Image: AFP Relaxnews
Among top iPhone apps that have gone free last week (February 24), avatar emoji creation suite Bitmoji continues to reign across multiple regions. Ketchapp has another minimalist hit on its hands with Ballz, while linguistic app Google Translate finds a photo-based appeal in Japan, and navigation aid Waze rules in Australia.
United States and Canada
Bitmoji (utilities)
Here’s the Snapchat-owned photo alteration and avatar creation suite that allows users to create custom emojis, depicting a range of emotions and reactions. Supplementary packs of emoji-enhancing props are available from $0.99.
United Kingdom
PrankDial (entertainment)
Offers two free pre-recorded prank calls a day and a bank of formulae to choose from. Reactions can be saved and shared. $2.99 for a pack of eight virtual tokens.
Australia
Waze (navigation)
The Google-owned navigation, mapping and traffic app that uses data from fellow drivers to monitor and predict traffic conditions and parking space availability, with many other features relating to nearby amenities.
China
King of Glory (games)
The multiplayer, battle arena game entering its sixth season, offering a similar experience to Tencent’s Mac and PC game “League of Legends” on a mobile platform. The most popular in-app purchase is for a $0.99 batch of virtual currency.
Germany
Galileo (entertainment)
Official app for ProSieben channel Galileo, featuring full episodes, clips and news, plus TV listings and so on.
France
Ballz (games)
Two classic games combine in “Ballz”, in which tiles must be destroyed by hitting them with a ball a set number of times (“Arkanoid”). Each throw causes the tiles to descend one row (similar to “Tetris”). The most popular in-app purchase is currently $1.99 to remove ads.
South Korea
Pitu (photo and video)
An image enhancing suite published by internet giant Tencent, with filters, stickers, text, facial alterations, collages and cutouts.
Japan
Google Translate (reference)
Google’s official text, speech and image translation app. Instant camera translation between English and Japanese was added late in January 2017.
Singapore
Grab (travel)
Singaporean-owned, Southeast Asian taxi service that offers rides in taxis, private cars with fixed fares, mopeds, as well as parcel delivery and carpool organizing.
Malaysia
WhatsApp Messenger (social networking)
Facebook-owned multimedia messaging and voice-calling app that uses wifi or carrier data connection, leverages existing phone contacts lists, and provides support for group chats. Desktop app also available.
India
Jio4GVoice (social networking)
HD voice and video calls for customers on the Jio SIM network, currently serving Kolkata, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamilnadu, Maharashtra, Mumbai and Karnataka. Custom messaging, images, and location info can be shared with recipients. SMS and text chat are built in. JB