My Android Apps

Posted on June 2, 2010 by Alvin Trusty

In case you are getting an Android phone this weekend, here is a list of apps I use. All of these apps are FREE.  None of these apps require rooting.

1 – Barcode Scanner

I’m putting this application first because you can use it to easily get the rest of the apps I have listed.  Barcode Scanner is an app that will read barcodes.  It will also read QR codes.  You can download almost any Android app without searching through the app store, if you have a QR code which will take you directly to the application page.  Start Barcode Scanner.  Point your camera at the QR code that’s on the screen.  Take a picture.  Magic.

Use Barcode Scanner and point at the QR code for Gesture Search.  It’s that easy.

2 – Gesture Search

This application will let you scribble search information on the screen.  Want to call Buzz?  Use your finger to draw a “B”.  Follow that with a “U” if there are too many B’s in your list.  It will search names, apps and media on your device, if you decide to turn all of that on.

3 – Twidroid

It’s Twitter for Android. I plan to use this until Twitter’s official app is available on Android.

4 – PdaNet

With Android, tethering is free. Until Android 2.2 comes out (where it’s part of the OS), use this app to connect your computer to the Internet using either a USB or Bluetooth connection to your Android phone.

5 – Google Goggles

Got a picture you can’t identify? Start Google Goggles and point your camera at it. Chances are good that Google can figure out who or what it is.

6 – Shazam

This does for audio what Google Goggles does for pictures.

7 – Ringdroid

Turn any song on your phone into a ring tone.

8 – Wifi Analyzer

See the names of signal strength of the wifi access points around you.

9 – Shop Savvy

I think this one also reads QR codes, but that’s not what I use it for. Use this app when you’re in a store and wonder if the sale price is comparable to what you can find online or at other stores close to your location. From Best Buy it told me I could drive one mile down the road to Staples and save ten dollars.

10 – Where

Find food, gas, entertainment… just about anything in your general location. Application also shows prices.

11 – Bible

Use this app to get almost any version of the Bible: KJV, NKJV, NIV, ASV, ESV, etc. I used the same app on my iPod Touch (my church has wifi). Now it’s on my phone even if I don’t have wifi.

12 – RealCalc

Best calculator I’ve found. Has all the scientific functions and it’s laid out logically… as long as you don’t think RPN is logical.

This should keep you busy for a bit. I also use Google Voice and Evernote on my Droid. I have one game: Air Control. Now that I have an iPad, I don’t use the Droid for games very often. The size of the iPad makes it a killer game platform.

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5 Responses to My Android Apps

  1. Debbie S. says:
    June 3, 2010 at 2:43 am

    You’ve made a lot of posts that have made me think and moved me to take action. But this – I bow to you, oh tech deity. (-:

    What about apps that transfer pictures? I’ve heard BUMP is a good one. Also, you mention that none of these apps “require rooting.” What the heck does THAT mean??

    Finally, the kids will likely be borrowing my Evo often – for games while we are on the road (yes, I will shamelessly bribe them with Evo time in exchange for good behavior), so if anyone else out there can recommend some good games, please do! I’e heard 3G is spotty in Pennsylvania, and it’s a LONG drive through PA to get to Boston and home again…

  2. Alvin Trusty says:
    June 3, 2010 at 3:45 am

    I do have the Flickr app. Kind of forgot about that. It’s one of the those apps which embeds itself into your camera. Any picture you take can be then “shared” with Flickr.

    I have about fifty apps on my phone. I picked the best ones for the post. Get a copy of AppAware. It’s an app which shows what apps people are installing and un-installing in real time.

    Rooting is the equivalent of iPhone jail breaking. The Android phone has an administrative user (root) which has full access to the files on the device. Rooting involves taking over that account so the user has access to all the files. A few apps require this.

    I haven’t driven across PA in twenty years. Don’t know about the coverage. If you have games installed on your phone, you shouldn’t need network access. Here are the games I have installed: Air Control, Air Attack, Archipelago, Armored Strike Lite, Phit Droid and Pocket Empires. I’m sure there are many more that are good. I don’t use my phone for games that much.

    Completely forgot about Google Sky Map. That’s another cool app that I have.

  3. Ryan Collins says:
    June 3, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    @Debbie, buy the kids an ipod touch. :-)

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  5. Debbie S. says:
    June 6, 2010 at 8:02 am

    Well, after 55 hours of intense Evo usage, I am keeping all but 3 of those apps! The simple pre-installed calculator is fine for me, Gesture only seems to work with the contact list and didn’t save me time, and PDA-Net is redundant with the native capability of the Evo.

    The Barcode scanning is mind-blowing, especially combined with ShopSavvy. I’m already working on scanning all my usual grocery shopping items. RingDroid is my favorite. I’ve only made a single ring tone for the phone, but will be using this one lots I know! Goggles, Where, and Bible will all come in handy, I think.

    I did find Delicious, Mint, Qik, Pandora, Fandango, Bump, Sky Map, and Level on my own. Not to mention 15 or so games that look fun. Will take a look at the games you listed at some point as well.

    I cannot believe it took us this long to get a smartphone. I LOVE this thing! Total game changer for us. Already used it more today than I used the laptop! Thanks again for the awesome list.