Android apps are primarily instruments in your telephone — proper?

From productiveness to privateness and all the pieces in between, having the proper set of apps in your telephone could make all of the distinction on this planet in relation to getting stuff executed.

It appears nearly foolish, then, to speak about instruments to handle these instruments — Android apps designed particularly to boost your capability to search out and successfully use different Android apps.

We’re venturing into barely Escher-esque, Matrix-like waters right here, I understand, however hear me out: Spacey as it could sound, having a pair particular apps for higher managing your Android apps can shoot your smartphone productiveness to hovering new heights.

As a complement to our latest exploration of Google Play Retailer secrets and techniques, I wish to convey two such titles to your consideration. They’re off-the-beaten-path instruments that’ll (a) prevent cash and (b) allow you to make the most of cutting-edge new options inside your current Android apps earlier than anybody else even is aware of about ’em.

[Psst: Love Android? Get advanced tips and tools in your inbox with my Android Intelligence newsletter. Three new things to try every Friday!]

Let’s get into it, we could?

Android app device No. 1: The good sale sensor

Our first Android app enhancement fulfills the primary a part of my promise from a second in the past — the flexibility to avoid wasting you cash whereas additionally serving to you uncover worthwhile new stuff.

It is a good little device referred to as AppSales, and it is one thing which will ring a bell for the exceptionally good and shapely people who already obtain my Android Intelligence e-newsletter. It made the lower as of my favourite Android-enhancing shares of latest months, the truth is, and whether or not you bear in mind it or are listening to about it for the primary time now, it is a incredible addition to pin firmly to the highest of your noggin and get within the behavior of utilizing.

AppSales does precisely what its title suggests: It watches the Google Play Retailer like a hawk and allows you to know when any vital gross sales on standout apps turn out to be out there.

You may flick thru present app gross sales; filter by classes, key phrases, or rankings; and create your personal customized watchlist for pay-to-play apps you are particularly desirous to snag. You may even slim the sphere right down to solely premium apps which can be quickly out there without cost, in the event you’re feeling particularly thrifty.

JR

AppSales itself is free to make use of, with an elective $1-a-month or $2-a-year premium improve that removes some mildly irksome adverts all through the app’s interface and allows you to see prolonged histories for the way totally different apps’ costs have fluctuated over time.

The app would not require any uncommon permissions, and its privateness coverage would not include something particularly eyebrow-raising.

Plain and easy, in the event you aren’t utilizing it, you are lacking out — each on saving helpful moolah on the stuff you already need and on discovering attention-grabbing new apps which can be deeply discounted and that you just won’t’ve in any other case found.

And talking of stumbling onto attention-grabbing new issues…

Android app device No. 2: Your early entry genie

Most mere mortals do not realize it, however the Google Play Retailer permits Android app builders to supply a particular beta path that empowers chosen customers of their wares to expertise shiny new options and enhancements earlier than they’re rolled out to the plenty.

It is one thing lots of Google’s personal apps embrace, as do numerous different titles from builders each massive and small.

Now, to be clear: Similar to with any prerelease software program, signing up for an Android app’s beta path can sometimes convey some sudden quirks into your surroundings. In my expertise, that is fairly uncommon. And in the event you ever do run into one thing that is not working as anticipated with a beta-enabled app, it takes all of 10 seconds to bump your self again right down to its common, non-beta path.

This is the twist, although: Whereas you will discover and discover Android app beta choices from the Play Retailer, that course of is fairly clunky and inefficient. You fairly actually need to open up each particular person app’s web page after which scroll via it to see if it has the choice out there. And sometimes, apps may have a beta program however will hold a cap on the quantity of people that can be a part of it at any given second — so even in the event you handle to search out it, you will not have the ability to get in.

That is the place a helpful little creation referred to as Beta Maniac comes into play. Initially, Beta Maniac makes it extremely straightforward to see which apps in your telephone have beta packages out there after which to hitch ’em proper then and there, with one quick faucet and about seven seconds of whole effort.

JR

Past that, it permits you to see an inventory of apps in your telephone which have beta packages however aren’t at the moment accepting new customers — after which so as to add such apps to a particular wishlist. That causes Beta Maniac to inform you as quickly as a spot is offered so you’ll be able to gallop proper in and beat everybody else to the punch.

JR

Beta Maniac is free to make use of with some pretty annoying adverts peppered all through its interface. You may disable these adverts and in addition unlock an choice to mechanically be a part of beta packages as they turn out to be out there by upgrading to the app’s premium model for $1 a month, in the event you’re so inclined.

The app would not require any uncommon permissions, both, and it would not acquire or share any method of person knowledge.

So there ya have it. With these two instruments in your digital toolbox, you may see Android apps in an entire new manner — and each your pockets and your productiveness will thanks.

Get much more helpful Googley information with my Android Intelligence e-newsletter. Three new issues to strive in your inbox each Friday and three bonus suggestions as quickly as you join!