Best Android Apps: My Top 10 Picks

Android based phones have a diverse array of applications available. For the new Android user, it can almost be overwhelming choosing which apps to install. With the recent release of new Androids handsets from major brands like Motorola, HTC, and Google, the Android developer community has been given a boost to crank out good quality Android software. Today, Android Marketplace features more than 10,000 apps from personal finances to games and utilities. While some applications are more useful to some than others, here are my top 10 Android apps.

Connect Bot
Connect Bot is an absolute must-have application for anyone that works with Unix or Linux servers. This app is a very decent and capable secure shell client for the Android phone. Connect Bot is an SSH Client for the Android Phone which allows you to connect to remote servers directly from your hand-held device.

Ping
This is another top Android app for anyone that works with networked computers. Need to know if your web server is up and running? Ping will let you check from your Android phone. This application does just what it says, it allows you to send ICMP pings to a server from your Android phone.

App Manager
App Manager is an Android application that makes managing your applications simpler. It allows you to backup unprotected applications to your SD card. It will also allow you to easily uninstall an application and to reinstall an application from your SD card.

Bar Code Scanner
This Android application uses the camera in your phone to read bar codes. This application reads both UPC style bar codes and QR codes. This application works with other Android applications such as the Amazon application to look up information and prices on products.

Got to Do
If you use David Allen’s Getting Things Done organizational system, you will love Got to Do. This Android application implements the core concepts of GTD to manage tasks and projects.

Handcent SMS
The default messaging application on Android is pretty capable but it lacks a few features like saving MMS attachments. Handcent is a great replacement that shows messages in comic style bubbles, supports saving MMS attachments and has virtual greetings you can send to your friends.

Snap Photo Pro
Snap Photo Pro is a win at only $0.99 for the application. This Android application replaces the camera application that ships with Android. It features a software zoom and a stabilization. It also shows a grid representing the horizon and supports adjusting the white balance. I’ve found that this Android application takes much better photos than the default one.

WiFi Analyzer
If you need to see what wireless networks are around you and how strong their signals are, this is the application for you. It is also useful for troubleshooting Wi-Fi as it shows what channel the network is using and where various networks overlap. It can also indicate secure versus open networks.

Pic Say Pro
Photoshop for Android is still very much in its infancy but Pic Say Pro is an Android application that has a number of photo editing features. Even the free lite version outperforms the current incarnation of Photoshop for Android. This is a must have for editing your photos on the Android.

Shazam
I love music. And I love finding new music. Shazam is an Android application that can listen to a piece of music at a club or on the radio and identify the title, the album and the artist performing it. Amazingly, it is extremely accurate and works even on non-English songs.

There are lots of Android applications available today. Some are clearly better than others. My top 10 Android applications include networking tools, replacements for some of the default Android applications, a photo editor, organizer and music application. These top 10 Android applications will give you a great start with your Android mobile device.

About the Author

If you liked this article, check out Michael Dorf’s hot new technical blog called Good Networking (goodnetworking.com), which offers computer Networking tutorials, Android reviews, and Android mod guides. Please visit Good Networking today to find the article you’ve been looking for!

Top 5 Free Android Music Apps

Maverick Industries ET-73 Maverick RediChek Remote Wireless Smoker Thermometer $29.95 Smoking meat and fish properly can take days. So, rather than going out to the smoker to check the temperature time and time again, simply install a RediChek Remote Wireless Smoker Thermometer and rest at ease. This handy thermometer monitors smoker air temperature and food temperature from up to 100 feet away. And, if the temperature drops too low or jumps too high, the RediChek alarm goes off, s…

Biophilia $10.64 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

Spin Coach (Coached Spinning / Cycling Workout Music Mix) (Interval-based Hill Ride With Master Instructor Gregg Cook) $9.99 …

Toontastic $17.98 …

Cisco-Linksys Wireless-N Internet Home Monitoring Camera $129.99 Send live audio and video to a smartphone or web browser anywhere in the world! The Cisco-Linksys wireless-N internet home monitoring camera connects to your network wirelessly, and delivers a live audio/video stream to a smartphone or browser anywhere. Also captures video streams and sends email alerts with video clips upon motion detection….

Philips 69143/60/48 LivingColors Generation 2 Translucent Changing LED Lamp with Remote $139.99 The Philips LivingColors Generation 2 LED Lamp is a revolution in decorative lighting. Featuring a spectrum of over 16 million colors to choose from, the lamp places you in direct control of your room’s ambiance. Simply select a color on the remote, and the lamp will instantly bathe your room in light that reflects your personal style. Powered by seven vibrant LEDs, LivingColors places an entire r…

Logitech Alert 750e Outdoor Master Security System with Night Vision $349.99 Keep an eye on things day and night, indoors or out with the Logitech Alert 750e 961-000337 Outdoor Master Security System. Set it up yourself, count on it when you need it. With the Logitech Alert 750e Master Security System you get everything you need, a smart, weatherproof, night-vision camera; powerful software; and free viewing online or on your mobile. Setup is simple, using your existing el…

Call a Clambulance $1.99 …

Withings – Wifi Bodyscale …

Omron HBF-514C Full Body Composition Sensing Monitor and Scale $65.99 PROVIDES USERS A COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR BODY COMPOSITION TO HELP THEM REACH THEIR FITNESS GOALSFULL BODY SENSING WITH HAND-TO-FOOT TECHNOLOGY IS MORE ACCURATE THAN FOOT-TO-FOOT MONITORSMEASURES 7 FITNESS INDICATORS: BODY FAT PERCENTAGE BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) VISCERAL FAT SKELETAL MUSCLE BODY AGE HIGH/LOW READINGS & BODY WEIGHTUPC : 073796265144Shipping Dimensions : 15.00in X 12.70in X…

App Inventor for Android By Tyler, Jason $37.23 Google App Inventor for Android is the complete guide to App Inventor for Android, Googles new visual language for building mobile apps. With App Inventor, you program by piecing together blocks that represent the phones functionality. Because its like putting together a puzzle, even nontechnical people can use App Inventor to create mobile apps. With App Inventor you dont need to write a single line of programming code, and can still create apps that take advantage of all of an Android smart phones features including the accelerometer, GPS, messaging, contacts, the web and more. This book provides you with a series of fully worked out apps that you can create, download and use on your Android phone. Best of all, the apps come with complete source blocks , fully explained in easy to understand terms, which you can customize for your own use or use as a model for building the next killer app . The sample apps are accompanied by a section on App Inventor Designs Patterns that serves as an invaluable reference and explains computer science concepts in simple terms. Google App Inventor for Android is the perfect companion for your app exploration, and will have you creating your own Android apps in no time Author: Tyler, Jason Subtitle: Build Your Own Apps No Experience Required Publication Date: 2011/06/15 Number of Pages: 446 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 1.00 Width: 7.50 Height: 9.25

Android Apps with App Inventor By Kloss, Jorg H. $44.9 A comprehensive guide to Googles App Inventor for Android uses handson examples and detailed walkthroughs that cover audio, video and other tools while explaining how to combine various features to develop a range of practical and entertaining apps. Original. Author: Kloss, Jorg H. Subtitle: The Fast and Easy Way to Build Android Apps Publication Date: 2012/03/09 Number of Pages: 500 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 1.00 Width: 7.25 Height: 9.00

BlueAnt Black Q2 Voice Controlled Bluetooth Headset with Text Reader ANDROID App $105.21 ANDROID app provides text message readout directly into the headset. Voice control commands to answer/reject calls speed dial and redial last number without handset. Integrated with Microsoft BING411 to provide a handsfree gateway to a world of information. A2DP streaming for listening to music podcasts and turn by turn directions from a GPS application on to phone. Dual microphones and Voice Isolation technology separates the user s voice from all other sounds resulting in clear call quality. Multipoint technology allows for seamless switching between 2 Bluetooth devices. Wind Armor Technology provides wind noise reduction at up to 22mph. Stores up to 2 000 phonebook entries per paired device. Supported Bluetooth profiles: Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) HandsFree Profile (HFP) Headset Profile (HSP). Up to 5 hours talk time or 100 hours standby. Compliant with Bluetooth v2.1 + Enhanced Data Rate (EDR). Includes ear gels (S L) stabilizing ear gels (S M L) ear hook USB cable AC adapter and soft carry case

BlueAnt Platinum Q2 Voice Controlled Bluetooth Headset with Text Reader ANDROID App $128.7 ANDROID app provides text message readout directly into the headset. Voice control commands to answer/reject calls speed dial and redial last number without handset. Integrated with Microsoft BING411 to provide a handsfree gateway to a world of information. A2DP streaming for listening to music podcasts and turn by turn directions from a GPS application on to phone. Dual microphones and Voice Isolation technology separates the user s voice from all other sounds resulting in clear call quality. Multipoint technology allows for seamless switching between 2 Bluetooth devices. Wind Armor Technology provides wind noise reduction at up to 22mph. Stores up to 2 000 phonebook entries per paired device. Supported Bluetooth profiles: Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) HandsFree Profile (HFP) Headset Profile (HSP). Up to 5 hours talk time or 100 hours standby. Compliant with Bluetooth v2.1 + Enhanced Data Rate (EDR). Includes ear gels (S L) stabilizing ear gels (S M L) ear hook USB cable AC adapter and soft carry case

Cobra IRAD105 iRADAR Detection System with Android App $168.94 Bluetooth enabled unit pairs quickly and easily with Android based smartphone. Full 14 band protection from X Band K Band Ka Band radar POP mode VG2 all size laser types and Safety Alert. Visual Radar and laser alerts displayed on Android smartphone. AURA Speed and Red Light Camera Database included. Provides Android smartphone users continuously updated access to Cobra s verified data. Configure iRadar unit through you Android smartphone.

Android for Programmers : An App-Driven Approach $37.47 No Synopsis Available

The Complete Idiots Guide to Android App Development By Froehlich, Christopher $28.24 A professional software developer provides stepbystep instructions for designing, developing, testing and publishing fullyfeatured applications for the Android platform, including how to design effective and easilynavigated user interfaces, adding audio and video support and publishing to the Android market. Original. 12,000 first printing. Author: Froehlich, Christopher Series Title: Complete Idiots Guide to Publication Date: 2011/07/05 Number of Pages: 402 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.75 Width: 7.50 Height: 9.00

Android App Development and Design : Learn by Video $33.31 No Synopsis Available

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Android App Development $18.25 No Synopsis Available

Android App Development Fundamentals I Livelessons Bundle $58.3 No Synopsis Available

App Inventor: Create Your Own Android Apps $29.25 No Synopsis Available

Android Apps with App Inventor : The Fast and Easy Way to Build Android Apps $37.47 No Synopsis Available

Android Apps Marketing : Secrets to Selling Your Android App $20.81 No Synopsis Available

Android Apps Marketing By Hughes, Jeffrey $28.26 Author: Hughes, Jeffrey Subtitle: Secrets to Selling Your Android App Publication Date: 2010/09/20 Number of Pages: 294 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.75 Width: 6.00 Height: 9.00

App Inventor By Wolber, David/ Abelson, Hal $41.07 A guide to using App Inventor to create Android applications presents stepbystep instructions for a variety of projects, including creating locationaware apps, data storage, and decisionmaking apps. Author: Wolber, David/ Abelson, Hal/ Spertus, Ellen/ Looney, Liz Subtitle: Create Your Own Android Apps Publication Date: 2011/05/10 Number of Pages: 360 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.75 Width: 7.00 Height: 9.25

RPAD 800MHz 256MB 4GB 7 Touchscreen Tablet Android 2.2 w/Webcam & microSDHC Slot (Silver) $93.99 The perfect tablet!The RPAD-7 Android tablet features a vivid 7-inch TFT display and Google Android OS 2.2 pre-loaded, giving you a highly interactive and customizable couch companion that is also cost-effective. Breeze through emails and browse the web with the integrated IEEE 802.11 b/g wireless LAN connectivity.The RPAD-7 features a VIA WonderMedia WM8650 800 MHz processor and 256 MB RAM along with 4 GB of built-in storage, but you’re free to expand that storage capability by up to 16 GB with the built-in microSD/SDHC card slot. Slide a card in and enjoy photo slideshows, music playback, and even video playback!Browse the Amazon App Store for Android and find thousands of apps that add additional functionality to this tablet! This RPAD-7 tablet includes an AC power adapter and the built-in lithium battery gives you hours of entertainment. The RPAD-7 7-inch Touchscreen Android Tablet provides a cost-effective portable multimedia companion that’s ready to advance your digital life! Get yours today!Order your RPAD-7 4GB 7-inch Touchscreen Android 2.2 Internet Tablet today!

Kocaso M830W 1.2GHz 512MB 4GB 8 Capacitive Touchscreen Tablet Android 2.3 w/HDMI, microSDHC Slot & Camera $142.99 Enjoy the freedom of tablet computing with this Kocaso M830W 8-inch Android Tablet! The Kocaso M830W Android tablet features a vivid 8-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen display and Google Android OS 2.3 pre-loaded, giving you a highly interactive and customizable portable computing companion that is also cost-effective. Breeze through emails and browse the web with the integrated IEEE 802.11b/g/n wireless LAN connectivity. Tired of typing? Use the voice search function to search the web! The M830W features a 1.2 GHz processor along with 512 MB of DDR3 RAM. It also comes with built-in 4 GB of storage, but you’re free to expand that storage capability with the built-in microSD/SDHC card slot that supports up to 16 GB. Slide a card in and enjoy photo slideshows, music playback, and even HD video playback! Show your digital collection to the whole room with the M830W’s HDMI out capability. Browse the Android App Market and find thousands of apps that add additional functionality! Plus, you can capture the moment with the 1.3 megapixel camera. This M830W tablet includes an AC power adapter and features a built-in lithium battery. Easy to use, this Kocaso M830W 8-inch Touchscreen Android Tablet provides a cost-effective portable multimedia companion that’s ready to advance your digital life! Get yours today! Order now!

Jensen JiSS-10i Docking Music System with App for iPod/iPhone $32.99 Play your favorite jams with the Jensen Docking Music System with App for iPod and iPhone. An auxiliary input jack allows you to play from your iPod, MP3, or other digital audio player. Play from the radio with an FM tuner app.

Andy, the Android $2.99 By Willard A. Palmer. For Piano. Piano Solo; Solo. Early Elementary. Sheet. 4 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing

Cobra iRadar™ for Android (IRAD 105N) $129.99 Detects all radar & laser guns, speed traps, red light cameras & more Free, user-friendly iRadar™ App syncs with your Android phone or tablet Connect to iRadar™ wirelessly using a Bluetooth connection Reduce false alerts with City/Highway Mode

Android App Development Fundamentals I Livelessons Bundle By Deitel, Paul $69.24 Author: Deitel, Paul Publication Date: 2012/04/07 Binding Type: Hardcover Language: English Depth: 0.75 Width: 7.00 Height: 9.10

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Tegra 2 1GHz 1GB 16GB 10.1 Touchscreen Tablet Android 3.1 w/Dual Cameras & Bluetooth 3.0(White) $379.99 Stay connected to your media and the world with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1!This Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 features an impressive 10.1-inch Touchscreen display with Swype technology. It’s both compact and light so you can take it with you anywhere you go and its built-in Wi-Fi keeps you connected to the Internet from nearly anywhere.Being light and compact doesn’t mean the Galaxy Tab 10.1 skimps on features! This Galaxy Tab 10.1 is loaded with Google Android OS 3.1 (Honeycomb), giving you incredible speed and usability for a mobile computing device. It also features full integration with a whole range from Google services, from Gmail and YouTube to built-in search and the Android App Market.Download music and movies to the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and store them on the built-in 16 GB storage. Snap photos or record video with the Galaxy Tab 10.1′s rear-facing 3.0 MP camera and video chat with friends using its front-facing 2.0 MP camera. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 doesn’t just play music, movies, and show photo slideshows, it’s also a full-fledged portable gaming device. Simply search the Android App Market for tons of games to download. With Samsung’s exclusive Media Hub app, you have access millions of books, newspapers, music and entertainment content. The Tab also enjoys full support for the most popular social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and even Google+. Get the most popular Android tablet to date, get your Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android Tablet today!

Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 Tegra 2 Dual-Core 1GHz 16GB 8.9 Capacitive Touchscreen Tablet Android 3.1 w/Dual Cams & BT $349.99 Stay connected to your media and the world with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9!This Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 features an impressive 8.9-inch capacitive touchscreen display with Swype technology. It’s both compact and light so you can take it with you anywhere you go and its built-in Wi-Fi keep you connected to the Internet from nearly anywhere. Being light and compact doesn’t mean the Galaxy Tab 8.9 skimps on features! This Galaxy Tab 8.9 is loaded with Google Android OS 3.1 (Honeycomb), giving you incredible speed and usability for a mobile computing device. It also features full integration with a whole range from Google services, from Gmail and YouTube to built-in search and the Android App Market.Download music and movies to the Galaxy Tab 8.9 and store them on the built-in 16 GB storage. Snap photos or record video with the Galaxy Tab 8.9′s rear-facing 3.0 MP camera and video chat with friends using its front-facing 2.0 MP camera. The Galaxy Tab 8.9 doesn’t just play music, movies, and show photo slideshows, it’s also a full-fledged portable gaming device. Simply search the Android App Market for tons of games to download. With Samsung’s exclusive Media Hub app, you have access to millions of books, newspapers, music and entertainment content. The Tab also enjoys full support for the most popular social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and even Google+. Get the most popular Android tablet to date, get your Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 Android Tablet today!

Kocaso M760W 1.2GHz 4GB 7 Capacitive Touchscreen Tablet Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) w/HDMI, Camera, More! $123.99 Enjoy the freedom of tablet computing with this Kocaso M760W 7-inch Android tablet!The Kocaso M760W Android tablet features a vivid 7-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen display and Google Android OS 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) pre-loaded, giving you a highly interactive and customizable portable computing companion that is also cost-effective. Breeze through emails and browse the web with the integrated IEEE 802.11g wireless LAN connectivity. Tired of typing? Use the voice search function to search the web!The M760W features a 1.2 GHz processor along with 4 GB of built-in storage, but you’re free to expand that storage capability with the built-in microSD/SDHC card slot that supports up to 16 GB. Slide a card in and enjoy photo slideshows, music playback, and even HD video playback! Show your digital collection to the whole room with the M760W’s HDMI out capability.Browse the Android App Market and find thousands of apps that add additional functionality! This M760W tablet includes an AC power adapter and the built-in lithium battery allows for hours of entertainment. The M760W 7-inch Touchscreen Android Tablet provides a cost-effective portable multimedia companion that’s ready to advance your digital life! Get yours today!Order now!

RPAD 800MHz 256MB 4GB 7 Touchscreen Tablet Android 2.2 w/Webcam & microSDHC Slot (Black) $93.99 Portable and affordable tablet entertainment!The RPAD 7 Android tablet features a vivid 7-inch TFT display and Google Android OS 2.2 pre-loaded, giving you a highly interactive and customizable couch companion that is also cost-effective. Breeze through emails and browse the web with the integrated IEEE 802.11 b/g wireless LAN connectivity.The RPAD 7 features a VIA WonderMedia WM8650 800 MHz processor and 256 MB RAM along with 4 GB of built-in storage, but you’re free to expand that storage capability by up to 16 GB with the built-in microSD/SDHC card slot. Slide a card in and enjoy photo slideshows, music playback, and even video playback!Browse the Amazon App Store for Android and find thousands of apps that add additional functionality to this tablet! This RPAD 7 tablet includes an AC power adapter and the built-in lithium battery gives you hours of entertainment. The RPAD 7 7-inch Touchscreen Android Tablet provides a cost-effective portable multimedia companion that’s ready to advance your digital life! Get yours today!Order now!

Amazing Android Apps For Dummies $4.99 The popularity of Android apps is exploding and this handy guide helps you sort through the thousands of available applications so you can find the ones that are ideal for you. You’ll explore a variety of apps in the areas of entertainment, finance, health, food, music, news, weather, photography, reference, dining out, social networking, sports, travel, and more. Author Daniel Begun helps you navigate through this enormous – and potentially overwhelming – array of Android apps.

Ilive Portable App-Enhanced Music Boombox AM/FM Radio With Dock For Iphone / iPod IBP391B $21.26 Ilive Portable App-Enhanced Music Boombox AM/FM Radio With Dock For Iphone / iPod IBP391B

1253-5757 – Sony Ericsson Live With Walkman Smartphone – Wi-Fi – 3.5G – Bar – Black – Sim-Free – Android Os 2.3 – 3.2 inch Lcd 480 X 320 – Touchscreen – Multi- $209.75 Discover a new track. Tell the world you inch like inch it. Then turn up the volume. Way beyond listening. The Live with Walkman blasts music into a new era, with the sound quality of Walkman and the interactivity of Android. Discover tracks with the media discovery app. Know more about your music with the Infinite button. Share it all with Facebook inside. And crank it up without distortion. [LE9348] UPC: 095673853985 UNSPC: 43191501 15.55L x 10.9W x 5.74H 0.65 LB

1253-5763 – Sony Ericsson Live With Walkman Smartphone – Wi-Fi – 3.5G – Bar – White – Sim-Free – Android Os 2.3 – 3.2 inch Lcd 480 X 320 – Touchscreen – Multi- $209.75 Discover a new track. Tell the world you inch like inch it. Then turn up the volume. Way beyond listening. The Live with Walkman blasts music into a new era, with the sound quality of Walkman and the interactivity of Android. Discover tracks with the media discovery app. Know more about your music with the Infinite button. Share it all with Facebook inside. And crank it up without distortion. [LE9347] UPC: 095673853992 UNSPC: 43191501 15.55L x 10.9W x 5.74H 0.65 LB

Google App Inventor by Avery, Iustinus Tim [Paperback] $78.07 Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Google App Inventor is an application provided by Google that allows anyone to create software applications for the Android OS. It uses a graphical interface, very similar to Scratch and the StarLogo TNG user interface, that allows users to draganddrop visual objects to create an application that can run on the Android system, which runs on many mobile devices. The application was made available through request on July 12, 2010, and released publicly on December 15, 2010. The application is aimed towards people who are not familiar with computer programming, such as elementary school students and hospital nurses. The reasoning is that if young people develop applications to fulfill their own needs and install them on their own phones, they will more likely use the phones more often, or switch to the Android OS if they are not already using a phone that runs the system. Author: Avery, Iustinus Tim Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 80 Publication Date: 2011/08/09 Language: English Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.19 inches