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What are the "MUST HAVE" Android apps?

I'm getting my very first Android phone in 3 days. I'm wondering if there are any suggestions out there for any apps that any serious Android device owner MUST HAVE.

PS.

The phone I'm getting is the HTC EVO, which runs on ANdroid 2.1 (Eclair) with Sense. What top 5 (or top 2, or top 10) apps should be priority #1 to get as soon as I get my device activated? and How much do they cost?
 
If you ask five people, you'll get seven different answers. This is going to be a loong thread! :p

What I'd suggest, without going into specifics, are:

- a good notepad, to get things done. I couldn't believe there wasn't one included in the standard PIM suite, but now there are a gazillion to choose from!
- a good calendar widget for your home screen, if one isn't already included in HTC's default theme. It's good to have your schedule and reminders right there every time you turn the thing on (another GTD habit).
- Some way to apply profiles to your phone. I don't know what Android 2.x can do, but with 1.x it's extremely convenient to be able to tell it "right, now I'm at home", or have it automatically go into "work" mode (muting the ringer and such) on weekdays between 9am and 5pm. At least, you won't be the one everybody's scowling at because a phone was left alone on desk, ringing loudly!
- Some form of backup solution, so that you can make partial or complete system backups and roll back after an application or OS upgrade. If you don't, you'll inevitably find yourself in a situation where you wish you had. Such is the nature of backups... :rolleyes:

Good luck!
 
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Backups are not very easily implemented in Android, because of the security model (every app runs in its own sandbox). Therefore, nearly all "good" backup solutions require your phone to be rooted (which really is not that big of a deal).

I use Titanium Backup (no affiliation, yadda yadda ;)).
- it's free
- it can backup and restore single apps, or various batches
- it captures application data*
- it can be scheduled to do automatic periodic backups (I think, only in the paid version)
- it can store multiple back-versions of each backed-up app (only in the paid version)

One iffy thing is that when restoring, you have to go through the regular installation procedure (confirming install, confirming access grants, ok'ing completed install) because even though they're nicely chained in batch mode they still need to be installed "the Android way". This is not a limitation of Titanium, but a policy set by the OS.
Edit: I just paid for the Donate version -- it allows "zero-click" (more like one-click" batch restores, where you never see a single Market installer screen, just the hour glass while it's doing the batch operation. :cool:

*for most apps (such as a notepad), this means settings as well as data (notes), but for the core apps it does not include emails, sms messages, the call log, etc -- for those you will have to use separate apps. :eek:
 
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Yeah, it is a bit complicated. My old Palm takes automatic nightly backups, and restoring everything takes but a minute.
Edit: I just paid for the Donate version of Titanium Backup -- it allows "zero-click" (more like one-click" batch restores, where you never see a single Market installer screen, just the hour glass while it's doing the batch operation. :cool: It also enables automatic scheduled backups.

Forget the good old days, we are now living in the glorious future! :rolleyes:
 
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Just read threads about lost and stolen phones, and the obvious first app that you should install is a security app. There are a few out there, by I use "Lookout". It has GPS location via the website (so it will show approx. location of phone on map if you loose it), an alarm that can be remotely activated, backup services, and a virus scanner.

As for everything else, you just have to look around. There are so many apps out there. To get you started, consider Advanced Task Killer, Apps Organizer, Barcode Scanner, Hancent SMS...
 
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ok, here are the must have apss in my opinion and probs some agree, here they are:

*Advance Task killer - lets you kill unwanted tasks, good for freeing up memory, but kills selected tasks and add some to ignore that are required, more info is on forums, and yes you do need it regardless of what people say, every smartphone should have one. its how you use it that matters.

* Astro file manager - this is probably the best file manager around for android, it lets you go into your drives and edit,delete,add, move etc folders and files, so you are in control of it.

* Mp3 Download - the title kind of gives it away, if you love music this is for you, lets you search for a song, click it and download it for FREE :D easy as that. (bit like limewire on pc but its safe and its on your phone.)

*My Backup/My Backup pro - this is vital i think, everyone should do backups, and this app does exactly what it says on the tin and backs up your data,messages,settings and apps. either to your memory card or a online server. take it from me tested and it worked, backed up on one desire and restored on my new desire.

* ebuddy - if you like chatting away either on fb or msn and love the messenger on both then this app is for you. Lets you add both your msn or facebook and probs more to it, and you can chat on both and at same time if you want, great interface and brill app.

* gearoid (sega mastersystem)/ super gnes - If you are a gamer and love playing games,then this is for you, go oldskool and download these emulators these are brill, jsut downlaod the roms off net onto your phone and play :)

* world cup 2010 fotmob - football person? this app deffo for you, especialy with the world cup coming up, keep upto date and have the altest score and info on your phone on the move. brill app.

* video box - lets you download youtube content straight to your phone.

xialive - lets you stream online radio, really good, sectioned into diff genres, great app, also can conflict with mp3 download in a good way allowing you to preview the track before you downlaod. :)

* barcode scanner - lets you scan barcodes giving you prices, also can scan barcodes to get apps for your phone as the image is a link to a site/app.

* OI notepad/OIsafe - lets you keep your passwords safe and secure and the notepad lets you save important info.

these are some of the best and must have apps in my opinion, there are probs more, but these should keep you pre occupied and help others aswel here :) enjoy
 
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I recommend you sign up to Appbrain.com (it uses your google account to sign in) and build your app list in there. Very fast and easy. When you get your EVO, install the Appbrain app onto your phone and there's an option to 'install all' of the apps that are on your list. I wrote my list on a notepad, when I was researching for apps to download before I got my N1. It was a long and tedious process when I had to install all of the apps :/

I'm big on management apps on my phone. Here are ones that I need for my phone to work the way I want it :) All of the apps are free!

  • Call Confirm - ask you to confirm your call, great if you're the type to pocket dial someone ;)
  • Apps Organizer - creates folders on your home screen that is more customizable than the stock folders
  • Bar Control - allows you to put shortcuts on the notification bar. So it's a VERY easy access to apps you use a lot.
  • Documents To Go 2.0 Main App - I have the paid app, the free one is only viewable for words and excel. If you buy the paid version, wait until there's a sale. I got mine for $5.99. Regular price is $29.99.
  • Home Switcher - I use a couple of 3rd party home launchers, so I find this very useful from changing from one launcher to another
  • Lookout Mobile Security FREE - My #1 app, it's an all in one app: Anti-Virus Scan, Data backup and phone locater if you lose your phone.
  • SMS Unread Count - puts a counter on your SMS and Gmail app
  • Smooth Calendar - easy view of my calander of the 3 most recent dates
  • Astrid Task/Todo List - Best task manager :)
  • ASTRO File Manager - good file manager! I also use EStrong File Manager since it allows me to control files on my computer.
  • Mini Info - My #2 app, it gives you detail information on battery, internal memory and SD memory
  • Quick System Info - My #3 app, another great all in one app that allows you to view your phone information and performance history. Manages all of your apps (intstall/unisntall/backup) and is a task killer.
View this app list on AppBrain


I'd recommend that you read this thread as a first time Android user: http://androidforums.com/android-ap...ps-avoid-viruses-guide-those-new-android.html

Some people will say that you need a task killer, and it's up to you if you want to or not. I recommend you use your phone without one first and see how you like it.
You might want to read this too: http://geekfor.me/faq/you-shouldnt-be-using-a-task-killer-with-android/
 
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I'm getting my very first Android phone in 3 days. I'm wondering if there are any suggestions out there for any apps that any serious Android device owner MUST HAVE.

PS.

The phone I'm getting is the HTC EVO, which runs on ANdroid 2.1 (Eclair) with Sense. What top 5 (or top 2, or top 10) apps should be priority #1 to get as soon as I get my device activated? and How much do they cost?

You will be pleasantly surprised that most apps are free. My only paid apps are Documents to Go and Weatherbug Elite.
Advanced Task Killer is a must.
Some of my favorites are(in no particular order):
Ethereal Keypad
Cal Widget-this is a great calendar Widget, much better than the stock widget (at least on the Droid)
Aquarium live wallpaper
Barcode scanner-Great for getting other apps from the barcode.
K-9 mail (unless you use Gmail)
Ringdroid
Google Earth
Word up
Toss it
WI-FI on/off
Screen brightness widget
Of course it depends on what you like. I've found a lot of apps that people love that I've deleted.
 
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-Handcent: It's HUGE upgrade over the stock texting app)
-Weather Bug
-FileGo: This is better than Astro as you can drag and drop files on your sd card from one folder into another. VERY handy if you use something like....
-Homepipe: Download onto your phone, then again on your PC, and use your phone to access files on your PC via the 'net. You can upload to the pc, as well as email stuff on it from your phone. Oh, its free by the way.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
 
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- ASTRO: easy way to sort through your sd card and back up apps
- Battery Minder: lets you see the % of battery left in your notification bar, has a good look that blends in with the rest of the notifcation icons
- Shazam: if you hear a song you don't know, it tells you the name of the song and the artist who sings it
- WeatherBug: good weather app
- Where's My Droid: if you lose your phone you can send a certain text to it and it'll start ringing, no matter if it's on silent or vibrate. And you can also GPS track it (not sure how that works as I haven't used the GPS thing yet)
- On / Off Toggle Widgets: lets you quickly change the settings of things like wifi, gps, bluetooth and things like that, personally I use the 1's by CurveFish

Edit: PdaNet is good to have. Just had a blackout and now I'm using it to get internet on my laptop haha
 
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Here are the apps I've downloaded

NetCounter - keeps track of how much data you use. Not especially needed with the Evo seeing we have unlimited data, but still nice to know.

Shazam - Hear a song you like? This program will "listen" and find out the name of the song and help you download it.

Astrid Tasks - todo lists and it ties in with the native calendar app.

Asto - file manager program. Great for installing/uninstalling apps from SD card

.PodKast. - podcast subscription program. Let's you stream from online or download to your SD card. Great program.

Documents To Go (full version) - I've got a bluetooth keyboard synced up to my Evo, so a word processor like this is absolutely perfect app to have.

Google Earth - great app to see the world in a virtual way.

Google Sky Map - uses your gps location to tell you what stars are what. If you're a stargazer type, this is an awesome app.

Google Translate - translator program

LED Desire Light - great app for the Evo. It activates your LED lights on the back of your phone. You can use it as a flashlight or even to send morse code. Plus, you can adjust brightness and even more importantly, it has a widget that you can use for a simple ON/OFF. One of my favorite apps.

Shopper - bar code scanner. Scans a barcode just by holding the phone near a product and gives you price information, reviews, etc.

UltraMate - diary service that lets you tie location/pictures/weather to your little Evo journal. I love using this app with my bluetooth keyboard.

TV.com - service tied to TV.com. A lot of old shows that you can stream and watch like Star Trek (original series).

WikiMobile - search app for wikipedia. The only problem I have with it is that I can't flick from one page to another (gotta use onscreen buttons instead). Still, much easier than going to wikipedia via your browser).

Freedom Pro Keyboard (directly from otadrivers.com) - I picked up a Freedom Pro bluetooth keyboard and using their driver/app, I have it synced to my Evo and it is the BEST and most FAVORITE app I've got. It still has some minor bugs, but this is something that every Evo owner should try out.
 
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