Oh, how we love our Granny Smith. Probably labeled as the game we talk about more than any other, this game just has a special place in our hearts. Today, it received an update through Google Play that could be bringing me back for some roller skating action.

Starting now, users can access global leaderboards and game achievements, bringing new adventure to the title by way of Google Play game services, the new feature that was launched by Google at this year’s I/O. Once signed into your Google+ account, you can choose to share challenges and medals you have earned, making your online friends super jealous. I’ll be darned if Kellen thinks he’ll be at #1 forever, at least in my circle of friends. 

If you want to check out the new list of achievements, go grab the game through Google Play. I this is the first time you have heard of Granny Smith, stop what you are doing and get on that.

Play Link ($1.99)

Granny Smith Updated, Brings Achievements and Global Leaderboards is a post from: Droid Life

So, you got a fancy new Android phone for the holidays! Congratulations! Now that you’re all set up, the only thing left to do is find the best apps and start having some fun. Google Play offers thousands of different applications and games to choose from, so without getting lost looking through countless pages of apps, allow us to drop some knowledge on you.

These are our top 10 recommendations to get you started with Android. 

1.  Chrome (free):

Earlier this year, Google released Chrome for Android and changed the way folks were using their Internet browsers. With Chrome, your mobile device and desktop computer’s tabs/browsing history can be perfectly synced, allowing for a fantastic browsing experience while on the go. Were you looking up that perfect spot for lunch on your desktop and forgot the name while on your way? Chrome has you covered. It’s free on Google Play and is always the first app we suggest to new Android users.

2.  Falcon Pro ($0.99):

Our love for the Falcon Pro app for Twitter is well known in these parts. We even did a full review on the app just to inform the masses of its existence. What makes the app so great is the user experience. The app is built amazingly well and offers up a very smooth, yet easy-to-navigate experience. It features swipe controls that help you go through your different feeds, which allows you to only see and read what you want. When it comes to Twitter apps, Falcon Pro rules the roost.

3.  SwiftKey 3 Keyboard ($1.99):

For Android users, having a third party keyboard can be a major plus. There are a lot of different options out there and we have found that SwiftKey 3 (especially the new beta, Flow) takes the cake. As for me, I type extremely fast, so I need a keyboard whose auto correct I can actually rely on. The app also offers up a ton of customization options such as themes, layout options, and more. To top that off, it offers usage statistics that show you your typing efficiency and things of that nature. Definitely worth the price.

4.  Instagram (free):

Instagram makes our list given that we feel it to be the “perfect social network.” None of those silly status updates – just pictures that give you a peak into the lives of those you care about. And of course, you can follow some celebs if you are so inclined. You can always check out Facebook, Google+, and Tumblr as well.

5.  Nova Launcher (free):

Custom launchers are one of the many things that makes Android great. If you aren’t happy with the stock home experience, you can change it! What makes Nova our go-to launcher is that we simply love the performance and customization options. Once applied, it gives you the ability to use custom icons, adjust grid sizes, change home screen transitions, manipulate the app drawer, and so much more. If there was something in your stock home experience that you weren’t enjoying, Nova likely has a fix. Also, if you’re looking for a good custom icon pack, check our Lustre and Tersus from Google Play.

6.  Snapseed (free):

Snapseed is relatively new to Android, but it has already become one of our new favorites. Previously only available for iOS devices, it is award-winning photo editing software that puts many other “filter apps” to complete shame. With swipe controls that put you in command of some powerful editing tools, you can turn your silly smartphone pictures into works of art. Once you are done editing your pictures, you can easily share them to your favorite social network or save them to your device. What makes it even better is that it is completely free.

7.  Games (Granny Smith, Need for Speed: Most Wanted):

Okay, we couldn’t narrow it down to just a single game, so we will give you two to get started. For starters, if you know anything about us, you will know we love Granny Smith. We named it our top game of 2012 and for good reason – it’s addictive! To start, it’s nice and easy and then evolves into a game that can become frustrating and extremely difficult, all while being completely enjoyable to play. It’s priced at $1.99, but is a game that we can’t get enough of. Secondly, we have Need For Speed: Most Wanted. To put it simply, it’s the best driving game on Android. Period. For having tilt controls and some touchscreen controls, the game plays extremely well. The graphics are insanely sweet, but it does come paired with a high $5.99 price tag. Act quick and you can still get it on sale for $0.99.

8.  AppSales (free):

This app is fantastic. It’s sole purpose is to save you money on the apps you want. Everyday, AppSales is updated to show which apps on Google Play are currently on sale. From using this app, I’ve easily saved $10 on apps/games, which is a win in my book. Definitely install this one if you’re big into buying content for your device.

9.  Beautiful Widgets ($2.50)

Beautiful Widgets has been around since the beginning, and it’s always on our list of recommendations for new Android users. With the newest updates the app has received, it has blossomed into an amazing widget application, with a literal ton of different options to choose from. Once one of the widgets is applied to your homescreen, you can see the time, current weather reports for your location or another location, dates, and access your alarms all from your homescreen. There isn’t a single option you can’t customize, which allows users to make a widget that fits their device and lifestyle with relative ease. The app runs a couple of dollars, but it could be some of the best money you spend in a long time.

10.  Dropbox (free):

Being able to have all of your important files/media on the go is important to everyone, not just Android users. With Dropbox, you have a safe place to store your important photos, videos, work files, and everything else that you don’t want stored on your device. Dropbox is one of the must-have apps for any Android user.

Honorable Mentions:

The below listed apps didn’t make our top 10, but they certainly deserve a mention. Some are apps for getting work done, and the others are games that will help you waste that extra time you have. Either way, these are just a few more apps that we can’t live without as Android users.

1.  Flipboard (free)
2.  Pattrn (free)
3.  Grand Theft Auto: Vice City ($4.99)
4.  Adobe Reader (free)
5.  Zombiewood (free)
6.  Google Currents (free)
7.  Sound Search (free)
8.  Ingress (free)

If you have any apps that you want to share with the community, feel free to list them below in the comments section. Have a good time with your new device!

Top 10 Apps For Your New Android Device is a post from: Droid Life

It’s sort of the running joke here at the DL office that Kellex just can’t get enough Granny Smith. For some reason, this game has consumed his life and today, it’s gotten even worse. With nine new bonus levels, and an official “hard mode” for experts, we may not be seeing him for quite some time.

If you’re as much of a fiend for Granny as he is, then go grab the update in Google Play. If you have yet to play Granny Smith, go try it out. You won’t be disappointed.

Play Link

Granny Smith Updated With 9 New Bonus Levels, Kellex Takes the Day Off is a post from: Droid Life

Over the weekend, an update to Granny Smith (my game of the year) introduced 12 new space-themed levels. The increased difficulty from the original set to these new levels was immediately noticed, causing a flood of negative comments to hit the game’s Play store listing. People were apparently disappointed in the idea that the game wouldn’t be a cake walk any longer and that they would actually have to master the game in order to beat it. But I digress. 

This morning, the makers of the game released an update that dumbs down all of the new space levels, putting them on par with the original set. The little boy is now much slower, wires have been extended from places that they were previously tough to reach, and some obstacles have changed to make for easier landing and less exact timing. Take the picture above as an example. You can see that the rock containing an apple on the 7th level is now double the size, but also includes a ramp should you miss it short.

For those of you who beat the original space levels with 3 apples, props. For those that complained, well, you win.

Play Link

Granny Smith Makers Cave Into Difficulty Complaints, New Update Makes Space Levels Much Easier is a post from: Droid Life

Granny Smith, a game I just dubbed “game of the year,” received its first major update today that included 12 new space themed levels. As you would expect in space, the gravity is light, the levels are tougher than ever, and that pesky boy seems to have gotten faster. You have to think much differently to successfully motor through these than you did with normal gravity, that’s for sure. Go get it!

Play Link ($0.99)

Cheers Walt!

Granny Smith Update Introduces 12 New Space Levels is a post from: Droid Life

From the same team that happened to make one of Android’s more popular titles called Sprinkle, comes Granny Smith. Granny Smith, quite possible could be one of the more silly, fun, and addicting games I have played in a while. For just $1, you send Granny flying down hill after hill smashing through glass, homes, and caves to reach the apples before some chubby bandit gets them. Depending on how many of the apples you get, determines whether you move on to the next level. 

The controls are smooth, the graphics are cute in a cartoon-ish sort of way, and the overall play again factor is extremely high. Go check it out and let us know what you think.

Play Link ($0.99)

Click here to view the embedded video.

Granny Smith for Android – Send Granny Flying for Those Apples is a post from: Droid Life