Last week we offered you 3 top iPhone OS apps. Today we’re checking out three free Android games apps to keep you entertained over the long summer holidays.

1. Marvel Contest of Champion: Free

Marvel has hit the mainstream this year, and this Contest of Champions game offers role play, fighting elements and stunning graphics to keep you entertained. Throughout the game, The Collector summons you to lead the Marvel heroes to battle against Kang. Build your team and develop powers to improve your special skills.

2. Asphalt 8: Airborne: Free (with in app purchases)

Gameloft have created a real winner with this free racing app, offering a host of cars to unlock, multiplayer modes to enjoy and tracks to explore. The app offers excellent graphics and controls and  decent enough gameplay without the need for the available in-app purchases.

3. Pokemon Go: Free with in-app purchases.

An obvious choice, but no gaming list would be complete without Pokemon Go.  The app exploded onto the gaming scene in July this year and became the top rated Android game ever. Introducing augmented reality to the mainstream, you’ll have to get your walking shoes on and enter the real world to hit Pokestops, catch Pokemons and battle for Gyms. This record breaker is a must for gamers of all ages.

Play these apps on the latest Android handsets, including the Samsung Galaxy S7, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, or the BlackBerry Dtek50.

According to leaks and internet rumours, the next version of Android OS, Android’s Nougat, is less than four weeks away. But before we steam ahead are you getting the most from your current OS: Android Marshmallow?

We list 6 of the less commonly known features which will allow you to get the most out of your handset.

1. Google Now on Tap:

Google Now on Tap is essentially Google search within your handset’s apps, with the main idea being to extend the reach of Google across your mobile, making it easier and faster to find the information you need. Simply by holding down the home button Now on Tap will “scan” the app for relevant information, which will then be displayed as cards.

2. Lock screen message

To add a custom message on your lock screen, go to Settings > Security > Lock Screen Message and then type in your message. It’ll appear as scrolling text.

There are many uses for this, but the most useful would be to have your contact info in the event you lost your handset or even allergy or in case of emergency details for medical reasons.

3. Voice control from the lock screen

Replacing the phone calling app in Lollipop, Marshmallow have located the Google Now app in the bottom left of the screen, allowing access to voice commands without having to unlock the phone first.

4. Change default apps in Marshmallow

Now in Marshmallow you have the ability to choose which apps are the default choice for certain actions, including your web browser, phone call app or SMS. ou’ll need to use the new, dedicated default app manager.

Here’s where to find it:

1: Go to Settings and then tap on Apps

2: Select the cog wheel in the top right and then choose Default apps from the menu. > Applications

3: Tap on the setting, and choose the new default app for this action.

5. Battery Saver On

Thanks to the built-in Doze feature, Android Marshmallow offers a much battery efficient experience than previous Android versions

Stretch the battery life even further by turning on the Battery Saver feature. (Don’t forget this will reduce performance, location services and data so use when necessary)

Access Battery Save Feature via: Settings > Battery > Battery Saver

6. Display the Battery Percentage on the Status Bar

To temporarily show the battery percentage, simply swipe down from the status bar and you’ll see the battery percentage in the Quick Settings pull-down.

To permanently display the percentage, go to the System UI Tuner and swipe the ‘Show embedded battery percentage’ toggle to on. Now you’ll be able to see your battery performance all day, just like an iPhone.

The latest handsets support Android Marshmallow 6 include Sony Xperia XA Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S7 and the Huawei P9 Lite; all available sim free today.

The future of Google searching is here in the form of Now on Tap.

The main idea of Google’s Now on Tap is to extend the reach of Google across your mobile, making it easier and faster to find the information you need.

Now on Tap is integrated into Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and can be used by holding down the home button. Once activated, Google performs a search and scan of the current screen, providing relevant information than may be of use such as web links, directions etc.

How to use Now on Tap on your Android handset:

1. On any screen, touch and hold the Home button.
2. Google uses what’s on your screen to show you related info, apps, and actions

So, how would you use Now on Tap during everyday life? 

• Restaurants: Find restaurants and other points of interest mentioned on screen.
• Movies: See reviews and info about a cast using the film name.
• Music: Get details about a song or artist from within your app.
• People: Learn about famous people and celebrities in the news.
• Images: Get info about artwork, product logos, landmarks, and more.

Searching images on Google isn’t exactly a new thing, but with Now on Tap you literally replace search terms with an image. For example, if you can take a photograph of Big Ben, hold the home button to activate Now on Tap and the handset will analyse the image contents to provide you more information on this tourist attraction.  It can even work and analyse photos direct from your camera app.

Now on Tap is an innovative feature that is continually being developed and improved by Google and we’re certainly excited to use it.

Test out Now on Tap for yourself on some of our most popular Android handsets available sim free, including the Samsung Galaxy S7, LG G5 and the Huawei P9 today.

Get news for BlackBerry users; the latest versions of Android 6.0 Marshmallow is now available on ShopBlackBerry.com and is coming to your BlackBerry PRIV starting May 3.

The BlackBerry Priv offers an incredible 5.4-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage and an 18 megapixel rear camera, along with BlackBerry’s iconic keyboard. As the name suggests the ‘Priv’ also offers unprecedented privacy features, which are only getting better with the latest Android updates thanks to Customized Personal Data Permissions, clearer notification settings and S/MIME Support.  The combination of android apps, BlackBerry controlled privacy, increased productivity with the BB hub and keyboard, and creativity with the camera provides an excellent ‘all round’ package.

But what’s new with the Android update?

Security

First off is an new and improved ‘Detect’ for BlackBerry. The majority of apps demand access to your personal data, even when it is not necessary for the functionality of the programme. Detect for BlackBerry allows you to turn off the permissions, without compromising the function of the app. It also includes security notifications to alert you when you OS security has been compromised, to protect you against hacks and data compromises.

Be Social  

Staying connected has also been made easier, as BlackBerry’s hub now includes a wider range of social media apps, such as pinterest, instagram, Skype and Slack. You’ll be able  to manage all messages in one place.

Enhanced Keyboard

The Android Marshmallow update also improves the BlackBerry keyboard thanks to some handy new features. These updates include ‘Swipe’ which allows you to continuously ‘swipe’ across both the digital and physical keyboard to complete a word. There are also now over 200 emojis to allow you to fully express your feelings in  a way words can’t and enhance word prediction to save you time when typing.

More Battery Life

You’ll get even more out of The Priv with enhanced battery performance, thanks to the new ‘Doze’ settings Media Card Encryption Support and App Standby. The Priv’s camera has also improved with the update, with new features including slow motion video, and the ability to shoot at 24fps to create professional cinematic pictures.

Read more about the update on BlackBerry’s official blog, or buy your BlackBerry Priv Sim Free today.

Already available on the Nexus 6P and the Nexus 5X straight out of the box, the latest version of Google’s operating system focuses on improving the overall user experience of Lollipop whilst introducing new features.

A standout feature is Google Now on Tap which allows users to obtain additional information instantly in a single tap. It cleverly anticipates what you need to know and will come up with spot on information in an instant.

With a smarter battery which with the help of “Doze” will automatically put the device into power-saving sleep mode whilst with “App Standby” network activity will be reduced in the apps when the device is unplugged.

With greater control, Android Marshmallow lets you identify exactly what you want to share and when. And with secure fingerprint access to the device you can safely and easily sign in and pay via Android Pay.

The Marshmallow apps menu works in a completely different way to Lollipop. With apps arranged alphabetically they can easily be scrolled by a vertical thumbing movement and a new feature allows you to the device by the use of a simple interface which shows how much memory has been used and how it has been used.

With better battery, greater control of apps and data together with Now on Tap, Marshmallow is both a significant step forward and a solid upgrade.

Purchase the Huawei Nexus 6P Sim Free and the LG Nexus 5X Sim Free for your Android Marshmallow experience.