Must have apps on the N1

[zillah]

Just got my N1 today and wanted to know which are the must have apps for the N1, specifically those that address certain short-comings or enhance the N1 experience -- apps that otherwise wouldn't shine on other devices. But being new to android myself, I figure it would be great if people could fill me in on what absolutely must be on android as well...in your opinion of course. Screen-shots, links, your own mini-review and even a top-10 list would be helpful. Thanks!

 

[t0ph0id]

Home++ - New home screen
Handcent SMS - SMS widget
Beautiful Widgets - Time/date/weather + GPS/BT/Silent/WiFi shortcuts
ATK - Advance Task Killer
Barcode Scanner - For scanning QR for new apps
Astrid - Notepad

 

[oniongirl]

My personal favs are pretty much standard awesome apps:

Google Sky (just for the wow factor. I found Mars last night!)
Shazam (figures out what a music track is for you)
Torrent-fu (great if you download torrents - you can manage the torrents and start new ones on your PC from your phone)
Quick Settings (one-click access to varios settings such as brightness, ringer, bluetooth, mobile data. gps, airplane etc)
NetCounter (keep tabs and set up alarms for data transfer limits either through mobile net or on wifi)
Advanced Task Killer (don't use it much at all, but an essential app if you manage to download a rogue program that has an unruly process!)
ASTRO (navigate your phone with folders/files, search for specific files, def essential!)
Barcode Scanner (can scan various barcodes, especially good for scanning app barcodes found on some websites)
Speed Test (in case you're ever curious what speed transfers you're getting)

Various time-killing games
Tangram (lite or pro, great for train journeys)
Trap (trap little balls between lines you create. sounds rubbish, is actually awesome)
Mystique (horror type find-items-and-combine-them-to-escape-the-room type game)
Fun Towers (pyramid solitaire. force closes on load occasionally, nothing major)
Furdiburb (a lil virtual alien pet type thing. Still in beta and there's not much to do, but has the potential to be cute)
Gem Miner (I'm not sure if I'm taken with this one, but I have the free version)
Pocoro (logic-type move the ball game)

 

[zillah]

Ah, games! Thanks for pointing those out, I forgot to mention that. If anyone had any games to add that would be great too. I will always have time that will need to be wasted.

I read on here that task killer apps adversely affect the phone -- battery life, performance, etc... I only say that because it makes sense considering Android OS was built on Linux. No need to kill programs in background that won't use memory. This is my assumption of course.

 

[oniongirl]

I read on here that task killer apps adversely affect the phone -- battery life, performance, etc... I only say that because it makes sense considering Android OS was built on Linux. No need to kill programs in background that won't use memory. This is my assumption of course.

This is true, but as I say, I've only used it once I think. It also has the option to kill itself when you kill whatever's causing you trouble, so that removes that problem.

 

[seeking]

rings extended - it will allow you to set any mp3 on your device as a ringtone (plus other features)

handcent - already mentioned above

google voice - set it up, it automatically converts voicemails to txt msgs

spare parts - gives you quick access to features of your phone that in some cases are inaccesable otherwise

Astro File Manager - basically, its a file manager

Games:

Line of 4 - basically a connect 4 game, its not very visual but its a great app. the computer is smart which makes the game even better. There are 3 levels though so you can choose whatever you are most comfortable with

abduction - your a cow that has to jump on plat forms and collect presents/rescue your other cow friends, try it you'll see - its fun

robo defense - tower defense type game

 

[mudrock1000]

Just something i thought i'd tack on
As far as Keyboards go i reccomend - either HTC keyboard (you have to do a google search for that one) or better keyboard, its not so much about the landscape keyboard as it is portrait (normal qwerty is better, plus a compact and a t9 )
Google Goggles
Google translate
Kitten cannon (great time killer game)
Mabilo Wallpapers
Pandora - internet radio of course
ringdroid
and wikimobile is a neat little one

Hope this helps.

 

[ghitos73]

Here's my list:

1. Dolphin Browser
2. Astro File Manager
3. Swype
4. gTasks
5. GDocs
6. My Tracks
7. Photoshop Mobile
8. Pkt Auction (aka eBay)
9. Craigsphone (aka Craigslist)
10. Pandora

 

[1080p]

Picsay Pro!
Midomi (Better than Shazam. Worth paying for!)

 

[jcmtyler]

PicSay Pro
Touchdown for Exchange
MixZing (music player)
aTAKEphONE (awesome dialer replacement)
Google Voice

still trying to choose between Swype and ShapeWriter

 

[zillah]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I have downloaded most of what was suggested.

Battery life is a bit of disappointment though, but then again I had everything running in the background. Any apps that are the best at giving battery info and maximizing power efficiency?

Also, I find that 3G sucks battery life up a lot and isn't really needed unless I wanted to do some serious web surfing. Was wondering if there was an app that could help me switch like Anycut?

 

[oniongirl]

Also, I find that 3G sucks battery life up a lot and isn't really needed unless I wanted to do some serious web surfing. Was wondering if there was an app that could help me switch like Anycut?

I think I've used my 3G connection about three times, twice just for the amusement factor, so I keep mine turned off. I don't use an app, but navigate to settings-> wireless & network settings -> mobile networks and select 'Use only 2G networks'. A bit of a pain if you need 3G in a rush, but has improved my battery life loads.

 

[bluehaze013]

Best Games:

Armageddon Squadron
Homerun Battle 3d
Raging Thunder
SpeedForge 3d

Most of the good apps already mentioned , I find the compass app pretty handy sometimes as well.

 

[laughter95]

<b>HERE'S MY LIST OF APPS</b>

abduction
act 1 video
advanced task killer
astrid
astro
barcode scanner
battery indicator
bbc news
beam reader
multitouch browser
multitouch gallery
gdocs
facebook
googles
sky map
translate
handcent
layar
multitouch maps
movies
nimbuzz (maybe)
pandora
pure calendar
ringdroid
trippo (i forgot why i have this, idk what it does)
tts service (same as above)
tv.com (don't really need this but in case i ever get really bored)
google voice
yelp (yes)
youtube (maybe)

 

[Rix]

swype.

'nuff said.

 

[Buck Shot]

why can i not find swype on the market?

 

[seeking]

swype is a private beta, it wont be found in the market. you can download a nexus working version here

http://androidforums.com/nexus-one/41064-swype-works-landscape-no-errors.html

 

[Steem]

I also prefer the HTC keyboard over the Nexue One default. You can download the apk at drop.io p12auxn and then use ASTRO or any file manager to install it.

 

[naltima]

DroidLive. Best music app out there.

 

[Miss Spicy McHaggis]

am i the only one that uses ChompSMS? i really enjoy customizing it.

 

[what29]

am i the only one that uses ChompSMS? i really enjoy customizing it.

I used Chomp but Handcent SMS is just much better overall. to each their own though

 

[BiGMERF]

why can i not find swype on the market?

try shapewriter after that

 

[kam187]

XGalaxy 2 - turn on autofire and use the trackball. Its quite fun.