Buddy App Reviews

For the record, App Reviews are important for consumer insights, since everything we do probably "has an app for that". The reviews also help determines its flaws in case one might encounter an issue to alert the developer.

An app review is a process by which a team of experts at a mobile app store, such as the Apple App Store or Google Play, evaluate an app before it is released to the public. The goal of app reviews is to ensure that apps meet the store's security, privacy, and content guidelines. App reviews can also help to prevent the spread of malware and other harmful apps.

The app review process typically involves several steps, including:

  • Submission: The app developer submits the app to the app store.
  • Initial review: A team of experts at the app store reviews the app to ensure that it meets the store's guidelines.
  • Testing: The app is tested on a variety of devices to ensure that it works properly.
  • Approval: If the app meets all of the requirements, it is approved and released to the public.
  • Rejection: If the app does not meet the requirements, it is rejected and the developer is given the opportunity to make changes.

The app review process can take several days or even weeks, depending on the complexity of the app and the number of apps that are waiting to be reviewed.

Here are some of the benefits of app reviews:

  • Security: App reviews help to ensure that apps are safe and secure for users.
  • Privacy: App reviews help to protect user privacy by ensuring that apps do not collect or share personal information without the user's consent.
  • Content: App reviews help to ensure that apps contain appropriate content for all ages.
  • Quality: App reviews help to ensure that apps are high-quality and meet the expectations of users.

If you are developing an app, it is important to be aware of the app review process and to make sure that your app meets all of the requirements. By doing so, you can help to ensure that your app is safe, secure, and of high quality.

Doing App Reviews for a friend

Recently, a buddy of mine called Glen approached me and asked for my honest review of some apps he found on the Play Store. I have never done mobile app reviews before, especially apps that are less recognized in the App Store or rarely advertised, so this would be an interesting look around.

So I got to test and use 3 apps; a music player called Oto Music, a widget app called iOS widget and a wallpaper customization app called iWall.

Oto Music. Music Player App.

Developer: Piyush M.
My Rating: 7.5/10

Oto Music Player is one of those music players that serve a purpose; to store and play your audio files from MP3 to AAC formats, like any other music player. As basic as that might sound, it actually has a good UI appearance appealing to the user and good features too. I have played a few songs and it generally works well.


Pros:

  • Intuitive User Interface: Oto Music boasts a user-friendly interface that makes navigating and managing your music library a breeze. It offers a clean design with easy-to-use controls, making it suitable for users of all levels.
  • Rich Features: The app supports a wide range of audio formats and offers an array of features like equalizer, gapless playback, and playlist management. It also supports lyrics display and lets you create and edit playlists on the go.
  • Customization Options: Oto Music allows you to personalize your music experience with various themes including Material You colour schemes, and album artwork displays. You can also customize the app's layout and control options to suit your preferences.

Cons:

  • Subscription Model: While the basic version of Oto Music is free to download, some advanced features and customization options require a subscription. This could be a deterrent for users looking for a completely free music player app.

The app publisher is a student who has a reasonable subscription model to support his educational finances, from small donations to allowances.

Oto Music is free on Google Play Store, with in-app purchases.

iOS Widget App. Widget World for Android Users

Developer: Dita Cristian Ioni.
My Rating: 5/10

This is one of those extra personalization apps for Apple enthusiasts who like to blend the style of Android with iOS. I really don't feel that blend because I like my Android experience pure and unique.


Pros:

  • Versatile Widgets: iOS Widgets offers an extensive collection of widgets that cater to various needs. From weather forecasts and calendar events to news updates and fitness tracking, this app provides a wide range of customizable widgets that can be seamlessly integrated into your iOS home screen.
  • Easy Configuration: Setting up and configuring widgets in iOS Widgets is a breeze. The app provides a user-friendly interface that allows you to choose widget sizes, select content sources, and personalize the appearance according to your taste.
  • Smart Suggestions: iOS Widgets provides intelligent suggestions for widgets based on your usage patterns and preferences. It learns from your interactions and offers recommendations for widgets that could enhance your productivity or provide relevant information at a glance.
  • Timely Updates: The app regularly updates its widget collection, ensuring you have access to the latest designs and features. This ensures that your iOS home screen remains fresh and dynamic.

Cons:

  • Limited Compatibility: iOS Widgets is exclusively available for iOS devices, which means Android users cannot benefit from its features. This could be disappointing for users who have multiple devices or prefer cross-platform functionality.
  • Premium Content: While iOS Widgets offers a decent selection of free widgets, some of the more advanced or specialized widgets require a premium subscription. This may limit the availability of certain widgets to users who are not willing to pay for additional features.
  • Heavy Battery Usage: iOS Widgets tend to use a lot of battery power in the background to get live updates. This can harm battery life and the battery optimization of the operating system.
  • Buggy Interaction: iOS Widgets at some point will tend to force close while you are accessing the widgets library.

iOS Widgets is free on Google Play Store, with in-app purchases.

iWALL: Wallpaper Customization App

Developer: Jungle.
My Rating: 8/10


iWALL: iOS Blur Dock Bar is actually the best Wallpaper app I found so far, simple but packed with a good collection of wallpapers and the ability to get wallpaper motions on your phone.

Pros:

  • Vast Wallpaper Collection: iWALL offers a vast library of high-quality wallpapers across various categories, including nature, abstract, minimalistic, and more. The app regularly updates its collection, ensuring users have access to fresh and visually appealing wallpapers.
  • Customization Options: iWALL provides a range of customization features to personalize your wallpapers. It allows you to adjust brightness, contrast, and saturation, as well as apply filters and effects to create a unique look for your device's background.
  • Automatic Wallpaper Changer: The app includes an automatic wallpaper changer feature that rotates your wallpapers at defined intervals. You can set it to change wallpapers daily, weekly, or as frequently as you prefer, keeping your device's home screen visually dynamic.

Cons:

  • In-app Purchases: While the app offers a substantial collection of wallpapers for free, there are some premium wallpapers and additional features that require in-app purchases. This may limit access to certain wallpapers for users who prefer not to spend money on customizing their device's background.
While other apps' in-app purchases are pricey, iWALL is worth the price of 100 shillings.

iWALL: iOS Blur Dock Bar is indeed free on Google Play Store, with in-app purchases.


Credits to Glen for suggesting the apps to test and review. He is also a writer on the Medium platform; https://medium.com/@thesecondson

1 Comments

Welcome to our comments section!
Leave us with your thoughts and comments.

Previous Post Next Post