In the past I’ve done FOSS list for Windows, not that I’ve moved onto Android, here are my top 10 picks for app everyone should have installed on their phone/tablet.
Apps Suite: Google apps
Gmail App: The default email client on Android is good, but there is a different, gmail specific one. It has some nice features that the built in one is lacking.
Google Calendar App: Similarly to the Gmail app above, there is a Google Calendar specific app.
Google Drive App: This app gives you access to add, edit and upload files to your Google Drive. Easily edit documents, spreadsheets and share.
Google Voice: Great app that replaces your voicemail. It will transcribe your messages, email you alerts and forward/screen calls.
Google Voice on the Play Store
Web Browser: Google Chrome
The default browser you install on your Android is a personal preference thing. I find that Google Chrome syncs to my desktop and runs really well on my phone. It actually replaces the built in internet app on newer devices.
Task Manager: Wunderlist
Wunderlist is an amazing task management tool. Add task from your desktop or device and it syncs and reminds you in a well designed and feature full app.
Audio Player: doubleTwist
The built in player on my Samsung was pretty bad and the Google Music app has a muddled user interface. doubleTwist is a really amazing audio player. Clean and clear UI makes for a really enjoyable audio player.
Cloud Storage: Dropbox
Dropbox is really the first to get it right. With a generous amount of free storage, you can setup you android to sync all of your files to the cloud and down to all of your devices.
eReader: Amazon Kindle
There are lots of free ereaders – but the whisper sync that syncs you current reading place make Kindle my default app.
Remote Access: AirDroid
This app is pretty cool. It gives you access to your Android over the internet. You can access the drive, download logs, send and receive text messages.
Bookmarks: Pocket
Pocket has become a must have for my desktop and phone. Share or save any web site to Pocket and get a wonderful cleaned up reader version of the web page. It also runs offline!
Photo Management Apps
There are a number of great apps that all do different types of things to photos.
SnapSeed and Pixlr Express – both of these apps make adjusting colors, adding borders and general photo editing a snap.
Photo Grid – use this app to combine multiple photos into wonderful collages. I like to use this before I post to facebook or instagram
Skitch – Skitch is amazing for adding text, arrows, and drawings to any image.
Instagram – One click image sharing to a number of different services.
Discover more from AJB Blog
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.