Note, in the Process of updating links since Google changed from the android market to Play.
New Phone? Looking To Travel? Just Need Help?
Image thanks to Doug Melton, creator of the Andy-86 app.
I originally wrote this guide for my aunt but it hit me that others might like this too...
Here is a short list of Apps I recommend and a brief description of each:
Note: I tried to include only those that are free and if I made a mistake sorry. Also, if there is paid version and free version for a specific app I give the link to the free one. You should be able to search the Android Market for all of the apps below, and those that you can't I've included extra instructions.
Andy-86: For download (note that the link on the name is to the creator's website) http://download.pandaapp.com/android-app/andy-862-id2669.html click the
"uploading.com" and then wait and click on the one that says "free download" in grey. You'll have to connect your phone to your computer and move the file and then
install it that way, but this is a TI-86 on your phone! The TI-86 is a $120-$160 device which is great for math classes...so maybe for you or the kids?
Amazon App: go to
Amazon App: go to http://www.amazon.com/mobile-apps/b?ie=UTF8&node=2350149011 and you can also click for the free app of the day but the link is for their app so
you can do it all from your phone is in the upper right corner. Enter your phone number or email address and you'll be sent a link by email or SMS (depending on what you input) to download the app. You'll have to enable unknown sources to get it to install.You'll need Amazon account to take full advantage of things like the Free Paid App of the Day.
Astrid Tasks: This is a great app for to-do lists, and it also syncs with your Google account so that you can see everything online as well. You can also create calendar reminders as well from within this app.
Bubble Level: Simple app but lets you use your phone to see if things are level.
Calendar: If you don't have this app and it should
just say Calendar, you'll need the Business Calendar Free app which will let you see your Google Calendar and sync everything.
Car Home: This is a nice Google app for navigating your phone while driving simple and safer. Please still watch the road!
Chrome to Phone: this is a great app that lets you send links, text, phone numbers, etc... directly to your phone. So if you have a webpage up you can send it to your phone for when you need to go.
The one catch to this is you'll need to install the add-on to your browser.
If you use FireFox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/foxtophone/?src=search
If you use Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/oadboiipflhobonjjffjbfekfjcgkhco
ColorDict: If you want a good
offline dictionary than this would be it. Support for several other languages and translation modes as well. The only quark is that you have to install other apps for
the other dictionaries but once they download the dictionary it will uninstall its self. ColorDict will make finding the apps you'll need/want easy.
XE Currency: A great app of seeing the currency while
you're out and about in a foreign country
Documents To Go: This is great if you have non-PDF or other documents that you want to open from your phone. Only down side is the free version
won't let you edit. I haven't found a good free app that will let you create/edit docs.
ezPDF: Great app for
opening and reading PDF files. If you don't want ads the pro version is $3.
FaceBook: If you use FaceBook!
ES File Manager: So you can find, rename, delete, install files (Andy-86 for example), etc... all from your phone. It does seem to have some added features as well, which mainly are a built in FTP and the ability to browse files over a network.
Free Advanced
Task Manager: I like this app because sometimes apps stay open that I don't want to and you can create a widgets that will kill all of your open apps.
GMail: If you don't already have it, then this is the
best email app for Gmail.
GMote: Great app for remotely controlling a
desktop's mouse and keyboard. You will need to install something onto the computer but the app has instructions for that.
Goggles: Is a good and
basic bar-code scanner, but I almost never use it as most places don't bother with this anymore.
Hapi Podcast: As far as free podcast mangers
go this is the best one I've found.
IM+: This is a great all-in-
one IMing solution for your phone. Skype, GChat, FaceBook Chat, MSN, Yahoo, etc... I have the Pro because I got it free from Amazon, but the non-Pro version isn't
worth it really.
IP Webcam: Another free app that lets you use your phone
as a Webcam, which is handy if your laptop/computer doesn't have one and you need one.
K-9 Mail: This is an excellent free mail program if you have anything other than GMail. The built in app is shameful and this restores what should be built in.
Google Maps: If you
don't have Google Maps you should. Even if you don't have GPS in your phone you for turn by turn navigation, you can still get a direction list. Also comes with Google
Navigation (see real-time traffic) and Google Places to make it easier to find locations near you.
Update: If you have the newest version you can go under the Settings > Labs and turn on some fun new features like the "Pre-cache map area" and such...not the best cache option for using maps offline but if you want a free mobile app not too shabby either.
MoBoPlayer: If you want to watch video clips that aren't in the native Android format this is your player. I know of one other free video player this also good, which is later in the list. I use this one primarily but I have the other one installed because some video files player better in it. Between the two I get all my needs met.
QQPlayer:
I mentioned MoBoPlayer earlier and this is a very similar program for watching videos. I use it with Mobo because they each handle video a little differently and this
one seems to do better on some files. I haven't figure out the pattern but I only use this one. Plus this app has the option for hidden video lists.
Also, this one is also free.
OneBusAway: This is only for Seattle. It is a University of Washington
application that helps with getting around by bus. I found most cities have something similar though. Most major cities have something similar for their buses or subways or trains, so just do a search.
Opera: I've used the default browser,
and I've tried a few other free ones and even some paid ones. I've found I like Opera as a web browser the best.
Paper Camera: I know this app is $2 and I
also know that it gets cliche quickly but it makes some amazing photo/art that if you don't know how to do yourself or if you don't have the software, it does it
quickly and professionally.
ReadItLater: This is a little a kin to the Chrome to Phone app, but it saves the page for you ahead of time so you can read it in offline mode. You can also see what you've saved from any device you have it installed or from any computer. the Pro version is $3 and isn't worth it unless you find you want to support the project or need a few extras. I have the pro only because of Amazon's free app of the day.
SeekDroid: If you want a little more
security to your phone, or peace of mind I recommend this app. Even if you don't want to opt for the Pro version at $5, which I recommend, it will still be worth
while.
Skype: You'll get the IM function from IM+ but you'll want the full Skype app if you want voice or video chat.
SMS Schedule: Is what it says. You can
schedule a text for later. Great for remember something late at night but don't want to disturb anyone, or if you want to send a happy birthday reminder when you
remember it.
GroupText: If you want
to mass text then you'll like this app. You can also setup specific groups if you find yourself texting specific groups a lot. I setup a group for my chemistry class
so I could text everyone at once to figure out studying times or hangout times when we were done with tests.
Group SMS & Scheduler: Is
a combination of the SMS Schedule and GroupText, but I used those more than this so I thought I'd include them just in case this app doesn't meet all of your needs. I
like this app overall though so I'd say just try this one first.
SoundHound: They have a pro version of this app but I wouldn't bother
unless you use this a lot, a lot. This will let you figure out what song is playing somewhere when you like it, someone asks, or you're just curious. Is like Shazam
but for the free version is better since it will let you search more songs.
Speed Test: Basic app for figuring out
what your connection speed is.
SwiftKey: This will replace the default keyboard and add a lot of nice features. The Pro version is $4 and I recommend it if you really like the
app otherwise the free should give you everything you need. I have the pro version from Amazon's free app of the day...how I have most of my apps.
Tabs Tools: $4, which helps you
tune your guitar and such.
Guitar Tabs: $3, helps you learn songs. Doesn't just give you the tabs but helps you with the rhythm and everything.
I have both of the above because of Amazon's free app of the day, and although I'm not great on the guitar I found these very useful but if I was good on the guitar I probably only want the Tabs program. Most of my friends that are good with a guitar can tune them by ear.
Nexus Torch: Turns your flash into a flashlight.
It works on more than just the Nexus phone. I found it the best flashlight app because it lets me "overclock" my LED, but be careful because the LED gets really hot
that way and can burn out if left on too long.
Translate: Another
Google app and it is just like their website. So it works mostly great but you'll need an Internet connection.
TuneIn Radio: Great for streaming local or any radio station
without having to go to the website or finding each radio stations app. If you don't like ads, Pro $1.
Twitter: If you want to Twitter than this is it.
Vevo: Similar to YouTube and has a good range of features and
content, but I honestly never used it much since I don't have enough bandwidth to stream things they way I'd like.
Voice: A Google app
to connect you with your Google Voice account, and if you don't have a Google number you should get one: https://www.google.com/voice I find it a great advantage to have one so if you want family that only has a landline to call you just pick a number
that is local for them. I also enjoy texting from a computer keyboard and not just my phone. You don't have to but you can also use it to manage your voice-mail, and
if you opt to have it forward all your calls to the Google number to your cell or any other line you wish. You can also forward texts to your phone as well so even if
you don't use the app you can still get your texts and calls all in one place. I find it useful when traveling and you don't have a cellphone overseas because you can
still make calls for free to any phone number in the United States and text your friends & family.
Voice Recorder:
Simple sound recorder but what I like about this app over the others is that it keeps working on my phone even after I turn off the screen.
Wolfram Alpha: It will solve systems of
equations for you and do other searches like Google, but where it excels is it will give you a encyclopedia like result with broken down information. It is $3 and I
only got it because it was free from Amazon but came in handy when doing advanced calculations that my calculator couldn't. You can also search and do math for free on
their website.
XBMC Remote: Is a remote for XBox
Media Center. XBMC is much more than the name implies. If you have it running on your desktop it can do some amazing stuff, check it out http://xbmc.org/
YouTube: View and search YouTube from
you phone.
I hope this helps you or someone you know. Let me know if I missed anything!
New Phone? Looking To Travel? Just Need Help?
I originally wrote this guide for my aunt but it hit me that others might like this too...
Here is a short list of Apps I recommend and a brief description of each:
Note: I tried to include only those that are free and if I made a mistake sorry. Also, if there is paid version and free version for a specific app I give the link to the free one. You should be able to search the Android Market for all of the apps below, and those that you can't I've included extra instructions.
Andy-86: For download (note that the link on the name is to the creator's website) http://download.pandaapp.com/android-app/andy-862-id2669.html click the
"uploading.com" and then wait and click on the one that says "free download" in grey. You'll have to connect your phone to your computer and move the file and then
install it that way, but this is a TI-86 on your phone! The TI-86 is a $120-$160 device which is great for math classes...so maybe for you or the kids?Amazon App: go to
Amazon App: go to http://www.amazon.com/mobile-apps/b?ie=UTF8&node=2350149011 and you can also click for the free app of the day but the link is for their app so
you can do it all from your phone is in the upper right corner. Enter your phone number or email address and you'll be sent a link by email or SMS (depending on what you input) to download the app. You'll have to enable unknown sources to get it to install.You'll need Amazon account to take full advantage of things like the Free Paid App of the Day.Astrid Tasks: This is a great app for to-do lists, and it also syncs with your Google account so that you can see everything online as well. You can also create calendar reminders as well from within this app.Bubble Level: Simple app but lets you use your phone to see if things are level.Calendar: If you don't have this app and it should
just say Calendar, you'll need the Business Calendar Free app which will let you see your Google Calendar and sync everything.Car Home: This is a nice Google app for navigating your phone while driving simple and safer. Please still watch the road!Chrome to Phone: this is a great app that lets you send links, text, phone numbers, etc... directly to your phone. So if you have a webpage up you can send it to your phone for when you need to go.The one catch to this is you'll need to install the add-on to your browser.
If you use FireFox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/foxtophone/?src=searchIf you use Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/oadboiipflhobonjjffjbfekfjcgkhcoColorDict: If you want a good
offline dictionary than this would be it. Support for several other languages and translation modes as well. The only quark is that you have to install other apps for
the other dictionaries but once they download the dictionary it will uninstall its self. ColorDict will make finding the apps you'll need/want easy.XE Currency: A great app of seeing the currency while
you're out and about in a foreign country Documents To Go: This is great if you have non-PDF or other documents that you want to open from your phone. Only down side is the free version
won't let you edit. I haven't found a good free app that will let you create/edit docs.ezPDF: Great app for
opening and reading PDF files. If you don't want ads the pro version is $3. FaceBook: If you use FaceBook!ES File Manager: So you can find, rename, delete, install files (Andy-86 for example), etc... all from your phone. It does seem to have some added features as well, which mainly are a built in FTP and the ability to browse files over a network.Free Advanced
Task Manager: I like this app because sometimes apps stay open that I don't want to and you can create a widgets that will kill all of your open apps.GMail: If you don't already have it, then this is the
best email app for Gmail.GMote: Great app for remotely controlling a
desktop's mouse and keyboard. You will need to install something onto the computer but the app has instructions for that.Goggles: Is a good and
basic bar-code scanner, but I almost never use it as most places don't bother with this anymore.Hapi Podcast: As far as free podcast mangers
go this is the best one I've found.IM+: This is a great all-in-
one IMing solution for your phone. Skype, GChat, FaceBook Chat, MSN, Yahoo, etc... I have the Pro because I got it free from Amazon, but the non-Pro version isn't
worth it really.IP Webcam: Another free app that lets you use your phone
as a Webcam, which is handy if your laptop/computer doesn't have one and you need one.K-9 Mail: This is an excellent free mail program if you have anything other than GMail. The built in app is shameful and this restores what should be built in.
Google Maps: If you
don't have Google Maps you should. Even if you don't have GPS in your phone you for turn by turn navigation, you can still get a direction list. Also comes with Google
Navigation (see real-time traffic) and Google Places to make it easier to find locations near you.Update: If you have the newest version you can go under the Settings > Labs and turn on some fun new features like the "Pre-cache map area" and such...not the best cache option for using maps offline but if you want a free mobile app not too shabby either.
MoBoPlayer: If you want to watch video clips that aren't in the native Android format this is your player. I know of one other free video player this also good, which is later in the list. I use this one primarily but I have the other one installed because some video files player better in it. Between the two I get all my needs met.QQPlayer:
I mentioned MoBoPlayer earlier and this is a very similar program for watching videos. I use it with Mobo because they each handle video a little differently and this
one seems to do better on some files. I haven't figure out the pattern but I only use this one. Plus this app has the option for hidden video lists.
Also, this one is also free.OneBusAway: This is only for Seattle. It is a University of Washington
application that helps with getting around by bus. I found most cities have something similar though. Most major cities have something similar for their buses or subways or trains, so just do a search.Opera: I've used the default browser,
and I've tried a few other free ones and even some paid ones. I've found I like Opera as a web browser the best.Paper Camera: I know this app is $2 and I
also know that it gets cliche quickly but it makes some amazing photo/art that if you don't know how to do yourself or if you don't have the software, it does it
quickly and professionally.ReadItLater: This is a little a kin to the Chrome to Phone app, but it saves the page for you ahead of time so you can read it in offline mode. You can also see what you've saved from any device you have it installed or from any computer. the Pro version is $3 and isn't worth it unless you find you want to support the project or need a few extras. I have the pro only because of Amazon's free app of the day.
SeekDroid: If you want a little more
security to your phone, or peace of mind I recommend this app. Even if you don't want to opt for the Pro version at $5, which I recommend, it will still be worth
while.Skype: You'll get the IM function from IM+ but you'll want the full Skype app if you want voice or video chat.SMS Schedule: Is what it says. You can
schedule a text for later. Great for remember something late at night but don't want to disturb anyone, or if you want to send a happy birthday reminder when you
remember it.GroupText: If you want
to mass text then you'll like this app. You can also setup specific groups if you find yourself texting specific groups a lot. I setup a group for my chemistry class
so I could text everyone at once to figure out studying times or hangout times when we were done with tests.Group SMS & Scheduler: Is
a combination of the SMS Schedule and GroupText, but I used those more than this so I thought I'd include them just in case this app doesn't meet all of your needs. I
like this app overall though so I'd say just try this one first.SoundHound: They have a pro version of this app but I wouldn't bother
unless you use this a lot, a lot. This will let you figure out what song is playing somewhere when you like it, someone asks, or you're just curious. Is like Shazam
but for the free version is better since it will let you search more songs.Speed Test: Basic app for figuring out
what your connection speed is.SwiftKey: This will replace the default keyboard and add a lot of nice features. The Pro version is $4 and I recommend it if you really like the
app otherwise the free should give you everything you need. I have the pro version from Amazon's free app of the day...how I have most of my apps.Tabs Tools: $4, which helps you
tune your guitar and such.Guitar Tabs: $3, helps you learn songs. Doesn't just give you the tabs but helps you with the rhythm and everything.
I have both of the above because of Amazon's free app of the day, and although I'm not great on the guitar I found these very useful but if I was good on the guitar I probably only want the Tabs program. Most of my friends that are good with a guitar can tune them by ear.
Nexus Torch: Turns your flash into a flashlight.
It works on more than just the Nexus phone. I found it the best flashlight app because it lets me "overclock" my LED, but be careful because the LED gets really hot
that way and can burn out if left on too long.Translate: Another
Google app and it is just like their website. So it works mostly great but you'll need an Internet connection.TuneIn Radio: Great for streaming local or any radio station
without having to go to the website or finding each radio stations app. If you don't like ads, Pro $1.Twitter: If you want to Twitter than this is it.Vevo: Similar to YouTube and has a good range of features and
content, but I honestly never used it much since I don't have enough bandwidth to stream things they way I'd like.Voice: A Google app
to connect you with your Google Voice account, and if you don't have a Google number you should get one: https://www.google.com/voice I find it a great advantage to have one so if you want family that only has a landline to call you just pick a number
that is local for them. I also enjoy texting from a computer keyboard and not just my phone. You don't have to but you can also use it to manage your voice-mail, and
if you opt to have it forward all your calls to the Google number to your cell or any other line you wish. You can also forward texts to your phone as well so even if
you don't use the app you can still get your texts and calls all in one place. I find it useful when traveling and you don't have a cellphone overseas because you can
still make calls for free to any phone number in the United States and text your friends & family.Voice Recorder:
Simple sound recorder but what I like about this app over the others is that it keeps working on my phone even after I turn off the screen.Wolfram Alpha: It will solve systems of
equations for you and do other searches like Google, but where it excels is it will give you a encyclopedia like result with broken down information. It is $3 and I
only got it because it was free from Amazon but came in handy when doing advanced calculations that my calculator couldn't. You can also search and do math for free on
their website.XBMC Remote: Is a remote for XBox
Media Center. XBMC is much more than the name implies. If you have it running on your desktop it can do some amazing stuff, check it out http://xbmc.org/YouTube: View and search YouTube from
you phone.I hope this helps you or someone you know. Let me know if I missed anything!
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