Best Apps for Android, November 28 2011

Camera ZOOM FX

Is there anything this camera app can’t do?

It’s for good reason that Camera ZOOM FX has become my default camera app; it can do almost anything.


The app comes with around 90 different filters that can be applied (and combined) to give your photos a little more awesome. The filters range from the basic (sepia) to the psychedelic (solarise), and include vignettes, frames, and distortions. My favourite feature is the ability to randomise applied effects, so you never know how your photo will turn out. It’s a great way to appear more creative than you really are. Otherwise, you can use any of the ready-made presets.

There are also a heap of free add-ons (from props to celebrities), and most features are customisable, including the ability to assign functions (including the shutter) to any of the hardware buttons.

Best of all, the app applies the effects at full-resolution (if your phone has enough grunt), and saves the original separately.

Beyond the effects, there is a stack of great shooting features, such as stable shot, time lapse, voice activation, collages, and the ability to set the save directory and filename structure. There is also the option of automatic and simultaneous upload to Facebook and Twitter, via Ping.fm.

$4.62 > Androidslide > Link

Super Drill Panic

This dropping ball style game is not the freshest concept, but there’s a reason that games like this have been around since kids used to have to go to arcades to play games.


The cute retro graphics and sounds are so hot right now, and, most importantly, the game play is fun and challenging.  You can play by tilting or touching, but both involve you running away from a giant, falling rock, while you collect the gold and power-ups.

Free (Ad supported) or $2.16 > OrangePixel > Link

Reckless Getaway

After robbing a bank, you need to bump, dodge, outrun, outmanoeuvre, and generally make a violent and exciting escape from the police. You, of course, are also overcome by a desire to collect coins and power-ups, while avoiding having a fatal crash.


The game features 16 levels, with unlockable ones coming in the future.  The speed and fun physics are what make this game memorable, the hour-long wait to download the game files did too, but not for the right reasons.

$2.90 > Polarbit > Link

Feedly

Feedly displays your Google Reader feeds in a better looking, more magazine-like way, sort of like Flipboard. Also, like Flipboard, it looks better on tablets, but it is still useful – and attractive – on the small screen.


You can easily share interesting stories to Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr, (via your own Bit.ly account, if you will) or save longer ones to Read It Later or Instapaper, for when you have a bit more time.

The app is also available for Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and iOS.

Free > Feedly Team > Link