20 Must Have Android Applications

After a failed first attempt at switching to Android from iOS, I have decided to give it a second try.  With that said, there are a lot of opinions as to what the “must have” apps are for the platform.

• Advanced Task Killer: Advanced Task Killer is also known as ATK. It is a tool to kill applications running. Why?: Sometimes you just want to kill everything that is running on your phone.  Even though many say that Android can handle multiple apps efficiently, I still like killing them to free up some resources.
• Angry Birds: The survival of the Angry Birds is at stake. Dish out revenge on the greedy pigs who stole their eggs. Use the unique powers of each bird to destroy the pigs’ fortresses. Angry Birds features challenging physics-based gameplay and hours of replay value. Each of the 240 levels requires logic, skill, and force to solve.
  Why? Can you honestly tell me that there is a more addictive game running on Android?
• Astro File Manager: The ASTRO File Manager helps you get the most out of your Android smart phone. The Android operating system is designed to be very open and flexible, giving its users the chance to do more things on their phone than ever before. ASTRO helps your phone reach its full potential by giving you the tools to manage your phone.
  Why? With the available addons for Astro File Manager, you would be hard pressed to find one as comprehensive.  The Bluetooth and SMB modules are the reasons why this is a top 20 app.
• K-9 Mail: K-9 is an email client for Android. It’s incredibly powerful and 100% free. K-9 Mail is an open-source e-mail client with search, IMAP push email, multi-folder sync, flagging, filing, signatures, bcc-self, PGP, mail on SD & more!
  Why? I am not a huge fan of K-9 mail as there is a lot of work to be done.  However, because the android platform still hasn’t figured out how to handle IMAP properly, this app is on the top 20 list and an option without contenders.
• Barcode Scanner: Scan barcodes on products then look up prices and reviews. You can also scan Data Matrix and QR Codes containing URLs, contact info, etc.
  Why? I scan barcodes constantly, and this barcode app seems to handle the task the best.
• Beautiful Widgets: Beautiful set of Widgets containing clocks widgets, weather widgets, date widgets and toggle widgets with skins/themes support! Now with more widgets and layouts!
  Why? Beautiful Widgets has to have some of the best clock widgets around, unless you are running Sense.
• Concur: Be productive on the go. Easily manage your travel and expenses with Concur.Be productive on the go. Large and small businesses can easily manage business travel and expense reports with Concur.
  Why? If your company uses Concur, you already know why this app should be here.  There is nothing more convenient that creating and submitting your expense report the minute you sign the credit card receipt.
• Dropbox: Dropbox syncs your files online and across computers for access anywhere. Sync your files between your computers and your mobile device. Now you can browse the files in your Dropbox folder from anywhere! Share links to files, save photos and video from your camera to your computers, and open files using your favorite Android apps.
  Why? Dropbox has saved my butt time and time again.  Storing my school papers and frequently accessed files here means that I only have to save them one time and they are updated across my computers and even on my phone.
• Firefox:With Firefox for Android, you can synchronize your history, bookmarks, tabs and passwords between all your computers and mobile devices. Discover and install add-ons right from your phone or tablet to customize your browser exactly the way you like. Type less with the Awesome Screen, which gives you one-tap access to your bookmarks, history and custom list of search engines. Tabbed browsing allows for easy navigation and fast switching between Web sites with just one swipe of your finger.
  Why? Firefox just runs faster than the regular browser in most cases.  Plus, having my bookmarks synced automatically between my phone and my computer is an added bonus.
• Goggles:Search by taking a picture. Goggles uses image recognition technology to recognize objects and return relevant search results. Identifies products, famous landmarks, storefronts, artwork, and popular images found online. Goggles can translate words in English, French, Italian, German & Spanish. Goggles can extract contact information from business cards.
• Lookout Mobile Security:Protect your phone with award-winning security from Lookout.
  Why? What value can you place on peace of mind? The ability to locate your phone if you misplace it is priceless.
• Mint.com:Track, budget, and manage your money from your phone with Mint for Android.THE LEADING ONLINE PERSONAL FINANCE APP, providing over 3M users an easy & intelligent way to manage money. See all your accounts in one place, set budgets, see where you spend, and find personalized savings – all for free. 
  Why? Having your finances at your fingertips in one place is valueable for you to understand you worth, or debt for that matter.  You can set spending limits and budgets while keeping track of everything no matter where you are.
• Quickoffice:Quickoffice® Pro takes mobile productivity to the next level with our most comprehensive suite ever for Android smartphones. Enjoy the ability to CREATE, VIEW, and EDIT, Microsoft® Office files including Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations. Conveniently ACCESS files remotely from your Google® Docs, Dropbox, Box, Huddle™, SugarSync, and MobileMe™ accounts or from your SD card with our enhanced Connected File Manager. Also included is our advanced PDF viewer.
  Why? The ability to access and view files on the go is a must for anyone on the go.  Viewing powerpoint or PDF documents in the airport is a key reason why this makes the tops list.
• Shazam:Create music moments. Discover, buy and share music. Start your music journey now with Shazam to discover, buy & share music. This free app gives you 5 tags each month to identify music anywhere.
  Why? I always here something new or fresh that I want to purchase while listening to the radio… now I know who it is and what album.
• Speed Test:Speedtest.net is now available as a free Android application with no advertising! Use it to measure the network speed of your Android device. With over a million tests performed every day, Speedtest.net is the ultimate resource for bandwidth testing and related information.
  Why? It is fun to compare connections with your friends.
• Taskos:Free, simple & intuitive to do list for android. Now you can add tasks by speaking to your mobile device. Taskos to do list allows you to add, edit or delete tasks, write notes, set alerts and even make calls.
• Google Voice:Make cheap international calls with your Google number. Send free text messages. Place calls and send text messages showing your Google number. Listen to voice mail and read transcripts. Currently only available in the US.
  Why? Most carriers charge you for visual voice mail, with Google Voice you get it for free, on all your lines.  There are too many benefits to list here.
• Words Free:The #1 mobile word game Words With Friends Free is now available on Android. Play Words With Friends Free, the #1 mobile word game, with both your Android and iPhone/iPad-toting friends. Experience for yourself why millions of players are addicted to the word building, triple score seeking, chat bubble sending goodness of Words With Friends.
  Why? Like Angry Birds, it is a game you can’t stop playing.  Your friends play and beating them with words after you beat them on the basketball court is just icing on the cake.
  
• AAA Roadside:AAA’s legendary roadside assistance is available easily through this app. Avoid waiting on the phone and receive confirmation that the information sent to AAA is correct. Using the location of your Android device a roadside assistance request is a few simple steps away. Select the type of breakdown and AAA assures your information is delivered to a local roadside problem-solving technician for quick response. The AAA Roadside app also confirms your request and can provide information on nearby locations of AAA Approved Auto Repair shops, AAA branch offices, discount providers and more. If you prefer to call, your location is sent to a AAA representative. You can even view your AAA card.
  Why? I like being able to have my location determined automatically when requesting assistance for when my 2000 Honda Civic with 200,000+ miles finally decides to quit.
• Rhythm Uninstaller:Fastest and simplest uninstall tool on android!
  Why? It is fast!