Android App Starter Kit

[impala63rag]

Since getting my new Android, I have spent countless hours searching the market for apps. Should all that work finding the right apps really be necessary to get the most from our phones?

In this thread, I challenge you to provide a list of essential apps that you would recommend to a new user.

I am still a noob, so my list might not be the best, but here are the ones that I am happy with.


Lookout - internet security, and tracker in case phone is lost.

anipet Aquarium live wallpaper - very cool wallpaper

Executive Assistant - shows missed calls, texts, emails, voice-mail, tasks
you'll want "EA" POP/IMAP library and tasks add-on also

K-9 Mail - email app

Gtasks - task app, syncs with Gmail

aTAKEphONE - call dialer, and contacts app, grab the widget too (pic dialing)

appremover - makes for easy uninstall for unwanted apps.

Financisto - budget, bills app.

Android movie ringtones - has all the cool ones.

Gasbuddy - find cheapest gas near you.

 

[ironass]

"Essential app's" is very subjective.

What is a "must have" for one person is not the same for another.

As they say... "One man's meat is another man's poison".

For instance, not all app's work on all versions of Android and some app's require you to be rooted.

Ask 5 different people on here and you will get 5 different answers usually.

The best thing to do is go through these sticky's...

http://androidforums.com/android-applications/335976-best-category-app-thread-list.html

or this one

http://androidforums.com/android-applications/1183-favorite-app-so-far.html

and this one

http://androidforums.com/android-applications/163474-android-applications-guide-tips.html

which points you in the right direction and decide for yourself.

Hope this helps.

 

[impala63rag]

Those threads were helpful, but required allot of research, trial and error. They also don't really cover a comprehensive list of useful apps for someone who is looking to set up a new phone. I understand where a "WoW armory app" might be a niche market item, but the majority of users would have use for a "task manager app" for example.

 

[ironass]

Those threads were helpful, but required allot of research, trial and error.

I'm afraid that's what it's all about.

Let me give you a "for instance".

When I first got my handset I desperately wanted the digital flip clock and animated weather on my home screen because I wear glasses for reading and the clock is large. I then did the research and found out that I needed to download 2 app's for it.

However, if I was an HTC handset user, I needn't bother as it is part of the Sense UI (User Interface).

Another "for instance" is that I constantly rely on AdBlock to block the ad's on freebie app's and I use Titanium Backup to ensure no loss of information as well as ShootMe for taking screenshots of my phone and consider them "must have" app's.

The only problem is that your handset has to be rooted before you can download and use them.

but the majority of users would have use for a "task manager app" for example.

I in fact do not use a Task Manager on my handset and the majority of Android owners worldwide also do not and have never even heard of it.

It is only in our rarefied "geek-o-sphere" here that the debate rages on about the need for Tasker, with both sides equally divided. So, no definetive answer there then.

Are you beginning to see my point now?

Sure, you've just got a new Android phone and want to go through stage one that most new owners go for... to slap as many app's as possible on your phone, regardless of whether you need them or not.

The second stage is the realisation that some of them might be slowing your handset down or sucking the life out of your battery or, worse still, just plain useless.

The third stage is then to start deleting app's and only putting on ones that you need or will improve your phone.

I would also suggest that you place in your CP details the make and model of your phone and the firmware you are running as well as rooted or not as, I have already demonstrated, this can affect the choice of recommendation to you.

I hope this helps you.

 

[impala63rag]

Although I am obviously still searching for new apps that would be productive, my phone is pretty well set up at this point. My motivation is to help someone that might be in a similar situation. In order to get where my phone is now, it took 3 days of non-stop searching. Should this process really require that much time and effort?

 

[ironass]

Although I am obviously still searching for new apps that would be productive, my phone is pretty well set up at this point. My motivation is to help someone that might be in a similar situation. In order to get where my phone is now, it took 3 days of non-stop searching. Should this process really require that much time and effort?

Yes... for the reasons I have explained.

There are no "right" app's for everyone... since everyone's uses, needs, requirements, are all different.

You are suggesting that all your app's will be required by everyone using an Android device but, as I have explained, it depends on the individual.

Android is all about customisation by the user rather than following slavishly like sheep for no reason at all.

Of course that does not mean that you cannot recommend a particular app for a particular task, which is what these threads are all about:-

http://androidforums.com/android-applications/335976-best-category-app-thread-list.html

http://androidforums.com/android-applications/1183-favorite-app-so-far.html

I challenge you to provide a list of essential apps that you would recommend to a new user.

Your challenge is therefore, if you forgive me for saying so, completely pointless since no app should be "essential" to operate the phone out-of-the-box.

For instance, I only use 2 of the app's you mention, so the rest are not "essential" to me and, as I have explained before, there are millions of Android users out there who don't even bother with adding extra app's.

 

[impala63rag]

I am not suggesting that the list that I provided is "THE" list, and by no means are they required. I am a new user, and I'm sure many others with more experience could provide some better recommendations. I simply wish that someone had posted a thread of this nature with some real options when I was searching. That would have made things so much easier.

 

[noah way]

Is your phone a toy or a tool? Try using it for a while. You might be surprised at all the things it can do.

 

[ironass]

I am not suggesting that the list that I provided is "THE" list, and by no means are they required. I am a new user, and I'm sure many others with more experience could provide some better recommendations. I simply wish that someone had posted a thread of this nature with some real options when I was searching. That would have made things so much easier.

Options for what?

Are you a pilot who needs nav: aids?

Are you a doctor who needs a medical dictionary?

Are you partially blind and need better/bigger fonts?

Do you call a lot of people abroad and need SIP?

Are you a long distance driver who needs maps?

Does your handset not do something that you really must have?

and the list goes on.. and .. on.

I have 86 app's on my phone. If I publish the list of them, what does that tell you?

It tells you that I have 86 app's on my phone that, for one reason or another, I want... nobody else... just me.

They are the app's that suit my lifestyle, my phone, my firmware, my country, my capabilities, my likes and dislikes... nothing more.

I'm sure there are noobs out there who want to slap as many "cool" app's as possible on their phones to gain "bragging" rights to their friends and reinforce their choice of platform or handset... but that, usually, eventually wears off. Particularly when they find their phones have slowed down and their batteries go flat after 5 or 6 hours or they have exceeded their data allowance.

For the rest of us there are threads such as the two I have mentioned and a little research and trial and error.

 

[impala63rag]

All the scenarios you mentioned belong to the niche market. I believe that I was very clear about basic functionality apps that would appeal to the general user.

 

[ironass]

All the scenarios you mentioned belong to the niche market. I believe that I was very clear about basic functionality apps that would appeal to the general user.

I do apologise most profusely. I was not aware that Aquarium Live Wallpaper or YouMail or Song Lyrics were "essential" applications that were necessary to basic handset functionality.

Thank you.

 

[itsallgood]

Everthing that "ironass" has said I agree with totally. When I first come to android, over a year ago, I downloaded apps that others suggested, just to find out that: I either, didn't need them or it made my phone bugggy. As was mentioned, its all about what you use your phone for. My advice would be to ask the forums what you are looking for or want your phone to do, and that's how you will receive the best helpful info. As time has gone on and more apps are being created, I find other apps that I can us. The great thing about Android, you can have 100 people with the same exact phone, but set up total different. For the record, I use 4 of the apps you listed. (This doesn't mean that the other apps are bad, just that I don't need them.)

 

[impala63rag]

All that I am suggesting is for a few people to throw up a list of some basic functionality apps that you would recommend to a new user. None of the apps are necessarily essential to the basic functionality of the phone. If a new user is coming to a web site such as this they are obviously looking for ways to enhance their experience. Why not help with some suggestions for a starting point.

And yes, I do feel like "anipet aquarium" should be included on my list. Whats the first thing people do when they start playing with settings....choose a wallpaper. The other 2 I agree were irrelevant and removed from list.

 

[Kelmar]

Closed for cleaning

 

[Kelmar]

Thread has been cleaned and I've decided that this thread will remain closed.


As mentioned earlier, the apps that someone wants is very subjective to carrier, phone, version of OS, wants/needs and more. Woop has taken the time to provide a list of threads that "solve" some of the major concerns (see This thread). The advantage to his thread is that it is specific and easier for a new user to sort through and find specifically what they want to change. Is it a perfect solution; certainly not!

Android will always have it's "pains" because it is open source and the phones really do vary that much from user to user and device to device.


As mentioned above, if users are looking for a specific item and the thread Woop started doesn't help, they can always ask! Another thread for them to search through is just going to make them more confused.