Android has over 450,000 apps. With so many apps out there, app discovery (aka finding new and useful apps) is extremely difficult. With our Android Apps of the Day initiative, dotTech aims to change that. Everyday we post three apps, allowing our readers to discover new apps, daily. Enjoy! [Subscribe to our Android section to never miss an article: RSS Feed | E-mail]

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Apps for March 20, 2012

Photaf Panorama

Photaf Panorama is an app that allows users to take panoramic photos (i.e. take photos of up to 360 degrees of your surroundings instead of a single snap). Photaf works by taking multiple pictures and stitching those pictures together to create one panorama; it takes pictures in automatic or manual mode, with Photaf automatically taking pictures as you move your camera in automatic mode and you have to manually snap pictures in manual mode. (Be sure to calibrate your device if automatic mode doesn’t work for you.) Panoramas can are in landscape view by default but Photaf supports the ability for portrait view panoramas on devices with Android 2.2 and higher. Once a panorama has been created, you can view it in Photaf in “touch mode” where you must use your finger to pan the panorama left and right or “compass mode” where you can move your phone and the panorama pans with it. Photaf allows users to share panoramas via e-mail, messages, etc. or by uploading to Photaf.com.

Photaf Panorama comes in two versions, Photaf Panorama (Free) which is ad-supported and can only do landscape, standard quality panoramas; and Photaf Panorama Pro ($3.99) which can do all the free version does plus portrait panoramas, panoramas in “HD mode”, and has the ability to use panoramas as a live wallpaper.

Price: Free, $3.99

Version discovered: v3.0.2

Requires: Android 2.1 and up

Download size: 5.2 MB

Photaf Panorama (Free) on Play Store | Photaf Panorama Pro on Play Store

WidgetLocker Lockscreen

WidgetLocker Lockscreen allows users to customize the lock screen on their Android devices (you know, the screen where you must slide something to unlock your device after the screen has been shutoff). With WidgetLocker Lockscreen users can add widgets, app shortcuts/icons, and/or sliders to the lockscreen. Sliders can be customized to perform unique functions, such as a slider to call mom; and sliders support themes, allowing users to customize how they look such as Halo (Ice Cream Sandwich) or iPhone look.

Price: $2.99

Version discovered: v2.2.3

Requires: Android 2.1 and up

Download size: 3.1 MB

WidgetLocker Lockscreen on Play Store

YouSpin

YouSpin lets users create 3D models of people or objects. YouSpin takes photos of whatever a 3D model is being created of, from whole 360 degrees; then it combines the pictures together in such a way that when users pan left and right it looks like a 3D model. Think of it like a video but with still photography. (This is not a panorama — it is different.) 3D models can be created by moving the camera around the object while the object stays still or keeping the camera still and moving the object around. YouSpin supports automatic and manual modes, with automatic mode automatically taking pictures as the phone or object move while in manual mode users must snap pictures manually. Once a 3D model is created it can be viewed inside the app or uploaded to YouSpin’s website from where it be shared with others via Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc.

YouSpin comes in Lite and Pro versions, with Lite being free and Pro costing $1.99 (Pro has extra features such as editing frames and adding effects).

Price: Free, $1.99

Version discovered: v1.6

Requires: Android 2.2 and up

Download size: 23 MB

YouSpin Lite on Play Store | YouSpin Pro on Play Store

dotTechies: We have tested all the apps listed above. However, Android Apps of the Day articles are not intended as “reviews” but rather as “heads-up” to help you discover new apps. Always use your best judgement when downloading apps, such as trying trial/free versions before purchasing paid apps, if applicable.