10 MUST have apps(free) for a new Android Device user

Few MUST have apps(free) for a new Android Device User

Here’s a list of apps that every Android user must have in his phone for basic functioning / use of his phone. I clarify that the apps listed here are not apps that “an Android user should use”, but apps which an Android user should have in his phone for basic functions. I’ll post another article where I’ll list apps which enhance Android’s usability and another which increases functionality.

Till then here’s something for people who are new to Android and wish to squeeze maximum out of their phone.

1.     QR Droid

QR Droid is an app that scans QR codes. In simple words, QR code is graphic which keeps data in it in coded form and can be decoded by any QR Code decoder.

What do people do with QR codes: You can keep your Business Card(your own contact details) in form of QR picture and anyone who wants it, can scan it and it gets directly saved on his phone.

You can scan QR from sites/blogs and directly install any app or go to any website by directly scanning the QR .
You can encode message and Passover. There are many more uses of QR, but for Basic Android user, install this, this is a handy tool whose use you may realize later.

Click Here to find QR droid in android market(web).

2.     Advanced Task Killer

Android phones tend to consumer a lot of battery. Its because android apps start on its own in the background without your knowledge and consumer battery. The solution to is to install a Task Killer. Task Killers kill Apps in the background. Install Task Killer by scanning the QR code. Go to settings. Set Frequency to “every half hour” and set Kill Level to “crazy”. You may add internet or any other app to its ignore list if you do not want the ATK to kill an app. Do add ATK itself to its ignore list.

Advanced Task Killer

 

3.     GPS Status

Since most android phones come with Default GPS app as Google Maps, you cannot extract maximum out of your GPS. Normal GPS devices do not show Latitude, Longitude, altitude, magnetic Field, Pitch/roll, brightness(lux).

GPS status also shows the satellites you are getting signal from and their direction. It also shows satellites which are not being used to fix(only identified, not used in fix).
To Install GPS status, scan the QR code.

Scan the image . 

 4.     Calltrack

Call track

Call track is an app which exports your call log to your calendar and then synchronizes it to google calander. So every call you make, receive or miss is logged to your google calendar. So even if your call log gets deleted on phone, you don’t lose it. BTW: You can also share your Google Calendar to anyone. Share it with your girlfriend so that she comes to know who you’re talking to. Or install it on her phone to spy !!

5.     Network Monitor

With fixed data plans and high speeds of 3G, its very likely that you may exhaust your limit much before time or end up paying heavily for data usage.

To keep a check on your data usage, you can install Network Monitor.

Features:

§         Shows Wi-fi and network data separate

§         Shows Day, Week and Month usage separate.

§         Shows current Upload and download speed in Graphics. 


Scan the code below to Install

Network Monitor

6.     Where’s my Droid

Where's my droid

Has it ever happened that you kept your mobile somewhere and then couldn’t find it. You tried calling up, but the phone was in silent mode so it didn’t even ring aloud. ???

Here’s the solution. Install this app. If you ever miss your phone again, just text the key word to it and it will start ringing even if it were in silent mode. A useful app for all absent minded people. Do change the key word after installation.

To install, click the QR code.

7.     Mobile Number Tracker (India only)

Mobile Number Tracker

Ever wondered where the call is from when you 

receive a call ??

Well, this app  tells you the service provider and state of origin of the number calling you. Well, the service provider after MNP may be wrong, but the state won’t be  wrong. You can even manually enter a number to check service provider and state to which the number belongs.

8.     APP2SD

This is applicable only to android 2.2 and above.

App2SD

This application moves your apps to SD card thereby freeing up space of your internal memory. Very valuable app for old android mobiles.

Please note that all applications cannot be moved. 
Only apps which allow to be moved can be moved. 
This app just lists the apps which can be moved.

If you want to move all your apps to SD, you’ll need to root your device and install a third party ROM. That’s advanced user functions. If you are new to Android, try that later.

Do not move apps which have widgets else widgets will stop working.

9.     2G-3G widget & Gmail widget

This app is necessary for people who use 3G network and move around a lot. Often Phones loses 3G network and the
 phone goes out of range. To switch to 2G network, you need 
to go through settings> wireless> ….

This app takes you directly to setting.

Wondering why some people do not keep setting to “Both WCDMA and GSM” ? Its because phone tend to EDGE or GPRS from 3G every now and then, and sometimes connecting to 3G becomes  a headache when the mode is kept to “both”

How to use this: On your home screen keep 1x1 space free. Keep the screen touched at the spot. From the pop-up, select widget. Then select this 2G-3G widget.

To download, scan the QR code. 

2G to 3G widget

Gmail app widget in android does not show number of unread mails. So here's the solution. Install this widget.

Gmail unread count Widget

10. ADAO file manager.

This is a file explorer. It is required to browse files of your phone as well as SD card. On an android, to send a file/song over Bluetooth, you need to have a file explorer. You can also password protect your files.

ADAO File Manager