The application stores on our mobile devices are like buffets of all sorts of stuff. There’s a section housing all the obviously good things, then a few swipe and taps away, you’ll find yourself looking into bizarre apps that will have you thinking: why does this even exist? But, you’ll eventually give in to curiosity and download it anyway.
When boredom knocks, knock them down with these weird yet interesting apps to keep you entertained.
Snapchat
Ever wondered why your social media account news feeds are filled with photos of half-human-half-dogs, goddesses, ‘memefied’ faces, and bizarre-looking people? Fret not, this isn’t an extra-terrestrial invasion just yet. Your online friends are probably just using Snapchat. An app made for those who love sharing stories and experiences through pictures.
This photo sharing platform allows its users to share “snaps” to their friends on the app. These snaps may be in the form of pictures or short clips. Users can choose to share their snaps privately to friends as a message or post them as “Stories.” Stories, when shared, will be available to view for 24 hours by people following you and will be shown in chronological order if more than one. Among the charms of this app are features such as text captions, Geofilters, and selfie ‘lens’. The latter, when activated, detects the user’s face and overlays various augmented reality graphics on it. These filters change every time the app updates but there are staples like the dog, face swap, flower crown wreath, and kawaii overlays. Meanwhile, through the Geofilters feature, you can update your friends of your whereabouts without the need for long descriptions.
Snaps you’ve taken within the app can also be shared to other SNS accounts through the download feature, hence the outlandish pictures on your feeds.
MSQRD
MSQRD is similar to Snapchat in the sense that it overlays AR graphics onto its users faces in real time, but unlike the former, this app is leaning towards being more of a camera app as it has no chat or other social interaction features. Some of its famous features are live face swapping and giving users the opportunity to digitally have the face of famous celebrities. If the latter doesn’t weird you out, we don’t know what will.
The app is pretty straightforward. What it does is allow you to be silly by overlaying your face with various 3D filters. You can then choose to capture or record it and share the output on to your other social media accounts–or just keep it to yourself if you find it too embarrassing. But, everyone loves a person who can make fun of himself every now and then.
Magic 8 Ball
There are days when simple questions, that can be answered with a yes, no, maybe, or never, are hard to come by. But with the Magic 8 Ball app, you get your answers fast! Just don’t blame us if things don’t go the way you want them to.
The Magic 8 Ball app is a digital version of the novelty toy that decided many of our futures during our younger years. Whenever feeling uncertain, you can download this app, ask a question, shake or tap, and instantaneously get an answer that ranges from various forms of yes, no, or something in the middle.
Slither.io
If you loved the rage-inducing cell-eating game, Agar.io, you’ll definitely fall head over heels for the online game Slither.io.
As its name suggests, the game involves just slithering around and avoiding other “snakes.” The gameplay is simple, but is quite addicting. Users will start off as a little snakes whose main goal is to grow longer by consuming glowing orbs spread across the playing field. The only challenge is, other players from across the world also aim to be the longest gliding creature in the game. And to be the longest (top of the leaderboard), you’d have to avoid bumping into other players, if you do, your snake self will explode into orbs that other players can feast on. Savage, we know.
Neko Atsume
Affectionate towards cats but not ready for the commitment? This app is for you. Made with cat lovers in mind, Neko Atsume promises users a cat collecting experience without the hassles of physically tackling fur and cat litter.
Neko Atsume, Cat Collection in English, is an app that allows you to collect felines of different varieties. In the app, you have a virtual home which you can decorate with playthings and snacks to attract cats. In true Japanese fashion, the applications’ graphic illustrations are very endearing and pleasing to look at, hence making it extra addicting.
Steppy Pants
Steppy Pants is one of those games that will make you want to throw your iPhone across the room and grunt in frustration.
In the game, you’ll play as the goofy-looking Mr. Steppy Pants (you get to unlock other characters to play further in the game) whose only goal is to walk the game’s streets. The catch is, the avatar has an inexplicable inability to step on cracks and gaps. If your character accidentally steps on a crack, it will trip and fall over. Also, the simple act of walking is very tricky. All these elements make the game extra challenging, and that’s what makes a game worth playing. It’s like learning how to walk all over again, but not really.
Got some time to kill? Download these apps now. Trust us when we say they’re worth the storage space.
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE July 2016 issue
Words by Mia Carisse Barrientos