Top Android apps you can't live without [2010]

[Elessar]

Trillian for Android (Free)

[Ruciz]

Isnt torch only in 2.2?

This could be why I didn't see it in 2.1, very good point indeed.

Either way it should work on all platforms though I would think provided they had a LED for camera flash.. if you can find it for your device I suggest using it as its quite handy as the LED provides a LOT of illumination.

[cybertimber2008]

Lets see... for me:

1. LauncherPro (was faster than Sense on my Hero

2. Handcent

3. Swype

4. MyRemote (Windows Media Center remote. Has arrow/pause play controls AND mouse control)

5. Shazam

6. AudioManager - App & Widget that makes setting the 6 different audio settings (Alarm | Voice | Alerts | Ringer | System | Voice) E-A-Z-Y!

7. The Weather Channel App (for it's notification bar temp, and audible notification when severe weather alerts are issued, such as tornado warnings)

8. Stats (shows phone usage: wifi, call time in and out, number of texts, 3g usage)

9. Notes (why this isn't in Android out of the box, I'll never know)

10. Compass

& 10. GPS Status

11. Barcode Scanner (must have)

Worth Mentionings:

Antennas - Maps the towers your phone connects to and the signal strength

ConnectBot - SSH client

File Manager

Kindle

Linpack for Android

Trillian - In Beta, an IM client that syncs details across PC, Mac, iPhone, Blackberry, and Web based IM client. IM from anywhere, anytime, from any device.

And the google applications. God knows Google Maps+Navigation is the top of the must have apps.

[Sawyer 99]

Antennas is cool! useful to trouble shoot as to why your signal is weak

[Hardcore Til I Die]

In no particular order...

1. Launcher Pro (I've joined the dark side!) - homescreen replacement.

2. Twicca - twitter client with a handy homescreen widget. Has a nice black theme for low power consumption on OLED devices.

3. Facebook for Android.

4. Widget Locker - run widgets on your lock screen.

5. Flikie Wallpapers HD - thousands of wallpapers to choose from.

6. ChompSMS - full featured SMS app. Not as full featured as handcent but more nicely organised imo.

7. Google Maps + Navigation.

8. National Rail - UK train app. Covers train timetables, station info, ticket prices etc etc.

9. London City - London Tube map, viewable offline.

10. London Tube Status - status of all tube lines, journey planner.

[techbeck]

I can live without these apps to and dont mind the stock apps. I just use the others since they are available.

[+Majesticmerc MVC]

I can live without these apps to and dont mind the stock apps. I just use the others since they are available.

[SMELTN]

Good list

[Sawyer 99]

Anyone know of an app to take screenshots WITHOUT rooting the phone?

[Hardcore Til I Die]

Anyone know of an app to take screenshots WITHOUT rooting the phone?

You can do it using the Android SDK.

Guide: http://www.simplehelp.net/2009/07/21/how-to-take-screenshots-of-your-android-based-phone-from-windows/

[divinatum]

My top apps... In no order.

Astrid Tasks. Android stock doesn't ship with any sort of PIM tools. Astrid fills in the gap quite nicely.

Notes by Yuli. Again, Android stock doesn't have any PIM tools. This is a sweet little tool. Support for encryption, photos, labels, importing things from SMS. Robust little tool.

Twicca (And twitpic/flickr plugins). The best twitter app out there. It's so clean and simple, yet powerful under the hood. The first app I install when I wipe my system between Cyanogen updates.

EStrongs File Manager. Free, ad free, and just as powerful if not more than Astro.

Awesome Drop. If I need to transfer a small file, this is how I do it rather than emailing it anymore. It's awesome.

Foursquare. The client is a little rough, and not as polished as the iOS version (But what app really is polished on Android?) but it works pretty well and is always getting updated.

ROM Manager. This tool is one I only started using a few days ago, but instantly paid for. Makes it so easy to flash on Cyanogen nightly updates, new builds, etc. Koush really did an awesome job.

Armored Strike. Such a fun game.

K-9 Mail Open source email client built on the stock Android Email client. So many great improvements made, and can really burn through a larger inbox if you have one. Updated almost every other day with new features and bug fixes. So many configuration options for inboxes, and preferences. Ditched the official Google GMail client in favor of K-9, it's that good.

ConnectBot Remote SSH access is a must.

[+longgonebn Subscriber²]

Anyone have suggestions for a 3G data watching app.

I used 3G Watchdog, good but kinda simple and ugly.

DroidStats does not seem to work for me, at least no the data information.

Ideas...Thanks.

[Sawyer 99]

Anyone have suggestions for a 3G data watching app.

I used 3G Watchdog, good but kinda simple and ugly.

DroidStats does not seem to work for me, at least no the data information.

Ideas...Thanks.

Stats is a good one, you can set a limit too and reset it monthly.

[Hardcore Til I Die]

Anyone have suggestions for a 3G data watching app.

I used 3G Watchdog, good but kinda simple and ugly.

DroidStats does not seem to work for me, at least no the data information.

Ideas...Thanks.

How is 3G Watchdog simple exactly, what more do you need?

It has data sent, data received, shows you the % of your quote you've used, shows how much data you've sent/received on a daily/weekly/monthly basis, has two widgets, and a little icon in the notification bar that changes colour to show how close you are to hitting your limit for the month.

Ugly, I'll give you that one, but it just sits in the notification bar all day.. you don't have to look at it :p

[Marcus16]

I no particular order:

doubleTwist (best media player I've found so far)

Twitter for Android

Jewels

GPS Test (just interesting is all)

GPSLogger (I use this in integration with my own app)

SMS Backup+

ASTRO (I have the paid version, the ads take up to much needed space.)

[morphen]

1. Handcent SMS

2. Autokiller

3. Dolphinbrowser HD

4. ES File Explorer

5. Dropbox

6. Klaxon

7. Opera Mini (where i only get Edge coverage)

8. Truecaller

9. XBMC Remote (official)

10. Jewels

I no particular order:

doubleTwist (best media player I've found so far)

Twitter for Android

Jewels

GPS Test (just interesting is all)

GPSLogger (I use this in integration with my own app)

SMS Backup+

ASTRO (I have the paid version, the ads take up to much needed space.)

bTunes knocks the hell out of doubleTwist:p

I know,I know, it's the evil twin of the iphone/ipad player, or more like a clone, but hell, it's the best out there:)

[Berserk87]

bTunes knocks the hell out of doubleTwist:p

I know,I know, it's the evil twin of the iphone/ipad player, or more like a clone, but hell, it's the best out there:)

you clearly don't know what doubletwist is, and yet you claim btunes is better.

[HyBry]

My list in no particular order.

Battery status Pro - because I can have battery % indicator in notification bar

Financisto - great for keeping track of my finances.

Astrid tasks - nice and clean interface

Advanced task killer - just don't like apps running in background

Got some others but these ones are to most imporant ones to me.

[morphen]

you clearly don't know what doubletwist is, and yet you claim btunes is better.

I testet the doubletwist as soon as they released the android application, felt to...stock player for me, and the need for doubletwist on my computer set me of.

I don't like using any syncing software for my music, i like to manage the folder struckture on the sd myself for music, so

doubletwist might be better if you use it the computer application:)

edit; just download version 1.0.2, smoother, checks sd card for music itself, video works...ok, I agree with you :)

what i liked about btunes was the library function, it seems DVD-jon got it right this time, liking what I see :)

[Berserk87]

maybe I missed something.

doubletwist is a sync app, and you were talking about btunes, which I found the site and its a ipod touch looking media player for android.

which is why I wasn't sure why you were comparing them.

[*RedBull*]

I use these apps currently, looking to add a few more...Tested many others.

1. System Panel Lite Task Manager - By far the best Task Manager I've come accross it kills all apps when screen is locked. Except those excluded by user choice. This greatly reduces battery consumption, virtually no consumption while phone is not active. (Y) System Panel lite has several features and many others in the full version. The only thing missing currently is an auto kill select option.

2. Quick Battery - this is a lite battery usage monitor, virtually no battery drain. Unlike many others.

3. Fast Reboot - Does a nice reboot to clear memory. Does a cleaner job of killing all apps than System Panel Lite, although SPL does a nice job also.

4. Quick Settings - gives quicker access to common important system apps. Has a flashlight and battery indicator. Another lite Swiss Army App.

5. WiFi Manager - does what it says

6. WiFi Analyzer - see where the stronger signal is located.

I try not to run too many apps as my aim is to extend the battery life. ;)

[Nagisan]

I use these apps currently, looking to add a few more...Tested many others.

1. System Panel Lite Task Manager - By far the best Task Manager I've come accross it kills all apps when screen is locked. Except those excluded by user choice. This greatly reduces battery consumption, virtually no consumption while phone is not active.

Only if you run apps that suck down your battery without you keeping an eye on them. All task killers do on 2.1 or newer phones is allow you to keep less of an eye on what your phone is doing. Any battery saving a task killer does, can also be done by the owner being more careful with their apps.

[booboo]

I know most of you use swype, I couldn't get it for my xperia x10, however I found an amazing keyboard (better than apples by far with algorithm and typing speed). It's had so little publication from what I have seen...It's called swiftkey. I've been using it for the past 2 weeks and I love it, I can liturally reply to texts with the suggested words, it's sooo clever.

Ignore the video on the site, it doesn't do it justice.

http://www.swiftkey.net/

Free as well (in beta though)..

[Singh400]

I know most of you use swype, I couldn't get it for my xperia x10, however I found an amazing keyboard (better than apples by far with algorithm and typing speed). It's had so little publication from what I have seen...It's called swiftkey. I've been using it for the past 2 weeks and I love it, I can liturally reply to texts with the suggested words, it's sooo clever.

Ignore the video on the site, it doesn't do it justice.

http://www.swiftkey.net/

Free as well (in beta though).

If you can't get into the Swype beta, try an alternative called SlideIT. SwiftKey is cool, but I'm waiting for BlindType to be released. That looks awesome.

[+longgonebn Subscriber²]

If you can't get into the Swype beta, try an alternative called SlideIT. SwiftKey is cool, but I'm waiting for BlindType to be released. That looks awesome.

I can't install Swype because not enough space (waiting for 2.2). And I don't think I would like BlindType (if it's the one without a keyboard) I need to see something to know where I am putting my fingers, to get close to the letters.