Inspired by the release of the Droid and the expected influx of new Android users the guys over at Phandroid have just released 5 x top ten application lists for newcomers to the Android platform. Now, I mentioned a few a while back but that was before I bothered to root my phone, and get soooo much more from it than I ever imagined!!!
So I thought I’d revisit the subject and have a look for my top ten applications – you know – the ones that I just HAVE to have loaded and running. Although with the number of apps being released this is probably out of date before I even post it 
My first recommendation to anyone who’s new to Android is to get root access – it’s such a lifesaver and believe me, the difference between the way that Android works as provided and when rooted is amazing. Firstly it’s quicker, the modders (developers who create front ends for rooted phones) spend most of their time tweaking the code to make it faster, you can also “over-clock” your phone too – this means that the phone works harder, of course it also means that your phone won’t last as long (think of it as making your phone run or jog everywhere instead of walking – it’ll get tired more quickly). But considering the average phone life that won’t make too much of a difference. You can also get hold of themes for your phone without downloading a Home Replacement app (like aHome, dxTop or Openhome). Don’t get me wrong, I loved aHome when I was using it, but it did slow my phone down somewhat!
If you choose to root then I can state categorically that Cyanogenmod’s versions are fantastic, quick, easy to use and with so many great little touches it just makes the standard GUI look pathetic!
So, my top ten “must have” apps that I can’t leave off my phone…
1. Twidroid - Okay, I don’t know if you’re on twitter or not, but if you are then Twidroid is pretty much the app to beat. All the other twitter apps are compared to this one, just check the market! It’s not without its frustrations but the great thing is that they’re constantly releasing updates and listen to their customers. If you’re not on twitter then I’d like to recommend that you join it, you can get updates from AndriodGuys.com (@androidguyscom), AndroidAndMe.com (@AndroidAndMe), ForceClose.com (@ForceClose) and others!
2. GReader Notifier – It’s an old app now and not without its problems (the email story function doesn’t seem to work and other little things like that) but it uses the standard Google Reader interface so you know exactly what you’re looking at – there are a lot of things that I’d like to have in it but it’s very functional and does all that I need! (See – I can tell the difference between need and want – just like I NEED a Vega! ;-P)
3. Documents to Go – There are a few apps out there that cover Office-type things but I haven’t been able to find one that holds a candle to Docs2Go. It covers everything that I need, full editing (yes, including formatting etc…) covering Word, Excel and PowerPoint up to 2007 and a simple way to forward it – I use it regularly when out jobhunting and the like to send on my CV (and I can alter it to match the job that I’m applying for!)
4. K-9 Mail – I have a G-Mail account (obviously!) and it’s ideal for me to use as my personal email address, but (for the aforementioned job-searching) I also set up a separate personal email address using my own domain, and couldn’t stand the built in email app. Thankfully the open source community out there had the solution – K-9, it’s everything you need in an email system including (my favourite little function) – Signatures! (Did you hear that Google – Signatures, give me signatures on my phone goddamit!)
5. AniWidget - I mentioned this over on ForceClose.com, it’s a multi-function widget with an Analog clock, digital clock, calendar, to do list, agenda, weather app, and the obligatory flashlight, mute, wi-fi and airplane mode toggle you get a lot of bang for your buck, and it all fits into a tiny 2×2 or 4×2 widget – leaving you loads of space for shortcuts and other widgets.
6. UltimateFaves – Yes, you could just add a bunch of folders to your desktop, but the thing that UltimateFaves have over simple folders is quite simple – look at it – it’s way cooler! Whoosh!
7. 3Banana – It’s still my favourite notes app, yes I’ve downloaded (and bought) other note taking apps (like Note Everything) but I still come back to 3banana. You can jot down a quick note, sync it to the web, share it with your friends via a URL or QR Code, they can add notes to it you can add URLs, embedded images/YouTube videos, hashtag labelling. It really is everything I’ve found I’ve needed!
8. TuneWiki - This is a great application that allows you to listen to your music that you’ve loaded onto your phone, it scrobbles with your Last.fm account and also has last.fm and Shoutcast radio support. But its unique selling point? It makes your Android phone a mini karaoke machine thanks to the lyrics being shown on screen in time with the music! Oh, and there’s even a little map showing what people nearby are listening to.
9. AddressBook – It’s currently in beta and a little buggy but I love this – it’s the first app that I’ve found that brings together all your contacts in one place, it links your address book contacts (phone/mobile/email) with twitter, Facebook, YouTube and more and aggregates them together in one place. Want to drop someone a message? Just open Addressbook and you can check their Facebook account to see what they’re up to. Was that not updated recently? Send them a tweet! If they’re not on twitter drop them a text to find out what they’re up to then send them an email with the details of that nightclub you want to meet at. And all of these are stored in your call history! It’s really got potential and I can’t wait to see where they’re going to take it next!
10. Camera ZOOM FX/Photo BURST – Hmm, does this count as cheating? Adding 2 apps in one place? Well, if it does, tough! ;-P Camera ZOOM FX is the way that the camera should have been set up, with effects, 3x Zoom and loads of fab little add ons it’s the perfect way to customise your photos as much as you’ve customised your phone, and Photo BURST? It’s the Gallery to show off your Camera ZOOM (what’s with all the capital letters!?!) creations.
10.1 (bugger it – I’ve already broken the top ten app rule anyway!) beebPlayer – It’s only really of any use to UK Android owners so it doesn’t count towards my top-ten – honest! But if you want to watch the iPlayer on your phone then this is the bunny for you!
OK, so, if this ever gets read by someone who’s just got themselves an Android phone I just have to say. ”Welcome to the fold, you have in your hand one of the most fantastic pieces of tech you could ever own, the possibilities are almost limitless and you have my permission to walk up to anyone you see with an iPhone and say ‘Baaa!’ then run away laughing like a loon!”
I hope this will be at least a little bit of use to someone, and if it isn’t then I’m sorry for wasting your time!
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