Woah there! Where did May come from already? Before we launch into next month, there’s just about enough time for a quick roundup of the most notable updates and releases across April.
As always, only the best iPhone and iPad apps from the last month make it into this list.
Hippo Pics
You spend your life posting photos to Instagram, but you still haven’t quite got the hang of editing ‘just so.’
If that sounds like you, then Hippo Pics is worth checking out.
The 💜 of EU tech
The latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!
In essence, it allows you to upload your Instagram shots and if they’re deemed a good enough starting point, professional editors will set about bringing out its best elements.
Each stage of the edit is saved for you to look through, so you can just browse through other people’s pictures if you don’t want to upload your own.
Don’t go uploading your selfies or food pics though, they aren’t wanted.
Glued
Spending way too much time staring at your phone screen is probably something we’re all guilty of at various points, but Glued is another app trying to cut down on your nasty habit. However ironic that might seem.
It takes a family-oriented approach and pits you against other members of your household in tracking your phone usage.
For the parents, there are also controls that allow you to limit screen time. It tries not to punish kids using phones for ‘positive’ things, like a Google search for homework, which doesn’t count against the overall screen time limits.
➤ Glued
Word Flow
Microsoft released two new keyboards for iOS devices in April, including the same Hub keyboard that landed for Android devices in March.
The latest, Word Flow, is aimed at people who find reaching across a large screen too tricky.
To help, it allows you to customize the colors, background, or set the entire keyboard in an arc shape to make it easier to reach across while walking along.
Right now, it’s only available to users in the US.
Hear
Hear for iOS is the first new app from RjDj in years, but it keeps the same mind-bending approach to transforming your relationship with sound.
It’s made up of seven audio scenes that are designed to perform specific functions, like making it easier to hear speech in a noisy environment. Some are just plain odd.
You will need headphones to use the app, but it’s free to download.
➤ Hear
Google Photos
Google released a few updates for Photos this month, including some that are only available on Android for now but are scheduled to come to iPhone.
One that did land on iOS, however, is the ability to search by emoji, though releasing it on April Fools’ Day was perhaps not the best choice.
Need we say more?
DJI+ Discover
While the flying of drones can be a solo pursuit, it’s probably a whole lot more sociable to meet up with a few like-minded individuals.
If that’s you, then it’s now a whole lot easier with DJI’s new Discover app for Android and iOS.
As well as making it easier to meet up with other drone pilots, it can also suggest new flying spots for you.
Because, y’know, flying them near airports is just dumb.
Or if you don’t have a drone at all, it’s a good way to find out about regular meetups near you.
Kik bots
Kick bots are like mini apps that run inside of other apps. In this case, Kik beat Messenger to the punch by launching its bot store in April.
There are a whole bunch to check out, but among some of the more interesting ones is Record Bird, which can keep you up to date on the latest in music releases.
Just search for the bot Record Bird on Kik and start chatting.
➤ Kik
Patternator
If you’re the sort of person who likes putting custom themes on your phone, or tweaking every possible setting, then there’s a good chance you’ll want a personalized case to go along with it too.
Patternator for iOS lets you create a design or use one of the hundreds of pre-loaded backgrounds or stickers.
You can then share your created design on social media or download it to use it as a desktop wallpaper. Or you can use it to order a case for your iPhone.
Inbox by Google
Google announced a slew of worthwhile updates for Inbox users in April for both Android and iOS.
Most notably, it now lets you keep track of events and any related emails a whole lot easier, saving you time. You can also now preview newsletters directly in your inbox.
However, the best bit is the way the app now lets you use a ‘Save to Inbox’ feature, rather than making you email yourself those links, images and other bits.
Want more?
If the best apps from the last month aren’t enough for you, why not check out 11 of the best iPhone and iPad apps from March?
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.