Ever since Google handed me the first Android phone, the HTC Dream/G1, I have been playing with new Android apps. Only a few apps withstood the test of time and remained on my Android phones. Nowadays I primarily use these apps on my Google Nexus Galaxy S. In this article you will find a listing of these apps. Please note that all the apps I am listing in this article are currently available for free in the Android Market.
Call Filter: Probably the most controversial app I have on my phone but in my personal opinion also one of the most useful! This app makes being available for incoming calls fun again as this app enables me to block all private or blocked numbers calling my mobile number. Let me repeat that: anyone who calls me from a private or blocked number will automatically be disconnected! So all those call centers and other types of unsolicited commercial calls don’t get through anymore.
When people learn of this app, they often ask me: “But what if the call is important and you miss it?” My answer to that question is that it will probably be better not to call me from a private number. In the last two years that I have been using this app I have not missed a single important call. And just in case the call is important, the caller can also reach me by email, Google Talk, text message, regular snail mail or call me from a normal number (where the caller-id is not blocked).
Google Maps with Navigation, Google Reader, Google Talk (built-in), Google Docs and Gmail: I don’t think these need a lot of explaining. I use these on a daily basis!
Seesmic / Tweetdeck: For a long time I was using Seesmic, then I switched to Tweetdeck when they launched their app on the Android market and now I am back to Seesmic. I like both Seesmic and Tweetdeck, however there are slight UI differences within Tweetdeck which I prefer. That said, Seesmic has been more stable and reliable for me.
APNdroid: This little app allows you to disable your APN settings for your 3G connection straight from your home screen. And thus potentially saving you money when you don’t need 3G. As I am most days near known WiFi routers (at work and at home) I don’t actually need to use 3G that often. Therefor I don’t have a need for a mobile subscription plan and I just have a prepaid number. This works perfectly fine for me, in part thanks to this little app.
Google Authenticator: If you haven’t enabled the two-step verification on your Google account yet, read here why you should.
Google Apps Device Policy: This little app gives me peace of mind. When set up properly with your Google Apps account, it allows you to remote wipe the phone in case you ever lose it.
Contact Owner: Another app that gives a bit peace of mind. This app allows you to add an additional phone number or email address to the lock-screen. Just in case you lost your phone and the finder is honest enough to contact you. Bonus: this app can also help differentiate your phone from other phones (without having to unlock it first). This is especially handy if you are working in an environment where thousands of colleagues have the exact same phone!
SoundHound: There was a time of Shazam, but now this has been replaced by SoundHound. Unfortunately Shazam imposed limits on the usage of their free app. In addition they suddenly require you to sign up for an account. Seems the makers of SoundHound responded to the users needs and made their own app (even included a few new features like humming).
SwiFTP FTP Server: One of the major benefits that Android had over the iPhone for me was the OTA (Over The Air) updates. This meant that you did not have to connect your phone to your computer to upgrade/update it. So it should come to no surprise that I like SwiFTP a lot as it allows the user to upload and download anything from the phone through the WiFi router (without cables) with the same access as if you were connecting your phone through USB. The only thing you need on your computer is a FTP client, like FileZilla.
Radio Paradise Widget: By far my favorite radio station for the last 13+ years. I regularly listen to this great station and discover new quality Indie Rock music. This app allows me to listen to it anywhere.
E-Numbers: As a strict vegetarian, this app provides additional information that should be standard on the labels of every food product. Although I do recommend to always double check everything (including the information provided in this app), this app helps you make a better and informed choice about the food you are buying and eating.
Astro File Manager: I like to be able to delete files I downloaded or just move files on my SD Card. This app allows me to do just that! A basic must-have app.
Barcode Scanner: Another basic must-have app is this barcode scanner. This app has proven itself to me so many times already (for example when finding new software, certain ads or scanning book ISBN numbers), that I just consider this one of the first downloads on any new Android phone.
Winamp: What can I say about this? I grew up with Winamp on my desktop computer and now I can use it to listen to music on my mobile phone. Highly recommended!
EngineWatch: If you do anything with Google App Engine like me, you should be using this app. If not, just ignore this one.
WebPageViewSource: I sometimes get work related questions over Google Talk and this app helps me diagnose the HTML of any particular website.
Last but not least, I am also occasionally using Adobe Reader for reading PDF files, PayPal for money transactions and Dropbox to sync some additional files to the cloud (although since the launch of the official Google Docs app I have been using this less and less).
You may have noticed that I don’t use communication apps like Skype, WhatsApp Messenger or PingChat! on my Android phone. Be aware that this is by choice, because I don’t want another communication channel where I have to check for updates. My family and friends can reach me through Google Talk (works fine on WiFi or 3G and also available on my desktop and Gmail keeps a history), Twitter direct messaging, email, text messaging or they can just call me. As such, I find having another communication channel is just redundant. I am sure the apps are great, but they are just not interesting to me in my day-to-day life.
Do you feel any great app is missing? Please share your recommendation in the comments below!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I think a good flashlight app is a must-have. I use TeslaLED. I also use Notepad for scribbling down things I’m likely to forget while I’m out and about.
It’s not exactly a must-have for everyone, but I’m also fond of Musical Lite — it has a pitch pipe, metronome, keyboard and more. It’s been really handy when I’m away from my piano and need to learn a new piece of music or sound a particular note.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for sharing your recommendations! Those apps are also very useful, good tips! :)
Fili
really useful. but what about an rss feed manager – someone recommended feedler to me but that seems to be for iphones and I have an android..
I actually use the official Google Reader app for managing/reading my RSS feeds on Android. Highly recommended! :)