Google seems to be taking a stick and carrot approach to attracting new customers onto their expanse of apps. Last month they announced that all apps on Google Play for Work would be free, which resulted in 2 million paid businesses, and they’ve just announced a program to vet and recommend third party enterprise apps. The company announced at the Web Summit in Dublin that they would introduce a new program called “Recommended for Google Apps for Work” along with an update on paid user numbers.
This is something that Apple has done in the past, joining hands with IBM to sponsor enterprise apps for iOS and Mac, always sticking to promoting their own apps, and it’s a development that could bring in thousands of new customers and give Google a one up in the unending app race. So far, eight apps have made it onto the Google Apps platform: ProsperWorks for CRM, Smartsheet, Ringcenral, Switch, AODocs, Powertools, Ping Identity and Okta.
Google will also start to feature enterprise apps with Google Play for Work counterparts, and with Dropbox announcing it’ll become a business platform for businesses looking to work with a cloud system. Google Apps are certainly getting ahead in the race to build businesses on app and cloud systems, and by using this specific approach, which plainly wags a sure promise for success in front of users, it seems they’ll secure headway for some time.
We’ve all seen them, the apps that are almost always redundantly named that promise nothing but time wasted. Here are Clapway’s picks for the ten dumbest apps we’ve encountered yet, for Android and/or iOS.
10. Is It Dark Outside?
This app is simple. It asks you ‘Is It Dark Outside?” and you need only answer yes or no. This is for best use when no one is texting you back and you’re tired of every other application on your phone but you still need to be consumed by your smartphone to distract yourself by the life going on around you. Fun.
9. Akatu Fake Shower
Parents or partners making you go into the shower again? Your days of forced cleaning are over! This app simulates the sounds of showering so you can pretend to shower, and haul your soiled self back to the real world. Your family will think you smell like roses but you really still smell like last night’s takeout.
8. Drunk Dialer
Courtesy of Drunk Dialer
Every wanted to drunk dial an ex? Well, this app makes it 20x harder by scrambling the number keypad on your screen. It’s a pretty good concept for the drunks in us that can’t help themselves and somehow know the phone number by heart even when highly intoxicated… but I’m not sure people would have the wits to think ‘ah, let me use the Drunk Dialer app to drunk dial my ex!”
Maybe some people will, but mostly, it’s just dumb.
7. iFart
Courtesy of iFart
Self-explanatory.
6. Zips
Courtesy of Zips
This app lets you zip a crotch zipper up and down. You can’t change the kind of zipper but hey, you can customize the color of the undies underneath! How exciting.
5. S. M. T. H. (Android)
Courtesy of SMTH
Show Me The Heavens is an app that measures just how high you can fling your smartphone in the air. Just let the genius of that sink in. What’s the worst thing that could happen?
4. Hodor Keyboard (Android)
Courtesy of Hodor Keyboard
Ever wanted to hodorize your lingo? It’s fairly easy, given there’s only one word in the entire language.
3. FlickABooger
Courtesy of FlickABooger
Another self-explanatory one for the immature 7-year old in all of us.
2. Vibrating Duck
Courtesy of Vibrating Duck
Literally just a vibrating rubber duck.
1. Enjoy Toilet Paper
Courtesy of Enjoy Toilet Paper
Do you remember the last time toilet paper was fun? When you weren’t conditioned to those Charmin commercials that insist that less is more? Do you think more is more? Well, this is the app for you! Enjoy Toilet Paper lets you swipe down on your screen to pull out as much toilet paper as you want. Screw the system, you’re an anarchist and you must rebel!
Sometimes we just run out of things to do on our way to work or to school. We’re always looking to find the next game to obsess over, to scrutinize and burn out till we move on to the next. Here’s our list of the ten best game apps in the App Store.
10. Flappy Bird
Courtesy of Flappy Bird
Say what you will, but I personally cried when Flappy Bird was taken down. I still have it on all devices, and this game is still one of the best, funniest and most nerve-wracking games in app history.
9. Candy Crush
Courtesy of Candy Crush
Candy Crush is a classic. The game exploded fairly quickly, too, and you’ll see about 85% of the people in your train car playing it during their morning commute to work or school. There are infinite variants to this game in the App Store, but none will ever measure up to the dude that calls your wins ‘tasty’ and ‘divine’.
8. A Dark Room
Courtesy of A Dark Room
A Dark Room is a dangerously addicting game. It’s a mysterious journey of survival filled with vague messages that lead you where you need to go, and after a while it feels like something out of Resident Evil. Strangely immersive, A Dark Room will have you wired for hours on end, so downloading it in the middle of the work day is not recommendable.
7. Trivia Crack
Courtesy of Trivia Crack
Trivia Crack unites users from around the world with trivia questions from a slew of categories. The interface is simple and colorful and it can be enjoyed by anyone. Some will argue that QuizUp may be better, but Trivia Crack has stood the test of time and updates and makes for a super fun game to wind down and relax.
6. Monument Valley
Courtesy of Monument Valley
Monument Valley has a killer soundtrack and beautiful visuals that take you on puzzle journeys the likes of which you’ve never seen before. It’s easily one of the prettiest and most immersive game apps out there.
5. Heads Up!
Courtesy of Heads Up!
You’ve probably seen people with their phones against their foreheads in lines at amusement parks. This game has recently gained a lot of popularity, especially for people in large groups in queue for something. The app is super fun and filled with hilarious categories, and it’s free counterpart, Charades, make an hour long wait in line feel less daunting.
4. Tetris
Courtesy of Tetris
It’s a classic. Tetris lives forever, and it forever remains one of the greatest games of all time. You can’t beat that theme song, either.
3. Pac-Man 256
Courtesy of Pac-Man 256
Pac-Man has seen many a variation and spin-off, but this app brings the classic goodness to your phone screen. Users old and new will find this game addictive and fun, making you feel like you’re in an arcade in the 80s.
2. Device 6
Courtesy of Device 6
This adventurous puzzle game makes users feel like James Bond. Intricate and also packed with a kickass soundtrack, Device 6 takes players on mysterious, thrilling quests that’ll surely make your commutes that much more fun.
1. The Room/The Room Two
Courtesy of The Room
The Room/The Room Two are two of the greatest games to ever make it to the App Store. They’re beautiful and mysterious and take you through the story of one man in search of the truth, and its 3D graphics and intricate puzzles will have you hooked in seconds.
A new update to the Google Maps iOS application is promising to make it easier to navigate around when it is dark outside that potentially reduced the risks associated with using the application when users are behind the wheel. In this latest release, the app is introducing a feature called “Night Mode” which gives you a darker display in comparison to the bright white one that is default for Google Maps.
NIGHT MODE AUTOMATICALLY MAKES THE APP EASIER TO USE AT NIGHT
In previous versions, users would have to turn down their brightness options on their iPhones. Now, the Google Maps iOS app does exactly that for you automatically. The idea that this could improve your night vision and your eyes will no longer have to adjust as you switch between the bright display and the darker road. Although this is a minor feature release, this one could make Google Maps much safer as a navigational aid for the millions of drivers who relied on the app instead of a navigational system.
NEW UPDATE IS LIVE ON BOTH IOS AND ANDROID
Night Mode is now live on the iOS version of Google Maps, and is already live on the Android version. The new update also included a few other interesting features. There are now features that allow for you to label places that you see on your maps and in your search suggestions. This would allow for a more personalized experience and you can also change the captions of the photos that you have uploaded to Google Maps.
NIGHT MODE IS AUTOMATIC AND CAN’T BE TURNED OFF
This feature is also entirely automatic, so you won’t have to change your phone’s settings in order to switch it on and off. Instead, the Night Mode will only activate when it is actually nighttime outside, and not just when its dark. Night Mode activates at a night based time within the phones time setting.
It is also only available in the turn-by-turn navigation mode, and not the default maps interface. This update is also available in turn-by-turn navigation mode and not just in the default map interface. Also, Night Mode is the current build and there isn’t a way to turn off this feature.
I love new apps. I am constantly on my phone, like nearly every other member of my generation, and am intrigued by all the new apps that released. You can find me on all of the social media sharing apps, and on the news apps, as I like to stay current on what’s happening in the world today. You would also be right to assume that I watch a decent amount of hilarious videos via Vine or YouTube daily.
In an effort to keep up with the trending apps this week, I have a compiled a list of the most downloaded apps this week:
1. Showtime
Another score for the cord cutting generation! That’s right, you can now watch your favorite Showtime programs right from your phone without a cable subscription, which means you can catch up on Masters of Sex, Shameless, and all your other favorites. This is great for the commuter looking for entertainment on the bus or subway to and from work. It’s also great to have in the event of a family emergency (the emergency being that you need a minute away from your family). Once again, this app does not require you to have a cable subscription, however, it does require a monthly charge of only $11.00.
2. Streaks
Streaks is the most downloaded app in the productivity category this week. Its goal is to aid you in creating a streak of healthy habits, hence the name. You can log various activities that you do daily, such as walking, reading, healthy eating, and more. With a 4.5-star-rating, this app is sure to help you stay on the healthy path you’ve worked so vigorously to get on.
3. Fragment
This 5 star photo effects app is quickly grabbing people’s attention with its unique picture effects. Unlike Instagram and other popular photo apps, this most downloaded photo app offers shapes and pattern effects that transform your pictures into Picasso-Esq works of art.
4. HeyLets
This social city guide app is making its way to the top of the most downloaded app list this week. This app will give you recommendations on what to do given your location based on your interests. You can book appointments, make reservations and more with this unique adventure-sharing app.
5. Stayful
Stayful is another travel app that is trending this week. This app is your personal travel agent. It finds and compares hotel rates for you and locks in the great deal for your stay. It picks hotels for you based on your budget and location interests. I know I am grateful for letting someone else organize the travel plans!
I’ve downloaded each of these apps and am incredibly excited to use them! Especially Streaks, since I could definitely use the help in creating healthier habits. These 5-cup-of-coffee days probably aren’t too kind on my kidneys. I hope you gain some use out of these apps as well, and be sure to check back next week for a new list of apps!
Do you use any of the apps listed above? Tell me which one and how you like it!
For more technology related news, check us out on Clapway Trends:
Owning a car is a decision filled with responsibility, more so than one might imagine at first. Especially if the car you own is your very first car. To help out car owners and travelers alike, Neil Tohill, Director of Southside Motor Factors, has compiled a list of FREE apps every car owner should have. These apps help owners keep their car in check and their eyes on the road. His list is made up of everything you never thought of but should have. From tuning your engine to picking the perfect jams for your road trip, Tohill has you covered!
Scout is a GPS app that gives you real time traffic updates while guiding you to your destination using the most efficient route possible. It also suggests the best time for you to leave your destination based on estimated drive time. This is definitely an app every car owner should have!
This app uses your phone’s camera and sensors to recognize and warn you of potential accidents up ahead. All you have to do is mount your phone and the app will begin monitoring for you. It also has car-optimized interface so you are able to see your speed and the weather conditions. Don’t worry — you’ll definitely still be able to access your music and contacts!
I’m sure this is an app we could all really use. I hate leaving Central Market with all my groceries and realizing I can’t remember where I parked. This app is exactly for that. By using GPS, this app can help you find your car so you never have to wander the parking lot again!
This app is a car performance diagnostic tool that communicates with your engine via Bluetooth. My car actually has something like this built in, but I have to sign up online and pay a fee (of course) so it’s so convenient that this app is available and free.
Let’s face it. Sometimes accidents happen. This app is perfect for logging all the information you need when an accident happens to you. You can make direct calls from this app to your insurance provider, record photos and details, and export all the information into a PDF. Your photo count is unlimited and the PDF generated is professional and can be sent directly to your provider as well.
This is another app every car owner should have and would definitely benefit from. This amazing app was created to minimize distractions while driving. It allows you to dictate text messages, make a call, check Facebook or Twitter, and search the web for business information or driving directions. It even has a profanity filter in case someone on the road cuts you off while you are speaking!
This app gives you a detailed account of your fuel consumption, mileage, and services. It calculates useful statistics from fuel mileage to maintenance expenses and reminds you when you need to have it checked out. It’s a great app to help you remind you to change your oil and get your car inspected.
This app has a simple widget that shows your speed, altitude of travel and direction. It has a head-up display so you can set it down on your dashboard or console and it will project that information on the windscreen.
This guy is a “crowd powered” navigation app. It matches other navigation apps with turn-by-turn directions and voice guidance. It’s also great for walking directions and can store maps directly on your phone, so no need to constantly use your data connection.
By far the most important app every car owner should have, this one lets you listen to more than 50,000 radio stations from around the world. You can browse by location, music genre, or language. The pro version allows you to pause or rewind a station and lets you set one for your morning alarm if you prefer to wake up to music!
These apps are all great tools for you to use on your road trips or even just commuting to work. We definitely advise getting them set up and ready to go before leaving, or while stopped to fill up your tank. We all know you shouldn’t be using them while driving! Thanks, Neil, for providing us with ways we can have a safer and more informed driving experience — complete with beautiful infographic:
Another score for the cord cutting generation! That’s right, you can now watch your favorite 
