The six best podcast apps for Android

While we usually think of our mobile devices as great for music listening of all kinds, increasingly our Android phones and tablets are being used for listening to podcasts. We produce a bunch of them here at Mobile Nations, and the popularity and scale of the podcast continues to grow. But just as is the case with music player apps, not all podcast players are created equally.

Thankfully Android is blessed with a strong selection of podcast apps to choose from, but there are some more worth your time – and money – than others. So, head on past the break to see the top podcast apps for Android. And once you've chosen, why not subscribe to the Android Central podcast and join us each week for a listen!

1. Pocket Casts

Pocket Casts has long been a favorite among avid podcast listeners, but in its current incarnation it has arguably risen to the top of the mountain. If you want style and function, cloud sync, a huge library, video support, variable speed playback oh and not forgetting Chromecast support, then look no further. The folks at Shifty Jelly have you covered with all of those.
Add to all that a widget, full controls in the notification tray, auto download and delete, filters and playlists, a sleep timer and OPML import and export support and you're looking at one of the most full featured podcast apps available in Google Play. And it goes beyond Google Play, too. Pocket Casts is also available on iOS and the web, keeping your podcasts in sync no matter what device you're on.
Pocket Casts also takes on the task of podcast discovery and pretty much succeeds. The featured, trending and top podcast sections are brimmed with a bevy of shows covering all kinds of different subject areas. If you really are looking for one of the very best, then give Pocket Casts at least a look. The developers also post probably the best changelogs anywhere in the Play Store!
DOWNLOAD: Pocket Casts ($3.99)

2. BeyondPod

BeyondPod used to lack the visual flare of something like Pocket Casts, but it always brought it where it matters most. And now, it's also a damn fine looking app with its recent redesign. A favorite of many for a long time now, BeyondPod has power, features and access to a huge library of podcasts that should please even the most obscure show hunter.
It too has Chromecast support, something fast becoming a "must have" when it comes to media delivery applications, as well as cross-device sync and automatic background downloading. BeyondPod is available to trial, in full free for 7 days before you need to pay up the $6.99 for the full version. That's a nice touch and not something seen every day.
With that free trial, BeyondPod should certainly be given a look.
DOWNLOAD: BeyondPod ($6.99, 7 day free trial)

3. Podcast Addict

Podcast Addict is a free, ad-supported or paid-for premium podcatcher that may lack a little on the visuals but more than makes up in the features. It'll let you import your feeds from a number of sources but it'll also help you easily find some great new content to listen to. Search by channel, interests and more, and Podcast Addict will come up with the goods.
Besides podcasts, though, it'll also let you organize RSS feeds and YouTube channels which is something competing apps don't offer. It's also got Chromecast support built in which is fast becoming a must have feature. After all, why wouldn't you want to listen to your podcasts on the best speakers you own?
The option of a truly free and ad-supported version is appealing, but if you're going to be spending the $2.99 to remove the ads you may want to consider one of the prettier options out there. But if you're all about function over form, Podcast Addict will suit you just fine.
DOWNLOAD: Podcast Addict (Free, $2.99 to remove ads)

4. Doggcatcher

Doggcatcher is another long time favorite, indeed it once claimed the title of Android Central's Editors Choice for podcast app of the year – back in 2011 if you were wondering. The alternative choices weren't quite as strong as they are today, but Doggcatcher is still a strong choice.
The UI has gotten better with the past few updates, but still feels a step behind the leading competition. What it lacks in the user interface department it makes up for everywhere else, though — the way it handles podcasts with its auto download and delete, variable speed playback and feed categorization makes it worth checking out. And it has Chromecast support which we love to see.
At $2.99 all-in it's an inexpensive choice in the grand scheme of apps as well, so it's really worth giving a shot.
DOWNLOAD: Doggcatcher ($2.99)

5. Player FM

If you're looking for one of the most modern looking podcast players on Android, Player FM is where it's at. Embracing Google's new Material Design principles, Player FM just looks amazing. There's no other way to describe it. Beneath the good looks though, Player FM is packed with useful features like cross-device subscription sync and support for both Chromecast and Android Wear.
One of the other strong points to Player FM is its excellent discoverability features. Be it individual shows or subscribing to channels, you're going to be well looked after in finding some quality content. Tell it what you're interested in and watch it work its magic.
Oh, and it's completely free — forever, not just a trial — for up to 20 subscriptions, with a new Gold service coming to unlock unlimited subscriptions and a few other neat features.
DOWNLOAD: Player FM (Free)

6. Stitcher for Podcasts

Stitcher may be mostly known as an internet radio service, but it's also a great podcast service as well. You can browse and add all of your favorite podcasts, and "stitch" them together into stations for listening in the order you want. You can also keep up with breaking and daily news through a variety of top news programs to mix it up from your normal weekly podcasts. There's single sign-on support from Google and Facebook, which is convenient as well.
It's still sticking to its older-style of design that doesn't quite look as modern as Pocket Casts and Player FM do, but it's functional and familiar to folks who have been using Stitcher for years. And the fact that you're getting this many features in a free app definitely makes it worth considering.
DOWNLOAD: Stitcher for Podcasts (Free)

The 5 best keyboard apps for Android

Keyboards are important. Really important. Without a good keyboard, communicating on a smartphone can go from heavenly bliss straight back to teeth-pulling torture. Keyboards are also one of the most important apps you select from a security standpoint, as they are by their very nature keyloggers. And while most users will never really need to worry about if their keyboard is stealing their emails and passwords as they type it in, it is something that you should keep in mind if you're checking out a keyboard that you know absolutely nothing about.

There are a number of great keyboards out there, each with its own features, flaws, and followings. There are utterly simplistic keyboards and bleeding-edge keyboards with a longer list of features than some smartphones. Finding a keyboard that fits you and your lifestyle can be a bit daunting.
Whatever your style may be, these are the five keyboards that we think stand above the rest, and may be worthy of composing your LOLs and WTFs.

SwiftKey

You can't talk about keyboards without someone chiming in about SwiftKey, one of the most popular keyboards on Android. For years, SwiftKey soared above Google's included keyboard, and it did — and still does — come preinstalled on many a phone and tablet. SwiftKey's prediction methods, called the "fluency engine," has made it the keyboard that many users and editors alike keep coming back to. SwiftKey has been pre-loaded on millions of devices over the years, including on flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S4.
While SwiftKey used to be a paid app, the keyboard itself went free last year, instead having users pay for themes — such as their Frozen theme pack. SwiftKey led the keyboard pack for a while, but don't think they're the only game in town.
Download SwiftKey

Swype

Swype is to SwiftKey as GM is to Ford. Both are established, respected, feature-rich keyboards. Swype allows you to swipe out words or whole sentences, and Swype supports typing in two languages at once, for bilingual users. Swype offers a free version, but the full version is a dollar, and themes are an additional two dollars apiece. For those uninterested in having Elsa on they keyboard, Swype offers sports themes, including Major League Soccer themes.
Swype ties into Android's Accessibility features for TalkBack and Explore By Touch, which make Swype a keyboard vision-impaired users can learn more easily on their own. Copy/Cut/Paste functions are embedded as gestures in Swype's keyboard, too. Swype all the things!
Download Swype

Google Keyboard

While years ago, Google's built-in android keyboard was considered a bit of a slouch, it's built to compete today. The Google Keyboard is completely free, supports gesture typing for both individual words and entire sentences, a bounty of languages, a modest choice of themes, and it was the first keyboard to feature the full library of Kit Kat emoji last year. That may not sound like much, but after years of mediocre or downright dreadful emoji from the OEMs and keyboard manufacturers, Kit Kat system emoji was a welcome change and drew in quite a few users before third-party keyboards began to integrate it.
The Google Keyboard employs Google's own text-to-speech engine for voice dictation, and the many advancements in voice recognition made for Google Now and Android Wear over the last few years have benefitted this keyboard greatly. Google's keyboard still has a little ways to go on the text prediction, but it does learn from your typed data across Google's apps and services.
Download Google Keyboard

Fleksy

Fleksy is a keyboard that exudes class with its minimalist styling and its artfully done themes — if you want a Frozen keyboard theme that actually looks good, go get the Fleksy one. Now, make no mistake, Fleksy is not a cheap keyboard, though they do offer a 30-day trial to decide if it's worth the $1.99. After paying for the keyboard, most premium themes are also paid, including licensed themes like Frozen and The Hunger Games.
Beyond more traditional customization options like a fifth row for numbers and support for more layouts than your standard QWERTY and DVORAK, Fleksy's keyboard has extensions, allowing it to send things like gifs or work while becoming invisible. Another interesting addition to Fleksy is are the badges and rewards system that encourages users to master the keyboard and its features.
Download Fleksy

TouchPal

TouchPal is one of the lesser-recognized keyboards out there, but a few useful features have helped it stand out and get over 10 million installs. TouchPal's keyboard held the freemium model of an always-free keyboard with a paid theme store and paid cloud syncing before SwiftKey and the rest of the field headed that direction. However, while you can pay for premium themes, you also have the option to simply upload your own background image and make your own for free.
What has stood out about TouchPal for me, and made it my primary keyboard for the last year now are three things: the dialogue between the developers and the beta community, swiping from the backspace to delete the last word, and swiping the space bar up to access the emoji drawer, which supports system emoji and now emoji art and emoticons.
Download TouchPal

Which keyboard do you use?

What keyboard do you use?

SwiftKeySwypeGoogle KeyboardFleskyTouchPalOther (tell us in the comments!)

So, which keyboard graces your device? Do you prefer a more simplistic keyboard or a model with more bells and whistles? Chime in below in the comments section with your keyboard setup.

The best free Android games

Did you just pick up a new Android device? Maybe you’re looking for a new, cheap way to kill time? You’re in luck - we’ve got some games here that look and play great on the big and small screen alike, and they’re all available for the low, low price of free.

It’s worth keeping in mind that just about all of these employ in-app purchases of some kind or another. We know there are plenty of you that would willingly pay up front for a quality game, but there are plenty of good free games out there too. We’re trying to avoid “lite” games, since you won’t get a lot of replay value by only having the first couple of levels and being pestered to upgrade (pay) for the rest. That said, if the freemium model is a dealbreaker, this probably isn’t the round-up for you. Developers gotta eat.
Without further ado, here’s our list of the best free Android games. Don’t be shy to sing out in the comments with your favorite free games for Android.

Asphalt 8: Airborne

Asphalt 8: Airborne is our favorite racing game on mobile right now. It skips all pretensions of realism and provides an over-the-top, high-octane game with all the fixings. Players can work their way through the career mode, unlock new rides, upgrade the ones they have, or take the competition online in staggered or live multiplayer. The usual race modes are there, plus a new Infected one where players have to tag other racers before succumbing to an explosive virus.
The incredibly polished graphics and outstanding soundtrack make Asphalt 8 an adrenaline trip you won’t soon forget.

Download Asphalt 8: Airborne now for free

Dumb Ways to Die

In Dumb Ways to Die, players have to successfully get through a gauntlet of simple mini-games for as long as possible, though they progressively grow more difficult. These can range from shooing piranhas away from your crotch, swatting bugs, and holding onto balloons so you don't dive onto the tracks. You get three failures before it’s game over. The art style fantastically morbid - cute little characters are constantly getting maimed in new and exciting ways. As you play, you unlock more of the victims/idiots for your collection. The best part about this game is that it's actually a kind of public service warning by the Melbourne transit association to make sure people don't do stupid things near the tracks. There's even a music video. Well-played, Australia. Well-played.
For a dark-but-cute test of reflexes, Dumb Ways to Die is fantastic.

Download Dumb Ways to Die now for free

Dead Trigger 2

Dead Trigger 2 brings rootin’-tootin’ first-person-shootin’ back to the zombie apocalypse. Despite the altogether realistic visuals, Dead Trigger 2 remains chock-full of tongue-in-cheek humor. Controls use a fast and natural auto-fire mechanism which keeps the focus on moving and aiming. More notably, there’s a robust hideout and crafting system where you get various assistants to build stuff for you, though it takes time. There is a premium currency in place, but it’s used almost exclusively to speed up building times; all weapons can be created and upgraded using the currency you earn throughout gameplay. Regular events bring players to new parts of the world, with collective rewards if goals are met.
If you’re looking for a high-quality shooter, you’ll have a hard time finding something better than Dead Trigger 2.

Download Dead Trigger 2 now for free

Dots

Dots is a light, casual, and addictive puzzle game where players need to line up same-colored dots as quickly as possible. You’ve got a limited number of time or moves to gather up these dots by matching them, get bonuses for tracing closed loops, and once you run out, the dots you’ve gathered can be spent on consumable power-ups. There’s also a local multiplayer mode if you want to see how your friends stack up.
Dots is fun, sharply designed and highly accessible - give it a shot!

Download Dots now for free

Dungeon Hunter 4

Dungeon Hunter 4 is a fast-paced action-RPG that plays like butter. Players hack and slash their way through an extensive single-player campaign, gather loot and gear, level up their abilities, and eventually take the fight into online multiplayer, both co-operatively and competitively. The graphics, particularly during boss battles, are sure to suck you into the world. For those that get particularly enamored, there’s a premium currency available if you want to pick up the swankiest gear.
Dungeon Hunter 4 brings some of the best action-RPG gameplay you’ll find out there.

Download Dungeon Hunter 4 now for free

 

Galaxy on Fire 2

Galaxy on Fire 2 is a sci-fi RPG that has players blasting through a beautifully-rendered universe. Quests range from hunting down space pirates to mining asteroids and everything in between. There’s plenty of trading to do, and you can always upgrade your ship and buy new rides with the riches you amass. There’s a rich storyline to enjoy, and expansions available through in-app purchases.
Galaxy on Fire 2 is a rich, exciting, wide-open RPG perfect for sci-fi fans.

Download Galaxy on Fire 2 now for free

Plague Inc.

Plague Inc. is a rather dark global virus simulation game. Players gently guide a disease from a modest cough to a deadly worldwide pandemic by evolving it with new symptoms, means of transmission, and resistances. Over time, players unlock new disease types with their own unique traits. World events also randomly pop up every game, forcing you to change your evolution path. With an in-app purchase, you can get rid of ads and add a fast-forward option, or shortcut to new virus types.
As morbid as it may be, the Plague Inc.’s gameplay is truly infectious.

Download Plague Inc. now for free

Plants vs. Zombies 2

Plants vs. Zombies is a venerable mobile franchise for a good reason. The bizarre premise of protecting your back lawn from hordes of undead with sunflowers and peas is certainly part of that, but there’s a lot of tactical thinking in terms of plant choices before the attack begins, and placement. In Plants vs. Zombies 2, you’re taken back in time to defend against zombies dressed in era garb, and try out all sorts of new mechanics. The zombies are getting smarter, and challenge your reaction speed in a number of ways, though you also have a whole new complement of plants to use. Stages also have new terrain features to keep every round fresh. Plant food can be collected to super-charge any plant and gesture-based special abilities can make short work of a wave when things get especially hairy.
All in all, Plants vs. Zombies 2 presents deep strategic gameplay in a fun, colorful package.

Download Plants vs. Zombies 2 now for free

Spaceteam

Spaceteam is a decidedly unique local multiplayer game. Players gather together with their various devices and connect over either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. They’re then presented with ridiculously-labeled spaceship consoles, with all manner of sliders, knobs, switches, and buttons. Each player then has a message flashing telling them which control needs to be tweaked in order to save their ship from exploding. The thing is, that control could be on anybody’s device, so what ends up happening is everybody starts barking ludicrous orders at one another with straight-faced urgency. Random events can have players in a panic trying to wipe goop off their controls while going through these episodes. In-app purchases unlock new skins, panels, and crew member graphics.
Spaceteam will be one of the most fun party games you play, and thanks to cross-platform compatibility, everybody gets to give it a go.

Download Spaceteam now for free

You Don’t Know Jack

You Don’t Know Jack is an amazingly-written trivia game with a long-standing tradition of bizarre wordplay and general smart-assery. Players compete against Facebook friends for the high scores in themed episodes. Many of the questions adopt a standard multiple-choice format, but there are also Dis or Dat questions where you have to categorize terms, and the harrowing Jack Attack in the final round. The tokens earned through gameplay can unlock new hilarious parody commercials in between rounds or be spent on consumable performance enhancers. In-app purchases can get rid of ads and give you all the tokens you could want.
You Don’t Know Jack is an absolutely hilarious game, even for those of us that are way too dumb to do well with trivia titles.

Download You Don’t Know Jack now for free

Honorable Mentions

Major Mayhem

A fast and furious senseless shoot ‘em up.

Into the Dead

Run endlessly with the zombies.

Injustice: Gods Among Us

Collect your favorite super heroes and have them beat the snot out of each other.

The Sims FreePlay

Build your own little slice of virtual paradise.

Ready Steady Bang

A stylish take on western shootouts.

Those are our picks, but what are you really enjoying playing on your Android device? Do you prefer paid games, or are the free ones good enough for you?