Android Tablet Update

Every week we cover Android gaming on Wednesday, followed by Top 10 app updates on Friday. Now every Monday (or Tuesday) we will look back and see which ones were the most crowd-pleasing among our audience. Read on for the 10 most popular Android apps from your peers.

1. AirDroid

Debuting at the top spot in our weekly roundup is AirDroid. This app is a fast, free service that lets you wirelessly manage your Android device from your favorite browser. The developer released a major update this week that added a ton of new features. Our very own Clark loves this app and uses it daily, so check it out if you need a way to manager your phone from your desktop PC.

2. AfterFocus

Wow, really guys? AfterFocus remains in the top 2 spots on our site for the 4rd week in a row. We know you love camera apps and the developer just released another update, but even I’m surprised that this app has such staying power. If you haven’t tried it yet and want to create DSLR-style background blurred photos, then download it from the link below.

3. Shot Control

Shot Control won week 3 of #thenextinstall and it jumped all the way up to our 3rd most popular app this week. If you prefer to just point and shoot pics and know nothing about photography, then this camera app might not be for you. However, if you love to play with all your camera settings to get that perfect shot, then Shot Control is easily worth the $1.99 asking price.

4. iris

Iris is the original Siri-clone and this week it saw a significant update that added several new features. I’m not a fan of the apps that let you talk with your phone, but this is one of the best reviewed ones with an average score of 4.2.

5. LogiType

LogiType claims they have a “new groundbreaking technology to give you the easiest and fastest touch-typing keyboard available for Android tablets.” I haven’t tried it out yet, but it has an average review score of 4.3 and I’ve heard mostly positive things about it. If you have an Android tablet and want to test out a new input method, check it out and let us know what you think.

6. Schemer

Google’s own Schemer finally opened up signups last week and new users are quickly joining the service. The app claims to help its users “start doing more awesome stuff.” The app integrates with Google+ and uses your circles to suggest the perfect scheme for the moment, which sounds like a cool idea. I’ve had access to Schemer for a couple months now and I have yet to really explore it, so maybe now is a good time to show it some love.

7. Apex Launcher

Last week Nova Launcher appeared in our Top 10 list, and this week Apex Launcher makes an appearance. Both of these launchers are the new kids on the block and target devices running Android 4.0. They provide a ton of tweaks for performance and customizations, but Apex has a slightly higher review score. Both are worth checking out if you love mixing your home screen up.

8. Weatherwise

Weatherwise returns this week but drops six spots down to number eight.. This weather widget looks pretty cool, but the free version only comes with a single skin. Additional themes will cost you $0.99. Average review scores have been stead at 4.3, so the early users have enjoyed the app thus far.

9. Oven Break

Oven Break from Com2uS is the only game to crack the Top 10 this week. It’s free so I gave it a try, but I was bored within minutes. Maybe the game gets better as you progress, but it didn’t keep my attention long enough to find out.

10. Solid Explorer Beta

Solid Explorer is amazing. The app is still in beta, but it’s already one of the best looking file managers I have tried on Android. I guarantee you this app will return next week and it should be in the top three.  Try it out right now and tell me it’s not your new favorite file manager.

Welcome back to our regular column Android Gaming Weekly, where we recap all the new releases and highlights every Wednesday. We post small bits throughout the week related to Android games, but readers have requested a condensed summary that makes it easier to keep up with all the latest news. Read on for this week’s best in Android gaming.

New Games This Week

Make your dream school in Pocket Academy

Kairosoft is king when it comes to simulation games. They have a hardcore following that throws money at the screen with every new release, and Pocket Academy is the latest title in the series. This time around you manage your own school as you build classrooms, make clubs, and even decide the hot couple of the week. Early reviewers have given the game a near perfect score of 4.9.

Contract Killer: Zombies upgraded to version 3.0

Glu Mobile released Contract Killer: Zombies last year, but they recently upgraded the game to version 3.0 and tossed in a bunch of helicopter missions. This game is another mindless shooter, but it’s free and it has exploding zombie brains so grab it from the download link below if you need to kill some time.

Knockdown the standing arms at the end of the lane with the zombie head

Sticking with the undead theme, we have Zombie Bowling by G-Gee. This game looks absolutely ridiculous, but the developer actually has several other successful bowling titles, so maybe they know what they are doing.

Ginger man’s grand escape adventure, Oven Break

Com2uS has been one of the top Android devs for awhile now and this week they ported over the popular iOS title Oven Break. You play the role of Ginger man who awakes in the witch’s magic oven and tries to escape. Gameplay consists of basic two button controls that let you jump and slide to avoid obstacles. This one might not be for everyone, but Com2uS normally produces great Android games.

An epic RPG adventure awaits you in Rule the Kingdom

Developer Game Insight International has become one of the leaders of freemium entertainment with several titles always appearing in the top grossing section of the Google Play Store. Their latest game Rule the Kingdom is a mix of RPG action, city-building, farming and storytelling. The graphics don’t look that good, but the game is still free and it has an average review score of 4.5. If RPG games are your thing, then you might want to check this out.

Asobimo releases two english MMORPGs

Japan’s number one RPG maker, Asobimo, released two of their more popular games in English this week. Celes Arca and Iruna Online are two massive-multiplayer-online RPGs that feature full 3D graphics. Celes Arca is the more popular of the two, which promises “10 trillion dressing patterns” for your character. Several users have reported trouble with getting the games to start, but those who got it working have given it high praise.

Android Games Coming Soon

N.O.V.A. 3 coming this month

Just last week we saw the first teaser video for Gameloft’s N.O.V.A. 3, and this week we get new previews of single player and multiplayer modes. The big addition to mutiplayer this year is drivable vehicles including two-person jeeps and mechs. Gameloft says we should expect a May release, so look for this game in the coming weeks.

Max Payne Mobile landing tomorrow?

We have been waiting on Rockstar Games to release Max Payne since last year and tomorrow could finally be the big day. The game was scheduled to release last Thursday, but some last minute changes pushed the release date back. Keep an eye on @RockstarGames for updates on the release.

Eden to Greeeen arriving in Q2

Eden to Greeeen is a turn-based strategy game we first saw back at Mobile World Congress, and now we have a tentative release date. According to an update on NVIDIA’s TegraZone, we should see the game sometime in Q2. The game will be free to play, and allow players to level up their characters via in-app purchase. I had a lot of fun with an early demo, so I’m looking forward to checking out the final release.

Games I’m currently playing

Zombie Smash: I purchased this game last week when it came out and I haven’t put it down since. The gameplay is very simple and lets you pick up little zombies with your fingers and then fling them to their death. As you progress through the game you get to unlock more weapons and special FX that makes killing the zombies even more fun. The game runs $0.99, but it’s definitely worth the asking price.

Dark Meadow: We previewed Dark Meadow last week and it remains one of my favorite Android games. The graphics are the best we have ever seen and the twisted story line keeps me coming back. The game is free to play, but it looks like I have finally progressed far enough that I need to pay to level up my stats and weapons to make it to the 3rd level. I want to finish this game and see the ending, so I keep coming back.

What Android games are you playing?

Find any great new Android games this week? Share your favorites in the comments below so we can check them out.