Apps

Apps are software programs that you install on your tablet or smartphone device. The word app is short for 'application' and they range from games, utilities, news providers, magazines, handy tools or pretty much anything that you can get your phone to do. You can download them from app stores such as iTunes or the Google Play store, which often suggest the best apps or the highest rated on their front page, and prices vary from free to the almost ludicrously expensive.

17 of the best AR and VR apps and games for iOS and Android

Virtual reality and augmented reality have hit the mainstream - here are our picks for the best games and apps you can download for iPhone and Android.
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Mental health apps: Mobile games will never be able to replace proper treatment

Turning a patient into a user won't help in the long run, even if it provides momentary relief.
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5 home workout apps for your socially-distanced exercise

We tested five workout apps at home. Here’s what we thought.
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5 mental health apps to help you through the coronavirus crisis

Mental health apps can calm the mind and keep track of wellbeing - here are five of our favourites, all available on iOS and Android.
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Home urine test app could help to detect kidney disease early

Researchers at London South Bank University are evaluating the app and accompanying home test kit.
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This new app from Skoda can hear exactly what's wrong with your car

Skoda says the app's artificial intelligence can listen to and interpret common problems such as issues with the air conditioning compressor, steering, and clutches in the automatic gearbox.
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Everything you need to know about the NHS contact-tracing app

How do I download the app? Will it work on my phone? Does it track my location? Your questions answered about the new NHS COVID-19 app.
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NHS contact-tracing app released in England and Wales

The app uses Bluetooth to keep anonymous logs of other users in close contact but its success will depend heavily on uptake.
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Charity raises concerns over contact-tracing app on the eve of launch

The charity The Health Foundation is concerned people have yet to see the results of the app's pilots.
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NHS Test and Trace app to launch this month

The NHS COVID-19 app is due to launch in England and Wales on 24 September.
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Isle of Wight COVID-19 cases 'rapidly declined' after test and trace launch

The government’s pilot scheme, which included the first version of the NHS-led contact tracing app, began trials on 5 May.
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How will the new NHS contact-tracing coronavirus app work?

A trial of the app-based technology will be carried out on the Isle of Wight before a full roll-out nationwide.
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Download the COVID-19 contact-tracing app and save lives, urges Health Secretary

The new app could be rolled out across the UK if the trial on the Isle of Wight proves successful.
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Coronavirus: contact tracing app could stop spread if 80 per cent use it

An app could be used to stop the COVID-19 pandemic, but only if 80 per cent of smartphone users download it, experts say.
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10 of the best science apps for Android

Turn your Android phone into an all-knowing guru with our top ten favourite science apps.
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10 of the best iPad and iPhone science apps

We love tapping and swiping our way through new apps, so we've picked out our best science apps for iOS for you to use on your iPad or iPhone.
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Five of the best sleep apps to help you snooze

Need a good night’s sleep? Sometimes it takes a little more than a cosy bed and a cup of hot chocolate – here are five apps that’ll help you go to sleep and stay that way all night.
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10 of the best Daydream View VR games

Got yourself a Google Pixel phone and a Daydream View virtual reality headset? Super, now all you need to know is which are the best VR games to download.
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Are we excited about the new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus?

After months of leaks, rumours and second guessing Apple has finally released their new iPhone – but is it worth the wait?
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Smartphones won’t make your kids dumb. We think.

Like many parents, Sandy is concerned about how much time her 18-month-old spends in front of screens. Weighing up the available evidence, Olivia Solon explains that she might be worrying too much.
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Brain-training app helps schizophrenia sufferers

University of Cambridge iPad app aims to improve the lives of people suffering with schizophrenia by helping to improve their memory.
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