Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority
Welcome to the 365th edition of Android Apps Weekly. Here are the big headlines from the past week.
- The WWE network will shut down in March 2021. Peacock has the streaming rights and all WWE content will go there after the switch. NBCUniversal reportedly paid $ 1 billion for the rights. The switchover will take place on March 18, 2021. After that, you must get your WWE content from Peacock. You can watch Peacock here.
- Last week, we talked about Google eventually making its Google Messages app available only on certified phones. As it turns out, Google Duo is getting the same treatment. This does not change anything for Google Play Store users. However, it changes for those with devices that don’t use Google Play services. Click on the link for more information.
- The Indian government imposed a ban on Chinese apps in 2020. The Whole Debacle made it to our list of last year’s most controversial apps. This week, the Indian government finalized the ban on about 60 Chinese apps. Some of the names are TikTok, WeChat, Baidu and various Xiaomi apps.
- Plex enters the game streaming market with its new Plex Arcade. It has a ton of Atari titles and supports titles from your own library. There is also support for SEGA and Nintendo consoles with more support coming soon. It also supports various platforms such as Chromecast, Android TV, Apple TV and others. Click on the link for more information.
- The WhatsApp drama continues this week, but not in the usual way. Telegram now allows you to import your WhatsApp chats into Telegram if you decide to switch. Moreover, Signal has added some features to entice WhatsApp users there as well. The battle for the future WhatsApp users is currently in full swing in the end-to-end privacy chat segment. WhatsApp is still adding features including biometric authentication on its web and desktop apps.
Stellar hunter
Price: Free to play
Stellar Hunter is an engaging mix of a space RPG and a roguelike. You get the RPG fun of leveling up and getting stronger, as well as randomly generated events and things to throw sticks in your wheels. Gameplay is mobile RPG style with a few unique twists. So it is quite easy to learn and play. This one has its ups and downs, but the concepts are fun. There is also a gacha element that you don’t need to pay as much attention to. It’s pretty good, although there is a level of expectation with the game’s twists and turns.
Touch Locker
Price: Free / $ 0.99
Touch Locker is a utility app with a very specific function. It allows you to lock your touch screen so that you cannot touch it. The app is mainly intended for watching media or listening to music. You can start your media, turn on the app, and you can’t touch your screen to accidentally screw things up. You simply swipe down from the status bar and stop the service with the notification. There are several niche use cases for such a thing and the app does what it says on our test phones. However, there are some people who report that it doesn’t work on their phone.
Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority
Dragon Quest Tact
Price: Free to play
Dragon Quest Tact is a new gacha mobile RPG from Square Enix. It uses the monster cast from the Dragon Quest games, both figuratively and literally. You summon, level up and use monsters to fight bad guys. The game can even be used on low rarity monsters, but we haven’t tested the game long enough to see what those were as the game progresses. It’s also a pretty decent mobile gacha with Dragon Quest combat and story elements. Our only possible complaint is the gemstone system. It can get a little aggressive during the end game.
Simple Notepad
Price: Free / $ 1.99
Simple Notepad is, well, a simple notepad app. You can take notes, edit notes and share notes with other people. The app has a simple user interface, light and dark mode, and it really is. The basic version comes with ads and you can remove the ads with a single in-app purchase. The app will not illuminate the Play Store with its originality. However, it works quite well, especially for power users. Others may want something more modern, such as Google Keep or ColorNote.
Credit: Joe Hindy / Android Authority
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom
Price: $ 9.99
SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom is a mobile port of a classic video game remaster released on PC last year. The remaster has removed some content from the game but added some other elements. In the game you can play as SpongeBob, Patrick and Sandy as you work your way through different levels to save Bikini Bottom from robots. The game also offers Google Play Games features and controller support. It’s a bit expensive at $ 9.99, but has no in-app purchases or ads.
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If we missed any major Android app or game releases, tell us in the comments!