Top 10 Android app updates for the week ending February 17

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When I got my first Android phone a little over three years ago, one of my favorite things was to browse the Android Market and watch which apps were being pushed to the Android Market. Developers soon began to exploit the Just In section of the Android Market with fake updates to get their app to the top of the list, so Google eventually removed that feature.

Now when I want to see what’s new in the Android Market, I turn to AppAware. I’ve covered the app before and it’s been around for a couple years, but they just relaunched a couple months ago with a completely overhauled version that turned the service into a social network for app discovery.

AppAware Find Top Apps & Games42matters AGMARKETQRPOWERED BY APPAWARE

I’ve found that one of the best ways to discover useful apps is to look at what people are actually updating, and not focus on which apps have the most installs. This shows me which apps have active support from their developers and sometimes reminds me of an old app that I might have removed long ago.

The following is a Top 10 list of apps which were updated in the last seven days and received the most updates during that time period on AppAware. I hope you enjoy this weekly feature and discover some apps that you might find useful.

Google Maps – Version varies with device

Since it comes pre-installed on most devices, I’m sure most of you already have this app. I’m still amazed at how many of my friends never update their apps though. The latest version features improved battery performance, so make sure you grab it right away.

What’s new in this version:

Improved battery performance for Latitude and Location History users.Bug fixesGoogle MapsGoogle Inc.MARKETQRPOWERED BY APPAWAREAdobe Flash Player 11 – Version varies by device

Flash Player for mobile devices is essentially dead, but Adobe is still pushing out minor bug fixes and performance tweaks. The latest version improves support for Android 4.0 devices and includes performance improvements, so grab it while you still can.

What’s new in this version:

This update to Adobe Flash Player 11 includes compatibility with Android 4 supported devices, performance improvements and bug fixes related to security and stability. The complete set of release notes can be found at: http://adobe.ly/s16mAXAdobe Flash Player 11Adobe SystemsMARKETQRPOWERED BY APPAWAREFacebook for Android – Version varies with device

Facebook is the most popular Android app and it saw a major update this week. New additions includes games, faster navigation, access to mobile timelines, and more. Consider this a must update for any Facebook fans.

What’s new in this version:

Navigate anywhere, fast: Get to your groups, apps, pages, and settings with a single pressSearch and you will discover: Look through friends, subscribers, apps, and pagesSee your friends tags on pictures and zoom: New photo viewing experienceFaster notifications: Get alerted in real time with new push notificationsGames & Apps: Play games and access your favorite apps on the goAccess to mobile timeline (If you already have a timeline)Access to friend lists and subscriptionsFacebook for AndroidFacebookMARKETQRPOWERED BY APPAWAREKindle – Version varies with device

I don’t know what triggered it, but Kindle has seen an explosion in installs during the last 30 days. This recent update is just a minor bug fix, so we have nothing cool to report. If you have never checked out Kindle, they have thousands of free ebooks to read along with over a million books to purchase.

What’s new in this version:

Fixed a critical bug where the app would not open on certain devices.KindleAMZN Mobile LLCMARKETQRPOWERED BY APPAWARELookout Security & Antivirus – Version 7.4-8155d1c

I consider Lookout Security a must install for Android users. Not everyone needs the antivirus scanning features, but it’s always nice to have that extra layer of security. The real reason I use it is for the phone locating feature that provides a peace of mind in case I ever lose my device. We also appreciate the Lookout blog that attempts to educate users rather than scare them like most security firms.

What’s new in this version:

Lookout now supports French and Japanese! Set your device’s language to French or Japanese to access this functionality.Threat details now available in German, French and Japanese for security and privacy alerts.Lookout Security & AntivirusLookout Mobile SecurityMARKETQRPOWERED BY APPAWAREES File Explorer – Version 1.6.1.1

Can you believe Android still doesn’t have an official file manager? Android 3.0 added a downloads manager which helped a little, but I still find myself needing a full featured file manager at times. ES File Manager is the one I go to most often, and other users love it too. It currently has an average rating of 4.7, which is amazing when you consider it has over 10 million installs.

What’s new in this version:

Batch UninstallDisk Usage GraphUninstall System AppCustomize BackgroundChange LanguageES File ExplorerEStrongs Inc.MARKETQRPOWERED BY APPAWARETitanium Backup ★ root - Version 4.7.7.1

If your Android device is rooted, Titanium Backup has a special version just for you. It has too many features to even list, so check out the Market description if you are rooted. Titanium Backup was recently voted as the top app for rooted devices and maintains an average review score of 4.8 with over 4 million installs.

What’s new in this version:

Added support for MIPS platforms (experimental)Fixed FC when creating TB widgets (sorry!)Updated translationsThis is a bugfix releaseTitanium Backup ★ rootTitanium TrackMARKETQRPOWERED BY APPAWAREPulse News – Version 2.7.6

When I read my news, I prefer Google Reader for its simplicity and speed. For those that want a more visual friendly version of the news, I suggest Pulse. This update is a minor one, but the last version added a completely redesigned catalog of content and a feature called Smart Dock, that recommends sources based on what you read. If you use Pulse, make sure to browse their Android catalog and add Android and Me to your sources!

What’s new in this version:

blank reading view bug fixedfollows global sync settings (requires new permission)Pulse NewsAlphonso LabsMARKETQRPOWERED BY APPAWAREFirefox – Version 10.0.2

Before I switched to Chrome a couple years ago, Firefox was my browser of choice. I haven’t touched Firefox in years, but it’s still a popular alternative browser. However, it appears their mobile version is still pretty sub-par with an average review score of 3.5. This update is minor, but you might want to check it out if you haven’t used it since they moved to version 10.0.

What’s new in this version:

Improved Sync set-upBug fixesFirefoxMozillaMARKETQRPOWERED BY APPAWARELayar – Version 6.1

Layar is one of those cool augmented reality apps that is fun to show off to your friends, but not something that you actually use that much. I’ve had it installed on my phone for awhile, but I rarely open it up. Over 10 million people have installed it, but it only has an average review score of 3.6. The latest version features a “friendlier design”, so check it out if you haven’t played with it in years.

What’s new in this version:

Directly Access Scan View via improved app navigationApp opens in scan modeTap to View: tap anywhere on the screen to initiate scanFriendlier designLayarLayarMARKETQRPOWERED BY APPAWAREHonorable mentions

Did you see any Android apps that received notable updates in the last week? Share your suggestions in the comments below and we will add them to our honorable mentions list.

Bump 3.0: “Bump is totally new! Bump two phones together to share photos, contacts, and apps!”

BumpBump Technologies, IncMARKETQRPOWERED BY APPAWARE

Flickr: “9 New languages! German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Bahasa Indonesia.”

FlickrYahoo! Inc.MARKETQRPOWERED BY APPAWARE Taylor is the founder of Android and Me. He resides in Dallas and carries the Verizon Galaxy Nexus as his daily device. Ask him a question on Twitter or Google+ and he is likely to respond. Tagged#android applications#Bump#ES File Explorer#facebook for android#firefox#flash player 11#google maps#kindle#Layar#Lookout Security#Pulse News#Titanium Backup#top 10#top 10 android app updates .nrelate .nr_sponsored{ left:0px !important; }.nrelate .nr_sponsored{ left:0px !important; } 24 Comments Join the discussion!Sort by DateRating 96spazby 02/17/12 10:58 AM Thumb upThumb down 0

Great update, thanks

Reply 90YellowDucati 02/17/12 11:06 AM Thumb upThumb down +5

Is using a phone without virus scan equal to unprotected relations with a partner? If so I may be in trouble.

Reply 60Jorge Branco 02/18/12 7:57 AM Thumb upThumb down +7

I’d say roughly equal to kissing a girl without a condom. Or maybe riding a bike without a seatbelt

Reply 60OpenIntro 02/17/12 11:07 AM Thumb upThumb down 0

Bump 3.0 was a fairly significant update.

Reply 100Taylor Wimberly 02/17/12 11:16 AM Thumb upThumb down 0

Thanks! Added it to the list. I don’t think it made the top 10 since it was only updated yesterday and not many people installed it yet.

Reply 5Stigy 02/17/12 11:29 AM Thumb upThumb down 0

I love that they removed most of the unused features — there will definitely be some complaints over that, but I feel it made the service go back to its roots and what it was designed for.

Definitely loving the new version!

Reply 98Clark Wimberly 02/17/12 11:28 AM Thumb upThumb down +1

Flickr just updated to support 9 new languages, something our international crowd might have been waiting for.

Reply 100Taylor Wimberly 02/17/12 12:33 PM Thumb upThumb down 0

Added.

Reply 91ArticulateFool 02/17/12 11:33 AM Thumb upThumb down +3

Sometimes I see all my app updates each week and am flat out amazed at the time and effort these developers put into Android.

Thanks to all those developers for making Android what it is today.

Reply 100BiGMERF 02/17/12 12:01 PM Thumb upThumb down -1

I know it’s not on the market but swypes update for ics is with a mention

Reply 100BiGMERF 02/17/12 12:02 PM Thumb upThumb down +2

As it corrected worth and added “with” instead

Reply 100Taylor Wimberly 02/17/12 12:33 PM Thumb upThumb down +1

I’m trying to keep this list Android Market only, so I left it out. Plus we already posted about Swype this week.

Reply 84delinear 02/17/12 12:07 PM Thumb upThumb down +1

For me definitely, it’s one of the big ones I was waiting for on ICS, it’s good to have it back :)

Reply 88schofieldesign 02/17/12 12:17 PM Thumb upThumb down 0

Es file explorer is my favorite filing app, better than astro imo. Titanium is also a staple, but I recently heard of backdrop root which does a lot of things automatically you’d normally have to do manually with titanium

Reply Guy BaileyGuest 02/17/12 3:36 PM Thumb upThumb down +1

What are the main differences with ES and Astro?

Reply 0dreamz 02/17/12 12:45 PM Thumb upThumb down -2

thanks for sharing, great list though – i have noticed one thing that usually in a list, few of the apps are amazing and rest just covers the list up – but for a person who is always dependent on other’s choices via internet sharing, these lists are good to have.

Reply 68Trinhbo 02/17/12 2:37 PM Thumb upThumb down +2

I’m not sure what was changed in Facebook. I’ve read elsewhere that the change log they included in this update was the same one they posted a year ago.

Reply GE 918Guest 02/17/12 4:12 PM Thumb upThumb down 0

Thanks for the list.

Reply 77sylar 02/17/12 5:41 PM Thumb upThumb down +1

Thank you I reinstalled appaware, I had forgotten all about that useful little app.

Reply 45EwanRGR 02/17/12 11:35 PM Thumb upThumb down +1

I’ve always wondered, how does ES File Explorer make money? I wouldn’t ask except that since it doesn’t seem to include ads, and there’s no paid version, I’m wondering what else they could be doing?

Reply sumit meenaGuest 02/18/12 2:55 AM Thumb upThumb down 0

great updates,i got them.

Reply JaylanPHNXGuest 02/18/12 9:04 AM Thumb upThumb down -2

If you’re looking for a great kindle book for only $2.99, check out Endangered Species by R. Jaylan Phoenix. It’s got werewolves, vampires, wereravens, and a nurse with a gun.

Reply JimmyGuest 1 day ago Thumb upThumb down -2

Some Android apps that we just can’t live without:

http://market.android.com/details?id=com.variousApps.CheckSplitter
http://market.android.com/details?id=com.webs.samrapplications.tip_calculator
http://market.android.com/details?id=com.handyapps.tipsplit10

Reply 0CORYK333 4 hours ago Thumb upThumb down 0

No shame, eh??

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