Must-Have Android Apps

[les02jen17]

Just wanted to start a thread here where people can refer to if they would be looking for must-have apps on their Android device based on their specific needs. I'll be adding more and more in the future and would be updating the thread with your suggestions. Let's hope the thread gets stickied if it proves to be useful in the future!

TOOLS:

Widgetsoid - A free, customizable widget that you can place on your homescreen that gives you easy access to the most used functions of your phone like: Wifi, Bluetooth, GPS, toggles Brightness, Screen Timeout & Sound Cyclers, Data Sync. Etc.

Software Data Cable - A free app that you can use to access your microSD card files in your phone from your PC if they are both connected in a single Wifi network. You can transfer files to and from your mobile/PC, and it's good  for updating your phone's music library wirelessly.

*will add more once I get home. I'm at work.

[gregoryopera]

* Alchemy Premium (free version also available)

https://market.android.com/details?id=me.zed_0xff.android.alchemy.premium

A fun chemistry game that allows gamers to create over 300 elements, starting with just four...

* ALDI

https://market.android.com/details?id=de.apptiv.business.android.aldi_au

Browse the latest specials of offers for your local ALDI store; find your local ALDI store.

* Angus & Robertson

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.kobobooks.angusrobertson.android

Browse, download, purchase and read your favourite eBooks directly on your smartphone!

* AVG Anti-Virus: Pro (free version also available)

https://market.android.com/details?id=org.antivirus

There's simply not enough good things I can say about this application - virus protection, password-protect applications, backup data and applications, wipe data from your device securely, spam protection and best of all, remote functionality (locate and/or wipe smartphones remotely)!

* Astro: Pro (free version also available)

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.metago.astro&feature=more_from_developer

A powerful file manager, with optional plugins.

* Carsales.com.au

https://market.android.com/details?id=au.com.carsales

All the functionality of Carsales.com.au, in the palm of your hand!

* Circle Battery Widget (free version also available)

https://market.android.com/details?id=fr.depoortere.android.donate.CircleBatteryWidget

FInd out exactly how much battery is remaining, at a size that suits you!

* Evernote

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.evernote

Evernote was pre-installed when I bought my Sony VAIO laptop and it is by far one of the programs I use the most... With this application, I can synchronize notes (including notes with multimedia content) between my smartphone and my computer.

* GPS Grid Reference

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.luck.GgridReference

This one will cost you, but if you work in defence, emergency services or spend a fair bit of time outdoors, this application is worth every cent! Supports most grid referencing systems, including the MGRS (Military Grid Reference System) used by the Colalition (Australian, American, British, Canadian and New New Zealand) Armed Forces... Very, VERY accurate.

* KeePassDroid

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.android.keepass

Securely maintain a database of (text-based) information, such as usernames and passwords... Protected by VERY strong encryption.

* Lightning Bug

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.media1908.lightningbug

Supporting just about evey type of sound scheme you can name, from forests to the city, Lightning Bug is the perfect application to leave running whilst you sleep...

* LiveWare Manager

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.sonyericsson.extras.liveware

Although it's made by Sony Ericsson, this application works with most brands of handsets, allowing users to configure applications to automatically run when various accessories are connected to their smartphone (car-kits, chargers, etc...).

* Music Unlimited (requires a subscription)

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.sony.snei.mu&feature=search_result

For a small monthly fee (about $13/month), users can stream over 6 million songs to their device, with no restrictions... Subscribers can also access this service on their Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable), computer (supports both Apple Mac OS and Microsoft Windows), Sony PlayStation 3, Sony Tablet S, Sony Tablet P and other upcoming products.

* Norton Utilities

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.symantec.monitor

All the tools you'll ever need to keep your smartphone running in tip-top order.

* Opera Mini

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.opera.mini.android

For those with low-end devices or limited data, Opera Mini can speed-up browsing considerably, whilst still offfering a desktop browser experience.

* Opera Mobile

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.opera.browser

Users looking for the ultimate browsing experience, particularly tablet users, will want to check out Opera Mobile... Fast, easy-to-use and with a brilliant interface, there is simply no better browser.

* Our Groceries+ (free version also available)

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.headcode.ourgroceries

Maintain a shopping list, and synchronize it between multiple devices... Great for familes.

* Phone Genie

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.apptuners.phonegenie

Telstra staff pay attention - this app gives users access to most of GSMArena's content, from within an application... Fast, high-quality and exceptionally reliable.

* PlayStation

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.scee.psxandroid

Official PlayStation news, chat and announcements.

* Ringdroid

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.ringdroid

Trim your MP3 files for use as alert tones, using this simple application.

* Scanner Radio: Pro (free version also available)

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.scannerradio_pro

Listen to thousands of scanner/radio streams (including police, fire and ambulance) from around the world!

* Share Apps

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.theronrogers.shareapps

Send DIRECT Android Market links for your favourite applications and games to friends via various methods (text message, multimedia message, e-mail, blutooth, Google Talk, etc...)... Great for those times when you find the perfect application.

* TelstraOne

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.telstra.products.telstraone&feature=search_result

Yes it is big and yes the fact that it can't be installed on removeable media is a joke, but this application is incredibly useful and I rely on it throughout the day...

* Ulysse Speedometer: Pro (free version also available)

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.binarytoys.speedometerpro

A graphical speedometer that is surprisingly accurate... Also supports alerts when you reach certain speeds, based on your preferences.

[Drat]

When it comes to "must-have" apps on my Android tablet (or phone, if I decide to go for an Android phone next), I'm apt to think in terms of types of applications that deliver certain functionality, and not specific implementations in the marketplace.

Must-have applications on a mobile device for me (where the hardware supports the function, eg. phone or camera):

• Clock and alarms: default apps on my SGT
• Web browser: I predominantly use Miren, although occasionally I also use Opera Mobile (when Miren sometimes doesn't render a Web page or allow certain functionality as expected), Dolphin HD, Skyfire, and the default browser on the Samsung Galaxy Tab
• Mail client (for EAS, IMAP and POP3): The Gmail client and the default mail application on the SGT are adequate, although I find the rendering of Windows Live mail messages in the latter a bit weird (and suboptimal) with regard to line breaks
• Contact list manager: default app on my SGT
• Calendar: default app on my SGT
• Phone app: default app on my SGT
• SMS/MMS Messaging and management app: default app on my SGT
• Still image capture: default Camera app on my SGT
• Image viewer and organiser: default app (although a viewer app that can do high-quality resampling when resizing images would be nice)
• Media player: default app on my SGT
• Calculator: I was most upset and inconvenienced (for I was out of range for network access at the time) when I discovered the SGT does not come with a calculator app by default! I predominantly use RealCalc on it these days.
• PDF document viewer: Adobe Reader
• Reader for various eBook formats: default eBook app on my SGT, and Aldiko
• Spreadsheet: Google Docs is works well when I have network access, but for locally stored apps, I use ThinkOffice (which comes preinstalled on the SGT)
• Word processor: As above
• Google Maps

You may think of many of the above as no-brainers, but imagine if your device has a camera in hardware, but no app to drive it – you'd realise just how must-have the app is! I also think there is probably lots of room to improve on or surpass those default apps.

Apps for such things as video capture, YouTube viewing, Facebook integration, particular games, etc. are not must-have to me, although they're nice to have available.

[thedylan]

Here are some of mine from my first month of Android use:

* Dolphin Browser HD (free)

https://market.android.com/details?id=mobi.mgeek.TunnyBrowser

I haven't used Opera so I'm not sure, but I really like the gestures and how easy it is to switch between tabs in the web browser.

* Power AMP (think I paid $6ish but there's a free trial)

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.maxmpz.audioplayer

My favourite music player for Android, lets you organise your music by folder or using the phone's library, as well as having a million billion different customisations for it so I can set it up exactly the way I want.

* LauncherPro ($3ish from memory?)

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.fede.launcher

Touchwiz not letting me change the dock icons got old pretty quick, and I really like the look and smoothness of LauncherPro.

* Droid Bionic Walls-MultiColor (free)

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.p3droid.bionic.multi

Not really an app, but a set of really nice backgrounds that were originally leaked for the droid bionic. These ones have also been recoloured and have been my backdrops for about the last week. Very nice looking.

* Smooth Calendar (free)

https://market.android.com/details?id=se.catharsis.android.calendar

Just shows the next three appointments in your calendar in a 4x1 bar. I use this on a home screen with the LauncherPro Calendar widget so I can quickly see my appointments. Now all I need is some appointments to put in there =)

* SoundHound (free)

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.melodis.midomiMusicIdentifier.freemium

Tells you what song is playing, I've only used it a couple of times but it worked quite nicely.

* Power App (free)

https://market.android.com/details?id=co.playapp.en.afl.portadelaide

This probably won't apply to most people, but it's a nice app that also seems to do a good job of aggregating news about the mighty power.

-Dylan

[aaron]

About this time next week I'll have a HTC Sensation in my hands (currently have a iPhone 4), and I would love some suggestions as to what apps and/or accessories I should get first!  I have an Android tab at the moment (Acer A500), but I'm interested in hearing about some of the phone-oriented apps since my tab doesn't have calling/SMS/etc.

I'll obviously download Twitter and Facebook, and I've also seen Tram Hunter (Android's version of tramTracker).  Is there a good replacement for Instagram?  Retro Camera maybe?  What about email clients with Exchange support?  How does the built-in one stack up?  Favourite keyboards?

Any settings changes you'd suggest?

As this is a work phone I don't plan to root it or anything, but since the Crowd isn't all about me, feel free to suggest apps etc. that require rooting for anyone else reading along!

[JasonSTelstra]

In my opinion, the built in Exchange support is quite good on the HTC ROMs. 

GO SMS is a fantastic replacement for the stock SMS app.  it also incorporates Facebook chat into it if that's your thing.

Tapatalk is a great forum reading app.  Scoopon is rather handy.  ES File Explorer is a nice easy file manager.  The IMDB app is good for settling arguments with movie buffs.  Juice Defender is good for managing your phone to increase battery life.  That's really about it on my phone.

[androidus]

Evernote - great app for syncing notes, snaps, reminders etc - across all your devices

Tweetdeck - best Twitter client for android phones imo. (Tweetcaster for tablets...)

App2SD is handy to save much needed space on your phone memory

Dolphin browser rocks

Taptu if you're into newsreading apps.

[aaron]

Thanks for the tips, guys!

I've had my Sensation for almost a week now and I'm really loving it.  Not sure if it's enough to tempt me away from my iPhone 4 permanently, but it's certainly in the running.

So far the built-in Mail client has been great, especially with the list widget.

I've been using Pulse as my news app.  I started using it briefly on my tab and it's great on the phone as well.

I haven't tried any SMS apps yet, but I've heard some great support for them so I'll have to give some a go.  I'm not a huge SMS user these days though.

One thing that is taking some learning is the HTC Trace keyboard.  I'm not 100% sold on it yet, but I'm determined to keep using it and give it some time to learn some words that might not be in the deftault dictionary.  Anyone else using HTC Trace and love/hate it?

[MattD]

Hey Everyone!

I’ve just got my new Samsung Galaxy S2 yesterday and am loving it. How’s everyone else finding it? I’m pretty happy with my purchase but I wanna know what everyone else thinks?

I switched from an iPhone 4 to the SGS2 and it’s my first Android phone so I’m interested to find out which widgets and apps everyone uses? Mainly Widgets to be honest because I’ve found most of the apps I used on my iPhone in the android market. So far I’ve got pretty stock standard, boring widgets running like the weather, data usage and my calendar so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Also if you have any tips for me regarding the SGS2 that’d be great. Things like extending battery life, getting the best performance ect.

Cheers!

[BodenM]

First off, good on you for making the jump to Android, we hope you like it

Second, getting "root" on your phone is a good way to remove annoying "bloatware" (such as the pre-installed Telstra apps), and it allows you to get custom versions of Android, such as CyanogenMod. Rooting can be done with "CF-Root" (READ THE INSTRUCTIONS VERY CAREFULLY!), but it's not necessary. To spice up the look of your phone, you can try the LG widgets that were extracted from the Optimus 2X for use in any phone. They can be downloaded here, just unzip the file onto your phone, and open the .apk files. You may have to tick the "Allow installation from unknown sources" box first, in Settings > Applications > Development.

You can find more stuff at the SGSII section of XDA-Developers 

[MattD]

Sweet! Thanks for that. Also another question for anyone out there watching, what apps are you using to listen to music? I've heard good things about winamp with the ability to sync over WI-FI but still keen on more suggestions!

[bp5646]

PlayerPro is a great app for listening to music, and isyncr is great for syncing the music between your phone and PC. isyncr can sync itunes playlists also. Doubletwist is also good.

[buzz]

Juice defender: https://market.android.com/details?id=com.latedroid.juicedefender

Allows you to disable wifi and 3g depending on a set of rules.

SetCPU - control the CPU speed (i.e. underclock when the battery is low or the screen is off) but this requires root access.

Animated Widget Pro - great for grouping apps and for adding contacts to your homescreen.

[BodenM]

SetCPU requires a custom ROM/kernel to overclock, but underclocking just needs root. Don't go too low on clock speed, or the SGSII will hang and require a reboot, and a clean wipe if it's set to set clock speed on boot. if you do go the underclock route, I suggest creating the SetCPU recovery ZIP file, which when flashed under ClockworkMod Recovery, will force SetCPU to not set speeds on boot. FYI: If you root via CF-Root, it installs CWM Recovery.

EDIT: I used to have JuiceDefender, I found it a PITA to setup, and it is kind of glitchy. You can disable 3G via APNDroid (available on Market) or the built in toggles.