Best Android Apps of the Week: Sleep Better, Whatsapp, Maps 9.0, and More

Best Android Apps of the Week: Sleep Better, Whatsapp, Maps 9.0, and More

Because it’s Monday, we are here to bring you another edition of our weekly Best Android Apps post. In our column you will be able to find the most noteworthy apps that were released in Google’s Play Store in a week’s time.

The Android 5.0 Lollipop update is still nowhere to be found, but it doesn’t mean that you won’t get an early taste of it. Google and other developers are already preparing their apps for the imminent Lollipop roll out with Material Design-inspired interfaces.

As usual, in the Best Android Apps of the Week post you will be able to find both new apps and apps that received noteworthy updates. Some of the apps may be free, other might have in-app purchases, and some may be payed apps, so pay attention when downloading.

Sleep Better – Free

Sleep Better is an app developed by the folks at Runtastic. Just like other similar apps available in Play Store it aims to track your sleeping patterns and help you get a good night’s sleep.

In order for Sleep Better to work, you must start a session and place your phone on the bed next to you. This app might not be as accurate if you have a sleeping partner. You must also specify if you worked out that day, if you had a stressful day, or other elements that might affect your sleep. Sleep Better also integrates a smart alarm that will wake you up using your sleep cycles.

Sleep Better is free and it’s available for download from Play Storehere. You can unlock all its features using in-app purchases.

WhatsApp Messenger – Free

Whatsapp is the most popular messaging service in the world. Well, their app has received an update with a new feature that might not be that cool.

So far, you couldn’t tell for sure whether someone read your message. Of course, you could speculate based on their last seen timing, but you couldn’t accuse anybody. Now WhatsApp shows when someone reads your message by turning the two grey checkmarks blue.

The new Whatsapp version is now being rolled out to users and it’s up to you to update it or not. Rumor has it that the next Whatsapp update will let you turn the blue checkmarks off.

RunKeeper – Free

RunKeeper is a popular exercise tracker app. Now it has received an update to work with Google’s new fitness platform.

The latest RunKeeper update brings Google Fit integration, but you will  have to enable it from Settings. Go to RunKeeper’s Settings, scroll down to Sharing Settings, then enable it from the Google Fit option by giving it access to your account.

RunKeeper is free. You can download it from Play Store using this link.

Google Maps 9.0 – Free

Google is in a rush to update their apps for the Lollipop update. After may of their services got an update over the past couple of weeks, Google Maps was updated to version 9.0 last week.

As you might have guessed already, Google Maps 9.0 aligns with the Material Design guidelines. Besides that it has deeper Uber integration and OpenTable integration to reserve a table right from the Maps info card.

The update is now being pushed to users. You can also check the app in Play Store here.

Pushbullet – Free

Pushbullet is, in my opinion, a must-have app for any Android user. The very useful app became even more useful after last week’s update.

Among others, Pushbullet allows you sent links from your phone to the computer and vice-versa and to mirror your phone notifications on your PC. After the new update, you will be able to initiate SMS directly from your computer.

The update is already being pushed to users. Pushbullet is free and it can be downloaded from Play Store here.

Google Calendar 5.0 – Free

Calendar is another Google app that got prepared for the Lollipop roll out. The new update bumps it to version 5.0.

Google Calendar 5.0 is compatible with devices running Android 4.0.3 and up and as you might have guessed already brings a Material Design interface. It brings a new layout for the schedule with 5-day view on the phones, integration from Gmail events and reminders, and more.

Google Calendar 5.0 is already available for download in Play Store. You can check out the app here.

Pocket 5.7 – Free

The folks at Google are not the only ones readying their apps for the big Lollipop rollout. Last week has brought as an update for Pocket.

Pocket 5.7 brings a Material Design-inspired interface so you can now save articles for offline reading in style. While the status bar is grey in the app rather than lack, in the recents screen you will notice that it changes to red.

Pocket 5.7 is already being rolled out to users. You can check the app in Play Store here.