Your Android phone is only as good as the apps you download so here are the top 20 apps, in my opinion. Most of these are available on the iPhone as well. Let me know if I missed any good ones!
| #1. Facebook |
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| Facebook’s Android app used to be so slow that I was forced to use other apps like Friendcaster to access FB instead of the official app. However, last month the app was upgraded and it’s now quicker and easier to view photos, get messages and navigate around the app. Finally! |
| #2. Pulse News |
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| If you like reading the news or magazines, this app is a must! Pulse takes your favorite websites and transforms them into an interactive mosaic. Tap on an article to see a clean view of the news story within the app. Save stories for reading later across all platforms or sync them with Pocket and Evernote. You can also easily share articles on Facebook or Twitter. |
| #3. Pocket (Read It Later) |
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| A lot of times I find articles that I want to read but I don’t have the time to read them at that moment. With Pocket, you can save anything on the web and view it later, even offline. It also syncs between your phone, tablet & computer. |
| #4. Evernote |
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| Evernote is a notepad on steroids. Take notes, capture photos, create to-do lists, record voice reminders–and all of these will sync so you can access them on any device, anywhere. |
| #5. Barcode Scanner |
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| Scan barcodes on products in stores and then look up prices and reviews on Google, Amazon, etc. You can also scan QR Codes containing URLs, contact info, etc. |
| #6. Go SMS Pro |
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| Replaces original SMS app. Features include custom backgrounds and layouts and pop-up notifications. |
| #7. Mint.com |
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| I know this might sound scary, but you can setup Mint to access all of your checking accounts, credit cards, even student loans, car loans and your 401k, so you can see all of your balances and recent transactions in one place. It automatically categories your transactions so you can go to mint.com on your browser and access charts to analyze your spending. |
| #8. iHeart Radio |
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| I prefer iHeartRadio over Pandora because there’s much less apps doesn’t keep asking me if I’m still listening. Create custom stations just like you do on Pandora, or just listen to the radio (but why would you?). |
| #9. Sound Horn |
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◦ Amazing, fast music recognition
◦ See lyrics move in time with the music
◦ Facebook and Twitter sharing,
◦ Buy links, YouTube videos, artist biographies, and much more |
| #10. Into Now |
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| It’s crazy what apps can do … While you’re watching ANYTHING on TV, even if it’s live, hit the green button in this app, let it listen for about 10 seconds, and it will identify what you’re watching and give you links to look up more information. Also allows you to share on Facebook & Twitter. If Yahoo could make more apps like this, maybe their stock would finally rebound. |
| #11. Stumble Upon |
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| This app lets you “stumble upon” interesting websites … Just tap the “Stumble!” button, or swipe your device’s screen to discover photos, videos, web pages and more, recommended by people sharing your Interests. You never know where the next Stumble might take you… |
| #12. Linked In |
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| The social network for professionals. This app does everything you need it to do. Get updates on people in your network, view industry news, edit your profile, keep up to date with your groups, or view recommended jobs. |
| #13. Cam Scanner |
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| Turn your phone into a scanner. Just take a picture of any paper documents such as receipts, whiteboards, notes, agreement and so forth, and CamScanner can auto-crop image, enhance image quality and create an industry standard PDF file. |
| #14. Redbox |
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| Find the nearest Redbox kiosk, see what movies or games are available, and easily reserve the discs for pickup so that you don’t annoy the people waiting behind you at the kiosk when you can’t make up your mind. |
| #15. Yelp |
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| Find and read reviews about local businesses near you. Use Yelp to search for places to eat, shop, drink, relax and play then read reviews from the locals. |
| #16. Microsoft Skydrive |
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SkyDrive is the place to store your files so you can access them from virtually any device. You can also upload photos or videos from your phone to SkyDrive. Access all of your SkyDrive content including files shared with you.
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| #17. Kindle |
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| Read books on your phone, including thousands of free Kindle books. The Kindle app puts over a million books at your fingertips. It’s the app for every reader, whether you’re a book reader, magazine reader, or newspaper reader—and you don’t need to own a Kindle to use it. |
| #18. Vevo |
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| Access VEVO’s entire catalog of 50,000 music videos from more than 11,000 artists. |
| #19. Zillow |
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| Find homes and apartments for sale, or for rent. Or, get home values on nearly every home (100+ million) in the U.S. |
| #20. Bookmarks |
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| Bookmark Home is a website launcher, a bookmark manager, that looks and feels like a home application for bookmarks. |
