Last week, I finally made the switch from an iPhone to an Android phone, so I thought it would be appropriate to create his post to help many of my friends who have been getting Android phones. This is not a "My Favorite Android Apps" list, but rather a list to help you get the best experience possible with your phone. I know there are a lot of cool apps and games out there, but this is more of a
'basics' list. As you'll see, each app I talk about has a link to where you can see screenshots and reviews of the app itself.
1. Launcher Pro.
For me, this is THE most essential app for Android. It makes most variants of Android phones navigate/run faster...and it's pretty much the way Google intended for Android to look. This will make your phone feel faster, has better options, better dock, etc. If you install it, you will have to make your app shortcuts again, but it's the last time you'll ever have to do it. Launcher Pro has a backup/restore for icons, so from here on out, it can automatically put them back how you like them if/when you get a new or replacement phone. The dock icons alone make this app worth the price (it's free btw). Try it, if you don't like-uninstall it (but I seriously doubt you'll want to do that).
2. Handcent SMS.
This makes texting so much more convenient. You get text message popups on your screen that you can reply to no matter what app you're in-so no more having to close out whatever app you're in to send a quick reply. It also has a bazillion customizable options inside the app. You can change the colors, backgrounds, fonts, etc. Again, another app that if you try, you will never want to go back to the default method of texting.
3. AppBrain.
AppBrain is just awesome. It's the easiest way to find & install new apps using your computer (vs. having to look around on your phone). With AppBrain, you can manage all your apps from the web, see what apps your friends are using, and see what apps are most popular by every category imaginable (date, genre, even age, sex, location, etc.). You can go to the site here and sign-in using your Google Account/Gmail login info. One of the best features is being able to remotely install apps straight from the site. Any app you look at will have an INSTALL button beside it. If you click this button, the app can be sent straight to your phone and installed automatically (it can be removed by the same method). It can also connect to your Facebook, Twitter, and Google accounts to find your friends and see what Android apps they have on their phones (here's my list). This is definitely the easiest way to discover new apps for Android.
4. Barcode Scanner.
Many of you have may already have this app (or one like it). I get so much use from these barcode scanning apps. Ever been in a store and saw an item you really needed/wanted, but weren't sure if that was the best price or not? With this app, all you need to do is scan the item's barcode and it will do a price comparison of online and local retailers around you, then it will show where you can get the best price, along with reviews of the item. Some weeks ago, I was in BestBuy with my girlfriend and she saw a camera carrying bag she really liked. We used the barcode scan app and found out that the exact same bag was $10 cheaper right across the street at another store. $10 saved from a free app!
5. DoubleTwist.
One area where I found the Android lacking, especially coming from the iPhone, was in the music player department. Granted, Apple has had years of making iPods to have a better handle on this kind of thing, but I still wanted a solution for Android. Many of you are probably already using iTunes to manage/listen to your music, but Apple will not allow you to sync your Android phone with iTunes. Sucks if you have all your music and playlists already in iTunes, right? Well, DoubleTwist is your solution. This is an excellent media player for Android phones. The interface is very similar to iTunes, so you should have no issue knowing how to use it if you're used to iTunes already. All you need to do is download DoubleTwist to your computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux) and install the app on your phone. When you start the program on your computer, it will ask you if you want to import your iTunes music/playlists, so you can do that or start from scratch. And like iTunes, it lets you sync your phone, pictures, videos, purchase music, get podcasts, and has internet radio. If you listen to music on your phone (or want to), this is one of the best apps to do so.
Lastly, 2 apps that aren't essential, but I really get a lot of use out of them.
RunKeeper.
If you run, walk, bike, wheelchair, ski, skate, etc., then this is a must-have for you. RunKeeper has a paid and free version, both do the same for the most part, but the paid version has no ads and a few more options for you. I won't lie, this app has motivated me to do more physical activities. It keeps up with everything-your pace, time, calories burned, elevation, and puts it all into an awesome interface that you can check online whenever you want. It also has an awesome Google Maps interface of everywhere you went. To get an idea, check out one of my activities here. It's very nice and polished, and is awesome at keeping up with all your stats.
Relax and Sleep.
This app is random of me to put in, but I've found it's great if you ever have trouble sleeping, or like to have some relaxing sounds to sleep to. There are 30+ different sounds you can turn on. It's nice because it also allows you you to combine any or all of them. You control the volume for each individual sound, so if you want to hear a loud campfire with a quiet chorus of crickets in the background, you can do so. Or perhaps you're a freak and you prefer a chorus of whales with the sound of a beating heart in the background? You can do that, too. It also has a timer to automatically turn the sounds off so you don't have it going all night long. I love this app...have used it every night since I got my phone.
Ok, that's all I got for now, but I'm sure somewhere down the road I'll update with some new apps I like, or maybe a Favorites list.
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