GavinB Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 Hi All I have just upgraded from a iPhone 5s to a Samsung S6 edge+ but am a complete beginner with android. What apps/settings would you suggest I download to get me started. Thanks GavinB
zag Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 mobisle notes for shopping list type app. App killer because android is terrible at releasing memory citymaps2go for offline city maps Rocketplayer for music as the official app is awful 1
hardtailstar Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 Device manger - can log into your computer and find your phone Edugeek Google Drive Google Goggles Google opinion rewards - answer short surveys and get cash to spend in the play store plus any of your social media ones you use. 1
RichCowell Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 The following is what I've sent to a couple of people when they've asked in the past... Some of the links may be out of date: Handcent If you text as much as I do, this is far nicer, far more customisable, lets you set different SMS tones for different people, custom colours etc. Free https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.handcent.nextsms&hl=en-GB Setting Profiles If you use your calendars this is definitely something you want to get – it reads your calendar for keywords (e.g. meeting) then changes the profile of the phone accordingly, so it will switch to silent for a meeting (with an early start & delayed finish if needed too)… It also lets you change profile based on location (GPS / Wifi / Cell) Definitely worth getting – this is the free version, but there’s a paid version too – no major difference for general use: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.probeez.liteprofiles Launch-X Have I shown you the homescreen of my phone with all the much smaller icons? I like quick access to all the apps I use regularly… This is what I use to do it, you create widgets, then add them to the homescreen… This is the free version, can’t remember the difference – I like to support apps I love, so bought it… https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.yuvalsharon.android.launchx.free Wifi Analyzer Scans & shows all wifi on channels / strength etc. Nothing like WiSpy, but an invaluable app in work and out… and free https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer Agenda Widget: I don’t like the basic agenda widgets available, so use this one instead, far more compact, though can be fiddly to get just how you like it… I wouldn’t be without it… https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.roflharrison.agenda.plus Clipper One of my absolute favourite apps… It doesn’t do a great deal – apart from keep everything you copy, and lets you put it back to the clipboard, so if you copy something to paste later, then forget and copy something else, you can get it back… except this will save hundreds/thousands… It also lets you organise them into groups too… e.g. I have a group called signatures, so when I’m switching phones I can just copy my signature instead of typing it out or emailing it myself… If you get the Clipper Plus with Sync (£1.23) you can access your clippings by logging in online too and add / edit / delete them there… Absolutely awesome, I can’t promote it highly enough… https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.rojekti.clipper ES File Explorer Does what it says on the tin again, it’s a file explorer for your phone… also has a download manager thing so if you click links that can be opened, choose the ES download and it’ll save it to your phone… https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.estrongs.android.pop Lock Screen App This is simply an icon you can leave on your homescreen that locks the phone… saves pressing the power button all the time, or if you’re not holding the phone (e.g. it’s on your ANME mobile stand) you can quickly switch off the screen by pressing this (I’ve added it as one of the main icons at the bottom of all homescreens) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kennethcheng.com.lockscreen.free Network Mapper Does what it says on the tin – good to see what’s on your network – better on small networks like home lol… https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.networkmapper SMS Backup+ Backs up your SMS/MMS/Whatsapp messages to your Gmail account under specific lables… Handy as an archive, also handy to see if you’ve missed any messages if you’ve not got your phone with you… https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync 2X MDM This lets you access some features of your phone through an internet browser, just browse to the IP:Port of your phone (specified in the app) and you can access it… I use this at my mum’s where the signal’s awful, so leave it near the front door, then I can read/send SMSs from my laptop… it’s also got a file browser and more… worth checking out, and it’s free… disadvantage is that it seems to keep activating the screen whenever you do anything, but I’ve logged that with them as an issue https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tcx.mdm Sophos Free Antivirus They’re not a huge issue atm, but this does other things as well as AV, including remote wipe, checks apps for junk, tells you if they look like they’re just collecting data from your phone etc. and lets you uninstall them straight away… worth getting, and it’s free: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sophos.smsec Microsoft RDP: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.rdc.android SwiftKey Keyboard: Android lets you change the keyboard, one of the original perks I think Apple has recently copied… There are loads out there, most are rubbish… this is the one I’m using at the moment, it lets you have more control over the appearance, / layout… one of the main things I love about this one is that it’ll let you have a separate row for numbers so you don’t have to tap and hold / switch to the number view all the time… https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.touchtype.swiftkey Some I like: Barcode Scanner: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.zxing.client.android MPG Calculator: Does what it says on the tin really… quite nice to see how much you’re spending on fuel & per mile etc. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.jackdashfrost.mpgcalc Ringtone Randomizer: I have loads of old theme tunes as my ringtones, and love hearing them blast out lol, so this basically changes your ringtone for you after every call… (unless you’ve set ringtones for specific people in Contacts – they’ll always use that)… so this just cycles through a list of the ones you specify... Love it! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hibernate.v2.ringtonerandomizer 2
foofighterjim Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 App killer because android is terrible at releasing memory I wouldn't recommend these types of apps on anything that runs Lollipop or later, the vast majority cause more problems than they solve. Android really isn't that bad at releasing memory now. As for Apps, I love use: Google Keep for notes Apex Launcher is my launcher of choice (there are lots of good launchers for Android including Launch-X and Nova) As already said Swift Key is brilliant Microsoft Office! 1
Arthur Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 App killer because Android is terrible at releasing memory Nooooooooooooo!!!! As @foofighterjim mentioned, task killers should be avoided. See links below for more info. android-developers.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/multitasking-android-way.html howtogeek.com/127388/htg-explains-why-you-shouldnt-use-a-task-killer-on-android 2
RichCowell Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 Nooooooooooooo!!!! As @foofighterjim mentioned, task killers should be avoided. See links below for more info. android-developers.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/multitasking-android-way.html howtogeek.com/127388/htg-explains-why-you-shouldnt-use-a-task-killer-on-android To a certain extent I agree - I think the automatic task killers that constantly monitor and kill apps etc. are bad, but they do help every so often... I use ES Task Manager that lets me kill apps manually, and that does make a big difference when I notice things getting a bit sluggish... (it has other features too)... 1
DalekSec Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 Portal 2 Soundboard..... Its amazing! SPACCCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 1
LosOjos Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 Some great suggestions from @RichCowell - I'd recommend Textra as an alternative to Handcent though - many of the same features, I just found it nicer to use (was a Handcent user for a couple of years before making the switch). It also works with my next recommendation: Pushbullet - on it's own, not that useful, but install the Chrome/Firefox plugin and you can easily push pages/documents from your browser to your phone and vice-versa. Also allows you to receive notifications from your phone to your desktop and read and respond to texts (if you have a compatible text app, such as Textra) 2
GavinB Posted October 16, 2015 Author Posted October 16, 2015 Thanks, lots to be getting on with. i'll install a few and see how I get on.
RichCowell Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 (edited) Some great suggestions from @RichCowell - I'd recommend Textra as an alternative to Handcent though - many of the same features, I just found it nicer to use (was a Handcent user for a couple of years before making the switch). It also works with my next recommendation: Pushbullet - on it's own, not that useful, but install the Chrome/Firefox plugin and you can easily push pages/documents from your browser to your phone and vice-versa. Also allows you to receive notifications from your phone to your desktop and read and respond to texts (if you have a compatible text app, such as Textra) The 2X MDM has changed since that link above it's now: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tcx.mdm&hl=en That does similar to the Pushbullet thing you mentioned, though it's a mobile interface for any browser on the same network (I've got rules on my router at home so if I forget my phone I can access and text from it anywhere via a browser)... Handcent has the Handcent Anywhere service too if you subscribe (I don't use that service, but I do subscribe, mainly to support the developers and for the backups (I've got 40,000+ texts, 37,000+ with one person that I don't want to lose lol)...) I'll check out Pushbullet though - sounds a bit like the Chrome to Phone thing that was big a while ago... Edited October 16, 2015 by RichCowell 2
jonnykewell1 Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 (edited) Last pass - password manager Waze - Nice little sat nav program Uber - ordering taxis Chrome Beta - fast browser Google photos - backup camera photos to the cloud Fing - great for scanning the network to find out Ip / mac address of devices, run ping tests etc speed test - broadband speed checker wifi analyzer - for scanning wifi channels speeds etc Chromecast app Edited October 16, 2015 by jonnykewell1 1
JJonas Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 c:geo - GeoCaching app. Use a billion dollar satellite network to find Tupperware hidden in the woods. Its a lot of fun and keeps taking me to places I never new existed. My kids love it. 1
abillybob Posted October 16, 2015 Posted October 16, 2015 Facebook Drastic DS Emulator - Play DS Games Microsoft Office Apps - Download these from the Samsung App Store they're free courtesy of Samsung 08 Wizard - Converts 08 numbers to regular phone numbers so doesn't eat up your plan Airdroid - Receive notifications from your phone on your computer, if root control phone via computer and transfer files wirelessly ES File Explorer - Allows you to manage your filesystem and connect to LAN shares Face tune - A convenient way to photoshop your ugly face into something pretty Hot UK Deals - App has Hot UK Deals Lightflow - Change your notifications from sounds to the colour your LED flashes PrintHand Premium - Print from any networked printer Peel Smart Remote - Control your TV using this remote SideSync - Control your phone from your computer No root required Goat Simulator - Simulate a goat Google Admin - Admin console for your phone Android Device Manager - Android Tracker if you loose your phone PPSSPP - Free PSP emulator MultiWindow Commander - require root allows you to use every app in multi window Google Photo's - Backup with unlimited storage for high quality photos epsxe - PS1 emulator for android Six Axis Controller - Use a PS3 controller to play any game you like require root Titanium Backup - Backup your phone and apps Flashify - Flash recoveries and other ROM's with ease requires root TuneIn Radio - Radio on your phone Rook - Roku remote control Emoji Switcher - Ditch the awful samsung or android emoji's for iOS requires root My Passwords - Password manager Plex - Awesome media server app Player FM - Podcasts Greenify - get soooooo much better battery life by managing battery use per app (requires root) Ccleaner - for crap removal OneNote - Awesome note taking Sleep As Android - Awesome alarm Microsoft remote desktop - connect to servers and swizzle my nozzle Antutu Benchmark - Bet my phone is better than yours! Hide App - Hide and app inside a password protected app require root, good for pron Mirror - My face is so ugly Hangouts or whatsapp - I now use hangouts not paying 69p for whats app! Speedtest - Check your interwebiccles speed DVBViewer or TV Catchup - watch TV on your phone So many appzzzzzz! 1
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