Android 15 features: Everything you need to know about the latest Android version
The 5 Best New Android Apps And Games You Need To Try This July
Andy Walker / Android Authority
Keeping up with the latest and greatest apps and games is difficult, but I'm here to help. One of my interests is uncovering and testing new Android apps and games, and each month for the past few years, I've detailed the best new products you should try. The July edition includes my new favorite productivity app, yet another unique Android launcher, and a new Marvel game for superhero fans.
Let's jump right in. Here are the best new Android apps and games you should try in July 2025.
What is your favorite new Android app or game this month?676 votes
Fomodoro
34%
Marvel Mystic Mayhem
9%
Mur Launcher
29%
Phantom Tower
8%
One of SEGA's retro titles
14%
Another app or game (mention them in the comments section).
5%
FomodoroA clean, Material-inspired interval timer to bolster your productivity.
I'm constantly battling to refine and maximize my work life. In years past, I relied on a Pomodoro timer to keep my mind engaged, but I never found an app that enticed me to use it. Fomodoro is that app.
Perhaps I appreciate its use of Material Design elements, making it look and feel like a part of Android. The timer itself packs in all the Pomodoro items you might need, including adjustments for setting focus and break lengths. A stats section also outlines streak lengths and other motivational productivity details.
Marvel Mystic MayhemMarvel fans, assemble!
Marvel
I'm not going to pretend that Marvel Mystic Mayhem is my kind of game, but there are plenty of things I really like about this new title. For one, the cutscenes resemble comic book pages with striking visuals. There are plenty of heroes to play as (and battle against), from the Hulk to Scarlet Witch.
The game is a team-based auto-battler. Each character's list of attacks is triggered by swiping on a card. The gameplay can feel nebulous, and I never found tactics to play all that big of a role. Nevertheless, some Marvel fans and those who enjoy the game's RPG elements will get a kick out of it.
Mur LauncherThis new Android launcher takes a leaf from Windows Phone's playbook.
I'm a simple man: I see a promising new launcher, I include it on this list. Mur Launcher is the latest to pique my interest, and that's all down to its unique concept.
The developer is heavily inspired by Windows Phone, especially Metro UI, which really comes through in the launcher's tile-like aesthetic. The big difference is that these tiles can include multiple elements, from live information, widgets, and simple icons.
I gave it a whirl for a day, and while I do see the potential in the concept, the app isn't quite ready for prime time. It only just rolled out its open beta, so there's a long road still to go, and I'm eager to revisit it in a few months.
Phantom TowerWhy do we climb the tower? I'm not sure, but we do.
Phantom Tower is a rather cute but frantic roguelike that sees the protagonist slowly ascending a 100-floor tower by defeating waves of enemies. The game includes RPG elements, so expect resource collection, gear mods to boost base stats, and various power-ups called glyphs.
As you can probably imagine (and see for yourself with the trailer above), gameplay is fast-paced, but attacks feel weighty, and enemies can be genuinely terrifying when they swarm you.
It's certainly a fun game to pass the time, and thanks to its relatively low asking price, it's not too demanding on the wallet, either.
SEGA's Classic free titlesThey're SEGA classics. They're free. What more do you want?
Nick Fernandez / Android Authority
This month's last title isn't a new Android game nor a single title. However, it's something that you'll want to grab for your phone before it's too late. A list of nine retro SEGA titles is currently free to download, and probably won't be available on the Play Store for much longer. They're being discontinued in the coming weeks.
I've snagged and tucked them safely in my Play Store library. Gems include Crazy Taxi Classic, Sonic CD Classic, Streets of Rage Classic, and Virtua Tennis Challenge.
Consider this your final warning if you haven't grabbed them all yet.
Have you encountered a new Android app or game that I should have included? Let me know in the comments below.
Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at news@androidauthority.Com. You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Indie Devs Should Be Happy About Play Store App Testing Change - Android Authority
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
TL;DR
Before releasing an Android app on the Google Play Store, developers are required to test their app with a number of different users. This became a requirement late last year when Google implemented a rule that forced developers to test their apps with a minimum of 20 people over a 14 day period. A lot of indie app developers complained about this rule as they felt that it was too much of a burden. Fortunately, Google has heard these complaints and has quietly relaxed the rule a bit.
In an update to the support page outlining Google Play's app testing requirements, Google says that developers who have a personal account created after November 13, 2023 must run a closed test of their app with a minimum of 12 testers over a 14 day period. Previously, the page said that developers with personal accounts had to run a closed test with a minimum of 20 testers over the same period.
Old:
If you have a newly created personal developer account, you must run a closed test for your app with a minimum of 20 testers who have been opted-in for at least the last 14 days continuously.
New:
If you have a newly created personal developer account, you must run a closed test for your app with a minimum of 12 testers who have been opted-in for at least the last 14 days continuously.
While this policy change might not seem like a big deal at first glance, it could result in more indie app developers getting their apps published on Google Play. Many indie app developers work solo and may only have a few friends or family members they can ask to test their app. Previously, this limited pool of testers could be a significant hurdle due to Google's app testing requirements.
Indie app developers who don't personally know enough people to test their app would have to turn to social media platforms like X or Reddit to find additional testers. This extra step — recruiting testers through social media — at best delays the launch of an app and at worst discourages the developer from publishing on Google Play, potentially leading them to choose a different platform or abandon the project altogether.
Alex Walker-Todd / Android Authority
To be fair, the idea behind this policy is sound, as it forces developers to test their app with real users and potentially find issues before they launch it to the public. This, in turn, improves the overall quality of the apps available on Google Play, as developers are more likely to deliver great Android apps when their apps have been subjected to real-world testing by actual users over a two-week period. However, forcing developers with personal accounts to find 20 real testers was a bit too much of an ask, and it seems that Google now agrees, as it's lowered the number of testers needed to 12.
Developers with business accounts aren't impacted by this policy change, as business accounts aren't subject to the same app testing requirement at all. Signing up for a business account on Google Play requires officially establishing a business, which involves providing Google a D-U-N-S number. Google likely waived the app testing requirement for business accounts as the barrier to entry to make them is a bit higher, reducing the chances that an app published will be malware.
At Google Play's scale, it's hard to satisfy everyone, so policy changes like this will undoubtedly continue to happen as Google receives feedback and tries to adapt to new threats. Some indie app developers feel that Google Play is becoming more and more hostile to them, so this change should no doubt be welcomed by them. If you're an indie app developer who felt the old policy was too much of a burden, let us know what you think of this change in the comments below!
Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at news@androidauthority.Com. You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.A Guide To HeadSpin Real Device Testing - Talk Android
In mobile app development, ensuring a seamless UX is paramount. The challenge is even more pronounced for Android developers due to the sheer diversity of devices and operating system versions. HeadSpin real device testing emerges as a critical solution, offering unparalleled capabilities to elevate Android app testing and deliver superior quality applications.
The Importance of Real Device TestingIn the quest to deliver flawless Android applications, real device testing stands out as a cornerstone of a robust testing strategy. Unlike emulators and simulators, which have limitations and can often provide a false sense of security, real device testing ensures that applications perform optimally under actual conditions. Here's why real device testing is essential for successful Android app development:
Accurate Performance Metrics
Real devices provide the most accurate performance metrics, reflecting genuine user experiences. Performance aspects such as CPU usage, memory consumption, and battery life are critical to user satisfaction and can vary significantly between simulated and real environments. Emulators may not accurately replicate how an app interacts with hardware resources, leading to discrepancies in performance data. Testing on real devices reveals performance bottlenecks and helps developers optimize their apps more effectively.
Network Conditions
Real device testing allows developers to evaluate their apps' performance under various network conditions, including signal strengths, bandwidths, and latencies. This is particularly crucial for apps that rely heavily on network connectivity, such as social media, streaming services, and real-time communication apps. Emulators cannot fully simulate the unpredictability of real-world network conditions, whereas real devices can test app behavior in fluctuating network environments, ensuring stability and reliability for end-users.
Hardware-Specific Issues
The Android ecosystem is known for its diversity, encompassing a vast array of devices with different hardware configurations. This diversity poses a unique challenge, as hardware-specific issues can arise that emulators cannot detect. Real device testing ensures that apps are evaluated across multiple device models, identifying hardware-related bugs and ensuring compatibility with various screen sizes, resolutions, and hardware components. This comprehensive approach minimizes the risk of app crashes and functional issues on specific devices.
User Experience
Real device testing provides a true-to-life assessment of the user interface (UI) and user experience. It allows developers to test touch gestures, multi-touch capabilities, screen orientations, and other interactions in a real-world context. This ensures that the app's UI is intuitive, responsive, and behaves as expected across different devices. On the other hand, Emulators may not capture the nuances of user interactions, potentially leading to UX issues that can only be uncovered on real devices.
Security and Privacy
Security vulnerabilities and privacy concerns are paramount in today's digital landscape. Real device testing helps identify security loopholes that might not be apparent in emulated environments. Real devices can simulate real-world attack scenarios, helping developers bolster the app's security measures. Furthermore, real device testing ensures that apps comply with privacy regulations and handle user data appropriately, safeguarding against potential breaches.
Introducing HeadSpin Real Device TestingHeadSpin offers a robust platform for real device testing, empowering developers to unlock the full potential of their Android applications. Here's how HeadSpin revolutionizes Android app testing:
Comprehensive Device Coverage
HeadSpin provides access to various real Android devices across different manufacturers, models, and OS versions. This comprehensive device coverage ensures that your app is tested across a representative sample of the Android ecosystem, identifying compatibility issues early in the development cycle.
Automated Testing Capabilities
HeadSpin supports the automation of test scripts, enabling efficient and repeatable testing processes. Integration with popular automation frameworks like Appium and Selenium ensures that existing test scripts can be leveraged, reducing the learning curve and enhancing productivity.
Advanced Performance Monitoring
With HeadSpin, developers access advanced performance monitoring tools that provide detailed insights into app performance. Metrics such as load times, response times, and resource usage are captured and analyzed, allowing for precise optimization and troubleshooting.
Real-Time Collaboration and Reporting
HeadSpin facilitates real-time collaboration among development and QA teams through its cloud-based platform. Test results, logs, and performance data are readily accessible, enabling swift identification and resolution of issues. Detailed reports and dashboards provide a holistic view of app performance, aiding in data-driven decision-making.
Scalability and Flexibility
The HeadSpin platform is designed to scale with your testing needs. Whether you're testing a small or large-scale application, HeadSpin's infrastructure can accommodate varying requirements, providing the flexibility to scale up or down as needed.
Best Practices for Android App Testing with HeadSpinTo maximize the benefits of HeadSpin real device testing, consider the following best practices:
HeadSpin real device testing is an indispensable tool for Android developers striving to deliver high-quality applications. By providing access to real devices, advanced performance monitoring, and robust automation capabilities, HeadSpin empowers developers to tackle the complexities of Android app testing with confidence. Embrace HeadSpin to unlock the full potential of your Android development efforts, ensuring a seamless and exceptional user experience for your audience.
Comments
Post a Comment