The Google
Play store has exploded in recent years, with a proliferation of apps that can
cater to your every need. The problem is: there are just too many of them, even
with Editor's Picks, Featured and Best Selling, Top Paid and Top Free
categories there to help.
And that's
why we made this list. Like you we want the best apps for our Android phones.
The apps that are going to revolutionise functionality or, at the very least,
offer something so great that it becomes one of the must-have apps that has to
be downloaded whenever you get a new handset.
The
following apps will be constantly updated and are a mixture of paid and free
ones and have been chosen by our Android experts. So, even if you do dip into
actual cash for one of these apps, you are safe in the knowledge that it is a
worthwhile purchase.
1. Evernote
Evernote is
the first and last word in note-taking, or it might as well be anyway. With
multiple notebooks to help you keep your thoughts tidy, simple to-do lists, a
powerful search tool so you can easily find specific notes and the ability to
sync between devices it's a must have for anyone who ever jots things down.
Which we'd wager is just about everyone.
It goes
that little bit further than just being a notebook though, as you can also
share your notes and collaborate on projects with others, easily track expenses
and attach files, all through an attractive, clutter-free interface.
Listed for
app of the year at the TechRadar Phone Awards.
2. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is
almost more essential than an SMS app, as it's basically a supercharged,
restriction free version of good old text messaging.
It uses a
Wi-Fi or mobile data connection so you don't have to worry about message
allowances, you can see when people have received and read your messages, send
videos and voice messages and even make calls with it.
You will
have to convince your friends and family to download it if they haven't
already, but given that it's free for the first year there's really no reason
for them not to. Once they do have it the app uses their normal phone number,
so there's no need to add them or find out user names and you're always logged
in, so you'll never miss messages.
Winner of
app of the year at the TechRadar Phone Awards.
3. Instagram
Instagram
is a phenomenon, inspiring the world to document their days in pictures rather
than words. With filters and editing tools it's easy to make your snaps look
their best and just like on Twitter you're never far from updates from your
friends or celebrities.
It's made
photographers of all of us and while some shots are better than others
encouraging people to take and share more photos can only be a good thing.
As big as
Instagram is, you can also easily share your snaps with users of other social
networks, sending them to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and more with just a few
taps.
4. Google Maps
Google Maps
is the only map you need. Not only does it provide accurate and detailed maps
of 220 countries and territories at zero cost, it's also feature packed.
Its Street
View service is a feature which no other map can match, giving you a street
level view of places. It also provides traffic information, directions,
voice-guided GPS navigation, listings of businesses and other location
information and a whole lot more.
Google Maps
is also being updated and improved all the time, so if there's a feature you
wish it had there's a good chance that one day it will.
5. Facebook
Saying in touch with friends becomes even easier.
• Do not miss your friends' news
• Publish statuses , photos and videos
• Get a warning when your friends indicate like or comment on your publications
• Play your favorite applications and use your favorite gamest
6. Dropbox
Pretty much
essential for anyone juggling a work PC, home PC, laptop, tablet, phone and
internet fridge, Dropbox's key power lies in letting you access any files
anywhere. It can also automatically upload photos taken on your phone to your
account, meaning that, after a bit of uploading and downloading, all your shots
are *right there* on your desktop without any tedious cable connecting.
7. Ebay
The app
itself isn't what you'd call attractive, but eBay lets you browse, watch items
and buy stuff, integrating a Paypal sign-in for quick getting of things. Better
still, now Android phones all have immense cameras on them, it's a doddle to
sell items straight through the app - take a photo, upload it, have most of the
listing data pre-filled for you. The app is better as a selling tool than the
desktop site, in fact.
8. Snapchat
Snapchat is
the current darling of the social media world, allowing users to send pictures
that will eventually disappear and leave no trace. This aspect of the app has
meant that it has been given a rather porny moniker but there is much more to
the app and this is why it is currently bigger than Twitter in terms of users.
9. Facebook
Messenger
It actually
pains us to put this app into our top 10 but, because of Facebook's rather
snide antics, it is a must-have app. That is, in the sense you need to have it
to use Facebook Messenger on your phone. Yes it's annoying, yes there are lots
of scare stories about what the app can read on your device (ignore those) and
yes it's cynical but because of Facebook's popularity this will stay in the top
10 of downloaded apps for some time to come.
10. Monument Valley (Free Download)
In Monument Valley you will manipulate impossible architecture and will guide a silent princess in a stunning universe.
Monument Valley offers a surreal exploration of a fantastic architecture impossible geometry. Ida Guide the silent princess through mysterious monuments, uncovering hidden paths , punch optical illusions and puzzles dodge the People crows.
Vine(Bonus)
The
movie-making sensation took a little while to appear on Android, then took a
while for the numerous bugs to disappear – but now it's all good. It's a simple
recording/stop-motion/animation tool, letting you shoot live video on your
phone and share it via social networks. The app is also the best way of
browsing Vines from others, as the categories and pages mean you can leaf
through it like telly, favouriting users.
