you to test the application before deciding whether to purchase it or not.

It offers smart playlists that add podcasts automatically based on your listening preferences and allows you to create your own playlists.

It also provides Feedly integration and allows you save bandwidth by scheduling your downloads at specific times such as when the device is connected to a WiFi network or while it’s charging.

Developer: BeyondPod Team

Compatibility: Varies with device

Availability: BeyondPod Podcast Manager (Free) – Google Play Store

5. Podcast Addict

Podcast Addict is a great application for podcast lovers that offers a lot of unique options.

As well as being able to import podcast shows via OPML, you can also add your existing subscriptions iTunes or use it’s powerful search engine to browse the Podcast Addict or iTunes database.

It can manage you YouTube channel subscriptions, iTunes subscriptions or RSS news feed in addition to the your regular audio or video podcast shows.

There are options to automatically update your podcast feed or download new episodes of selected shows and you get to see new and trending shows via the app. It also offers a comment download option and has different themes to select from.

Developer: Xavier Guillemane

Compatibility: Varies with device

Availability: Podcast Addict (Free) – Google Play Store

6. PodKicker

PodKicker is a minimalistic podcast app for android that offers all the standard features you would expect from a podcast app.

It offers video and audio support as well as the transfer of downloaded episodes to dropbox. It features a dedicated search engine that allows you search across over 250,000 podcasts and it also gives you suggestions based on your current subscriptions.

Other features include Car mode support, Flattr integration, sleep timer, categorisation of shows and automatic downloads while it’s Chromecast feature is currently in beta.

Developer: QVGA

Compatibility: Varies with device

Availability: Podkicker Podcast Player (Free) – Google Play Store

7. Player FM Podcasts

Player FM Podcast is a great podcast application that is completely free for up to 20 subscriptions. It features a clean, mordern design with no adverts and is simple to use.

You can import or export subscriptions as well as sync them in the cloud for access across all your devices.It gives you fresh recommendations across over 500 topics so you can keep up to date with your preferred industry.

It provides offline support and allows you customise the number of episodes you want to make available offline. It also supports Android Wear and Chromecast.

Developer: Player FM Podcasts

Compatibility: Android 4.0 and up

Availability: Player FM Podcasts (Free) – Google Play Store

8. Podcast 02

Podcast O2 is another well designed application that podcast addicts will love.

It supports streaming or offline playback as well as iTunes based search. You can import your subscriptions via OPML and iTunes or import your audio books as a virtual podcast. You get to easily browse podcasts by category and create playlists.

There are configurable options for notifications and background playback of videos. It also supports automatic downloading and auto cleanup of podcasts and Chromecast for sending to TV or other device.

Developer: App02

Compatibility: Android 4.0 and up

Availability: Podcast 02 (Free) – Google Play Store

9. DoublePod Podcasts for Android

DoublePod Podcasts is a lightweight podcast app that gives you access to over 250,000 free podcasts.

It allows you to search for and download podcasts an delete them once you have listened to them. It’s country filters also gives you the option to filter out the podcasts from a specific country.

There are options to search for audio or video podcasts or both at once and you can also search by category so it helps you to view only the most relevant results. It’s streaming support is excellent but you can always choose to download to your SD card if you prefer.

Developer: Mazinger

Compatibility: Android 2.2 and up

Availability: DoublePod Podcasts for android (Free) – Google Play Store

10. RatPoison Podcast Player

Despite it’s odd name, RatPoison Podcast Player is a fairly solid podcast app with plenty of good reviews on the app store.

It offers a cartoonish but fairly simple interface with minimal options but has support for both Podcasts and Youtube. With over 30000 registered podcasts and radio channels registered here, there is no shortage of shows to listen and subscribe to.

Once installed, you can setup quickly by choosing anyone of the suggested podcast shows or searching for one by name or category. You can also checkout it’s Weekly Popular Podcast Ranking tab for shows that got the highest amont of listeners during the week. Finally, you can add new Youtube subscriptions via the app.

Developer: Ratpoison Factory Manager

Compatibility: Android 2.2 and up

Availability: Ratpoison Podcast Player (Free) – Google Play Store

SEE ALSO: Top 7  Slow Motion Video Apps for Android

Conclusion

There you go. All these apps have their strengths and can do the basics fairly well so you should be able to find happiness with one of these selections. Feel free to try any of them out and share your experience in the comments section below. If you have any other favourite podcasting apps, do let us know about it also.

The post 10 Best Podcast Apps For Android appeared first on Beebom

Texting is not boring anymore because there are thousands of different emojis and stickers available on different platforms and messaging apps that make texting/chatting much more fun and interactive. However, most of the times you don’t know which apps bring you the most amazing emojis for your texting needs. This is where we come into play because we always bring you the best of the best apps that cater to all your different needs. Below we have the Best Emoji apps for all your emoji needs.

Best Emoji Apps For You

1. KeyMoji

KeyMoji is like the perfect dictionary of your favorite emojis. This app brings you all the amazing emojis and more crowdsourced from a lot of different sources that are being updated in real time. If you’re not really emoji-savvy and have not much knowledge about what each emoji stands for then KeyMoji is the perfect app for you because it will teach you exactly what each emoji means. This app shows you emojis with their phrases so you always know what you’re sending to your friends and loved ones. Just make sure that the receiver also knows what your emoji stands for so that things don’t get awkward.

Developer: Literati Labs

Compatibility: iOS 8.0 or Higher

Availability: iOS (Free)

2. SwiftKey Keyboard + Emoji

What’s better than having a dedicated app for emojis? Having a dedicated keyboard for your iPhone or android smartphone that comes preloaded with hundreds of emojis that you can use in your day to day texting. SwiftKey is one of the best keyboard apps available for Android platform because of its unique features, jaw dropping suggestions, flow-typing, and a vast user generated dictionary make it the best keyboard. The addition of all your favorite emojis and then some just makes it the overall best app for everyone who loves texting a lot. The app will even suggest emojis to you when you type a word or phrase. For example, when you type “Lets grab a drink!” it will show you the wine-glass emoji automatically, pretty neat.

Developer: SwiftKey

Compatibility: Android 2.3 or Higher, iOS 8.0 or higher

Availability: Android, iOS (Free)

3. Emoji Free

If your thirst for emojis cannot be quenched with just a hundred emojis then you need the Emoji Free app on your iPhone available for free. This app brings in so many emoji choices for you that you will fall in love with it. Emoji Free has a large collection of emojis and a wide range of different types of emojis that you can add to your texts and/or emails. You get the usual non moving static emojis, the awesome animated emojis, and the most wanted emoji art where you get different pictures made out of different emojis put together. The app also features cool emoji fonts that you can use to add the extra oomph to your text messages.

Developer: Jinmin Zhou

Compatibility: iOS 7.0 or Higher

Availability: iOS (Free)

4. Imoji

If you have ever wanted to see your face or your friend’s face as an emoji then you don’t have to wish for that anymore because now you can easily do so on your smartphones. Just get the Imoji app and start creating your personal emojis and stickers and share them with your friends via messages. The downside with this app is the fact that instead of sending these messages via other messenger apps you will have to rely on this standalone messaging apps. You can only send these stickers through the built-in messenger in the Imoji app which may not be as feature full as other messaging apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, etc.

Developer: Builds

Compatibility: Android 4.0 or Higher, iOS 7.0 or Higher

Availability: Android, iOS (Free)

5. Emoji Type

Here’s a situation that most emoji lovers face most of the times. You’re looking for that one perfect emoji but you have to scroll through hundreds of emojis in order to find that one emoji you want to use, sounds familiar? Well, it does happen to a lot of us. Not anymore because the Emoji Type is a custom keyboard for your iPhone that will show you the exact emoji as you type. It keeps suggesting related emojis for the words or phrases that you type which makes it very easy to send emojis to your friends without having to scroll through a bunch of them. This keyboard works flawlessly with third party apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Developer: David McKinney

Compatibility: iOS 8.1 or Higher

Availability: iOS (Free)

6. Emojiyo

When you want to customize your emojis and arrange them in a suitable order for yourself in order to have quick access then you want an app that actually lets you do so. Emojiyo is the perfect example of such an app because it lets you easily customize your whole emoji keyboard so you can put all your most used and favorite emojis in a single place where they can be accessed easily and quickly. You can get different emoji packs for your smartphone and best of all, you can even make your own combinations of emojis and save them for later use. Emojiyo’s collection of emojis keeps expanding every day so you have something new to use in your texts, Whatsapp, Viber, etc everyday.

Developer: Chappy

Compatibility: iOS 7.0 or Higher

Availability: iOS (Free)

7. Emoji Keyboard by LINE

LINE is one of the most popular messaging app available on multiple platforms. The main reason why LINE is really popular is because of its large collections of emojis and beautiful stickers that you can use and send to your friends on LINE. However, you don’t have to use the LINE app every time you want to send or use these amazing stickers because now you can insert the stickers in your regular texts as well with the all new Emoji Keyboard app by LINE. This app gives you all the popular stickers and emojis from the LINE directory and lets you use them in your texts. You can use the animated stickers as well. The only drawback is that you can’t import your paid stickers from LINE yet.

Developer: LINE Corporation

Compatibility: iOS 8.0 or Higher

Availability: iOS (Free)

8. Emojiary

You don’t have to only use your favorite emojis in chats, texts, and emails anymore because Emojiary lets you use your emojis in your personal diary. Emojiary is a fun new personal diary app for your smartphone where you can jot down your daily thoughts and ideas but with a unique new twist. You don’t have to use text to put down your feelings in the diary app instead you can use related smileys and emoticons to express the way you are feeling. The bot will then ask you questions related to how you’re feeling and you can answer with emojis in order to carry on the conversation. The bot will also teach you how to use the app and walk you through different functions of this personal diary app. This is a unique approach of using emojis in your daily life but it’s definitely rewarding.

Developer: All Tomorrows

Compatibility: iOS 7.0 or Higher

Availability: iOS (Free)

9. Emoji Keyboard Pro

Get yourself a full-fledged keyboard that comes with built-in thousands of emojis for your personal use. Emoji Keyboard Pro is a fully functional keyboard that lets you customize the whole keyboard and make it the way you feel comfortable with it. There are hundreds of themes to choose from and a plethora of different emojis that you can use in your texts, WhatsApp, Viber, and almost any messaging app available out there. The app also brings new features that lets you search for the most popular GIFs and send them to your friends & loved ones and convey your thoughts in super funny GIF images. You can also make your own GIFs directly from the app.

Developer: Emoji Keyboard Dev

Compatibility: Android 4.0 or Higher

Availability: Android (Free)

These are all the apps that should be enough for all your emoji needs on your smartphone. However, there are still bonus services that will help you get the most out of smileys and emoticons.

Bonus: Emoji Games

Linkmoji is a simple website that will actually turn all your links into a line of emojis that you can share with anyone you want. It’s actually an emoji short-link.

If you’re more into emoji games then you should check out Emoji and Earth Porn. This is a game where you have to find the emoji that’s not moving from a whole lot of moving emojis, it sounds fairly easy but when you play it then you will realize that it’s not as easy it may sound.

SEE ALSO: Top 9 Instagram Alternative Apps

If you have anymore suggestions regarding any emoji apps then feel free to share them in the comment section below.

The post 9 Best Emoji Apps Everyone Should Try appeared first on Beebom

It can be quite annoying when someone is constantly calling you and you don’t want to answer the call. Fortunately, you can always block a number on your android phone using third-party apps. You will not receive any calls or text messages from the blocked number. Although, some high-end Android phones do offer this feature built-in, but still many don’t. So, our best bet is to use a third-party app that works on all android smartphones.

Furthermore, many call blocking apps will offer extra features, like filters, notifications and schedules to make it even easier to block calls. These apps are especially handy for blocking calls from specific numbers, like telemarketers who keep calling you to sell some insurance service. We have created this list of best call blocking apps for android. You can get rid of any type of annoying callers using the below mentioned apps. Just make your pick and start living a life without any annoying phone interruptions.

Best Call Blocking Apps For Android

1. Safest Call Blocker

Safest Call Blocker is an ad supported call blocker that comes with a premium version that removes those ads. The app keeps things quick and simple, you won’t have to dig deep into settings to block calls. You can easily add numbers to block list from your contacts list or call logs.

There is also an option to block the last call. So if you received an annoying call, you won’t have to specifically search your call logs or enter the number manually, just tap the button and it will be added. You will also receive notifications of blocked calls inside the app to keep track of who called at what time.

The blocked calls will not ring and you can just check who called from apps history logs when you feel comfortable.

Install

2. Mr. Number

Mr. Number is a free call blocker app that will offer 20 free caller look ups, after that you will have to pay for caller look ups. Mr. Number is created to automatically block spam messages without any need of blacklisting numbers.

It can scan your call logs to identify spam numbers and block them (up to 20 number for free). You can also mark numbers as spam to help other Mr. Number users and the same way you take advantage of this spam blocking feature.

Install

3. Calls Blacklist

Calls Blacklist is a call and SMS blocker, it will block calls and SMS both from the unwanted number. However, for SMS you will have to make Calls Blacklist default SMS app if you are running Android 4.4 and above, which might not be comfortable. If you only want to use the call blocking feature, you can just decline the offer to make it the default texting app and just use the call blocking feature.

The app will let you block calls from contacts, call logs and messages log. You can also specify specific starting digits to block calls for specific numbers, like telemarketers. You can also export your created blacklist to a file to keep it with you and load it to the app in another phone.

If you are afraid that provided filters may accidently block an important number, then you can also add those numbers to whitelist to never block them in any situation.

Install

4. Call Blocker FREE

Call Blocker FREE is a completely free app with no ads at all. It is a full featured app that will let you block both SMS, MMS and calls (SMS, MMS is not available for Android 4.4 and above). You can specify numbers to block from your contacts, call logs and message logs. It also has different call block method, you can hang up, answer hang up, silent the call and Airplane mode.

The numbers you can block include, private numbers, unknown numbers and specified numbers. You will also receive a notification (optional) for the blocked calls. All data can be backed up on your SD card.

Install

5. Call Blocker Free – Blacklist

Don’t get confused by the name, Call Blocker Free is a completely different app. The app doesn’t offer many features, but it is extremely light and simple to use with low pressure on the phone’s battery. You can create both blacklist and whitelist to block calls.

It also offers different methods to block the call, including hang up, mute, and hang up and send messages. The app will notify you about all the calls blocked and you can see the blocked calls log to keep track of which numbers got blocked.

It is completely free to use without any premium subscriptions. It also doesn’t offer any annoying ads, but it does have section where you can see more apps by the developer.

Install

6. Blacklist Plus

Blacklist Plus is a simple to use app with some interesting features. It doesn’t offer many ways to block numbers, but it does offer different ways to manage blocked numbers. You can schedule specific timing to only block numbers during that time.

There are different ways to block calls as well, you can either mute the call or hang it up. If you are willing to buy pro version, then you can also add password protection to keep your logs and lists private.

Install

7. Master Call Blocker

Master Call is another light and free app without any kind of ads. It doesn’t offer too many features, but it is very light and simple to use. You can easily create blocklist to specify numbers to block or create a whitelist to block all callers and allow specific callers.

It also comes with a enable/disable button, to easily enable or disable the app. This is handy if you want some blacklist callers to call for a specific time or disable it to save battery usage. You can also schedule block callers, if you like.

Install

8. Truecaller

Truecaller is basically a service to identify unknown callers, so you won’t have to identify by asking. Truecaller has a huge database of callers and their names, and they use this data to identify the person who is calling you. So it will only identify numbers already in the database.

They use this database for blocking calls as well, they will stop all types of spam messages and telemarketers using their spam blocking system. You can also manually create blacklists and whitelists to block or allow callers.

Furthermore, you can also search for numbers manually to see who it belongs to. However, you will have to register your number to use the service.

Install

9. Avast Mobile Security & Antivirus

Avast the renowned Antivirus program also offers SMS and Call block feature in its mobile app. Although, Avast offers a premium version with more security, but you don’t have to buy it as the call block feature is available in the free version as well.

The call block feature isn’t that much feature rich, all you can do is create a manual blacklist to block calls. This options is only good, if you are already using Avast mobile security, then you won’t have to download another app. Furthermore, it also comes from a trusted developer, if you have trust issues, then you can use this app to block calls.

Install

SEE ALSO: How To Block Texts / SMS on Android

Hope this article helps you find the best app for blocking unwanted calls. If you know any other good call blocking apps for android, do share in comments section.

The post 9 Best Apps To Block Calls on Android appeared first on Beebom

Now is the time to stop being a lazy couch potato and actually getting your body back into some serious shape. If you have always wanted those sharp as knife six pack abs, or maybe wanted to lose some fat then you’re going to love the apps we’ve brought you today. You don’t need shiny new equipment or an expensive gym membership when you can get the best shape with the help of your smartphone and some amazing fitness apps. Below are the best Workout apps for everyone.

Top 12 Workout Apps For Fitness

1. StrongLifts 5×5 Workout

StrongLifts 5×5 Workout is definitely best fitness and workup app to get your body back in shape. This app will help you build your muscles and get rid of the fat that you’ve always wanted to lose. This is the most simple workout app because it only gives you 3 exercises that you have to perform three times a week. Each exercise consists of 5 sets with 5 reps each, thus the name StrongLifts 5×5 Workout. The app also increases the weight gradually the more you exercise so you get the most out of each of your workout session. There are also workout videos that you can watch to learn the correct form of each exercise and get the best results out of your workout days.

Developer: StrongLifts

Compatibility: iOS 7.0 or Higher, Android 4.0 or Higher

Availability: iOS, Android (Free with in-app purchases)

2. Sworkit

Sworkit is the perfect app if you want to get fit for the next marathon. This app focuses on strength training, core training, and other bodyweight workouts that enhance your overall fitness. All the workouts consist of exercises that you can perform anywhere anytime, all you need is your body. The app keeps rotating the workouts to give you something different every time you workout. You don’t have to limit yourself to the same workouts because that gets pretty boring over time. The pro version of Sworkit lets you save multiple workouts curated by yourself or somebody else. Access to bonus workouts and your entire history so you know how good you’ve been doing since you started the program. The app also syncs easily with MyFitnessPal so you can keep a close eye on your daily calorie intake.

Developer: Nexercise Apps

Compatibility: iOS 7.0 or Higher, Android 4.0 or Higher

Availability: iOS, Android (Free with in-app purchases)

3. Workout Trainer

Workout Trainer by Skimble provides you with thousands of different workout programs that will take your body from a lazy shape to a fit form. The app provides hundreds of different videos, step-by step photos, and audio instructions by renowned and certified instructors which makes the whole exercise program much more easier for newbies because they get all the instructions they need to carry out their daily workouts. If you are looking to get in decent shape without having to hit the gym or use any equipment at all then this app will make sure that you do that. All exercises are equipment free so you can perform any exercise right at your home.

Developer: Skimble

Compatibility: iOS 7.0 or Higher, Android 2.3.3 or Higher

Availability: iOS, Android (Free with in-app purchases)

4. Runtastic Six Pack Abs Workout

When you want to get those perfect sharp abs that anyone can cut themselves on then you require assistance of this amazing app by Runtastic. Runtastic Six Pack Abs Workout app focuses solely on getting you those amazing and sexy looking abs that you have always dreamed of with specially curated exercises and workout regime. Two instructors named Angie and Daniel will guide you through this journey. Both instructors are actually avatars created specially for this app and they have a life-like appearance that makes it easy for you to follow their instructions and video steps. More than 50 full Hd videos will make sure that you’re getting the best workout for your abs.

Developer: Runtastic

Compatibility: iOS 7.0 or Higher, Android 2.3.3 or Higher

Availability: iOS, Android (Free with in-app purchases)

5. 8fit Workouts & Meal Plans

8fit won’t just give you a few videos to follow for your workouts instead this app will actually design and customize the whole workout regime around your specified goal. You select your goal which can be anything from muscle building to losing fat and 8fit will curate a workout program and a diet plan to help you achieve your goals quickly. All the workouts designed by this app take roughly 15-20 mins and you can perform them at your home, even in your room. You don’t have to go to the gym because this app will help you take back your shape directly from within your house. If you get the pro subscription then you can get a personalized trainer, extensive meal plans, and some additional workouts. The pro subscription will cost you $25 per 3 months.

Developer: 8fit

Compatibility: iOS 7.0 or Higher, Android 4.1 or Higher

Availability: iOS, Android (Free with in-app purchases)

6. Endomondo

If you are already performing some type of workout like running, jogging, or something else that you do at your home then you need Endomondo to track your data and analyse it. This is the perfect fitness tracking app that keeps up with every little workout that you do on daily basis. You can then check and analyse all your data directly from the app or on the fully featured website. You can track more than 40 different activities with this app and see how many calories you have burnt on an hourly basis. Just set your objectives and the app’s audio coach will help you achieve your goals and objectives by keeping you motivated all the times. You can also share your daily stats with the whole community of fellow Endomondo users and ask for advice or share your own expertise with the world. The premium subscription will costs you nearly $4 per month and you will get access to premium features that include but not limited to advanced workouts, ad-free experience, and access to more than 10 motivational features.

Developer: Endomondo.com

Compatibility: iOS 7.0 or Higher, Android 4.0 or Higher, Windows Phone 8.0 or Higher, BB10 or Higher

Availability: iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry (Free with in-app purchases)

7. Nike+ Training Club

Nike; the sports giant has now stepped up its game by giving its users an easy way to get back in shape and achieve their fitness goals. Nike+ Training Club is more than just a fitness app and it provides everything you need to become fit and get the perfect body shape. This app provides you with more than a hundred different trainers from Nike that will help you in your fitness journey. This app is a social network for fitness freaks, just create your profile and add your friends and start training whenever you want, wherever you want. You can also share your workout photos with the community so everyone can give their feedback or tips regarding your activities.

Developer: Nike

Compatibility: iOS 7.1 or Higher, Android 4.0.3 or Higher

Availability: iOS, Android (Free)

8. Runkeeper

If you’re getting yourself in shape for the marathon or just want to go out for running or biking then you need Runkeeper to keep tabs on your daily runs or rides. The app will calculate the distance, speed, calorie burning count, and much more for every activity that you perform. The app will keep track of your activities via GPS so all the data is entirely accurate and up to the minute. Pre-plan your running or biking routes and directly follow them via the map provided within the app making the whole process pretty simple and straightforward. This app also syncs with your music library so you get your favorite tracks while you’re out running in the wild. The Pro version will give you access to even more features like live tracking, etc. It will cost you $9.99 per month.

Developer: FitnessKeeper

Compatibility: iOS 7.0 or Higher, Android 4.0 or Higher

Availability: iOS, Android (Free with in-app purchases)

9. Zombies, Run!

You will not be a couch potato sitting all day when you have a horde of brain eating zombies coming for your delicious little brain. That just makes you want to jump out of the couch and run for your life, doesn’t it? Well, that’s the idea behind Zombies, Run! fitness game that aims to bring some running activity to your life with the help of an interactive audio game. The game will work anywhere, so you can run at the beach, at the park, or even on a treadmill at your home or gym. You will hear zombies, lots of them, chasing you as if they were about to catch you. There will be many different scenarios and stories in the game that will keep you hooked and ready to run the next marathon if need be. Pro membership costs $3 per month and unlock more than 200 new story missions.

Developer: Six to Start

Compatibility: iOS 7.1 or Higher, Android 4.0 or Higher

Availability: iOS, Android (Free with in-app purchases)

10. 7 Minute Workout

When you don’t have much time for a dedicated workout but want to do something about your fat tummy or extremely lean body then you need something that will help you out without taking much of your precious time. 7 Minute Workout is designed specifically for people who want to workout but don’t want to dedicate a lot of time to their workout sessions. You just get a 7 minute workout regime that will transform your body into an active and fit version of you. All the workouts can be performed and completed at your home without you having to require any equipment at all.

Developer: ABISHKKING

Compatibility: Android 2.3 or Higher

Availability: Android (Free with in-app purchases)

11. Fitmo

If you’re not impressed with all the apps that provide you with a video or audio workout program then you can actually hire a personal instructor that stay in your pocket. Fitmo brings you the ability to get a personal trainer for yourself who will design a special workout program, diet plan, and will keep you motivated until you reach your goals. You can actually text the instructor or talk to them via video calls directly from the app. You will get continuous coaching from your instructor and you can ping them anytime you need help with your workouts or meal plans. A dedicated instructor will cost you $8 per month which is quite cheap when compared to gyms. You will also get a 7 day trial so you can test if this app is perfect for you or not.

Developer: Fitmo.com

Compatibility: iOS 7.0 or Higher

Availability: iOS (Free with in-app purchases)

12. FitStar Personal Trainer

FitStar Personal Trainer makes you feel really comfortable with all the workouts and exercises. All the workouts are detailed in HD videos so you can follow them easily. You don’t need any equipment at all because all the workouts are bodyweight and you require very little space which means you can do it in the balcony if you wanted. After setting your objectives and goals, you will get fully personalized workout programs that will help you achieve your goals in a short span of time. The Premium subscription of the app will cost you $7.99 per month and you will get access to Premium only content which includes extra videos, faster email support, and premium-only programs that are not available to anybody else.

Developer: FitStar

Compatibility: iOS 7.0 or Higher

Availability: iOS (Free with in-app purchases)

SEE ALSO: 10 Best Fitness Apps For Android Wear

Now get up from that couch and start some workouts. The above mentioned workout apps should be enough to turn your body into a celebrity look-alike. If you think there are other fitness apps that deserve to be on the list then don’t hold back, feel free to share them in the comments below.

The post 12 Best Workout Apps To Keep Yourself Fit appeared first on Beebom

Mobile data plans are becoming increasingly expensive and a lot of people do not always have access to a Wi-Fi network so how can we combat our insatiable lust to get on the internet and stay within our data allocation? We have made this list of useful tips that can help you save money on mobile data and maximise your internet use on your android smartphone or tablet.

8 Tips To Save Mobile Data Consumption on Android

1. Turn off mobile data when not in use

This one is pretty self explanatory. Once you’re not using the Internet actively such as when you’re on the road or sleeping, turn off your data connection. Unless you are expecting an urgent message or email, there’s no reason to keep your data connection on at all times if you’re looking to stay within your data allowance.

2. Monitor your data usage (and take action)

Recent Android versions have got built-in tools to help monitor your data usage and set a limit on your mobile data. Just head to the Settings and scroll to the Data Usage section to do this. You will see an overview of the applications eating up your data in real-time and you can set warning alerts for whenever you pass a specific limit.

Once you pin down the apps consuming your data, you can restrict data access to those applications or uninstall them entirely.

3. Cut back on data hogging applications

One straight forward way of reducing your mobile data usage is to eliminate the use of data hungry apps while on your mobile network. There are usually alternatives to some of these apps that will take less data and still perform the needed functions just fine.

For example, Facebook Lite is a good alternative to the Facebook application and is extremely lightweight and easy on battery life and data usage. TweetCaster is a data-friendly alternative to the official Twitter app as well.

4. Use Opera Mini or UC Browser Mini for browsing

Opera Mini and UC Browser mini are great browsers that compress data before it is downloaded by your phone. This helps to trim data usage and also give you a very speedy surfing experience. While they are not great for all situations (such as when you need to make a transaction or fill a form), both browsers are great for casual browsing and should suffice in most cases.

Keep in mind that compressing data may compromise the quality of your browsing experience and images may not look very sharp but it’s worth it if it helps in reducing your monthly cellular bill.

In my own experience, Opera Mini compressed 394 Mb into 120 Mb (70% savings) while UC Browser Mini saved me a whooping 84% of 2.61GB. Opera browser for android, UC Browser HD and Google Chrome are some of the other android browsers that offer data compression services.

5. Update applications on Wi-Fi only

Disabling automatic updating of applications is one easy way to reduce data usage. Just head over to the Google Play Store and then Settings. Make sure to set auto-updating of apps to the Wi-Fi only option.

6. Restrict background data

Some applications love to run in the background and hog your data usage without you knowing. Luckily, there’s a way to stop this. If you’re running on Android 4.0 and up, you can check which apps consume data in the background in the Data Usage Settings.

You will see the data consumpton of the app categorised into Foreground (when you’re actually using the app) and Background (when the app is not in active use). So you can check the stats of each of your apps and restrict background data if deemed necessary.

7. Disable Auto Sync

If you happen to use applications that synchronize your data in the background, you may want to disable the auto-sync option on the ones that synchronize heavy files such as photos or videos (such as Google Photos).

8. Compress all data activity with Onavo Extend and Opera Max

Both these apps are data compression services that compress all the data sent to your phone before it is downloaded. These apps run in the background and routes all data through their own servers to be compressed before it is sent to your device.

So everything you do is slightly quicker, downloads are faster and webpages are smaller. Opera Max also compresses mobile video which is renown for it’s prowess in consuming mobile data.

Opera Max is an android exclusive app while Onavo Extend is available on both android and iOS.

Conclusion

By taking one or more of the actions described above, you should be able to conserve your mobile data usage and stay within your monthly allowance. Feel free to combine two or more of the above tips to allow you more freedom to enjoy your android device more and consequently save you money.

SEE ALSO: How To Block Unwanted Texts On Android

If there are other ways to conserve data that we have overlooked, please share your knowledge in the comments section below

The post 8 Tips To Save Mobile Data On Android appeared first on Beebom

Rooting your android device is the first step to unlocking it’s true power and it’s what I usually do first when I get a new device. A rooted device gives you access to powerful stuff such as boot settings, permissions and system files. People often ask what apps can help bring the best out of their rooted device. With that in mind, we have compiled this list of 15 of the best applications for your rooted android smartphone or tablet.

Best Apps For Rooted Android

1. Greenify

Greenify is one app every Android user should have. While it also works on non-rooted devices, you can only enjoy it’s full features if you have a rooted smartphone or tablet. It helps to save your battery life and make your device run smoothly by hibernating apps that are not in active use, preventing them from running in the background and consequently freeing up significant amount of RAM. All of this for free.

Developer: Oasis Feng

Compatibility: Varies with device

Availability: Greenify (Free) – Google Play Store

2. Link2SD

If you’re on a low end device that does not have a lot of internal memory, you often run out of storage space quickly especially if you’re the type who likes to install many apps. With the Link2SD app, you can move your apps to your SD Card even if the app does not support it. You can also set default location for new apps and uninstall the bloatware that comes with most android smartphones.

Developer: Bulent Akpinar

Compatibility: Android 2.1 and up

Availability: Link2SD (Free / Link2SD Plus (New) $1.55) – Google Play Store

3. DriveDroid

DriveDroid allows you to turn your android device into a bootable drive to install or test out a number of Linux distributions. It’s very easy to setup and you can download any of the 35 supported Linux distros at the moment or use it to mount your already downloaded iso/image file. You can also use it to install Windows but the procedure is slightly different.

Developer: Softwarebakery

Compatibility: Varies with device

Availability: DriveDroid (Free / DriveDroid Paid $2.15) – Google Play Store

4. Root Browser

Root Browser is a simple file manager that allows you to view all the file systems on your android device including the ones hidden by default. You can create or move directories or change file permissions through the app. It also allows batch copy and pasting as well as executing scipts and extracting files from apks, jars and zip files.

Developer: JRummy Apps Inc.

Compatibility: Android 1.6 and up

Availability: Root Browser (Free) – Google Play Store

5. ROM Toolbox Lite

This is another application offered by the developer of Root Browser. It combines several functions from several apps into one master app and works well enough to warrant a 4.4/5 average rating on the Play Store. You can install custom roms such as AOKP or CyanogenMod and create or restore Nandroid backups. In addition, you can also create scripts and configure them to run at boot or even block adverts! More features include the ability to install and change boot animations or logo, install custom fonts, move apps to SDCard and lots more.

Developer: JRummy Apps Inc.

Compatibility: Android 2.3 and up

Availability: ROM Toolbox Lite (Free / ROM Toolbox Pro $5.99)

6. Titanium Backup

Titanium Backup is a very powerful backup utility that allows you to backup and restore just about anything on your smartphone or tablet. With the free version, you can perform simple backups of your apps and data to an SD Card or clean your device’s internal memory by moving apps to your SD Card. The Pro version is costs $5.99 but offers a ton of features such as cloud synchronisation of your backups to Dropbox, Google Drive or Box and unlimited scheduling of backups. You can also convert system apps to user apps and vice versa or freeze misbehaving apps to prevent them from clogging up your RAM.

Developer: Titanium Track

Compatibility: Android 1.5 and up

Availability: Titanium Backup (Free / Titanium Backup PRO Key root $5.99)

7. Root Uninstaller

This app works for both rooted and non-rooted smartphones but you get it’s full features on a rooted device. It simply allows to remove all unwanted pre-installed applications on your device (a.k.a bloat) or even regular applications. You can choose to uninstall or freeze system apps or even backup their apk files to your SD Card if you plan on re-installing them later or just as a precaution. Non-rooted users can only remove regular applications but there are other options such as listing all .apk files on device or batch removal of apps.

Developer: Root Uninstaller

Compatibility: Varies with device

Availability: Root Uninstaller (Free) – Google Play Store

8. Flashify

Flashify allows you to flash boot.img, recovery.img and zip files to your device or backup your kernel to your SD Card or cloud storage such as Google Drive and Dropbox. If you’re the type that likes to tinker with your phone, this app could come really handy for you to ensure that you have a fallback option if things go wrong. It also offers full nandroid backups and automatic syncing between your computer and android device.

Developer: Christian Göllner

Compatibility: Android 4.0 and up

Availability: Flashify (for root users) (Free) – Google Play Store

9. Tasker

Want to automate tasks on your phone? Tasker is just what you need. It can perform many tasks for you by taking advantage of android’s versatility and the numerous APIs offered by Google makes it a very powerful tool. Want to turn off your ringer when in class or disable your lockscreen when connected to a home Wi-Fi network? Tasker can do all these and more. It has a bit of a steep learning curve but once you get the hang of it, you’ll absolutely love it.

Developer: Crafty Apps EU

Compatibility: Varies with device

Availability: Tasker ($2.99) – Google Play Store

10. SetCPU

SetCPU is a useful utility app that can help increase the speed of your device or increase battery life by overclocking or under clocking your CPU speed. Overclocking simply means setting your processor at a speed greater than its normal value which makes it process data at a faster rate and thus increases the speed of your device. However, you need to do this carefully as it may damage your device or cause overheating if not done properly.

Developer: MichaelHuang

Compatibility: Varies with device

Availability: SetCPU for Root Users ($1.99) – Google Play Store

11. Battery Calibration

Battery life is a major concern for most smartphone users and it is clear that performance and duration decrease with time but sometimes this deterioration happens drastically. If this is you, you may have to recalibrate your battery. This simply means getting the system to reflect the true state of your battery so it doesn’t go off before it reaches 0%. This app does the job by removing the old values in your batterystats.bin file and updating with with fresh ones.

Developer: Miroslav Vitula

Compatibility: Android 3.0 and up

Availability: Battery Calibration [ROOT] (Free) – Google Play Store

12. Gravity Box

GravityBox is an Xposed Framework Module that provides a way to turn your stock Android ROM into a custom ROM by applying several various tweaks on your device. Examples are: CyanogenPie controls, expanded desktops, lockscreen tweaks and more. There are different variants for each Android version (4.0 and up) so be sure to install the one compatible with your device.

Developer: C3C076

Compatibility: Android 4.1 and up

Availability: GravityBox (JellyBean, KitKat, Lollipop) – Xposed Module Repository

13. Font Installer

Don’t like the default fonts on your Android phone? Use Font Installer to download and install custom fonts on your device. The app will overwrite the default specifications in the system files so be sure to have a backup in case you want to revert back to the original font.

Developer: JRummy Apps Inc.

Compatibility: Android 1.6 and up

Availability: Font Installer (Free) – Google Play Store

14. App Ops

App Ops helps you disable or enable permissions that your apps have access to on a per-app basis. For example, why should a simple text editor know your location via GPS? That’s crossing the line. You can turn off the app’s access to that particular operation with this application.

Developer: Droid Mate

Compatibility: Android 4.3 and up

Availability: App Ops [Root] (Free) – Google Play Store

15. BusyBox

BusyBox is a collection of powerful command line utilities in a single binary executable for UNIX systems including Android. Many of the utilities contained in busybox need elevated privileges hence the need for root access. Keep in mind that installing this app could open your device to vulnerabilities but if you know the command line well, you should be fine.

Developer: Stephen (Stericson)

Compatibility: Android 1.6 and up

Availability: BusyBox (Free) – Google Play Store

SEE ALSO: Useful Tips To Save Mobile Data On Android

Conclusion

There you go! Most of these apps for rooted Android are free or provide trial versions so be sure to check them out, just be careful and remember to make a solid backup before tinkering with your device. If we have left out your favourite app, do let us know in the comments section below.

The post 15 Best Apps For Rooted Android Devices appeared first on Beebom

Speaking the same language as the other person automatically makes them like you even more and treat you like one of their own. If you are visiting a new country or city where a different language is spoken then speaking the native language of certain country will instantly make you a favorite person among the natives. If you don’t know how to speak more than one language then don’t worry because today we’re going to provide you with an ample supply of translation apps that will help you in your new country and quickly teach you new languages without much hassle. Below are the 8 best translation apps that everyone should use.

Choose Best Translational app as per your needs

1. Google Translate

The one and only translation app by Google itself that provides almost every feature that you can ever wish for in a translation app. It supports more than 90 languages from around the world and more are being added with each update. The prominent languages include English, Spanish, German, French, Hindi, Arabic, Chinese, etc. The best feature is the camera translation where you just use your camera to focus on a word or a sentence in a different language and the text will be translated to the language of your choosing, this works really well when you’re on tour in a different country. You can also download different language packs on your phone, this way you don’t need to be always connected to the internet and you can even translate when offline. The best part about this app is that It can also read text written on images and translate them for you in realtime. This is very much like a superpower, isn’t it?

Developer: Google Inc.

Compatibility: Android 2.3 or Higher, iOS 7.0 or Higher

Availability: Android, iOS (Free)

2. iTranslate

Another award-winning and popular translation app that supports more than 90 languages. This is not your regular translation app that just provides you with the meaning of the words in different languages instead you can also choose to listen to the text in different dialects from different parts of the world so you know how to speak in different countries. Hearing is better but you can also speak to the app and it will translate your spoken words in real-time so you don’t have to type your words, saving yourself a lot of time. The app also provides you with multiple meaning of the same words so you know what fits the context and choose your meaning accordingly. The in-app purchase lets you buy the premium version of the app that gets rid of all the ads and also lifts all the translation limits so you can use it for as many translation as you want. iTranslate supports English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and many more languages from around the world.

Developer: Sonico

Compatibility: Android 4.1 or Higher, iOS 8.0 or Higher

Availability: Android, iOS (Free with in-app purchases)

3. Speak & Translate

If you’re rocking an iOS device be it an iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 5S or an iPad then you should get yourself the amazing Speak & Translate app on your device because it will change the way you look at translations for good. This app comes with advanced voice recognition so no matter what your dialect is, this app will understand your words and translate everything. It supports more than 100 languages from around the world that include but not limited to English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Italian, Arabic, etc. You can switch translation from your iPhone to your iPad, or from your iPad to iPhone so that you always stay on the same page with the translations. You can also share the translations with your friends via social media sharing options making this app even more unique than others. The price is definitely a bit steep but the features make it worth each buck.

Developer: Apalon Apps

Compatibility: iOS 7.0 or Higher

Availability: iOS (Paid $9.99)

4. Voice Translator

When you’re too busy or too lazy to type something for translation but still need the work done then there’s only one simple solution for you, use your voice. Voice Translator just lets you do that. It takes away all the time consuming typing methods and lets you speak your words and sentences that need to be translated. The app will read back the translated words and sentences so you don’t even have to read. You can get translations in multiple languages at the same time, if that’s what you prefer. At the moment, Voice Translator supports 21 languages for input that include, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese (Simple/Traditional), Arabic, Hebrew, Indonesian, French, Dutch, Polish, Latin, Malay, Korean, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, Turkish, Afrikaans, and Czech.

Developer: Axismobinc

Compatibility: Android 2.3 or Higher

Availability: Android (Free)

5. Yandex.Translate

The direct competitor to Google Translate is the Russian Yandex.Translate that comes with similar features as Google Translate app. Yandex.Translate supports more than 60 languages and lets you translate words, phrases, or complete sentences easily. The app performs real time translations as you enter the text, so each word is translated right when you input it making the whole process much smoother and faster. The app also lets you take images of different signs, banners, and it will quickly translate the text in the image into your preferred language which makes it easier for you to find your way in foreign countries. You can also save dictionaries offline this way you can perform translations even when you don’t have an active internet connection at hand. The app supports translations in and from, English, Spanish, Russian, Italian, German, Dutch, and many other languages from different parts of the world.

Developer: Yandex

Compatibility: Android 2.3.3 or Higher, iOS 7.1 or Higher

Availability: Android, iOS (Free)

6. iTranslate Voice

Talk to your smartphone and it will speak back to you in more than 40 different languages depending on your choice. iTranslate Voice is the voice counterpart of the original iTranslate app, it focuses specifically on letting the users translate different sentences and phrases via voice commands. All you have to do is speak to your phone and it will translate your words and speak them back to you. You don’t need to type a single letter at all because the high-quality voice recognition will understand each word that you speak. You can also share the translations via social media channels and email. The new phrasebook feature in the app lets you save all the frequently used translations so you don’t have to translate them again and again. The app supports most languages including but not limited to English, Spanish, German, Italian, French, Arabic, and Hindi.

Developer: Sonico

Compatibility: Android 4.1 or Higher, iOS 7.0 or Higher

Availability: Android (Free), iOS (Paid $3.99)

7. SayHi Translate

If you’re looking for a real time interpreter that helps you in your face to face conversations then look no further because SayHi Translate app will help you out in such situations. This app will provide the duties of a interpreter by giving you real time translations of the words and sentences you speak in over 100 languages. Best of all, you can choose different dialects for each language giving you a more specific way of saying words that you never knew before. Dialects include, Canadian French, Indian English, South African English, etc and many more. The standard version gives you access to 43 languages and a limited number of dialects, however, buying the premium version will give you over 100 languages and unlock many more dialects that you can use. You can save translations and also send them to your friends via email or social media with a quick tap.

Developer: SayHi

Compatibility: iOS 6.1 or Higher

Availability: iOS (Paid $4.99)

8. Translate Voice

The fact that this app is completely free without requiring any premium subscriptions or payments at all makes it one of the best translation apps out there. It lets you easily translate over 80 languages from around the world with just your voice. You can get audio output in over 40 languages that include but not limited to English, Italian, German, French, Arabic, Russian, etc. You can also get spelling suggestions and new word suggestions to improve your overall grip on your preferred language. You can share the text from this app to any other app that supports texts which makes it easier to text your translations to your friends and other loved ones quickly. All your previous translations are saved in this history so you can always get back to them without having to do them all over again.

Developer: Tick Talk Soft

Compatibility: Android 2.3 or Higher

Availability: Android (Free)

SEE ALSO: 9 Best Emoji Apps For iPhone and Android Devices

If you a completely new learner of a language or just want to improve your grip on a couple of languages then the above mentioned translator apps will come in handy. Even if you’re visiting a new country and want to temporary learn a few words or sentences to get by at your new destination then these apps will help you out so you can get used to the new language. If you have any other suggestions for translation app then feel free to share them in the comments below.

The post 8 Best Language Translation Apps appeared first on Beebom

Apple’s FaceTime is a versatile and popular way to make video and audio calls—but what if you’re on Android? What can you use then? Fortunately, there are a number of great alternatives to FaceTime that will work on your Android phone, and many of them are free. Here are 10 that will help you stay in touch with friends, whether you want to talk, see each other, or just send messages.

10 Best FaceTime Alternatives For Android

1. Google Hangouts

Google’s own messenger service, Hangouts, is one of the best ways to stay in touch with friends on Android. You can send Hangouts messages or text messages via the app, call any phone number in the world (using the related Hangouts Dialer app), and get free voice and video calls to other users of Hangouts. You can even connect it to your Google Voice account for voicemail and calling integration.

With video and audio calling; messaging capabilities; easy sending of GIFs, animations, stickers, and maps, and a price tag of $0, Hangouts is a great option for Android users who want the ability to communicate in many different ways with other Android users. Its ability to send textual messages and integrate with your phone and voicemail set it apart from the limited scope of FaceTime. It’s easy to convince your friends to download a free app, and you can even make calls to regular phone numbers. On Android, Hangouts is tough to beat.

Note: Using Hangouts Dialer to dial phone numbers isn’t available in all countries; Argentina, China, Cuba, Mexico, Saudio Arabia, South Korea, and the UAE, among others, won’t be able to use it. To see if your country is on the list, see this help article from Google.

2. Facebook Messenger

Almost as ubiquitous as Google Hangouts is Facebook Messenger, Facebook’s built-in communication tool. In addition to video calls (available in most countries), it provides instant messaging and VoIP audio calling capabilities, and because almost everyone uses Facebook, it’s easy to get in touch with your friends. You can even send messages to people who aren’t in your Facebook friends list by adding their phone number.

You can share photos and videos through the instant messaging service, see when people have read your messages, create groups for commonly contacted friends, and even create shortcuts to get to conversations from your home screen. If most of your friends are on Facebook, Messenger can serve as your go-to communication app on Android. The ability to get in touch with anyone in your Facebook friends list makes Messenger a better bet than FaceTime for many people.

3. Skype

Everyone knows Skype—it’s the biggest name in video calling, and it has a ton of cool features. The Android app offers the video and audio calling that you’re used to on your computer, as well as instant messaging so you can stay in touch with your friends no matter whether they’re online or not. Because so many people have the Skype app on their phones, it could even replace text messaging for communicating with a lot of your friends.

You can also call mobile and landline numbers with Skype, meaning you can talk to people who don’t have the app. The per-minute cost is quite low, so if you don’t make many calls, you could use it to supplement a very small talk plan from your provider. The mobile app even lets you send recorded video messages that your friends can watch later. And, of course, it’s available on absolutely every platform, so you can use it across all of your devices instead of being limited to only Apple-made products.

4. Viber

When messaging apps started getting popular, Viber was a front runner; the app has built on its initial popularity and become a more fully featured communications app that can easily replace FaceTime for many users. You can make free video and audio calls, send messages, and even share your location via the app.

Viber Out lets you call non-Viber users on their mobile or landline numbers with low rates, similar to Skype. Viber’s main benefit is that it’s already very popular, so if you’re looking to download an app that your friends are likely to have, Viber is a good bet. The app is free, too, so you can test it out before committing to making it your primary communication app.

5. ooVoo

Originally a video-calling app, ooVoo has grown to offer a wide range of useful communication features for users of the app. Free audio and video calls to other users, the ability to purchase credits to call other numbers in over 70 countries (the full list is available from ooVoo), and text messaging are all included. You can have multi-way video calls with up to 12 people, making ooVoo good for video conferencing as well as regular chatting.

Other cool features include the ability to send photo and video messages, video call recording, and support on PC for simultaneously watching YouTube videos with other people on the call. ooVoo also claims to provide some of the best video quality around, so you can be confident that you’ll look your best when talking to your friends or colleagues.

6. Tango

As with the other apps on this list, Tango offers free audio and video calling to other users of the app, as well as calling to other numbers for a low fee. But Tango adds social-network-like features as well, including posting updates, profiles, and photo sharing. You can also save chats to a list of favorites, and participate in groups chats.

Interestingly, Tango can also help you meet new people—you can join trending group chats like you would a chatroom, where you can interact with people who are interested in the same topics. You can swipe through profile cards to find people you’re interested in getting to know, too, making Tango almost like a dating app. If you’re looking for an integrated calling and social app, this is it.

7. LINE

Like Tango, LINE strives to combine communication and social networking. You can make free audio and video calls to other users of the app, send messages, and share photos, videos, and GPS coordinates with your contacts. On the social side, you can post updates to your timeline, follow celebrities and official accounts, and comments on others’ posts.

In addition to all of this, LINE aims to help you find new ways to use your phone to use by sharing the company’s recommended entertainment and lifestyle apps. LINE is also available on PC, so you can stay in touch with friends and the news whether you’re on the go or at home.

8. ZOOM Cloud Meetings

Although it’s meant to be used as a video conferencing app for communicating with co-workers, ZOOM can be used as a video calling app to emulate FaceTime functionality as well. Just fire it up when you’re on wifi or use your data plan and you can invite up to 25 people to join your call.

You can also send group texts, images, and audio, and share photos and other files from Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box. If you’re looking for an FaceTime replacement for Android and you plan on inviting people that you work with, ZOOM’s app is a great way to go. There’s also a desktop version, so you can talk to people if they’re on their mobile or in their office.

9. fring

Another free video, audio, and text app, fring advertises many of the same things that other apps do—group calling with up to four friends, free communication with other fring users on multiple platforms, and low rates on calls to mobile and landline numbers in over 200 countries with fringOut. They also boast that they have superior video quality with their DVQ technology.

One of the nice things about fring is that you can register with your phone number instead of a username and password, eliminating the need to remember another set of user credentials. If your friends are willing to download a new app, fring should be a contender.

10. Imo

With over 850,000 five-star ratings, Imo is one of the most popular video calling apps in the Google Play Store. Free audio and video calling, free messaging, group chats, video and photo sharing . . . it offers just about everything you could want in a messaging app.

Imo also advertises that your chats and calls are encrypted, a feature that’s shared with FaceTime (which has been rated one of the most secure methods of communication). Although Imo doesn’t share the details of the encryption, you can be confident that your communications will be secure.

SEE ALSO: 10 Best Siri Alternatives For Android

FaceTime for Android? You Don’t Need It

FaceTime is a great app for iPhones and iPads, but there’s no Android version of the app; fortunately, you don’t need it! There are plenty of great free audio and video calling apps that you can use to communicate with your friends and family. Just make sure everyone’s willing to download the same app so you can all keep in touch.

The post 10 FaceTime Alternatives For Android appeared first on Beebom

Tasker is a great way to automate actions in your Android smartphone or tablet. It can do almost anything you want once you figure how to use it. The entry level to using Tasker is a bit high but that’s why we’re here to help.

In this article, we are going to show you 15 of the best and very useful Tasker profiles and how you can set them up on your device.

1. Keep screen on when using reading apps

This task triggers when you open a reading app such as Pocket or any other app you choose. Tasker will prevent the screen from going off once this task is active.

Steps:

• Create new task (name it “Keep screen on” or something like that).
• Tap on the “+” button, select “Display” and then “Display Timeout“.
• Increase the limit to your desired level and save the task.
• Go to “Profile” then tap the plus icon and select “Applications“.
• Choose the applications for which you want to keep the screen on.

2. Launch Music app automatically when headphones are plugged in

This simply launches your music player when you plug in an earpiece.

Steps:

• Create a new profile, select “State” and then “Hardware“. Choose “Headset plugged“.
• Create new task, name it and select “launch application“
• Choose your favourite music app.

3. Put your phone in silent mode by turning your phone upside down

This is most useful when you are in class or in a meeting and need to set your ringer off. You can do this by simply turning your device face down instead of having to open your phone to do it manually.

Steps:

• Go to Profile , then select “State“, “Sensor” and “Orientation” in that order. Choose “Face down” from the drop down menu.
• Create new task. Tap on the “+” icon , select audio then silent mode. Choose “On” or “Vibrate“.

4. Auto rotate screen for certain apps

Watching a video on YouTube or using your Office app is often best done in landscape mode. Tasker can toggle “Auto-rotate” on for you automatically once you open the app.

Steps:

• Create new profile, select application then choose your desired app.
• Create a New task and tap the “+” icon. Select “Display” then set “Display Autorotate” to ON.

5. Turn android lockscreen off in trusted locations

It could become annoying to keep having to unlock your device when you’re at home or work and all by yourself. Setting up this task will toggle the lockscreen off when at connected to a trusted wifi connection (such as at home or work) and back on when out. You will need the “Secure Settings Plugin” which you can grab from the Google Play Store.

Please note that this is only for rooted android users and if you’re using a pattern.

Steps:

Entry Task

• create an entry task (name it “Lockscreen OFF“) and tap the “+” button.
• Select “Plugin“, “Secure Settings” and “Root actions” that order. Set “Pattern lock OFF“.

Exit Task

• create an entry task (name it “Lockscreen ON“) and tap the “+” button.
• Select “Plugin“, “Secure Settings” and “Root actions” that order. Set “Pattern lock ON“.

Profile

• Create new. Select “State“, “Net” and “Wi-Fi connected” in that order.
• Enter the SSID of your home Wi-Fi network.
• Link to the “Lockscreen OFF” Task.
• Long press the profile and add an exit task. Select “Lockscreen ON“.

6. Battery saving mode when battery is low on your Android

When your battery is low, Tasker can toggle to set a battery saver mode on (by turning off Wi-Fi, auto-sync etc).

Steps:

• Go to Profile, then State and select “Power“. Choose “Battery Level” and set the desired range (let’s say from 0-20).
• Create new Task and tap the “+” icon. Select “Net” and turn Bluetooth off, auto sync off, Wi-Fi off and Mobile data off (if its available on your device).

7. Night mode or Quiet time

Save battery and avoid unnecessary disturbance by turning WI-FI off and putting your phone in silent mode at night and back on again in the morning.

Steps

• Create a new profile and select time. Choose the desired time range (for example, from 00:00 – 06:30).
• Create a new task and tap the “+” icon.
• Go to “Audio” then set Silent mode ON or vibrate.
• Go to “Net” and turn auto sync OFF and Wi-Fi OFF.

8. Sleep Timer

Ever fallen asleep while listening to music only to find your music still playing when you wake up? Well, not anymore. Tasker can kill audio playback after a specific time.

Steps

• Create new task and tap the “+” button. Go to “media” then “Media Controls” and select “Stop” under “cmd“. Choose the music app by pressing the square grid icon near the bottom right.
• To trigger this action, we are going to utilise a built-in function in Tasker. Go to your widgets menu look for task timer. Drag the widget to your home screen.
• Once there, it will prompt you to link it a task. Select the “Sleep Timer” task you created in the first step.

9. Launch one app after another

Usually, I like to open my email app in the morning and then check out my feed reader for a quick morning read. If you follow a similar pattern, you can automate the launching of one app after another with Tasker.

Steps

• Create new profile. Go to “Applications” then select the first app.
• Create new task and tap on the “+” icon. Select “App” then “Launch App“. Choose the app you want to launch after the first app is closed.
• Lastly, long press the second app name and click the “move to exit” option.

10. Dim Brightness at specific times

At night, it is usually advisable to keep the brightness of your device’s screen at a reasonably low level so your eyes don’t hurt. Tasker can take care of this one as well.

Steps

• Create new profile. Go to “Time” and select the time range in which you want to lower (or increase) the brightness.
• Create a new task and tap the “+” icon. Go to “Display” and then “Display Brightness“. Select your preferred value.

11. Guest Mode

If you keep private stuff on your devices and do not want anyone else to have access to those apps, you can use Tasker to create a guest mode so you don’t need to worry about anyone looking through your private stuff. This task will redirect the app to your homescreen instead of launching the application.

Steps

• Create new profile. Go to “Applications” and select your private apps.
• Create a new task and tap the “+” icon. Select “App” then “Go Home“.

12. Lock phone by shaking

How about locking your phone simply by shaking it? Tasker can do that too.

Steps

• Create a new profile. Go to “Events” and then “Sensor“. Select “Shake” and enter your preferences for axis, sensitivity and duration.
• Create a new task and tap the “+” icon. Click “Display” then “System lock“.

13. Lock certain apps on your Android

You can also lock your private apps with tasker. This one is pretty straight forward. All you need to do is choose the apps you want to lock and then enter the passcode.

Steps

• Create a new profile. Go to “Application” and select the apps you want to lock.
• Create a new task and tap the “+” button. Go to “Display” then lock and enter the passcode. Once you launch the chosen app, it will prompt you to enter the code before you can use the app.

14. Send an emergency message

Tasker can help send a message to a loved one when you have a low battery. This is useful for cases when you may not be reachable for a while and want to keep family and friends informed.

Steps

• Create a new profile. Go to to “State” then “Power“. Choose “Battery Level” and set between 0 and 5%.
• Create a new task and tap the “+” icon. Go to “Phone” then “Send SMS“. Enter the phone number and message.

15. Change wallpaper automatically

To complete this task, all your wallpapers need to be in the same folder so make sure to do that before creating this task.

Steps

Create a new profile. Go to ” Time” and enter the time range for the wallpaper change to take effect. Tick the “Repeat” checkbox and set it to 1 hour.

• Create a new task and tap the “+” icon. Go to “Variable” and then “Variable Randomize“.
• Name your variable (for example %random). Minimum value = 1. Maximum value = No of images you have.
• Tap the “+” icon again. Go to “Display” then “Set wallpaper” and enter the path to your image followed by %random (the name of your variable). For example, the path should look like this: sdcard/wallpaper/pic_%random.
• Go back to the profile and longpress to add a new context. Go to “Display” then “Display State” and set it to ON.

SEE ALSO: 10 Must Have Xposed Modules For Android

All done! Now you be able to try out all of the above mentioned Tasker profiles and create your own unique ones. There are plenty of powerful automation tasks you can do so feel free to experiment. Don’t forget to tell us what you think of this article in the comments section below.

The post 15 Best Tasker Profiles appeared first on Beebom

Not all the pictures in our phone are meant to be viewed by anyone. We may have many private pictures that are only stored for our eyes. Unfortunately, anyone may grab hold of your smartphone or you may accidentally give away your phone to your friend. This may lead to compromising your privacy leading to potential harm. So, what you need is a way to hide all the photos and videos that you don’t want others to see. If you are an Android user, Google Play Store has tons of apps to hide photos and videos, that you can use for Free! In this article, we have gathered the best photo and video hiding apps available on the Play Store. You just need to pick the one that suits you best.

Best Photos and Video Hiding Apps for Android

1. Hide Pictures in Vaulty

Vaulty is one of the oldest and most reliable app for hiding photos and videos on Android with over 4 years of presence. It has a straightforward interface with many advanced features. You can easily hide pictures and videos from your phone Gallery into Vaulty, and then password-protect it so no one could access it.

If someone tries to access password protected Vault and enters the wrong password, Vaulty will take a picture and let you know. Furthermore, you can also save your photos and videos to Vaulty’s online backup service to restore them in case they get deleted.

You can organize different types of media in more than one vaults with different passwords. Some of its features include, Photo editing, Full screen zoom, Filters, Private Camera and organizing media in albums.

Key Features: Takes picture of the culprit, provides online backup and intuitive interface.

Pricing: Free and offers in app purchases

Download Vaulty

2. Vault-Hide SMS, Pics & Videos

Vault is an all-round app for hiding all the data in your phone including, photos and videos, SMS, contacts and even Apps. You can easily add all this data to your vault and then password protect it to ensure no one has access to it. 

It also has some interesting advanced features to protect your phone’s data. You can create a Fake Vault with fake pictures to fool people into thinking they have accessed the real vault. You can also hide the vault app itself, so no one will be able to know that the app even exists.

It also has some of Vaulty features like, taking picture of a person who tries to access the vault and create a cloud backup of all the data.

Key Features: Hides all types of data, offers different features to hide the vault and creates a backup of your data.

Pricing: Free limited version

Download Vault

3. Hide pictures KeepSafe Vault

KeepSafe is another fully featured app with tons of customization options and tricks to protect your photos. It has a simple interface for quick navigation and photos can be added to it right from the phone Gallery. All the photos inside can be protected with PIN, and while using KeepSafe your app list will not show its presence.

It also has many advanced features that may also require you to buy the premium version, but they are worth it. To fool people, you can change album cover picture, add a fake pin and disguise KeepSafe as a different app.

You can also send self destruct photos from your safe vault that will completely vanish from existence after 20 seconds. It will also take a picture and show you the wrong entered PIN if anyone tries to access your vault.

Key Features: Send self destruct photos, many methods to fool people and a clean interface.

Pricing: Free

Download KeepSafe

4. Hide Pictures Hide it Pro

This is another all-round app that will let you hide pictures, videos, apps, SMS and contacts with just few taps. Best of all, it is completely free to use and you don’t need any kind of premium subscription. The app works as an Audio manager to hide its identity and ensure data safety.

It also provides great customizations options and navigation tools. You can easily categorize or sort data, zoom in/out, view images in slideshow, play videos and many other simple tweaks.

You can use both PIN and a password to protect your data, and the app also doesn’t show up in the apps list. All your important data is encrypted with AES 256-encryption for maximum security. If you think that these features are a bit limited, then you should know that the app also has plugins support. You can add different plugins to further increase functionality such as private messaging, private browsing, locking apps, etc.

Key Features: Encrypted data, completely free and comes with plugin support.

Pricing: Free

Download Hide it Pro

5. Safe Gallery Free

It is a simple media hiding app that will password protect all your media files in the Gallery. The data can be protected with three different types of locks – Pin, Password and Pattern protection. It will also backup all your data in the app so you could restore it in the situation of data loss.

Apart from locking media in your phone gallery, Safe Gallery Free can also lock images from web pages with just a tap. These web page images will be separately categorized, so you could easily know which images are from gallery and which are from the web.

You can also hide the app with “App Hide Mode” and the system will not show that app is even present on your phone’s system. You can then recover the app by dialing a Pin in the phone’s dial pad.

Key Features: Free, different locking methods, backs up data and locks images from the web.

Pricing: Free

Download Safe Gallery Free

6. Private Photo Vault

Private Photo Vault is a photo and video hiding app with robust customization options. You can add password/Pin on the app and also on the albums inside it. This will let you add two passwords on your Photos/ videos. One to access the app and second to access the photos inside the albums.

You can send your locked photos to anyone via text message or email right from the app. You have full control over your photos and videos in the apps, you can move, zoom in/out and even slideshow photos from the app.

It doesn’t have many tricks up its sleeve, but it does offer the most common and important ones. The app will take a photos and GPS coordinates whenever someone tries to access the vault and you can also use a fake password and pictures to fool people and protect the real photos.

Key Features: Double protection with two passwords, full control over photos and videos and easily share the locked photos.

Pricing: Free limited features and Pro for $3.99

Download Private Photo Vault

7. Fotox

If you need some good security and backup features for your private photos, then Fotox is a reliable app. It offers four types of locking methods – including Pin, Password, Pattern and Face Detection. You can conveniently add photos and videos to your vault by taking the picture from the app, sharing them to Fotox or searching the gallery.

Your private photos can be backed up to Fotox cloud storage, that can be accessed from anywhere with full sync. To protect your photos, you can either completely hide the app so the system won’t detect it, or add a fake crash message so the others will think that the app has crashed.

The uninstall process can also be blocked, so no one will be able to uninstall the app except the user.

Key Features: up to four locking methods, cloud backup and different methods to secure the app and data.

Pricing: Free

Download Fotox

8. Photo Locker

Photo Locker is a good app for media security and privacy of your data. It doesn’t upload any data to the app servers, protecting your privacy and provides great security features. All the data inside Photo Locker is encrypted to ensure no one could see it even if they get full control over the phone.

The photos can be easily added to the locker via different means, and you will get full control over the photos inside the app, such as zooming, panning and slideshow view. It will also auto lock itself if your phone goes to sleep. It might be annoying, but it will save you if you forget to lock the app.

Pictures can also be easily restored from the locker for simple and fast working. Furthermore, the password recovery method is also quite secure and easy, you can easily recover password with your email.

Key Features: Encrypts all photos, Auto lock and easy password recovery.

Pricing: Limited free version and Pro for $4.99

Download Photo Locker

9. Gallery Lock

Gallery Lock has an intuitive interface and offers all the features in one package. Although, it doesn’t have anything unique, but it combines all the common (important) features into one single intuitive interface. The app can lock all your private photos and videos with password protection and let you navigate your media inside the app.

The app can go into stealth mode to hide it from the system, and if anyone tries to access the app, it will take a photo. Your data can be backed up to your Google drive, Dropbox or Box account. You can easily add photos/videos to Gallery Lock using different methods, both from inside the app and the gallery. You can even add whole folders to Gallery Lock for easier hiding.

Key Features: Intuitive interface, tons of features and free.

Pricing: Free

Download Gallery Lock

SEE ALSO: 10 Best App Lockers For Android

Hope this articles helped you with your search for apps to hide photos, videos and SMS on your Android device. All these apps run smoothly on almost all the Android versions (Kitkat, Lollipop and Marshmallow).

The post 9 Best Apps to Hide Photos and Videos on Android appeared first on Beebom

Craving some real action and want to dive into it? Well, you don’t have to go out and be violent because you can actually shoot as many people as you want on your android device in these amazing action games that we bring you today. If you want some really explosive shooter action on your android device then check out these great action games. Below are the 10 best action games for android.

Best Action Games for Android Device

1. Edge of Tomorrow (Free)

Remember Tom Cruise’s death rewinding hit movie that made you wish for similar powers and the cool exoskeleton war machine? Well, you can finally fight those aliens in your personal war machine, however, you can only do it in the game on your android smartphone. Get right in the middle of the action and the all bulletstorm in this action packed game on your android device. The game is a bit on the shorter side but if you’re really interested in fast paced action, explosions, and bullets flying around the field then you’re going to fall in love with this game because it brings exactly all that to your android smartphone. The best thing is the fact that when you die, the game doesn’t make you restart from the beginning like the movie, so you can continue from where you just died. Happy alien shooting!

2. The Amazing Spiderman 2 ($6.99)

The friendly neighbourhood Spiderman is back in another action packed web slinging game loosely based on the movie. In this game you are one of the most favorite superhero of all time, and your job is to keep the city of New York safe from evil villains like Electro and Goblin. You will also face off against other popular and dangerous spidey villains like Venom, Kraven, etc. If you are a fan of the comics then you will love the storyline of the game because it dives deep into the comic book storyline. Swing from building to building, and crawl up anywhere because the game offers open world gameplay so you can enjoy every bit of it before going ahead to face off with your nemesis. The graphics will remind you off the console counterpart of the game and the fluid combo movements will definitely give you a thrilling experience. If you’re a big spidey fan and looking for more web slinging action then you are going to love Spider-Man Unlimited on your android, or if you want to get inside the boots (or armor) of another famous Marvel hero then you can download Iron Man 3 for some explosive action.

3. Hitman: Sniper ($4.99)

Agent 47 is back and he’s out for blood. This time you are not going to blast in there and shoot everyone instead you have to take out all your targets with stealth and you have your trusty sniper rifle to carry out your missions. Make it silent and make it deadly, that’s what your missions are all about. You can play nearly 150 missions and take out the most notorious criminal from the Hitman universe. Playing the missions again will reveal even more secrets and adds to the overall replay value of the game. Unlock all new and powerful sniper rifles to make your contracts a bit more easier. Go against your friends and buddies on the leaderboards to see who is the best silent killer in this game. You’re the angel of death in this stealthy android action game.

4. Dead Trigger 2 (Free)

If you are a fan of The Walking Dead or any other zombie-infested game/movie/Tv show then you are going to automatically fall in love with the amazing Dead Trigger 2 game because it brings you the most amazing and always evolving zombie apocalypse storyline. There are more than 35 zombie killing weapons that you can choose and wreak havoc upon the undead who are out for your brains and meat. Travel all around the world fighting and killing zombies and use your skill to make the world a better place for other humans. You can also compete against other players from around the world in the arena to see who is the best zombie killer in this shoot’em up game for android. You can also win amazing real prizes for taking part in the tournaments and winning them with your hero. Try out the most weird and fun weapons in your war against the undead army.

5. Modern Combat 5 (Free)

Get ready to hit battlefield in this army inspired action game and one of the best shooter series on the android platform, Modern Combat 5. The high octane explosive action is back and you are the super soldier who’s going to lead your team towards the victory. Go all out attack as the assault class or play a stealthy gameplay with the recon class, you can choose from up to 5 classes that suit your gameplay. If you have played Call of Duty before then you are going to love this game on your android phone because it’s like Call of Duty on your android device. You can play in 5 vs 5 game modes against other people from around the world. You can also voice chat with your squad to co ordinate your strikes and win the battles. The game requires a lot of quick reflexes and skill, if you want to see your name on top of the leaderboards. If you are a big fan of shooters and prefer the battlefield then you will find more action and explosions in Brothers in Arms 3 for android.

6. Max Payne ($1.99)

The most popular and hit action game from the old days has made its way onto the Android platform and Max Payne is looking for revenge on the criminals that took away his baby and his wife from him. You are a tough as nail cop caught between a carefully woven web of deception, you have already lost your family and now they are after your life. You have to stop them from damaging your city and you are the one final hope. Get in the game, choose your favorite weapons, and start shooting your enemies left and right. The bullet time technology makes the game awesome so you can shoot your enemies in slow motion giving the overall gameplay a whole new level of excitement.

7. GTA San Andreas ($6.99)

The classic GTA installment that introduced us to swimming, cycling, jet packing our way to anywhere in the world. GTA San Andreas was the first in the series that introduced so many new features and cool things to give the whole game a new experience. You could even call a fighter jet and fly it around like a total thug. The game is now available on the android platform and you can get back in CJ’s shoes and relive the old days of oddly shaped characters and a bit crazy graphics. The game is still fun and highly optimized for the android devices, you will feel very comfortable with the new control scheme available for the android platform. The game looks and runs better and you can have plenty of fun snatching cars and looting elderlies, if that’s your thing.

8. Shadowgun ($4.99)

If you are a fan of highly explosive action games then you will feel right at home with the amazing Shadowgun game on your android device. This game takes action to a whole new level with its console quality graphics and fast paced shooting gameplay. The game offers one of the most amazing and immersive storylines so you don’t just go around shooting everything that moves instead you take your time and explore the whole story to enjoy the game even further. The game brings the feel of Gears of War to your android smartphone and the 3rd person view compliments the overall gameplay of this amazing and action packed game. Unlock new guns, play new levels, and you can do so much more in this interesting yet highly explosive game.

9. Avengers Alliance (Free)

If spidey is not your favorite Superhero from the Marvel universe and you want to play as someone else then we’ve got you covered because now you can enjoy playing as one of the popular avengers, whichever you like. You start off as an agent of the S.H.I.E.L.D and partner up with avengers, the mutants from X-Men, and even the friendly neighborhood spiderman at times. The story is captivating and you have to play through more than 60 missions in this amazing game. Get help from your favorite superheroes and fight your enemies with raw power and sheer intelligence, the choice is yours. The boss battles in this game are epic and will definitely make you fall in love with this game if you are looking for some serious superhero action.

If you are not into making superheroes fight with each other then we have something else that might interest you. What about fighting each other as the most popular and iconic WWE superstars? Check out WWE Immortals to play as the most popular legends from the WWE.

10. Contract Killer: Sniper (Free)

You are a master assassin and you are true to your words. Your word is your contract and you always honor your contract. Take your favorite killing weapon and go out there to take out high-profile targets provided to you by different bidders. How you finish the mission is entirely up to you. You can kill the entire enemy gang, blow up their base, or just take out that single target that matters the most, your choice. There are more than 250 missions that you can play and each mission brings a completely new target and a whole new set of rules for you. You can also go against other players from around the world and infiltrate their bases and loot their resources to become the master assassin on the leaderboards. Go around the world and take out targets in this breathtaking action game for android.

SEE ALSO: 10 Best Racing Games For Android

Your love and obsession for some fantastic action games on your android device should be satisfied by the above mentioned games. These games will make sure that you get the highest quality action and adrenaline pumping gameplay on your device. If you have some other explosive android action games to add to the list then don’t forget to leave them in the comment section below. We’ll definitely like to play the games that you suggest.

The post 10 Best Action Games For Android appeared first on Beebom

The default calendar app that comes pre-installed on many android devices does not have the most exciting features and while it can perform most simple tasks, why limit yourself when there is a plethora of wonderful third-party calendar apps on the Google Play Store? We have selected 10 of the best android calendar apps, all of which are available for free! Even if you don’t like any of them, you can always go with Google’s calendar app which features a much more beautiful design and offers more functionality than the stock android calendar app.

Choose the best Calendar App for your Android

1. Sunrise Calendar

Sunrise calendar has been my go-to calendar app for a while now because of it’s excellent features that I just can’t do without. First, it syncs just fine with Google Calendar and Google Tasks, but you can also connect your Exchange or iCloud account with the app. In addition, Sunrise integrates with several apps and productivity tools such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Wunderlist, Todoist, Trello, Evernote and more so you can see all your important upcoming events from one place. Creating new events are a breeze and it’s Meet keyboard also helps to speed up the process of scheduling meetings and such stuff. Sunrise is also available on iOS and as a Chrome app so you can access your calendar no matter the device you use.

Developer – Microsoft Corporation

Compatibility – Requires Android 4.0 and up

Availability – Sunrise Calendar (Free) – Google Play Store (Also available for iOS, Chrome, Apple Watch).

2. Google Calendar

Google’s own calendar app is a great example of how material design should be and will be a delight to use for people who synchronize with Google Calendar. There are as many as five different views to select from such as the regular Weekly, Monthly and Daily views but you also get a schedule view which simply removes the empty spaces in each day and allows you to focus on only scheduled events day by day. Creating new entries is as easy as it gets and you can send invites to people as well as add notes and attachments from Google Drive for each unique calendar entry.

Developer – Google

Compatibility – Varies with device

Availability – Google Calendar (Free) – Google Play Store

3. aCalendar

aCalendar is another terrific app you should try out especially if you like it fast and smooth. It’s install size is only 1.8 Mb which makes it the lightest calendar app on this list but that doesn’t mean it lacks quality features as you will see. It helps you organise your events by providing up to 48 different colours as well as flexible re-occurrences for your events. There is a fine selection of widgets for the day, week and month views plus it uses the native android calendar function to synchronize events between apps and devices. There is also a pro version called aCalendar+ which offers additional features for $1.99.

Developer – Tapir Apps GmbH

Compatibility – Requiers Android 2.1 and later

Availability – aCalendar – Android Calendar (Free) – Google Play Store

4. Jorte Calendar and Organiser

Jorte Calendar is an intuitive calendar app that can run on any device running android 2.1 and up. In addition to regular features that most calendar apps offer such as multiple views and widget support, Jorte Calendar allows you to set different themes to customise the look of your calendar and even add stickers for important occasions or highlight them in red. There is a count-down feature which allows you to count-down the days to a big event. Jorte syncs with Google Calendar, Exchange and Yahoo but you can also export your events to a CSV file if you prefer.

Developer – Jorte Inc.

Compatibility – Requires Android 2.1 and later

Availability – Jorte Calendar and Organiser (Free) – Google Play Store

5. Business Calendar 2

Business Calendar 2 was built to succeed the hugely successful Business Calendar app which has since been abandoned. It is a powerful and easy to use app that includes task management and event planner as well as integrated weather reports in the pro version. It is highly customisable and offers various settings you can tweak to your personal tastes. It also syncs with Google Calendar and Exchange and there are no ads. It’s pro version (called Business calendar PRO) is available as an in-app purchase and costs $4.44.

Developer – Appgenix Software

Compatibiltiy – Requires android 4.1 and up

Avauilability – Business Calendar (Free) – Google Calendar

6. Cal

Cal is another app from the developers of the highly rated Any.do productivity app. If you’re using Any.do (like I am), you should try this app as it’s integration with Any.do is top notch so you can manage all your tasks and events in one place. Cal supports synchronization with Google Calendar and Microsoft Exchange so you can easily port your existing calendars here. It’s excellent integration with Facebook will make sure you never forget a friend’s birthday again and you can even purchase gifts for them from Amazon or Gift.com.

Developer – Any.do

Compatibility – Requires Android 4.0 and up

Availability – Cal – Calendar Google/Exchange (Free) – Google Play Store

7. Digical Calendar

DigiCal calendar is one of the most beautifully designed calendar app on this list, and it’s highly customisable too! It syncs with Outlook, Exchange and Google Calendar but you can also create a local calendar that is only accessible on your local device. There are 6 widgets with different views and styles and a night mode which allows for better visibility in low-light conditions. It’s premium version, DigiCal+, offers extra customisation with up to 42 theme colours and a yearly view with heat maps for spotting free time.

Developer – Digbites

Compatibility – Varies with device

Availability – Digical Calendar (Free) / ($4.62) – Google Play Store

8. Sol Calendar

SolCalendar is another highly rated calendar app with a huge 4.5 average rating of over 1 million users. It synchronizes with Google Calendar, iCloud, Microsoft Exchange and Yahoo so you’re pretty much covered if you use any of those services. It has a clean and unique interface and supports Month, Week, To-do and Agenda views. It helps manage special events in a unique way by offering stickers to mark memorable events and also offers various repeat options for your tasks. Also, you get location-based weather forecast information through this app and plenty of widgets for your homescreen. All in all, it’s a solid calendar app worth checking out.

Developer – Kakao Corp.

Compatibility – Requires Android

Availability – SolCalendar – Calendar / To do (Free) – Google Play Store.

9. New Calendar

New Calendar is a decent app that works fine with Google Calendar. It supports most regular calendar functions and has support for daily, weekly, monthly and yearly views. There are up to 10 widgets to select from but perhaps it’s most outstanding feature is the voice reminders (using Text To Speech) which works brilliantly.

Developer – KF Software House

Compatibility – Requires Android 4.0.3 and up

Availability – New Calendar (Free)

10. Coletto Calendar

Now for something unique, Coletto Calendar is a colourful app that helps you manage your appointments, tasks, diaries and photos. Coletto appears to be targeted at girls and women only. You enter diary entries or memos from this app or even sensitive information such as the expected date of your next menstrual cycle and such stuff. It works with Google Calendar if you’re keen on syncing your stuff across various devices.

Developer – Yahoo! Japan Corp.

Compatibility – Requires android 2.3.5 and later

Availability – Coletto Calendar ~ Cute Diary (Free) – Google Play Store

SEE ALSO: 9 Best Apps To Block Calls on Android

Conclusion

If your Android device’s stock calendar app does not meet your needs, you can try out any of the above calendar apps for free and discover a worthy alternative that’s perfect for you. If we missed out on your favourite app, do let us know in the comments section.

The post 10 Best Calendar Apps For Android appeared first on Beebom

Believe it or not, the ability to personalise mobile devices is incredibly important to users.

Even the least tech-savvy will sooner or later want to change the default wallpaper on their phones. If you take a step towards more advanced customization, you’ll learn it’s possible to completely transform your Android device with various launchers and widgets, cool fonts, lockscreen replacement apps, and icons.

With so many great Android icon packs out there it can be difficult to choose the right one for your phone. That’s why we’ve decided to help you save time – and money – by presenting some of the best free icon sets currently available from the Play Store.

Most of the icon packs listed here require you to install a launcher first. After that you can install the icon pack itself, and apply it through the launcher’s Settings dialog. Some icon packs come with their own setup utility, or a separate app that you can use to preview, update, and modify the icons. In both cases, the installation process is simple and you can change the default Android icons in just a few taps. The best part is that your device doesn’t have to be rooted in order to use these icon packs.

20 Best Free Android Icon Packs

Bleach Icons

With sharp symbols on muted, soft-colored backgrounds, Bleach is a perfect match for pastel wallpapers and retro-style themes. It comes with nearly 1500 icons and an option to request more. Bleach also offers 20 wallpapers that emphasize the beauty of this icon pack.

Supported launchers: Apex Launcher, Smart Launcher, Nova Launcher, Go, ADW, Aviate, CyanogenMod Theme Engine

Developer: Vieuser Apps

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Adastra

Adastra is a colorful and detailed icon pack with 1180 icons in HD quality. The icons are optimized for XXXHDPI screens and you won’t notice any loss in quality when they’re resized. Adastra even works with older Android versions (from Gingerbread onwards) and offers a handful of wallpapers – what’s there not to like?

Supported launchers: Apex Launcher, Go, Nova Launcher, Smart Launcher, Holo, Action, Aviate, ADW

Developer: Tomy Cadus

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Quadra

Quadra is a bright and cheerful icon pack with flat-style, square icons that will grab your attention thanks to the colored border on each icon. It’s still in beta, which is why there are “only” 580 icons, but you’re welcome to send your icon requests and suggestions to the developer. Quadra is optimized for devices running Android 5 (Lollipop) and comes with its own dashboard app.

Supported launchers: Action Launcher, Apex Launcher, Nova Launcher, ADW, Atom, Holo, Smart Launcher and more, with support for Unicon (requires root)

Developer: Ryconography

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Voxel

Shadows combined with bright colors make Voxel icons stand out from the rest. This set gives you more than 1900 square icons to arrange on your home screen and achieve that neat tiled look. In case an app icon is missing from the set, Voxel will mask it to make it fit into the theme. Last but not least, Voxel comes with a dozen wallpapers and an icon request tool for your convenience.

Supported launchers: Apex Launcher, Nova Launcher, Smart Launcher, ADW, Go, Holo, Aviate, Atom, Action Launcher, KitKat Launcher, and a few more

Developer: Benas Dzimidas

Price: Free on Google Play Store

VNYL

Whether you’re a music lover or a fan of all things vintage, VNYL will bring a smile to your face. This icon set is special because its round icons are designed to resemble vinyl records. VNYL contains more than 2400 icons with custom icons for activities.

Supported launchers: ADW, Atom, Aviate, Apex Launcher, Epic launcher, Holo, KitKat Launcher, Nova Launcher, Smart Launcher, CyanogenMod Theme Engine, Solo Launcher and more, with support for Unicon

Developer: starkeDEV

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Ikon

Behind a short, unassuming name you’ll find a rich set with round, badge-style icons. There are more than 1300 icons and new ones are added regularly. Some icons come with alternatives, including dark versions of icons. Ikon also offers you several wallpapers that go well with this colorful icon pack.

Supported launchers: Nova Launcher, Go, ADW, Holo, Action, Apex Launcher and more, plus support for Unicon

Developer: BladeX Designs

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Glim Icons

You might think Glim is yet another Material Design-inspired icon set, and I understand that a lot of people dislike the current trend of “flatness”. But do you really want to miss out on more than 1500 free icons and a bunch of high-quality wallpapers? For a small fee, you can get access to 2000 alternative icons – this means you can swap any icon with one of several alternatives for a unique customization experience. Not trying out Glim would really be a mistake.

Supported launchers: Apex Launcher, Go, Holo, KitKat Launcher, Nova Launcher, Trebuchet, ADW, Atom, Epic Launcher, CyanogenMod Theme Engine and more, plus it works with Unicon

Developer: Maximilian Keppeler

Price: Free and paid ($1.57) on Google Play Store

Subtle Icons

True to their name, these icons are subtle in the sense that they don’t feature intense colors. Don’t jump to conclusions just yet – subtlety doesn’t mean they’re boring. On the contrary, the level of detail is so high that every icon feels like it’s telling a tiny story. Subtle icon pack gives you 1350 icons and a selection of HD wallpapers.

Supported launchers: Apex Launcher, Nova Launcher, ADW

Developer: BA Designs

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Moka

Moka is a popular icon theme for Linux, so if you’re already using it with your favorite Linux distribution, here’s some good news: now you can use it on your mobile devices as well. More than 650 icons grace this pack, and they’re all designed with high resolution displays in mind. Moka includes the icon masking option for unthemed icons to ensure consistency.

Supported launchers: ADW, Apex Launcher, Go, Nova Launcher, Smart Launcher, Holo, Aviate, Action Launcher, and a few more

Developer: Moka Project

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Silhouette

Silhouette is an artistic icon pack that makes clever use of shadows, outlines, and color to give an impression of, well, a silhouette of an icon. With 800 icons included, this pack is among the smaller ones on the list, but it does offer icon masking for icons that are yet to be added. Silhouette also comes with its own dashboard app from which you can request new icons and manage existing ones.

Supported launchers: Use the Silhouette dashboard app to apply the icon pack

Developer: Onyxdev

Price: Free on Google Play Store

CandyCons

Most icon packs tend to be uniform and consistent when it comes to shapes and lines. CandyCons is different. It’s a fun set with 690 carefully crafted icons that come in various shapes and colors, giving your Android device a creative and exciting vibe. Some icons have alternatives, and switching them is as easy as simply holding down an icon and choosing a replacement from the popup dialog.

Supported launchers: ADW, Apex Launcher, Go, Holo, Epic Launcher, KitKat Launcher, Aviate, Atom, CyanogenMod Theme Engine and more (total of 27 launchers are supported according to official description)

Developer: Vukašin Anđelković

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Black & White

Whicons

This elegant monochrome icon pack is my favorite from this list. Whicons looks amazing with dark themes and backgrounds, and its 2732 icons should cover most of the apps you have installed. In case they don’t, Whicons offers an icon request option in its Dashboard app, where you can also download Whicons wallpapers, preview all icons, and set the icon pack as the default.

Supported launchers: Apex Launcher, Nova Launcher, Smart, Launcher, ADW, Go, Aviate, Action, Solo, KitKat Launcher, Epic Launcher, and more

Developer: TomVer

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Gel Icons

Another classy, white icon pack. Gel icons work well both with dark and light wallpapers thanks to the transparent icon background. The icons are round, simple, and great if you want to channel your inner minimalist onto your Android home screen. There are 1000 icons in the pack with more to come.

Supported launchers: Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, Aviate, Action Launcher, Holo, Smart Launcher, ADW, LG stock launcher, CyanogenMod Theme Engine, and more

Developer: Fraom

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Stamped Black

Orange might be the new black, but nothing looks as great with white wallpapers and themes as a 100% dark icon pack. Stamped Black is one such set, and it features more than 1000 icons in two different styles.

Supported launchers: Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, ADW, Go, Action, and Lightning Launcher. Other launchers haven’t been officially tested, but they should be compatible

Developer: UPpack

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Glasklart

If Gel icons from this list caught your eye, but you don’t like round icons, you’re in luck – Glasklart icons are exactly what you need. Square icons with gently rounded corners and a delicately transparent background will look fantastic with any dark wallpaper. There are more than 1320 icons in this set, which should be enough to keep you happy.

Supported launchers: Apex Launcher, ADW, Smart Launcher, Aviate, Nova Launcher, Go, KitKat Launcher and more, with support for Unicon

Developer: Knxt

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Zeon Black

Many icon packs claim to be original and unique, but don’t exactly deliver on the promise. It doesn’t get much more original than handmade icons that look like they’ve just been sketched on your screen. Meet Zeon Black, an outstanding pack with more than 1600 icons that come in several colors in case you want to switch themes.

Supported launchers: Apex Launcher, ADW, Nova Launcher, Aviate, Go, Action Launcher, Solo, KitKat Launcher, Smart Launcher and more, with support for Unicon

Developer: RayphoDesign

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Vit Icons

Vit Icons are proof that white icons don’t mean your home screen will look plain and boring. These carefully designed icons will catch anyone’s eye with their level of detail, shadows, and rounded-corner shape. You’ll find more than 2000 icons in this pack.

Supported launchers: Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, Action, Aviate, Smart Launcher, KitKat Launcher, ADW, Holo, CyanogenMod 11 Theme Engine and more, with support for Unicon

Developer: Onyxdev

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Unique Shapes

Hexa Pulse

Hexa icons are simple, yet strikingly beautiful: the bold contrast between the dark border and the light background makes them pop out on your home screen. The best feature, however, is their hexagonal shape – something you don’t see often when it comes to Android icons. Sadly, this icon set currently contains only around 150 icons, but you can still use it, since the most popular apps and actions are represented.

Supported launchers: ADW, Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, Holo, Go, Action Launcher, and SSLauncher

Developer: Aeris Designs

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Leaf Icons

This small icon pack is obviously different from anything you’ve seen so far. The leaf shape will give your home screen a quirky, original touch. Leaf Icons currently offers more than 200 icons, which does sound modest, but the developers promise frequent updates.

Supported launchers: Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, ADW, Go, Action Launcher, Holo

Developer: Leaf Coders

Price: Free on Google Play Store

Matrix

If you wish to emulate Metro tiles from the new Windows interface on your Android device, Matrix icons are one of the best free options you have. Their uncommon shape – oblong instead of square – makes them suitable for this purpose. There are 500 high-quality icons in this pack, and Matrix also supports icon masking, so you don’t have to worry about unthemed icons sticking out like sore thumbs.

Supported launchers: Apex Launcher, Go, ADW, Nova Launcher, Smart Launcher, CyanogenMod Theme Engine, Aviate, KitKat Launcher, Solo, and more

Developer: Codyrock

Price: Free on Google Play Store

SEE ALSO: Tips To Save Mobile Data On Android

Now that you’ve seen our selection of free icons, we’d like to hear from you. What are your favorite Android icon packs? Can you recommend some paid icon sets that are worth trying out? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 20 Free Icon Packs to Customize Your Android appeared first on Beebom

Tasker is one of the most intuitive applications available that allows you automate your devices in ways you would not believe. The only downside to using Tasker is that the entry level is high and it may be cumbersome to use for the non-technical user. We recently showed you 15 of the best Tasker actions to get you started with Tasker but we also realise that some people don’t just fancy Tasker and that is why we have made this list of six solid alternatives that will give you some level of automation on your android device.

6 Best Tasker Alternative Apps

Condi

Previously marketed as the “mini-tasker”, Condi functions just like Tasker but it has a much lower entry level and does not need root access for most tasks. Once you’ve installed the app, creating a new action is very easy. Just tap the “+” button on the menu bar to select from a list of actions such as launching an app, turn on or off connectivity and sensors, silence incoming calls and more. Once you select an action, it will prompt you to choose a trigger for that action which could be location based, time based or when the app detects an activity on your hardware (such as when you connect your charger e.t.c.). You can also set an exit task when the conditions required to trigger that action is no more satisfied.

Developer – Anton Wolkov

Compatibility – Requires Android 4.0 and later

Availability – Condi (Free) – Google Play Store

Llama

A huge 4.6 rating and over 1 million downloads would suggest that this app must be a very good one, and it is! Llama is completely free and uses your current location to trigger predefined actions (such as running apps, setting screen brightness, killing apps and lots more) on your smartphone or tablet. It uses phone masts to determine your location so you can set off various actions depending on where you are as well as the time of the day. Llama comes with some predefined actions (mostly sound profiles) that can be modified or added to. You will need to teach Llama how to identify your current location (such as Home or Work) by long pressing either option and selecting how long you will be there so it can know which phone masts are for which location.

Note: GPS is not used so this method will work best in a populated area where there are many phone masts. You can also try the experimental wifi-based location tracking or just use time based profiles to trigger your set events.

Developer – KebabApps

Compatibility – Requires Android 2.1 and later

Availability – Llama – Location Profiles (Free) – Google Play Store

MacroDroid

MacroDroid is a beautifully designed app which follows the material design trend and has enough functionality to sway you away from using Tasker. The free version offers just five macros (tasks) and show ads. But you can upgrade to pro (offered as an in-app purchase) for only $2.99 to remove those restrictions. To create a new event, just tap the “add Macro” button to open a new screen where you must select a trigger for your event and then select the action to be performed. For example, I set my phone to take a screenshot whenever I shake my device. Some actions are available only on rooted devices but most will work for non-rooted folks as well. You can also set a constraint if you want to allow or prevent your macro from running based on certain conditions. Finally, you need to give your Macro a name and category, then save.

Developer – ArloSoft

Compatibility – Requires Android 4.0 and later

Availability – MacroDroid – Device Automatin (Free) – Google Play Store

AutomateIt

AutomateIt is another popular alternative to Tasker and is available in two variants: a free and pro version. It has a unusual but simple interface and operates using rules. To add a rule, you need to click the “add Rule” button then select a trigger for the event and then select the action to be run. You can also select multiple actions but you need to be registered in their database to unlock that feature. You can also checkout the rules market to view some highly regarded rules created by the community which you can use on your device. This is a handy feature which will aid beginners in creating useful automated actions for their device.

Developer – SmarterApps Ltd

Compatibility – Requires Android 2.3 and later

Availability – AutomateIt – Smart Automation (Free) / ($3.2) – Google Play Store

IF by IFTTT

IF lets you create powerful connections between apps by creating simple recipes to connect popular apps such as Twitter, Facebook, Gmail and lots more. For example, you can get notified of you favourite team’s final match result through ESPN automatically, or post all your Instagram photos to Twitter, or even save links from favourite Tweets to Pocket. IF get’s you started by showing the most popular recipes once you login so that you can get started with those right away. You can also create your own recipe by pressing the “+” button and then selecting a trigger and the corresponding action.

Developer – IFTTT

Compatibility – Requires Android 4.0.3 and later

Availability – IF by IFTTT (Free) – Google Play Store

Automate

As the name implies, this app helps you automate tasks on your device using “Flows”. To create a new flow, simply tap the “+” button on the menu bar. There are some sample flows already pre-configured which you can start using and you can also check-out top rated flows created by the community through this app which you can download and use right away. Automate can perform several common tasks for regular users and even includes powerful tools for more advanced users such as executing shell commands, REST calls, NFC, and much more.

Developer – LlamaLab

Compatibility – Requires Android 4.0 and later

Availability – Automate – automatic tasks (Free) – Google Play Store

SEE ALSO: 15 Best Apps For Rooted Android Devices

Conclusion

Tasker is a great automation app for android but it’s not the alpha and omega of android automation. The apps listed here work well and may even be better suited to your needs. Best of all, they are all free (or offer free versions) so you can install and test them out right now. Don’t forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

The post Hate Tasker? Try Alternative Automation Apps For Android appeared first on Beebom

Google’s Android OS is dominating the mobile industry and there are absolutely no doubts about it. In Q2 2015, Android had the market share of 82.8%, followed by Apple’s iOS with 13.9%, according to IDC’s report. Android has grown immensely in the last few years and deservedly so.

Most of us love Android for the flexibility, customization and great features but there are times when we think of Android alternatives. There are some great mobile operating systems other than Android and although some of them aren’t as feature-rich or mature as Android, they offer some cool interesting features.

Why do we need an Android alternative?

We surely love Android, as the market share suggests and Google is really working hard to keep the Android momentum going but as with most things in life, we like having options. Along with that, there are a number of reasons why we need an Android alternative. Google has been criticized across the globe for not making Android really secure and reports have suggested that Android is most prone to malware and viruses. Until recently, Google wasn’t even transparent about the permissions in an Android app but with the Android 6.0 MarshMallow, it has updated its permissions page to match iOS’ security.

There are also issues of Android fragmentation, as we mentioned. For people unaware, devices running different Android versions leads to bad app performance, development problems and security issues and this is Android fragmentation. For example, Android 5.0 and 5.1 combined have a share of 23.4% among all Android devices across the globe and it was released a year ago. Android 6.0 Marshmallow is yet to make a mark on the Android market share. Google has tried to address these issues with Nexus devices but the problem still prevails. We cannot blame Google entirely too, as manufacturers like differentiating their devices with skins and having control. Google has tried to take some control of Android but it’s surely not enough.

The truth is there will never be a perfect smartphone or a perfect operating system because everyone has their own different needs. Well, Android and iOS are indeed close to fulfilling most of our needs but we like having options and diversity, don’t we?

So, let’s take a look at the Android alternatives we can use:

Best Android Alternatives

The Mighty

• Apple iOS

Android and iOS have been competing against each other since what seems like an eternity now. Android and iOS both enjoy a great user-base and there’s nothing really to fight about. Google has the volumes, Apple has the profit. But at the end of the day, even iOS is an Android alternative and a great one at that.

Android and iOS borrow features from each other all the time and that’s one of the reasons why both the operating systems are so feature-rich. However, iOS brings its own unique interface and features on the table. It has a unified interface across all apps unlike Android, smooth animations, Apple-exclusive apps, regular updates, no bloatware and arguably better quality of third party apps. On iOS, you also get the full suite of Google apps whereas you won’t find any Apple apps on Android (barring the upcoming Apple Music app).

Overall, it all boils down to your choice of the ecosystem. iOS is not an alternative for everyone as such, considering the premium price Apple charges for its iPhones and iPads but if you want a mature mobile OS to match Android, then iOS is indeed your best bet.

Pros:

• Beautiful UI
• Smooth operation
• Regular Updates
• Great quality of apps

Cons:

• Locked-down OS
• Few customization features

The Contenders

• Windows Phone/Windows 10 Mobile

When Windows Phone 7 was announced back in 2010, it got people interested, thanks to its cool new Metro UI and intuitive features. Sadly, that interest did not convert into numbers and the OS has been struggling to gain some major traction since then, even though Microsoft has worked hard and brought regular updates. While the OS has matured a lot, the low number of apps and their degraded quality on the platform has been the reason for its low user-base. However, Microsoft hasn’t given up yet, as it’s all set will release its new Windows 10 Mobile platform soon, which shares its code base with Windows 10.

Windows 10 Mobile brings a number of new interesting features like Continuum, Cortana, Universal apps, refreshed UI, new Edge browser and more. Continuum deserves a special mention, as it allows you to turn your Windows 10 Mobile device to a full-blown Windows PC through a simple dock. Pretty cool, right?

If you want to try something different other than the two big giants of the mobile industry but still want the basic apps, you can definitely give Windows 10 mobile a try.

Pros:

• Fluid interface
• Continuum
• Universal apps

Cons:

• Some popular apps not yet available on the platform
• Lower quality of apps

Custom ROMs/Android Forks

There are mobile operating systems trying to become an Android alternative and there are custom ROMs based on Android. You must be wondering why we are placing custom ROMs as an Android alternative since they are more or less Android. Well, the recent past has given rise to various custom ROMs and companies that are building their own OS based on the Android code. Operating systems developed with the base-Android code are called as Forked Android Operating Systems and while they may be Android, they are as distinct as they could be. Custom ROMs and Android forked OSes have tried replacing Google services with various other alternatives to make them unique.

Well, let’s check out the best custom ROMs and forked Android operating systems which give Android a run for its money:

• Cyanogen OS

CyanogenMod was a very popular custom ROM on Android and then, the guys at Cyanogen went further ahead and launched their very own Cyanogen OS. Cyanogen OS first came pre-installed with the OnePlus One and now, it is used by Indian manufacturer Micromax for its YU subsidy. There are also several other smartphone makers who pre-install Cyanogen OS on their devices. You can download its open source CyanogenMod ROM for most Android smartphones.

While Cyanogen OS looks and feels the same as Android, it lets you customize almost anything on the OS. The Android-based OS brings various themes, custom controls, better camera interface, integrated Gallery and more. The company also plans on taking Android away from Google with Cyanogen OS, as they have made a deal with Microsoft to use its services like Cortana, Outlook, OneNote and OneDrive instead of the Google counterparts like Google Now, Gmail, Keep and Drive. So, if you want Android but don’t want the Google services, Cyanogen OS is for you plus you get some great customization features.

Pros:

• Great customization features
• Regular updates
• Great community

Cons:

• No Google services in the future

• MIUI

Xiaomi has been making great inroads in whichever country they have expanded to. The company’s success can be attributed to its aggressively priced devices but its MIUI OS also deserves some of the credit. MIUI has been known for its iOS-like looks and highly customizable features. The OS is not only available on Xiaomi devices but it’s also available as a custom ROM for various other devices.

If you want the Android flexibility with iOS looks then MIUI should be pretty appealing to you. The OS also brings some great customization features and themes, which make it a great Android alternative.

Pros:

• Themes and exclusive features
• Customization options
• iOS-like interface

Cons:

• Slow updates
• Vast difference from Android’s stock interface

The Upcoming

Apart from the Android alternatives we just mentioned, there are a number of new upstart mobile operating systems trying to gain some fame in the mobile market. Well, let’s check them out:

• Tizen OS

Among all the upcoming mobile operating systems, Tizen has got the most fame, thanks to Samsung’s backing. Tizen was born after Nokia decided to kill Meego, which was an OS developed by Nokia and Intel. Well, Intel went to Samsung and they partnered to bring Meego back to life as Tizen OS. While Tizen looks similar to Samsung’s Android skin TouchWiz, it’s vastly different under the hood. The OS works mostly like Android but there are a lot of gestures for intuitive interaction. Tizen OS is an HTML5 OS, which should make it a lot easier for developers to develop apps.

While Tizen has failed to garner a lot of traction with developers or users, Samsung’s involvement has kept people interested. Samsung has already launched quite a few devices running the OS like the Samsung Z1, Z3 and the various Gear wearables, so we do know that the South Korean giant is indeed serious about it.

Pros:

• Great HTML5 support
• Intuitive gestures

Cons:

• Very few apps
• Looks like Android

• Firefox OS

We all know Mozilla, thanks to the very popular Firefox web browser and the company has been trying hard to make a mark in the mobile OS space. Mozilla launched the Firefox OS back in 2013 for smartphones, tablets and smart TVs. The company has so far aimed at the affordable smartphone market with Firefox OS and they have had some moderate success. There have been a few phones running Firefox OS but none of them made a great impact. Mozilla recently announced that it is working with a partner to bring a $25 Firefox OS smartphone.

Firefox OS is a Linux-based open source OS, which is designed with HTML5, JavaScript and other open web standards in mind. Its main features include integrated search, web apps and more. While Mozilla’s plan might bring the OS some traction, we believe it will take some time before Firefox OS can really become a viable Android alternative.

Pros:

• Affordable smartphones
• open web standards support

Cons:

• Clunky UI
• No great smartphones on offer
• Very few apps

• Ubuntu

We all know the Ubuntu OS for PCs but Canonical has been working on developing a mobile equivalent of Ubuntu since a long time. Ubuntu Touch, as Canonical calls it, is an OS designed to run on all types of devices. The OS has a great new user interface, which should be pretty interesting to use. On the surface, Ubuntu Touch looks nothing unique but its demos suggest otherwise. Instead of icons, Ubuntu uses the four edges of the display for a gesture-based user experience.

While Ubuntu Touch smartphones have been released by BQ and Chinese smartphone maker Meizu, there is still some time before Ubuntu can become a major player in the mobile market and a real Android alternative. We hope it does!

Pros:

• Intuitive user interface
• Cloud-based services

Cons:

• Low number of apps

• Sailfish OS

Jolla, the company started by ex-Nokia employees who worked on Meego garnered quite a few headlines when it launched its first smartphone “The Other Half” running a Meego-like Sailfish OS. The OS has always been praised for its button-less gesture-based UI but the operating system is still a work in development. While the OS is indeed unique, there is a lot of learning curve. Jolla also unveiled its Jolla Tablet, as a KickStarter project and it easily reached its aimed funding.

Jolla has been working on Sailfish OS 2.0 with new features and support for Android apps. Sailfish OS looks interesting indeed and you can give it a try if you are in a mood for some experiment. You never know, Sailfish OS might become a great Android competitor in the future. So, look out!

Pros:

• Unique interface
• Support for Android apps

Cons:

• Lack of features
• Android apps don’t run too well

SEE ALSO: Top 6 Google Play Store Alternatives

These are the best Android alternatives, according to us and except iOS, Windows Phone and the custom ROMs, all of them are still in their early stages but from the looks of it, they might give Android a tough competition in the coming years. So, which one’s your favourite Android alternative? Sound off in the comments section below.

The post Looking for Android Alternative? Here are the best ones appeared first on Beebom

Mobile apps have made our lives a lot more productive, be it collaboration apps, cloud storage apps, personal assistant apps and more. These apps have made our life and work a lot easier. For instance, scanning documents used to be such a hassle in our yesteryears but not anymore, all thanks to scanner apps. Need to scan a document, receipt, business card or extract texts from scans? These scanner apps let you do all of that and more.

If you have been wondering whether these scanner apps can match the quality of a real scanner, they cannot but they have gotten very close indeed. We were sceptical at first but after using some scanner apps on Android, we are pleased to say, they work great and the quality of scans is certainly good enough. There are a ton of scanner apps on Google Play Store and we tried a lot of them and found the best ones for you.

Here are the Best Scanner Apps for Android:

CamScanner

There are no surprises here, as CamScanner is undoubtedly the best scanner app on Android and other platforms as well. CamScanner lets you scan documents, receipts, business cards, notes on whiteboard, contracts or paperwork, certificates, ID cards and more. It brings the ability to enhance scans, annotate them, extract texts from images and collaborate with others. Since the app is available on all major platforms including iOS and Windows Phone, there’s ability to sync documents on different platforms. There’s also a cool Search feature, that lets you search for invoices and receipts from the past.

CamScanner also supports various cloud storage services like Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, Evernote and OneDrive. It has a free version but the full version of CamScanner brings higher quality scans, no ads or watermark and ability to edit OCR results.

Download CamScanner (Free version / Full Version $1.99)

Compatibility: Android 2.3 and up, iOS, Windows Phone.

ScanBot

ScanBot lets you scan documents in premium quality with more than 200 dpi, which is the norm for desktop scanners. It lets you scan almost anything including documents, business cards, invoice or receipts, tickets, whiteboard notes and more. Once you scan something, you can even sign it or annotate it. You can save the pictures to Dropbox, Box, Evernote, Google Drive, OneDrive and easily share them. The app also includes a cool search feature.

ScanBot is available in a free as well as pro version, which brings a “Smart names” feature that saves different scans with different specific names, so that they are easier to find. The pro version also brings themes for the app along with text extraction.

Download ScanBot (Free with in-app purchase for Pro version)

Compatibility: Android 4.0.3 and up, iOS.

Genius Scan

Genius Scan brings some cool technology like smart page detection, perspective correction and various enhancements for high-quality scans. It supports different page layouts like A3, A4, A5, Legal, Letter and Business card. The app also includes ability to backup and restore scan data. It supports both PDF & JPG scans and you can do multiple scans as well.

Genius Scan is available in a free as well as Plus version, which brings export options to various cloud services like Box, Dropbox, OneDrive and more. It also excludes ads from the app and lets you have a custom sign. The best thing about Genius scan is that all these features are packed in a great UI.

Download Genius Scan (Free, Plus Version $6.99)

Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows.

Microsoft Office Lens

Microsoft has a number of quality apps on Android and Office Lens is no different. The app is a simple scanner app that scans documents, whiteboard notes and business cards. Once you scan a document, the app clears whatever fudges might be there and also corrects angles. It lets you save the scans in PDF, Word or Powerpoint file formats and you can save them in OneDrive or OneNote.

The app also lets you extract texts from pictures and you can also search for texts in images. Microsoft Office Lens is totally free at the Play Store. So, if you want a decent scanner app for free, you should definitely give Office Lens a try.

Download Microsoft Office Lens (Free)

Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows.

Mobile Doc Scanner

Mobile Doc Scanner comes in a Lite as well as a full version. It has a bunch of great features like Batch mode, which lets you scan documents quickly, one after the other. The app has some cool gestures to navigate the app with ease. It comes with a new camera2 API, which claims to bring better and higher quality scans. There’s support for various page layouts like Executive, Tabloid, A3, A4, A5, B5, Business card, Envelope, Letter, Legal and more.

MD Scanner, as some people call it also supports the popular cloud storage services to let you save your scan files with ease. The full version of the app removes ads & watermark and adds the ability to read PDF files, extract texts and more.

Download Mobile Doc Scanner (Lite, Full version $4.99)

Compatibility: Android 2.3 and up.

Handy Scanner

Handy Scanner is a very feature rich document scanner and it brings some cool advanced filters to make sure your scans are good enough. There’s also Batch Scan support, so that you can scan a bunch of documents on the go. It supports different page layouts like A3, A4, Legal, Letter, Executive and more. The app also brings handy backup & restore feature and you can upload your scanned documents or pictures to Dropbox, Google Drive and other popular cloud services.

The free version is pretty limited, as it allows you to scan only 20 documents with 3 camera shots per document. You can get the Pro version of app that brings unlimited camera shots, higher quality scans, ability to fine tune images and no ads or watermark.

Download Handy Scanner (Free, Pro version $4.10)

Compatibility: Android 2.2 and up, iOS.

TurboScan

TurboScan has the usual scanner features but there’s one thing that stands out. There’s a “SureScan3x” feature, which takes 3 pictures of the same page for better and higher quality results. Along with that, you can email all the scans to your account automatically. It supports different page layouts including Letter, Legal, A4, Receipt and business cards.

Other features of the app are ability to save in PNG, JPG or PDF, support for Cloud Print, automatic correction of scans and more. The free version of TurboScan is limited to only 5 documents, so you better get the paid version.

Download TurboScan (Free, Full version $4.99)

Compatibility: Android 4.0 and up, iOS.

Tiny Scanner

If you want tablet support for your scanner app, Tiny Scanner should be a good choice. The app comes with both phone and tablet mode pre-loaded. It lets you scan documents, receipts, reports and more. There’s support for various page formats like Letter, Legal, A4, A3, A5 and Business cards. You can scan in color, photo, black & white or grayscale along with ability to share it via email or cloud services or WiFi Direct.

The app lets you name and organize your files with specific names & folders. There’s also ability to lock a file through a passcode, which might come in handy. It also features a Search bar to get hold of your files. The app comes in both free and a paid version dubbed as Pro, which removes limitations and ads.

Download Tiny Scanner (Free / Pro $4.99)

Compatibility: Android 3.0 and up, iOS.

Fast Scanner

Fast Scanner is a quick and smooth scanner app, which lets you scan documents, whiteboard notes, invoices and more with ease. You can save these scans as images or PDF files and share them via email. The app brings a lot of editing options and it supports Legal or Letter pages and business cards as well.

Just like the others, Fast Scanner comes with support for all the popular cloud storage services to save all your scans. It also supports Cloud Print and other print options. The app is completely free and it has no limitations on scans or features.

Download Fast Scanner (Free)

Compatibility: Android 4.0 and up, iOS.

Google Drive

Last but certainly not the least, the Google Drive app lets you scan documents with ease. For people unaware, when you tap the add button in Drive, you also get an option to scan along with others. The scan option opens up the camera and lets you scan documents on the go. It also lets you scan several documents at once and save it in your Drive cloud storage.

SEE ALSO: 10 Best Free ebook Reader Android Apps

According to us, these are the best scanner apps for Android. Which one do you like the most? Tell us in the comments section below.

The post Best Scanner Apps For Android to Scan Documents appeared first on Beebom

Android brings a customization level that is unmatched by any other mobile OS. There’s ability to change every aspect of the Android interface and the keyboard is no different. While devices running stock or pure Android come with the very capable Google Keyboard as the default keyboard but devices from other manufacturers like Samsung, HTC, Sony come with their own keyboard solution. While these different keyboards are pretty decent, they aren’t very feature rich or bring much customization. Thankfully, we have a number of great keyboard apps on the Google Play Store.

Our smartphone’s keyboard is an important entity of our experience and everyone has their own preference when it comes to finding the perfect keyboard. Well, we have tried most of the keyboard apps from the Play Store and found the best ones for you.

Here are the Best Keyboard Apps for Android:

Fleksy

Fleksy has become one of the most popular keyboard apps in a very short span of time and deservedly so. Fleksy brings one of the best tap typing experience. It’s sleek and the keyboard looks amazing, thanks to some quirky animations and a ton of themes. Along with looks, the app lets you customize size of the keyboard and its keys. It also packs extensions like Hotkeys, which lets you add a row of symbols or emojis that you use often. Other extensions include invisible keyboard, shortcuts and more.

Fleksy supports GIFs along with hundreds of emojis, fun badges and more. There are also a number of cool gestures for various features like correction, punctuation and more. Fleksy supports a number of languages including the likes of Italian, Indonesian, Russian, Spanish and many more. It also supports the most popular keyboard layouts like QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ, Dvorak and Colemak. The only thing missing here is flow/swipe/gesture typing support but Fleksy’s tap typing is so good that you should be pretty satisfied using it. Moreover, the app is available for free on the Play Store.

Download Fleksy (Free with in-app purchases)

Compatibility: Android 4.1 and up.

TouchPal

TouchPal has been a great keyboard app on Android for a long time now but it did not receive any limelight until recently. It is a solid keyboard app that packs in all the features we have come to expect from Android keyboard apps. TouchPal comes with contextual predictions and powerful error correction. You can customize almost anything about the keyboard, be it the sound, vibration, font, height or width. The app also allows you to use custom keyboard keys.

You can also choose to have a weather widget, which you can reach through a simple gesture on the keyboard. TouchPal also supports gesture or swipe typing, which it likes to call TouchPal Curve. You can also sync your personal dictionary to the cloud, so that you can get them even when you move to a different device. TouchPal Cloud also brings you predictions from the cloud along with current word trends and more. The keyboard supports most national and regional languages including Albanian, Bulgarian, Dutch, Finnish, Korean, Hindi and more. It also supports “mixed language input” wherein the keyboard takes predictions from a different language as well. The app is available for free but you can get the Premium version as well with an in-app subscription of $4.99. The Premium version of the app brings unlimited cloud backup & sync, multi-clipboard, etc.

Download TouchPal (Free with in-app subscription for Premium version)

Compatibility: Varies with device.

SwiftKey

SwiftKey keyboard has been one of the most popular keyboard apps over the past few years and it still remains a great choice. The feature list has multiplied over the years along with the user base. The text prediction capabilities on SwiftKey remain unmatched and there are a number of cool features that make it the most popular choice among users. The app brings you personalised word predictions by learning your typing habits from your social accounts like Facebook, Twitter and more. There’s Flow typing support and its predictions with smart autocorrect make sure you type right.

SwiftKey is not short on customizations either. You can tweak your keyboard any way you like. You can resize it, split it or move it around. There are a ton of great free as well as premium paid themes available too. The app supports more than a hundred languages including regional languages and national languages like Hindi,  Chinese, French, German and more. SwiftKey keyboard also supports multilingual typing, which lets you use predictions from 3 languages while you type. The good news is SwiftKey is available on the Play Store for free and you will have to make some in-app purchases for premium themes.

Download SwiftKey (Free with in-app purchases)

Compatibility: Varies with device.

Google Keyboard

Stock Android devices from the likes of Motorola, LG, and Huawei come with Google Keyboard on board and it’s no slouch when it comes to features. Google Keyboard was previously an ugly looking keyboard but the Lollipop update has brought a sleek looking keyboard. It brings the best of both tap & gesture typing and the performance is great. There’s also Google’s voice typing in-built, so you can switch to voice in a single click. While there aren’t many themes available, the ones that are available match Android’s Material Design UI.

Google Keyboard also lets you customize the sound, vibration duration, long presses and more. It supports a number of languages and keyboard layouts including German QWERTY, QWERTZ and more. The keyboard also learns from your typing habits and improves its suggestions. You can also increase or decrease the aggressiveness of suggestions. Being a Google app, Google Keyboard is available for free on the Google Play Store.

Download Google Keyboard (Free)

Compatibility: Android 4.0 and up.

Minuum

Minuum, as the name suggests is kind of a miniature or mini keyboard for Android. It’s the most different keyboard experience you will get on Android and if you get used to it, you will love it. Minuum takes the QWERTY keyboard layout and breaks it down to a single row and lets you use your screen estate in all its glory. The app supports QWERTY, AERTY or “A-Z” layout. To type quickly, it relies on its great word prediction and autocorrection. If you are a sloppy typer, you are going to thank us for suggesting Minuum.

Along with the intuitive keyboard, Minuum also brings cursor control, clipboard control, emoji support and more. You can also monitor your typing speed in the app. While the idea is innovative, not everyone is going to love it. If you can give Minuum some time and get used to it, you are going to love it. A free trial is available for Minuum, which lets you try it for 30 days after which you will have to buy the full version.

Download Minuum (Free trial / Full version $3.99)

Compatibility: Android 4.0 and up.

Go Keyboard

The GO Dev team has brought us a number of apps to customize Android better and they also have a keyboard app dubbed aptly as Go Keyboard. It is similar to their other offerings with tons of customization options. Go Keyboard brings you a number of great looking themes along with options to change background of the keyboard, make it transparent and more. There’s also ability to resize the keyboard, keys, show arrow keys, have a search button and circular keys.

Along with customization features, Go keyboard comes with features like gestures to switch layouts, swipe typing, accurate autocorrect, emojis and more. It also supports most of the popular languages like English, French, Japanese, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu, Hindi etc.. It also supports various language layouts including QWERTY and AZERTY. The app also features plugins for multiple layouts along with ability to backup and restore user dictionary. While Go Keyboard is available for free on the Play Store, there’s also an ad free version dubbed Go Keyboard Pro that you can get with an in-app purchase of $4.99.

Download Go Keyboard (Free with in-app purchase of $4.99 for Pro version)

Compatibility: Varies with device.

Swype

Swype by Nuance Communications is the app that brought trace/swipe typing to the world and it continues to remain a great keyboard solution. Swype is pre-installed on a lot of smartphones, so you might be already accustomed to it. Like most other apps on the list, Swype lets you customize the keyboard with various themes along with options to change the height, vibration duration, long press delay and more. The app comes with a new Swype store that lets you download free and paid premium themes. It also features Google’s Material design keyboard theme, so if you want that look with Swype’s functionality, you can have it.

Swype learns from you and you can backup or restore your personal dictionary. The app also adds hotwords from users and news around the globe to keep you updated with the latest slang. It also features a number of cool gestures for tasks like select all, copy, cut and paste. There’s also voice dictation here and Swype likes to call it Dragon dictation. Overall, the trace typing remains great and although autocorrection can get it wrong a few times, you can live with it. Swype is available in a free version as well as a paid version which brings premium themes and more.

Download Swype (Free trial / Full version $0.99)

Compatibility: Android 4.0 and up.

Ginger Emoji Keyboard

Ginger keyboard is not only a great keyboard but it’s also a great writing tool. You must know Ginger as a grammer checking tool and they have integrated a lot of their grammar checking features on their keyboard app as well. Similar to other keyboard offerings, Ginger comes with a lot of themes to choose from and you can find some more from Ginger Store. The first thing you notice while using Ginger keyboard is how fast it is. Flow typing just feels so sleek and speedy on this keyboard. It comes with a smart bar that features the apps you need all the time like Notes. The app also lets you play games when you are just getting bored.

There are games like 2048, Squash, Copter and they replace your keyboard when you want to play. While the tap typing is simply okay, Ginger keyboard brings its grammar features that could seal the deal for you. Ginger Page is integrated in the keyboard and it lets you know if there are any errors in your grammar, punctuation and more. Regional language support is a bit lacking but Ginger supports 58 languages from across the world including English, Spanish, French, Dutch, Italian and more.

Download Ginger Keyboard (Free with in-app purchases)

Compatibility: Android 4.0.3 and up.

Ai.type keyboard

Ai.type keyboard is one of the most feature rich keyboard apps available on the Play Store. The app is so packed with features, some might feel it’s a little too much but if you love tinkering with features, you are going to love it. The app lets you customize the keyboard to the brim. It lets you change the background, size and there’s ability to create your own keys & shortcuts and more. You can also select the top row of the keyboard to show numbers, emojis and punctuation. There’s also a Theme Market, which lets you download thousands of free and paid themes. Ai.type also offers you a free theme everyday.

The app supports more than 800 emojis and more than 100 graphical characters. Other features of the app include swipe typing, great word prediction & auto-correction, dictation, on-keyboard search and more. There are a number of languages supported along with keyboard layouts like Colemak, AZERTY, QWERTZ, BDS and more. The app is available in a free trial version as well as a paid version. The free trial only gets you 30 days to use but you can effectively give it a try and decide if you want Plus version or not.

Download Ai.type keyboard (Free trial / Plus version $3.99)

Compatibility: Varies with device.

Emoji Keyboard Pro Kika

Emoji Keyboard Pro by the Kika team is one of highly rated and well recognised keyboards available on the Play Store and if you love conversing through Emojis, you are going to love it. The app brings a number of emoji layouts to use and you can even download new ones. Along with fun emojis, there are fun stickers, GIFs and more. It also lets you customize the keyboard totally along with various themes, just like other apps on the list. You can have plugins like selector, emoji bar, search along with the ability to change fonts and sounds. There are also advanced options like language switch key, slide indicator, custom input styles and more.

Emoji Pro supports 60+ languages along with a number of input methods including the likes of Bulgarian (BDS), QWERTZ, AZERTY, Dvorak, Colemak, Hindi, German, Icelandic, Polish and more. There’s swipe typing, suggestions which take into account the last word you typed, emoji predictions and more. Emoji Keyboard Pro Kika is available for free on Play Store with in-app purchases for themes and plugins.

Download Emoji Keyboard Pro Kika (Free with in-app purchases)

Compatibility: Android 4.0 and up.

SEE ALSO: Moving From Windows Phone to Android? A Complete Guide to Follow

These are the best keyboard apps available on Android and they should meet your specific needs like support for regional languages, great gesture typing, new & intuitive typing styles, great emoji support and themes. So, which keyboard app do you like the most? Let us know in the comments section below.

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