Rathores blog

Android 4, also known as Ice Cream Sandwich, is finally here. Some android phones and tablets have already been upgraded to the new OS, and many more will get it soon. If you're an Android user, you're probably familiar with popular apps such as Angry Birds, Draw Something and Instagram, but In this post we'll reveal some amazing new and improved ones that you may not know about, but we're sure you'll love. Our 15 picks include best android 4 Ice Cream Sandwich apps that extend your phone's battery life, save you money and help you keep track of your favourite web content, as well as best fun games to keep you entertained. All these new apps can also be used on older versions of Android, in case you're still waiting for the Ice Cream Sandwich update or your phone Isn't on the list to get it.

AirCover

AirCover provides great all-round security, protecting your phone from viruses and malicious apps, helping you maintain your privacy settings, backing up your information to the cloud and even tracking the location of your family members. It can also be used to perform system tweaks to make your phone run faster and improve battery life.

Skyscanner

This useful app searches more than 1r000 budget and scheduled airlines to find the cheapest flights to any destination. You can see all your flight options, including class and seat choices, but you still need to book flights directly with the airline or travel agent. If you're travelling with friends and family, it's easy to share your search results or email them to yourself to read later

           

Enjoy England

If you're planning to spend your holiday at home this summer, the Enjoy England app can help you plan the perfect break. It offers more than 10,000 trip ideas and attractions; displays offers and events by postcode; and lets you narrow its results to show only indoor activities or free places to visit. The app also provides maps and directions, and its information is available offline, too.

PingMe

PingMe is an instant-messaging service that lets you chat to your friends, regardless of what smartphone or tablet they use. It's similar to WhatsApp (www.whatsapp.com), but you don't have to sign in with a username or password. You can set up group conversations, and status updates appear in both the app and your contacts list. PingMe has geo-location messages, too, so you can see where your friends are and find nearby contacts.

Bubbly 

Bubbly is like Twitter, except you post short voice messages rather than typed tweets. You can record messages to share with your followers, and listen to voice blogs from friends and celebrities. It's also possible to comment on and share audio posts, and you can type text if you're somewhere you need to be quiet.

Mobango

The Mobango website is a hub for free stuff for your mobile, including apps, games, ringtones and wallpapers, and its Android app helps you discover all these freebies direct from your phone. It has an advanced search option, offers app recommendations and comes with 2GB of space, Mobango confirms the safety of its links, but make sure your phone has up-to-date anti-virus software whenever you download something not from the official Google Play store.

Temple Run

In this game of skill, you must dodge evil monkeys, boulders and holes in the ground as you flee the temple after stealing a cursed idoL Race down ancient temple walls and along cliff edges, collecting coins to buy power-ups and unlock new characters. It's like being in an Indiana Jones film and is very addictive.

Treasure Trails

This app is a great way to explore the UK, either in your local area or when on holiday. You can buy spy- and murder-mystery-themed trails and treasure hunts, and follow clues around your location. There are QR codes, clues that are only triggered when you're near them (using GPS) as well as sound effects, audio hints and local facts and information. The trails cost £5.99 each but there are free, 'lite' versions for most major cities.

Ludo

To win this mobile version of the popular board game, you have to get all four of your coloured pieces from the start to your Home square before anyone else. You can only move pieces from the starting square by rolling a six, and you have to roll the exact number to get your pieces onto your Home square. You can play with friends or compete against strangers across the world.

Rightmove

You can browse more than a million properties, for sale and to rent, on Rightmove's Android app. It has Google Street View built in and each listing comes with photos and, where available, floorplans. You can sync your searches and shortlists with your Desktop, other smartphones and smart TVs, and share properties and area information with friends and family, as well as arrange viewings directly from the app.

Kidbliss

Kidbliss helps you keep a digital diary of everything your children or grandchildren do. You can add funny stories, photos and videos so they're all stored in one place. You can then share the diary with family and friends or keep it for when the child is older. The app has a built-in chat function, too, if you want to share photos and videos instantly.

Ancestry

Although this excellent app is free, it's only worth using if you pay for an account at Ancestry.com. It lets you manage the family tree youVe created on the site, or build a new one. The latest version lets you add, edit and tag photos, making it much easier to 'grow' your family tree. There's also a new 'family' button that makes it much faster to find relatives.

Zite

Zite is a personalised magazine that learns what you like and helps you discover new articles, blogs and videos based on what you've viewed before. You can connect the app to your Twitter account and Google Reader to get more accurate suggestions, and you can filter the type of content as well as the topics, which include technology, world news and business.

Google Currents

Google Currents is a collection of digital versions of your favourite publications, including The Guardian. The Week and TechCrunch. You can subscribe to individual titles or browse editions, and you can also turn Google Reader subscriptions into digital magazines. Google also produces editions that track recent trending' stories across various categories and contain articles, videos and pictures.

Pocket