Like every weekend, we meet on kwgeek as I pick 5 free or paid mobile apps and games that have caught my eye on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Every week I try to bring you the best apps that aren’t personal data traps or microtransaction dens. For my own discoveries, I’ve also added applications that the kwgeek community unearthed and shared on our forums, which I invite you to check out.
From mobile games to productivity apps, here are 5 free and paid Android/iOS apps from kwgeek this week. We post this pick every week, and you can also check out my 5 apps from last week.
Grainery (iOS and Android)
Our top picks of the week were recently launched and don’t even have an out-of-the-box app. The Grainery app is basically a replacement for Instagram, which focuses on analog photography. With Instagram, once launched as a photo-sharing network, increasingly morphing into a second TikTok and betting on video, many crave an alternative. This is where Grainery touches on a bygone era.
In fact, Grainery doesn’t just sort images by location and label, you can also enter your camera, lens used, and analog film used. If you are interested in all the features of the new CineStill 400D, you will be able to conduct a targeted search. Apps for iOS and Android are still in development, but Grainery is doing well as a web app.
- Price: EUR 0 / Ads: No / In-App Purchases: No / Account: Not required / French version: No
Grainery may be an Instagram clone, but it works better for analog photographers, /© kwgeek
Park4Night.com (iOS and Android)
To satisfy the other clichés of 20-something city dwellers, my next suggestion is the “Park4Night.com” app. Here’s a sprawling community of campgrounds, ballparks, RV parks, and more answers to the question “Where am I going to sleep tonight?” On the one hand, I’ll need this app when I’ve been camping in Germany recently, and on the other hand, there’s less and less money left over for the holidays, so there’s a chance you might save some money.
Because camping is illegal in Germany at least. Here, there are many possibilities to spend the night in a caravan or tent, cheap or free. You can drop off on private land, official campgrounds, RV parks, and more. For now, the offer is still largely focused on Europe, but there are also some locations in the US.
It’s also basically free to use, but has a subscription model for premium features. Good way!
- Price: EUR 0 / Ads: Yes / In-App Purchases: Yes / Account: Required / French Version: Yes
Park4Night is a useful app for campers and those who want to be a part of it! / © kwgeek
Universe in a nutshell (iOS and Android)
I’ve been a longtime fan of the universe…and the “In Brief” YouTube channel. It tackles sometimes very complex scientific topics in such a grand way that the video is inspiring and entertaining for everyone. While searching for app recommendations, I came across the “Universe in a Nutshell” app by Kurzgesagt and “Wait but Why”.
In The Universe in a Nutshell, named after Stephen Hawking’s legendary book, you’ll have the freedom to magnify the universe according to your mood. From giant stars to the smallest elements that make up the universe. Just tap your finger for more information, and it’s fun to compare the proportions of cute cartoon graphics.
Warning: Achieving the size (and smallness) of the universe in such a condensed way can be very laborious. If you are prone to anxiety or have a crisis, you should use this app with caution. It costs €2.99 on iOS and €3.49 on Android, but both versions are worth it if it’s just to support premium content on the web.
- Price: iOS € 2.99 / Android € 3.49 / Ads: No / In-App Purchases: No / Account: Not Required / French Version: No / Possible Crisis: Yes
The graphics of “Universe in a Nutshell” are really elegant / © kwgeek
Nothing but Wallpaper (Android)
My fourth flagship app might be too boring at first glance, but hold on. I remember a time when I was looking for a new wallpaper for my computer almost every day. At the time, I was looking for this in the Deviantart artist community, but over time it became more confusing than a kid’s birthday party with cake.
So NothingbutWallpapers is a little pearl that gives you stylish wallpapers for Android. The advantage of these graphics: They don’t ebb and flow like many personal photos or app-like content. Most of the images consist of calm shapes and some colors, allowing you to easily focus on your smartphone apps and widgets. Do you agree with me? Do you like wallpapers? Let me know in the comments!
- Price: EUR 0 / Ads: Yes / In-App Purchases: No / Account: Not required / French version: No
You’ll see the standout color of your wallpaper right at your fingertips. / © kwgeek
Hungry Shark World (iOS and Android)
My mobile game of the week, I actually launched it a couple of times and then got lost. Actually, I’m not a gamer, but Hungry Shark World and its predecessors kind of appealed to me. You’ll slip into the fins of different sharks and have to devour as many sea or land dwellers as possible to keep growing. Controls Use the digital joystick and finger press to activate the boost, it’s that simple!
Even though the gameplay parts are pretty rough, and as a monster shark you’re sure to plow through one crowd or the other for the next few days, there’s no denying that the game is a lot of fun. Of course there are tons of in-app purchases, but with a little patience and application, you can bypass them in a targeted manner.
Also, there are ads in the Hungry Shark world, but usually associated with functionality. For example, if you are eaten by a large shark, you will be able to revive yourself twice through the ad. This is very handy if you are running well. Another tip: when you revive or start the game, use extras like the Mega-Goldrush from the start. This way you can collect a lot of money and buy new sharks.
- Price: EUR 0 / Ads: Yes / In-App Purchases: Yes / Account: Not required / French version: Yes
Hungry sharks, döpdöödödöpdöp… / © kwgeek
What do you think of our picks this week? Did you find any other cool apps or games on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store?