Amazon's Free App of the Day - Paper Glider

written by: Nick Kosmides

Brand new to the Amazon Appstore for Android and weighing in around 10MB, Paper Glider glides its way into our phones free of charge today.

I wouldn't call this game premium though, as Amazon calls all apps that aren't free all the time 'premium'.  With reviewers agreeing that while the app seems to work with nearly all Android devices, despite the disclaimer informing that the app does not work on older devices, its just a boring game.

Toss the plane and watch it drift toward the right side of the screen.  The challenge comes from staying awake while giving the screen a tap every once in a while to keep the plane afloat.  Earn coins by going the distance and spend them on boost modifiers or designer planes.

Download this gem today for free.

Paper Glider - $0.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - Days Left Widget Pro

written by: Nick Kosmides

Days Left Widget Pro is a calendar widget that, as the name suggests, will place a widget on your Home screen showing the count down to an important date or event.  You choose the event and date, it will tell you how many days remain.

This widget is a real treat because its a different kind of widget than we typically see coming out for Android.  Most widgets are simply facsimiles or addendums to system functions.  Take a custom skin, slap a system function to it and suddenly you have a widget app.  But Days Left Widget Pro does something the Android system doesn't do.  Count downs are fun.  And to do it, it makes no ties with Google Calendars.

The developer has recently included Catch Notes support which adds another layer to this handy onion.  That is definitely not a good metaphor.

Constantly remind your friends how many days until your birthday, be better prepared for your anniversary, keep track of the days left until your important dates.  Hit the market link below to snag this pretty useable widget for free today.

Days Left Widget Pro - $0.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - Age of Zombies (WiFi Only)

written by: Nick Kosmides

Age of Zombies is today's free app from the makers of Fruit Ninja, one of my most played Android games.

Previously on PS3/PSP as a Mini, receiving this game for free is an awesome achievement to any PlayStation gamer.  Being a port from a console you can expect a console gameplay experience as well as a console lasting playthrough.  Meaning that the typical game made for Android and iOS is not one you'd find yourself playing for hours on end.  Several factors play into this, the physical size and comfort level of the device being wielded, the quality of the title, the playthrough time and replayability.  Adversely, dual stick shooter is a challenge on any system with only one analog stick.  But touchscreen devices don't share that dilema.  And Barry Steakfries will be a bit more popular because of Android.

If you have a data plan, and especially if you are a super new Verizon customer who wasn't allowed to grandfather into the now defunct unlimited data of yore, no worries.  Amazon requires you use a WiFi connection to get your 20MB or greater app downloads, and Age of Zombies will come in just above that with 22.6MB.

So grab your phone and get to killin them zombies.  The boss T-rex is waiting.

Age of Zombies - $2.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - Fieldrunners HD

written by: Nick Kosmides

If you have an Android phone sporting 2.2 or higher, no tablets, than you may take advantage of today's free app called Fieldrunners HD.  Made popular when debuted on the App Store for iOS, this is one of the many games that has given Apple its leg up over Android in the gaming scene.

While it is currently available for free on the Amazon Appstore in the US, everyone can play Fieldrunners HD by means of the Android Market as well.  Fieldrunners HD on the Android Market is currently priced at $1.00.  Not sure if this is the long term price or an introductory price, but others seem to know.

I've played the game now and have changed my stance on tower defense games.  With this one being one of the best I've played thus far, after being wowed by another great Amazon FAAD tower defense game called HexDefense, the genre is looking up on Android.  Let us not forget the efforts of PopCap Games and their td offering Plants vs Zombies.

Fieldrunners HD features very good looking graphics and a smooth gameplay interface.  Touch and drag the turret type of your choosing to a position on the battlefield.  Don't just place them anywhere, most powerful weapons should be aligned along the middle while snaking the enemies along the battlefield.  Once you build up enough funds you will have created an elaborate course filled with powerful guns and rocket launchers to fend of the enemies across the 400 levels in four different backgrounds.

Check it out for yourself free today, don't delay, or else you may, take a walk by the bay, maybe eat some clay, wha-do-ya say?

Fieldrunners HD - $2.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - Convertr

written by: Nick Kosmides

Convertr is a converter app for Android that everyone needs, err maybe not.  Its good at what it does, though what it does is doesn't do alone.  Google search is good at doing just that and then some. Also Wolfram/Alpha has an app and the website which is free.

So if you're into getting your figures converted for free, add Convertr to your collection of methods available on Android through the Amazon Appstore.

Convertr - $0.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - Pocket Yoga

written by: Nick Kosmides

Pocket Yoga is free today on the Amazon Appstore for Android.

Featuring detailed voice and visual instructions atop 145 beautifully illustrated pose images.  Can you tell that was pretty much from the Product Description?  For an exercise app targeting Yoga, this app has virtually everything you'd want and maybe more.

While showing you how to do it, it will allow you to play music from your own local phone library instead of the soundtrack default to Pocket Yoga.  Keep up the good work by tracking your yoga sessions and maintaining your balance throughout the week, also from within the app.

Most importantly, at 19MB this hefty app is for the novice and the elite.  Just be prepared to pay the piper (your carrier) for the data unless you are on WiFi or an unlimited plan, as this is just under the max before Amazon requires you to use WiFi.  Yoga fire!

Pocket Yoga - $2.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - Fireworks (Live Wallpaper)

written by: Nick Kosmides

Another change of pace and a rarity among all the free apps of all our days, a live wallpaper is available for download for free today.

Fireworks fills your background with colorful fireworks and particle effects.  With a bit of battery drain sprinkled on the side which is standard fare when it comes to live wallpapers.  If you bring Fireworks to your home screen don't expect too much in regards to options.  The configuration screen includes but one setting, and I don't want to be the one to spoil the surprise.

So go hit up the Amazon Appstore link below before time runs out.  Oh, and hope you all had a swell Independence Day celebration.  I'm topping it off with a bit of Battle: Los Angeles.

Fireworks - $1.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - Sign

written by: Nick Kosmides

For what I would call a change of pace, Amazon has released Sign, a speed dial alternative, for free on the Amazon Appstore for Android today.

Though this isn't a new concept as Google itself has a free app called Gesture Search that applies the same concept but with additional applications.  Sign allows you to create a custom gesture to apply to a contact.  Successfully draw the image and the contact will be automatically dialed.  I wouldn't consider this a time saver, maybe a safety feature for use while driving if you can't simply use voice recognition with your headset.

Sign - $1.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - aTilt 3D Labyrinth

written by: Nick Kosmides

aTilt 3D Labyrinth is free this fine Saturday, a decent game to start off an Independence Day weekend.  Many users of the Samsung Galaxy 10.1 are complaining about the app force closing and not even starting.

Seemingly, it works great on my Samsung Fascinate and the HTC Thunderbolt, Xoom, and Epic 4G.  Having played this game in the free version flavor featuring ads care of the Android Market, I can say its a fairly decent representation of the classic wood and marble game of my childhood.

Add to the nostalgia factor, the game supports Open Feint for achievements and also has a website whereby users can create their own levels and upload them using a unique device ID.  Play your own uploaded levels or share them with the aTilt community.

Get the silver ball to the goal hole without falling victim to the non-goal holes.  Don't read too much into this possible epitome of human sexual desire.  Just play the game.

aTilt 3D Labyrinth - $3.99 FREE

Amazon's Free App of the Day - PBA Bowling 2

written by: Nick Kosmides

PBA Bowling 2 is a great game for Android now available for free on the Amazon Appstore for Android.  Regularly $3, the savings can now go toward things like rent or your car payment.

Bowling games are usually very shallow and don't feel like they have to staying power of nearly all other sports.  Though, for a mobile sports game, PBA Bowling 2 brings enough to the table lane to compete with that statement.

For devices that can handle this game, you'll see some pretty sweet graphics, superb ball and pin physics, maybe even some unlocks.  Everyone loves unlockables.  Complete several in-game tasks like two gutter balls in a row to unlock the Bumper Bowling special.  Use the specials you unlock on a custom bowling balls.

Aside from standard bowling modes, I noticed some very nice features that others may not have noticed.  PBA Bowling 2 has on-the-fly saves so you can hit the Home button on your Android and find Resume Game on the Main Menu when you return later.  Another is if you select New Game, the menu will remind you "There is already a game in progress. Abandon the current game and start a new one?", so you don't unintentionally lose your previous game for whatever reason.  Even the "Feedback & More" button on the Main Menu has quite the extensive list of options including Facebook and Twitter links.

The one problem I have is in the unlocks.  There is no place in the whole menu system where you can view all the unlocked and locked achievements.  It would be nice if Open Feint was used as well, maybe for online achievement tracking and multiplayer.  Other than this minor gripe, PBA Bowling 2 is a great game and I hope it receives updates.

PBA Bowling 2 - $2.99 FREE