The Best Android Apps
We test and rank the best Google Android apps for handsets including the Motorola Droid, HTC Hero and HTC Incredible.
When T-Mobile launched the very first Android-powered handset – the G1 – back in 2008, the app library to go along with it looked like a minimart beside Apple’s Walmart. But the past few months have been kind to Google. The recent release of several new high-profile Androids handsets like the Motorola Droid, HTC Hero and Motorola Cliq have turned that initial drizzle of apps into a torrent. Now with over 10,000 apps and counting, Google’s Android Marketplace offers applications for just about everything – sometimes making it difficult to choose. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up our favorites in several different categories to give new users a rough guide to getting the most from their phones, and experienced users a heads up on some apps they may be missing out on.
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Looking to buy an Android phone? Check out our picks for The Best Android Phones.
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By: Martin Leblanc
October 20, 2009 @ 8:09 AM
Have you tried Gigbox? http://www.mygigbox.com
By: gilby3000
November 18, 2009 @ 10:10 AM
These are very cool apps. I especially like Piggyback (hitchhiking 2.0). Not sure if I would ever use it though.
I would also like to add “Parallel Kingdom -Age fo Emergence” which is a major new version of the first and most popular location-based game on Android.
By: CS
December 3, 2009 @ 8:27 PM
Ummmm…whats with the iPhone screenshot for Dial Zero?
By: dang
December 4, 2009 @ 12:06 AM
Lol, good catch. I'll see if editor's can update it.
By: androidapplications
December 7, 2009 @ 4:11 AM
Innovativepeople Interworld Commnet gives mobile application development, iphone application development, android application development services in India Android applications
By: Glen
December 7, 2009 @ 9:12 AM
I found a app excelent…”Squirrel” is very nice for you can remember the locations and come back using the radar…:-D…But my favorite option is than you can export your point like .gpx…and after can see it in Google earth…:P
By: Falcolm
December 11, 2009 @ 12:44 PM
How about DroidLive? It's a very nice application for streaming online radio! :)
http://www.droidlive.com
By: Helmut
December 13, 2009 @ 12:08 AM
Trippo Mondo challenges the listed Translate easily. It's farmore accurate in translations and it also speaks the translated sentences in local accent!
By: matt h
July 18, 2010 @ 10:16 PM
thank you so much for mentioning this… changed my life!
By: Android Apps
December 19, 2009 @ 12:50 AM
This is a nice, long, and comprehensive list. Thank you for the effort. I now have a bunch of new apps to play with on the Droid.
By: LiorG
December 27, 2009 @ 2:26 AM
Check out UltimateFavesPRO: Use it to put your most frequently used items (apps, contacts, phone numbers, bookmarks, etc.) in floating 3D carousels. Clean the clutter on your home screens by creating shortcuts to specific carousels.
Official blog: http://ultimatefaves.wordpress.com/
Demo video: http://ultimatefaves.wordpress.com/about/
By: AndroidBabe
January 4, 2010 @ 3:40 PM
CauseWorld is another great app! It let you donate to charity for FREE – some sponsors pay for you!
http://www.causeworld.com
By: Anand
January 19, 2010 @ 3:21 PM
Check out QwikList Voice. From the website: This is a handy home screen app that allows you add items to a list, send SMS, or quick add to Google Calendar by speaking to your phone! Uses Google voice to text. You can quickly and easily create reminders, shopping lists, to do lists, task lists with speech. Now supports adding item to list via barcode scan. One of the only Android apps that allows easy quick add to Google Calendar in widget form.
By: Seth Lieberman
January 21, 2010 @ 6:58 PM
A quick list of the best android apps for the droid
By: skippy
January 25, 2010 @ 2:18 PM
RingDroid is sweet. After mounting your phone or downloading songs, you can highlight, edit, and save your new songs as ring tones.
By: thecook
February 4, 2010 @ 11:30 AM
Gotta include Screebl Pro! Keeps the screen on based on orientation, but saves battery too. See keyeslabs.com and a good review at http://www.approasters.com
By: Jay
February 11, 2010 @ 7:37 AM
Check out this new Android app: Gas Detective
Gas Detective is a quick, easy and simple way to find gas prices and gas stations in the palm of your hand.
Gas Detective uses location based services that provides the ability to locate the nearest gas station or the lowest gas prices, reported by the user community, around the vicinity within the continental USA and Canada.
Gas Detective can save you time and money by integrating location, internet and mapping services to deliver gas price information when you need it and where you need it the most.
Features:
- lists most recent price updated by community
- sort by gas price or distance from current location
- location based query
- seamless integration with google maps
- supports street view
- compass mode support
- auto nearest gas station search
- turn by turn text directions
By: alagala
February 13, 2010 @ 12:59 AM
I would also recommend AroundMe for Android ( http://home.ameliemedia.com/aroundme-android/ ).
AroundMe allows you to discover amazing places round the world via Flickr, YouTube, Wikipedia and more!
Designed for Google Android-powered devices, it is aimed at travelers and photo-enthusiasts alike.
Among other things, AroundMe displays the most interesting Flickr, Panoramio and YouTube photos and videos of places nearby your current location (or in any other locations you point your finger to!), giving you the walking or driving directions to reach each place.
AroundMe can be downloaded from the Android Market, in the Applications > Travel category.
By: woZZy
February 22, 2010 @ 6:15 AM
woZZon.com just launched a new Android app 'woZZon for What’s On in the UK'. I just downloaded it.
It gives you access to 60 ,000 geo-coded venues and 90,000 unique events across 15 genres in the UK. You can search for categories such as art, film, music, theatre, comedy, restaurants, clubs, family, special events and lots more.
It's a great app to find what's on when you're out looking for a nearby club or bar.
By: Samantha James
February 24, 2010 @ 4:14 PM
I stumbled onto the “1CAST VIDEO NEWS” app today and am thrilled with this application. I haven't seen anything like it and the video quality is superb with a solid 3G connection. Its like having a TV in my pocket with all the news I want, although I do not have to watch crappy news that doesn't pique my interest.
If you have a Nexus One & enjoy consuming news then this new 1CAST app is a must download.
By: Sowmiyamoorthy
February 26, 2010 @ 9:01 AM
Great application. I definately love it. It tracks regional songs as well. You too will love it for sure..
By: michael
March 4, 2010 @ 1:34 PM
Click 26 times to read this article? No, thanks.
By: Ian Bell
March 4, 2010 @ 1:56 PM
Thats why you can skip to the section of the article you want.
By: LockeUp
June 24, 2010 @ 10:08 PM
No, they do it to get more hits on their site. They could easily just make it one page. It's not that hard to scroll…
By: RC
March 9, 2010 @ 1:38 AM
That's what it looks like on my Droid (well, they call it Milestone here)
By: mark
March 13, 2010 @ 6:41 AM
PhotoLoco is pretty cool – location based search for photos on Flickr and Panoramio.
By: kartikeya
March 14, 2010 @ 7:46 AM
hey…!! i m planning to buy the samsung galaxy spica….. i wanted to know weather we can dl the apps from the pc and install it to the phone??
By: haruspex
March 14, 2010 @ 11:11 AM
If the phone uses Android, then you can download on your PC and upload to the phone and install. You can also simply download through the phone's browser and install (skipping the Market app). It's Android, you can do what you want.
By: alfredjr18
March 18, 2010 @ 7:43 AM
Who says that nothing top-notch is ever for free? Here are some Google Android Apps that are definite must-haves – but won’t cost you a dime.
4 Most Useful Google Android Apps – for Free!
By: droid free apps
March 27, 2010 @ 7:12 PM
sweet, the best of the best android apps….
By: digiveen
April 7, 2010 @ 11:18 AM
For anyone living or traveling to Toronto, Ontario and plan on using the TTC (bus,subway,streetcars)
check out this android app: TransitMe Lite
includes:
-Maps
-TTC Alerts
-Fare Info
-Find the nearest stops to your location and the next departing bus/streetcar from those stops.
the paid version will give you access to route/schedule info and no ads!
By: SMART Apps LLC
April 28, 2010 @ 10:50 PM
Smart App for Android Replies To Calls and Text, Even When You Cant.
HOUSTON- Smart App LLC has just launched their new S.M.A.R.T app(Short Message Auto Response Tool) for the Android Platform on Wednesday. This application allows users to type in a short message that they would like to be automatically sent to incoming phone calls and text messages while they are busy. Perfect for students in class, at meetings at work, or while driving a car, the S.M.A.R.T app allows users to stay connected with friends, family, or colleagues without the distraction phones often bring. Key features of the application include the ability to save messages for future use, the option to reply to incoming calls, texts, or both, and an activity log to view phone calls and text messages sent to you while the application is active. In addition, the user can respond to all missed calls and texts listed in the activity log without ever having to exit from the application. The application can be downloaded from any Android phone through the Android Market. Simply search for the application titled “SMARTSMS,” or keep a lookout for their distinguishable flying yellow envelope logo. Currently, Smart App LLC is offering the full version of this application for FREE for two weeks, so you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity. More information regarding this application can be obtained by emailing info@smartappsllc.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by visiting our website http://www.smartappsllc.com
By: Ohio Luke
April 29, 2010 @ 2:57 PM
Android user? Try the game 'Pocket Empire' from the app store – It's free! Use referal code e358 for extra gems and instantly become allys!
By: Anonymous
April 29, 2010 @ 4:33 PM
I hate and will never play Pocket Empire simply because of the legions of players who go around posting this spam.
By: Alex
May 10, 2010 @ 9:33 AM
I think this is the best game for android over all:
“An exciting year” (http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.highquality.exc...)
There's a trial called “An exciting week”
The app gives you an assignment every day, to spicen up your life a bit. Y'should give it a chance
By: AL
May 12, 2010 @ 2:10 PM
Are your catagories the top five most popular? How many Android apps are in each of these catagories?
By: AL
May 12, 2010 @ 2:11 PM
Are these the top give most popular apps catagories? How many apps are in each of these catagories?
By: andy
June 5, 2010 @ 9:11 PM
A nice one is Speed Shutter. It takes pictures at 20 frames per second, you don't miss much that way and get some cool action shots.
By: Nami
June 11, 2010 @ 2:15 AM
TrueCaller should be among the best apps!
By: AppReviews
June 16, 2010 @ 1:19 PM
The NES emulator is badass. For an awesome social game, check out PhoneFraze
By: Lee
July 1, 2010 @ 6:35 AM
I wish all these reviews would put country details, i.e. whether an App is for the US only or list the countries they will work in. I mean that IS kinda important!
By: CheatedOn
July 14, 2010 @ 6:55 PM
Informant is one I didn't know about before, but came in VERY handy.
By: Android App Lover
July 22, 2010 @ 2:46 PM
I love Ring Droid!! I can download songs and save them as new ring tones.
By: Dan
July 23, 2010 @ 1:38 PM
Two new games I've been playing are Dead End, a zombie shooter and Zenonia, an old school rpg. Check them both out.
By: Android Apps Finder
July 23, 2010 @ 8:10 PM
You give some great, valuable information to all of us Android-addicts! I'm really digging the latest Android apps as they really seem to be stepping up and rivaling, if not passing their iPhone counterparts. It's an exciting time to be in this market and to be taking advantage of what these awesome Android phones can do. W
By: nothanks
July 26, 2010 @ 6:40 PM
a new click to load a new page for every app ?
I watched 2 before i realised what was happening and how this website worked
fool me once – shame on me
fool me twice – goodbye!
By: James
July 28, 2010 @ 10:46 PM
qwiklist voice is a nice app for making lists and doing SMS. It also has a handy interface for the google calendar quick add