Every week, Androinica.com attempts to highlight the best Android Apps. Using tips from the #androidapps tag on Twitter and recommendations to @androinica, we try to find something you may have missed. This week’s theme is Picture This. Four of the five apps featured this week involve photos, or moving graphics, one way or another.

You may also notice there are no QR codes in this edition of Apps Alert. That’s because we have adopted AppBrain, which installs apps directly from the desktop or mobile browser (QR codes optional). This will be a much easier way for me to share links with you all. Find more information here.

Visual Task Switcher

Jumping from app to app is simple enough by pressing down on the home button. But if you want something more than just an icon, you can get a screenshot and an icon. Visual Task Switcher can be a larger way to app jump, but it can also provide some unnecessary clutter for some people. Test out the free version to see if it meets your needs and then upgrade to the ad-free version for .99.

DroidIris

I love Google Image Search because it presents photos in a unique manner. DroidIris does the same thanks to a scrollable gallery that can be used to navigate through search results and discover cool photos and graphics. DroidIris presents Google Image Search results in a gallery, supports gestures and filters, and has quick access to share, save, or set an image as wallpaper. It’s like the Cooliris plug-in for your mobile phone.

GasBuddy

Unless you’re going to get an electric car, GasBuddy is an app you ought to grab. GasBuddy takes reported prices for gas stations, and then compares the cost of Regular, Midgrade, Premium, and Diesel, at stations within a given area. The app also reveals information about that gas station like if there’s an on-site carwash or convenience store. Since the app relies on reported prices from GasBuddy.com, it is not always accurate to the penny or even listing all stations. However, it’s a good way to get an idea of how much you’ll pay at the pump.

PhotoFunia

Photos are boring. Well, they’re not exactly boring, but they can be made a little more fun with this silly app. PhotoFunia takes images, from the gallery or camera, and puts the subject’s face into cool or funny situations. Your face will appear on a billboard or artistic rendering, or it will even be edited into an image with someone holding a large revolver. PhotoFunia uses face detection to select the right effects, and then lets users save the resulting image to the gallery or export to Android’s “Share” feature.

Gameloft Games

Mobile gaming company Gameloft stubbornly refuses to make its games available in the Android Market. More people would know about the amazing games that the company offers if they were in the Market, but the company has at least started offering a try if you buy feature. Android users can play very limited versions of its HD games (one level typically) that show off adventure games, first person shooters, and a very entertaining sports match. Try out these games and decide if you’re willing to forgo the Market comfort to get them.

More information here

APP REVIEWS & NEWS

• Recordoid Lite: a Dictaphone with a Retro Look [App Reviews]

• Gmail Popup shows email titles in popups [App Reviews]

• Tip: Use SMS Backup+ to auto-archive and read text messages in Gmail

• This is Beejive for Android [Video]

• Keep Track of What You Own With Shelves [App Reviews]

• Google Earth: now with more mermaids!

• PicMe sends live Android screenshots to your desktop (root only)

• Sony Ericsson Launches a New Messaging Service for Android: Hanashi Chat

• AT&T adds myWireless support for HTC Aria and Samsung Captivate

• Next Train predicts train arrivals in NYC, more cities to follow

Androinica