A brilliant, sumptuously animated point-and-click mystery game is just one of the great App Store picks we’ve highlighted for this week’s “Awesome Apps” roundup.
We’ve also selected two major updates to big messaging apps, and a new “must have” app for Nintendo Switch owners. Check out our choices below.
Nintendo Switch Online
Photo: Nintendo
Okay, so this is one only for the Nintendo Switch owners out there, but if you’re among them it’s an absolute “must have!”
The launch of Nintendo Switch Online accompanied the release of Splatoon 2 this past Friday, letting users carry out voice chat and access the SplatNet 2 portal, where you can view view your game stats, buy extra gear, and invite friends to compete in battles.
The app is available in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It’s worth noting that Nintendo’s FAQ points out that: “The voice chat will disconnect while you’re talking on the phone or using another application, but your voice chat will restart in the same room once you open the Nintendo Switch Online application again as long as the game session is still ongoing.”
Available for: iPhone, iPad
Cost: Free
Get it from: App Store
Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy
Another app with a Nintendo link is the excellent Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy. A fun point-and-click adventure boasting sumptuously animated visuals, the Professor Layton games first arrived on Nintendo DS during that handheld console’s heyday.
The latest game — which now features Layton’s daughter Katrielle as its lead — debuted on iOS and Android, before porting to Nintendo 3DS this fall. The game itself is a combination mystery and puzzle game. At $15.99, it’s not cheap by iOS game standards, although certainly by Nintendo 3DS prices.
It’s definitely worth a download, however: particularly if you’ve been a fan of the previous titles in the series.
Available for: iPhone, iPad
Cost: $15.99
Get it from: App Store
Apple Clips
Photo: Apple
Apple launched its Apple Clips app back in April, but this week it got a fun update — letting you add Disney and Pixar characters to your videos, and bringing dozens of new graphic overlays and posters.
For those unfamiliar with it, Clips makes it easy to create more expressive videos on your iOS device. You can use it to add fun effects like comic book filters, speech bubbles, shapes, and posters, and then easily share them.
It’s more likely to appeal to the younger users out there, but if you’re among its target audience, Clips just got even better!
Available for: iPhone, iPad
Cost: Free
Get it from: App Store
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
WhatsApp added some significant updates this week, cementing why it’s the world’s most popular cross-platform messaging service with more than 1 billion total users.
Users now have the ability to share any file type with their contacts. The maximum size limit of each file is 128MB on iOS, 100MB on Android and Windows Phone, and 64MB in WhatsApp Web.
In addition, you can now pin your favorite chats to the top of the Chats screen, making them easier to find, even if it’s been a while since new messages appeared in the conversation. Finally, when you receive multiple photos in WhatsApp, you can tap and hold on the group to quickly forward or delete all of them in one go.
The app’s not stopping there, either. According to separate report this week, WhatsApp is alsois working to add inline YouTube support to its app, allowing users to enjoy videos within their conversations.
Available for: iPhone, iPad
Cost: Free
Get it from: App Store
