The Android Market pales in comparison to Apple's App Store based on number of apps, but that doesn't mean the quality of apps available to Android users aren't up to snuff. We've listed 12 18 apps that cover a wide range of interests and genres but is not indicative of the Android Market as a whole. Think of this as a starting point in your collection of Android apps. If you have other favorites then feel free to voice your opinion in comments. Actually, we welcome it.
(More on Techland: A Practical Guide To Android)
Update: Lists can never be perfect and this one is no different. The number of Android devices available in the market is constantly growing and the version of the OS varies based on carrier and hardware. If you recently purchased the Nexus One then chances are you don't need a news and weather app because Android 2.1 comes with a built in widget. If the Droid has captured your heart then Google Maps Navigation negates the need for a turn-by-turn nav app (same goes for the Nexus One). And let's not get started on the various Android “skins” from HTC or Motorola. In any case, we've added a few more apps to round out the list. Enjoy. *Note: Our gallery is a little wonky, so we can't include the QR code. I know. Sorry.*
Click on a photo below to start the gallery:
More on Techland:
Nexus One Review: The Hardware Isn't The Problem, Android Is
A good list of starter apps. I'd recommend Bloo for a Facebook application. http://fbandroid.wordpress.com/
Yanguang
Jan. 14, 2010 08:54am
Why not just get the Facebook app? I realize not everyone uses it, so I left it off the list.
Peter Ha
Jan. 14, 2010 10:23am
I disagree with MeeboIM ... I found that Nimbuzz is way more stable and keep connections better than MeemoIM.
wnemay2
Jan. 14, 2010 13:25pm
I am busy getting back into Java Development and want to hit the Android wagon. Let me know what you think I should develop first: http://goo.gl/kNqb
wnemay2
Jan. 14, 2010 13:31pm
Right, so two apps dedicated to comic books and an emulator of dubious legality as essential android apps? You've got to be kidding. And while Google Voice integration on Android is handy, there's far more people that have been waiting for months for an invite than actually have numbers.
No RSS/Podcast manager?
Omitted Evernote?
Omitted Foursquare?
Omitted DroidLive?
Omitted Google Places Directory?
No task manager?
No barcode reader?
It doesn't seem like there's been much time spent with the OS on the part of the writer.
keekerdc
Jan. 14, 2010 14:33pm
@keekerdc This list is not being touted as the be all, end all of Android Apps. It's a potpourri of what's available to Android users. I guess my Nexus One, Droid and Behold II reviews among the countless other Android reviews I've done don't count.
Peter Ha
Jan. 14, 2010 15:28pm
Well, my personal experience with the Facebook for Android application was rather unpleasant. Force closed and bugged up enough for me to uninstall it.
Other users seem to have a myriad of issues to gripe about it too. I find that Bloo manages to deliver what Facebook for Android should, while keeping it aesthetically pleasing.
Yanguang
Jan. 14, 2010 18:21pm
That display picture is awful. Get rid of the backgrounds from the app icons and of google.
Now for the content, Twidroid > Seesmic, eBuddy > Meebo and Milestone Browser Droid port > Dolphin.
just my 2 cents
csmcdem
Jan. 14, 2010 18:56pm
I agree with Csmcdem.
eBuddy will do you the favor of notifying you when you've lost connection due to weak signals.
And Dolphin equals the Firefox for Android. Stylish and efficient. What more could you ask for?
For Starters, I recommend:
- Advance Task Manager by ReChild
: Manage your applications from a click away.
-eBuddy (AIM, Yahoo, Facebook, etc.)
: For all your messenger needs.
-Dolphin Browser by Dolphin Browser
: The Best Browser For Android
-Power Manager by X-Phone Software
: Very useful for when you want your phone to last as long as possible on the battery percentage it has.
-BatteryLife by CurveFish
: A widget that tells you exactly how much battery percentage you have left along with your battery temperature.
-AK Notepad by Snaptic
: Notepad for when you don't have pen and paper.
That's basically it. That should cover the essentials for Android efficiency and entertainment.
supermariog1
Jan. 20, 2010 18:28pm
I am going crazy...Please, all of you learned Android users, advise of the best phone settings app(volume, profiles, etc) thanks
biglunchplate
Feb. 2, 2010 16:52pm
Of all the applications I've installed on my phone, there is one I use almost every single day:
Key Ring
The application allows you to scan and store a digital representation of every "club card", "savings program", "frequent-anything", gym membership and any other card that has a bar code on it or membership number. My wallet is literally one tenth the thickness it used to be since I started using this app.
http://wcayw.com
I'll also be posting Top 10 Ways To Simplify Your Android in the next few days... watch for it. If you've got any suggestions, feel free to drop me a note via my blog (and a link to yours so I can include the best suggestions in the article).
Stephen Fofanoff
Feb. 28, 2010 13:19pm
ugh, thank god I have an iPhone. Apps are stable and just plain work. You could easily make a list of 100 extremely useful apps.
Android will get there, it's just a matter of when, but apple will be leapfrogging them all the time.
tampatiml
Feb. 28, 2010 17:03pm
I have one more.
There is a new iphone/adroid app you can download for free that has promo codes for free movies from Red Box. It also has codes for discounts on pizza. I'm a stuident and all about free and cheap!
http://redboxpromocode.com/
amysteve
Mar. 28, 2010 14:30pm
I have one more.
There is a new iphone/android app you can download for free that has promo codes for free movies from Red Box. It also has codes for discounts on pizza. I'm a stuident and all about free and cheap!
http://redboxpromocode.com/
amysteve
Mar. 28, 2010 14:30pm
the top 5 free games are listed here on wiki4android.com
lolwiki
Apr. 7, 2010 16:29pm
Check out this list of the Best Android Widets!
ru4aj
May. 2, 2010 20:16pm
Check out this list of the Best Android Widgets!
ru4aj
May. 2, 2010 20:21pm
I have made a research on the fastest growing (most downloads) apps in the last month. See most popular apps of the month.
lolwiki
May. 11, 2010 02:51am
SecForms is free and is good to save information
securely in the phone...
elpix1
Jun. 18, 2010 11:47am
@Peter Ha I've found a great additional app for your list here. It's called My911.
Basically it's an Onstar app for your phone, only better.
I'd love to hear what you think about it and see if you think it's "top app" worthy. Feel free to email me. (greglee87@gmail.com)
greglee87
Jul. 6, 2010 12:55pm
@greglee87 my911 is pretty awesome, have you heard of Craigslist Checker or Google Goggles? seems like you'd like that kind of thing, check them out if you want
apps4review
Jul. 8, 2010 13:36pm
I'd recommend TuneSync or iSyncr for syncing your music from iTunes. I'm partial to TuneSync because it lets you sync over WiFi - without having to plug your Android phone into your computer.
toosday
Jul. 12, 2010 02:43am
When you're ready to get more advanced, there's OTTER. It's an app that will automatically silences your incoming calls and responds with a text message when you're driving in your car. It's all about safety, you see
toosday
Jul. 12, 2010 03:34am
@Peter Informant is a hidden listening/spy app that has proved very useful for people who have found themselves in a position to need it.
zellenterprises
Jul. 14, 2010 15:06pm
A good one is "Image Lock" especially if you have a teenager (or pictures you don't want your boss / wife / husband / person who found your phone etc.... to find ). It locks the picture with a PIN # and then hides it behind another picture so people don't even know its there.
happyzap5
Jul. 29, 2010 12:07pm