With 2022 almost over, it’s time to take a look at all the apps released this year to see which ones have been successful. That way, everyone has a handy list of the best apps to install on their brand new Android devices. So we went ahead and picked this year’s best and most notable releases, with a few surprises in between. So no matter if you’re looking for free apps to extend the usefulness of your new phone or just want to brighten up your home screen with an awesome animated wallpaper, AP’s roundup of the best apps of 2021 has you covered. Happy Holidays!
Niagara pitcher:
One big advantage of using Android is that you can choose your default launcher, and many excellent options have been released over the years. Niagara Launcher will arrive in 2021 as one of the useful releases. This is a minimal launcher that lets you navigate through your apps by swiping up and down alphabetically with your thumb. This list can be viewed from anywhere and will quickly launch your apps, and since it’s on the edge of the screen, it’s easy to navigate with one hand. Heck, the launcher also works on foldable devices and is a simple theme. It’s simple yet sturdy, which is why it’s so popular. So if you want to customize your device in an intuitive way that won’t break the bank, Niagara Launcher is easily the best choice this year.
Slopes: Ski & Snowboard:
Slopes: Ski & Snowboard is a popular iOS app that has been ported to Android this year, and since it’s almost winter, it’s time to go skiing and snowboarding. This is primarily a tracking app so you can easily record your trips to the track. Not only is this great for those who want to keep track of their performance, but it’s also fun for comparing times with friends to see who came out on top. The app is free if you’re only interested in daily amounts, but the most robust features are locked behind a subscription, but you can buy subscriptions for a minimum of one day and three days if needed. So whether you’re away every day or just a few times a year, there’s a membership level that’s right for you.
Wallpaper Engine:
Live wallpapers are one of my favorite Android features. That’s important to me, so I’ve always wondered if Wallpaper Engine would make the switch from PC to mobile. Obviously this year has been a year so Wallpaper Engine is finally available for Android and is completely free to use. While the cloud sync features only work if you own the PC version (that way you can import your favorite wallpapers), but even without this feature, the app is great for Android.
Edge sidebar:
Yogesh Dema is an indie developer dedicated to releasing simple yet useful apps, and Edge Side Bar is a version that should appeal to those who need a decent app launch from one of their devices. As you can imagine, the Edge Side Bar slides off the edge of the screen no matter what app you’re using, so you can easily switch between apps with this sidebar slider. So think of Edge Side Bar as a quick snack for all your favorite apps, that’s what it offers.
loss of mind:
Ever worried about using some of your apps too much during the day? Well, Mind Leak is a version that can help with this. While there are many options for reminding yourself when you use your apps too often, Mind Leak adds memology to this reporting feature to add humor to the process. Once the app is installed and configured, you will receive alerts when you stare at the app for too long, and these alerts will consist of custom images or just an image of your face currently staring at the screen. This way you can see how ridiculous you are as you stare at your phone as a reminder that there are better things to do than spend all day reading Reddit.
Clip – Copy and paste to all devices:
I’ve always wanted an easy way to store my notes in the cloud, and Clip can connect to your favorite cloud storage (like Drive) to easily access your clipboard content. This way you can cut something from your phone and then pick up where you left off by pasting the cut content onto your computer. You can even transfer photos this way, which is a godsend if you’re constantly switching from Android to desktop throughout the day.
