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Best Apps for Android?

The Giant Noodle

The Giant Noodle

DP Veteran
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Mar 22, 2010
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Location
Northern Illinois
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Independent
I just bought a used phone with Android 2.2.2 on it and Im wondering what the best programs to load on it are.
So far I loaded a call & text blocker, flashlight app and Angry Birds.

Any other suggestions?
 
Depends on how much space you got on the phone and your interests :)
 
Here are some of my favorites that I have loaded on my phone. I don't know if these would work for you or not since you have an older version of android, but you could try them.

Poynt
Nook
Google Drive
Rage of Bahamut (If you want to start playing this, let me know and I'll give you my referral code)
Google voice
Evernote
Realcalc
Foxfi
A stopwatch/timer app
Barcode scanner
Payanywhere
IMDB
Chase banking app
PNC banking app
Kindle
twitter
scoremobile
torque
fidelity banking app
astro file manager
convertpad
facebook
smart tools
swype
wikipedia
 
I have a Motorola Triumph...same version of Android.

My favorite apps:

Kingsoft - kind of like Office
Opera - my favorite browser
Yahoo Messenger - instant communications with my sons whether they are on their phones or their computers
Flashlight app - always handy to have
Navigation - this is the one that came with the phone...works very well
MX Player - probably the best video player...handles just about every type of video

There's more, but I want to mention an interesting app: Evi https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.trueknowledge.android.evi
This one is fun and it utilizes one of my favorite features of smartphones: voice activation and control.


Oh, I forgot...get just about any file manager app.
 
Here's what I have:

Adobe Reader (great for looking at work e-mail attachments)
Advanced Task Killer (helps extend battery life)
Barcode Scanner (helps you compare prices)
Bank's phone ap (I can deposit checks w/o ever leaving my desk!)
Craigslist
Draw Something Free
City's public works service request app, via FixIt (really easy way to report issues)
Assorted news apps
FoxFi (turns your phone into a WIFI hotspot w/o the fees)
GasBuddy (shows recently reported gas prices closest to you)
IHeartRadio
SlackerRadio
MP3 Ringtone Maker
Pinterest ('cause that crap is addicting)
RedBox Mobile (I can reserve a movie at any kiosk within X-miles of me while I'm running errands)
TheWeatherChannel App
Tom Thumb mobile (I can load coupons while I'm shopping!)
 
I'd love to be able to turn my phone into a WIFI hotspot...unfortunately, Virgin Mobile prevents that sort of thing unless I pay for it. (I'm pretty sure I can get around them if I'm willing to root and rom the phone, but I'm not willing to do that yet)

One thing about Android...being a Google product...is that they frown on apps that enable you to download YouTube videos. There is an easy, effective way around that, though.

Tubemate YouTube Downloader

You won't find that in the Play Store, but you can get it here: TubeMate YouTube Downloader 1.05.43 - Official Website
 
I should add...I have Android 2.3.4. My phone won't likely receive any Android updates, either.
 
tessaesque said:
I should add...I have Android 2.3.4. My phone won't likely receive any Android updates, either.
Click to expand...

Yeah...my phone won't be updated either, but I'm okay with that. Eventually Virgin Mobile will come out with a Win8 phone and that's when I'll upgrade. Until then, my Triumph suits my needs.
 
Mycroft said:
Yeah...my phone won't be updated either, but I'm okay with that. Eventually Virgin Mobile will come out with a Win8 phone and that's when I'll upgrade. Until then, my Triumph suits my needs.
Click to expand...

I have the HTC Thunderbolt, which was Verizon's first 4G LTE phone. I think they failed to work out all the kinks, though...the signal on my phone is super erratic, and if 4G drops out it won't go to 3G or 1X service...it just has no signal at all. We've tried warranty replacements, SIM card replacements...nothing works. We'll be switching providers when our contract ends in June due to Verizon's new policy regarding data plans, but I'm hoping to get whatever the newest Samsung Galaxy phone is at that time.
 
tessaesque said:
I have the HTC Thunderbolt, which was Verizon's first 4G LTE phone. I think they failed to work out all the kinks, though...the signal on my phone is super erratic, and if 4G drops out it won't go to 3G or 1X service...it just has no signal at all. We've tried warranty replacements, SIM card replacements...nothing works. We'll be switching providers when our contract ends in June due to Verizon's new policy regarding data plans, but I'm hoping to get whatever the newest Samsung Galaxy phone is at that time.
Click to expand...

The Galaxy S4 might be out by then. If not, then the S3 is a pretty nice phone.

I'm getting one of my sons an S3 through ATT for Christmas. He's going to dump his Apple phone. :clap:
 
Mycroft said:
The Galaxy S4 might be out by then. If not, then the S3 is a pretty nice phone.

I'm getting one of my sons an S3 through ATT for Christmas. He's going to dump his Apple phone. :clap:
Click to expand...

Or.... the Nexus 4 IF you can get your hands on it. Yes it has no radio (still boggles the mind) but considering the off contract price and it being the most powerful phone in the market now and running Jelly Bean 4.2.1, then well. Cant beat 300 bucks for an off contract super phone, but the way they are selling then it is hard as hell to get hold off... first batch sold out world wide in under 30 minutes.

Or even the Lumia 920... another brilliant phone that blows the iPhone 5 out of the water on everything except weight. The camera on this bad boy is amazing plus the OS is so smooth.
 
Mycroft said:
Yeah...my phone won't be updated either, but I'm okay with that. Eventually Virgin Mobile will come out with a Win8 phone and that's when I'll upgrade. Until then, my Triumph suits my needs.
Click to expand...

Any version of Windows would be a major DOWNgrade from any version of Android.
 
The Giant Noodle said:
I just bought a used phone with Android 2.2.2 on it and Im wondering what the best programs to load on it are.
So far I loaded a call & text blocker, flashlight app and Angry Birds.

Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

One app I find very well worth having is the Moonblink Tricorder app. It seems superficially like a silly toy app for Star Trek fans, but it is actually very useful.

Due to trademark issues, it's not available on Google Play, and generally has jumped from one obscure site to another. As far as I know, the most current version is available, at this time, at Download Tricorder 5.12.3,Tricorder 5.12.3 5.12.3 Android download | 1mobile.com.


By the way, I would suggest that you seriously look into the possibility of upgrading your phone, possibly to a third-party ROM. Android 2.2.x is Froyo, Android 2.3.x is “Gingerbread”, and the Froyo/Gingerbread divide seems to be the cutoff point for many apps these days. I have a Motorola Triumph, which officially is Froyo-only, but I am running a third-party Gingerbread ROM on it.

It seems that a very good source of information for getting the most out of an Android device is the forums at Android Forums. It has sections divided up by manufacturer, carrier, and specific device.
 
For people searching for RTS games on Android, games made by Joni Nuutinen are very good. Although they are turn-based, they're very fun, easy, and cheap compared to the quality of the games.
I use Kakaotalk and Kakaostory, but as they're Korean apps, I have little idea how famous they are overseas. I use JuiceDefender to extend battery life.
 
Bob Blaylock said:
Any version of Windows would be a major DOWNgrade from any version of Android.
Click to expand...

Yea but it is a major upgrade for any version of iOS, plus for the not so tech savy it is far superior to Android.
 
Bob Blaylock said:
Any version of Windows would be a major DOWNgrade from any version of Android.
Click to expand...

That's debatable, of course...to each his own.

The attractiveness for me is using the same basic windows OS, even if we are only talking about the UI, on all of my devices.
 
Bob Blaylock said:
One app I find very well worth having is the Moonblink Tricorder app. It seems superficially like a silly toy app for Star Trek fans, but it is actually very useful.

Due to trademark issues, it's not available on Google Play, and generally has jumped from one obscure site to another. As far as I know, the most current version is available, at this time, at Download Tricorder 5.12.3,Tricorder 5.12.3 5.12.3 Android download | 1mobile.com.


By the way, I would suggest that you seriously look into the possibility of upgrading your phone, possibly to a third-party ROM. Android 2.2.x is Froyo, Android 2.3.x is “Gingerbread”, and the Froyo/Gingerbread divide seems to be the cutoff point for many apps these days. I have a Motorola Triumph, which officially is Froyo-only, but I am running a third-party Gingerbread ROM on it.

It seems that a very good source of information for getting the most out of an Android device is the forums at Android Forums. It has sections divided up by manufacturer, carrier, and specific device.
Click to expand...

But.... but but...... I just GOT this phone! :( I still trying to understand what I have on this sucker. Where are these 3rd party ROMs?
 
The Giant Noodle said:
But.... but but...... I just GOT this phone! :( I still trying to understand what I have on this sucker. Where are these 3rd party ROMs?
Click to expand...

Basically, they are new operating systems that replace the one your phone came with.

Since Android is open source, anyone can rewrite it and give it away. That website Bob gave is chock full of info on the subject with instructions and links to all the software tools you'll need to upgrade your phone.

There is even an Ice Cream Sandwich Rom for the Motorola Triumph, but all of the features of ICS and of the phone are not implemented. The Gingerbread ROM is pretty well set up, though.

Whatever the make and model of your phone...I'll bet someone has built a ROM for it. Even new phones that come with ICS are fair game...if only to make changes to the way it works.
 
Mycroft said:
Basically, they are new operating systems that replace the one your phone came with.

Since Android is open source, anyone can rewrite it and give it away. That website Bob gave is chock full of info on the subject with instructions and links to all the software tools you'll need to upgrade your phone.

There is even an Ice Cream Sandwich Rom for the Motorola Triumph, but all of the features of ICS and of the phone are not implemented. The Gingerbread ROM is pretty well set up, though.

Whatever the make and model of your phone...I'll bet someone has built a ROM for it. Even new phones that come with ICS are fair game...if only to make changes to the way it works.
Click to expand...

So its a firmware OS then? That sounds doable. Thanks man :)
 
The Giant Noodle said:
So its a firmware OS then? That sounds doable. Thanks man :)
Click to expand...

I've checked it out for my phone, but have avoided doing it so far. I really have no complaints about my Triumph. There's no extra layers on the Android OS and very little bloatware.

This phone will serve fine as is until I can get a Win8 phone.
 
Mycroft said:
I've checked it out for my phone, but have avoided doing it so far. I really have no complaints about my Triumph. There's no extra layers on the Android OS and very little bloatware.

This phone will serve fine as is until I can get a Win8 phone.
Click to expand...

I just threw Android 2.3.4 on my HTC Desire yesterday via Cyanogenmod and so far loving it. Since Desire has next to no internal space, having the ability to move most things to the SD card rocks.
 
The Giant Noodle said:
I just bought a used phone with Android 2.2.2 on it and Im wondering what the best programs to load on it are.
So far I loaded a call & text blocker, flashlight app and Angry Birds.

Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

I was searching around for apps and came across this list: Lifestyle, Travel, Shopping - The 100 Best Android Apps of 2012 | PCMag.com

I found a few apps that I'd never heard of that were of interest. One in particular is "iONRoad Lite". I haven't tried it out on the road yet, but it looks kind of cool.
 
I have an HTC Eco 4g, I play minecraft, chess, and checkers.
 
i have to say that the star wars themed angry birds is completely awesome.
 
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