I always feared Android phones would be all hype and overrated, mainly because it was said that the Android platform itself was seemingly fragmented as there were several versions of it running on various phones. Therefore applications did not always run as well as they should on all phones. Android itself was a tad immature compared to the Symbian-powered, mostly Nokia phones’ long-proven reliability and standardized interfaces. But over the years, outdated platforms have disappeared as manufacturers catch up.
I’d been a Nokia stalwart all the while but finally relented and migrated to an Android phone about 3 weeks ago, like many of the legions of fast-growing Android fans. I thought I would hang on to my trusty Nokia 5530 a little while longer, but I guess the temptation of embracing that green little robot was too great. Customization is the name of the game in technology these days, after all. My Nokia did many things for me, and I particularly rely on it when I am traveling. After unlocking it with a simple hack to grant me full capability access, I’d loaded it with tonnes of applications or ‘apps’ as they are commonly called. When I bought my ‘el cheapo’ Chinese-made, great bang-for-the-buck, Android 2.2 powered ZTE Blade, I was hoping it will outdo my Nokia in terms of usability given the hundreds of thousands of Android apps in the ‘Android Market.’ Well, iPhone has more apps, but hey, I never really pulled for the iPhone camp for some reason, perhaps because I suppose I like supporting underdogs more! After having the phone for 3 weeks now, I must admit that Android has not disappointed me, and I am pretty pleased to learn it has lived up to its hype.
I like to keep my apps count to the minimum. I mainly install apps that are useful in organizing my life or for when I travel. If you are an Android newbie and feel overwhelmed by the massive Android market, here is a shortlist of some great Android apps (I have installed them all). If you happen to be well, an absolute minimalist like me appreciates powerful, easy-to-use, quality apps. The bad news is that some apps are not free. The better apps or those with advanced features often require one to ‘root’ the phone, meaning performing a simple ‘hack’ to grant full, ‘super-user’ capability to the phone such that you may install any app or other modified phone firmware with unrestricted access. Rooting could also void your phone’s warranty, so it may not be a good idea to root your phone right out of the box before ensuring it is free of hardware or software faults. It’s better to give your phone a run for a few weeks first before rooting it to be on the safe side. Giving details here is unnecessary as there are a zillion pages on Android apps, installing customized Android firmware and rooting on Google.
Utilities:(important as Android devices are memory and battery hungry)
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Set CPU – very CPU clock rate and manage battery optimization using customizable profiles Advanced Task Killer Pro – autokill running background apps Easy SpeedUp – kill running background apps in one click Autorun Manager – prevents some apps from auto-starting AutoKIller Memory Optimizer – kill apps when memory reaches preset levels Blade Buddy Pro – optimization tweaks to speed phone Spare Parts Plus – more phone optimization options App Installer – for listing app and installing them Power Control Plus – extra functions and toggle buttons to enable/disable airplane mode, lock screen, Bluetooth and much more in one click Battery Widget – battery level indicator in percentage and shortcut to display control, Bluetooth, etc.
File Managers:
Astro File Manager – file explorer Root Explorer-like Astro, with access to the phone system, files also Launcher Pro- enhances the stock Android home screen and adds more functionality Keyboard: SlideIt – One of the first apps I installed. Great keyboard, similar to the more well-known Swype. I prefer SlideIT for its superior speed and predictive accuracy.
Media:
PowerAmp – absolute must-have for audiophiles, widely regarded as the best Android music player currently. Sound is impressive with its 10-band equalizer with separate bass/treble controls. Player Pro (with optional DSP equalizer plugin) – alternative to PowerAmp Rock Player – supports most popular video formats, including MKV and avi.
Document Readers or Editors:
Quickoffice Pro – for viewing and editing MS Office documents RepliGo Reader – brilliant for viewing and editing PDF files. Free! Cool Reader – eBook reader supporting most formats like Fb2, ePub, PDB, etc
Productivity:
Easy Money – expense manager. Checkmark ToDoList – shopping, todo, and general list manager. CheckIt Off – daily task and to-do manager Jorte – Calendar app launcher Pro’s built-in calendar – comes with a brilliant scrollable widget, too, integrate with Google Calendar.
GPS and Location:
GPS Essentials – for handy info on nearby satellites and other useful GPS tools, comes with a nifty compass too
Google Maps – the most well-known one. It is usually pre-loaded with Android. NDrive – simple navigation that may not rival Google Maps but can be used offline. Country maps are not free, though.
Web Browsers:
Opera Mini – my all-time favorite for its speed and user-friendly interface
UC Browser – good, well-made, functional browser
Others:
Handcent SMS – a much better SMS app than the stock Android’s with features like assigning individual SMS tones to contacts, SMS scheduling, and much more Go SMS – alternative to Handcent Concise English Oxford Dictionary – quick reference for English Language enthusiasts and a handy companion for eBook reading XE Currency – free mobile version of a great currency converter for traveling ConvertPad – conversion utility covering many categories, from the length and weight to temperature, power, and torque Many people download apps directly from the in-built Android Market app on the phone. I prefer to download the relevant ‘.apk’ file to my PC, transfer it over to the phone, just run the file and install. That way, I can research and review apps better before installing. No way is the list above the best. Functions can be the same across similar applications, but the user interface and personal preference differ. I love simplicity and speed, but go with what you want and need. Android is easy enough to get a hang-off. I didn’t have to morph into a geek since I got my phone. The platform is also constantly evolving, and it can only get better with time.
