Android apps (short for applications) are mobile software
designed for running on the Android operating system, which is one of
the most popular platforms used in cellphones, tablets and other mobile
devices.There are about 400,000 apps in the Android Market, as many as the App Store, but how many of them are worth your time and bandwidth?After spending some time with an endless number of Android apps, we whittled down our favorites based on a combination of factors: creativity, usability, features, utility- apps that make you grateful you’re an Android smartphone owner. You’ll find a mix of Android-only and cross-platform apps that were seamlessly ported to Android.
Productivity Tools
Check your head: In the Thinking Space "mind-mapping" app, you can create maps to connect thoughts and ideas. It's great for organizing and for forming new concepts. Ad-supported free version, $4 premium versionManage your files: Astro File Manager makes your phone act as a miniature PC. You can copy/move/rename files, back up apps, send files as attachments, and create compressed files. Ad-supported free version, $4 premium version
Handle tasks wisely: The GTasks task manager syncs with the desktop Google Tasks, which you can also access in the Web version of Gmail and Google Calendar. It's so useful, it should be included on every Android phone. Free
Manage archives: The powerful AndroZip File Manager works with archives, including 7ZIPhone, BZIP2, GZIPhone, RAR, TAR, and ZIPhone files. You can use it to create GZIP, TAR, or ZIPhone archives, too. Free
Text with panache: Forget the stock SMS utility. Handcent SMS brings customizable texting tools--with iPhone-style speech bubbles--to Android. Free
Utilities
Entertain a child: With Toddler Lock you can turn your phone into a toy that can keep your little one rapt for hours. It shows a single screen (locking away all others) that displays colorful shapes when your toddler touches it. Soothing sounds play in the background. FreeUse gestures to find files: Gesture Search lets you quickly locate a contact, a bookmark, an app, or a music track by drawing letters and digits on your phone's touchscreen. Free
Find the best Wi-Fi: Want to find the least-crowded Wi-Fi channel? Wifi Analyzer shows a graphical representation of Wi-Fi SSIDs' signal strength, plus which channels are being used. Free
Customize alerts: In Missed Call you can customize your phone's LED light, ringtones, vibrations, and alerts for missed calls, incoming calls, SMS, Bluetooth, and calendar events. Free
Find a lost Android: If you lose your phone, AntiDroidTheft turns on remote GPS tracking so that you can determine its location. You can also trigger the phone's camera to shoot an image that might help you locate the handset. Free
Shine a light: Color Flashlight turns a phone into a bright light with a wide array of hues and strobe patterns. Free
Browsers
Skyfire: allows you to enjoy Flash video on your handset. Thanks to the Skyfire browser, you can play streaming Flash video. 'Nuff said. FreeBrowse better: The Dolphin Browser HD Web browser has tabs, gesture-based navigation, and plug-ins. It's a far more functional browser than the one that came preloaded on your phone. Free
Share Web pages: Bookmarklet plugs into the Android Web browser (or Dolphin HD) and lets you share Web pages with AIM, Bit.ly, Delicious, Digg, Facebook, Twitter, and other services. Free
Organizers and Timesavers
Make recipes mobile: Through Digital Recipe Sidekick you can browse and import recipes from AllRecipes.com, save recipes to SD Card, e-mail them, edit them, or enter your own. The app will even read recipes to you. Free
Scan bar codes:
Barcode Scanner
handles bar codes--including 2D QR codes--and lets you look up the
associated product or URL for instant price checks and comparison
shopping. FreeConvert and calculate: The in-beta ConvertMe app is a handy unit converter, currency converter, and tip calculator. It comes with more than 1500 units across more than 65 categories, and it supports 14 languages. Free
Take a measurement: The Smart Measure app, which uses your phone's camera, measures the height of objects and estimates the distance between your phone and the object. Free
Level it: With Spirit Level Plus, you can use your phone to make sure that pictures hang straight. The app also shows the angle of incline. Free
Audio and Photo Apps
BeyondPod: manages audio and video podcast subscriptions. With BeyondPod,
which integrates with the Android music player, you can discover and
manage audio and video podcasts. The premium version adds better
controls for updating and managing subscriptions. Free basic version, $7 premium versionDiscover cool podcasts: The Listen app helps you search for thousands of audio feeds, stream them, or subscribe to them. It integrates with Google Reader on the desktop, as well. Free
Work smart with photos: Using Picasa Tool Pro you can batch-upload photos, as well as browse and manage your albums, photos, and comments. Free
