40 best free Android apps

OK, so the Android Market is more akin to Lidl or Asda than the iPhone's enormous, indulgent Selfridges-at-Christmas time approach, however the open source nature of Google's OS means there are plenty of apps for Android to be found.

And best of all, most of the good stuff on Android is free, thanks to the work of developers who do it for love alone. So here's our pick of the top free Android apps you should install.

There are many Twitter apps on Android - and Twitter itself shook up the scene with the launch of its own-brand app recently - however we're sticking with Seesmic. Offering support for multiple accounts, a home page widget showing latest tweets and an incredibly slick and professional design, it's one of the finest examples of app development out there today.

Facebook for Android is lacking in features compared to Facebook itself, however a recent update added Inbox support to the Android app, all things considered allowing its users to communicate in nearly real time. The app's fast and stable, with a simplicity that reminds you of the old days when using Facebook used to be bearable.

Windows-style file explorer

ASTRO is nothing more than a Windows-style file explorer, nevertheless if you're into tinkering and directly installing Android APK files yourself, it's essential to stick something like this on your phone. It makes your phone feel like a computer, and makes you feel like you're in charge of it.

Hey, times are hard and you've got to pay for your oppressive monthly mobile phone contract somehow. Offering a fully searchable database of current UK job vacancies, it's a slightly cumbersome nevertheless useful tool. Some of the spelling's a bit off and the presentation could be better, yet you can't argue with the chance to browse low-level admin jobs in Plymouth from the comfort of your bed.

UPDATE: Clearly Google now supports web-based Android Market app installations and purchases, which makes the above a little less exciting than it once was. However well done for leading the curve for so long, AppBrain.

Stunning app that renders Patrick Moore obsolete

A stunning app that renders Patrick Moore obsolete, by using your phone's orientation tools to give you an accurate representation of the stars and planets on your screen. Point your phone at the sky, at that time learn what constellations are visible and if that's a UFO or just Venus. Google Sky Map even works indoors, if you're not keen on getting cold.

The social media darling Foursquare is represented in fine form on Android, with the Google app offering easy one-click check-ins, integrated Google Maps for a seamless Google-branded experience and home page shortcut options to all your favourite places.

WordPress for Android started out as independent creation wpToGo, earlier WordPress decided it liked it so much it bought it up - hiring the maker to develop it in-house. It's very feature-packed, with the latest version offering full integration with other apps, letting you spin content and send it directly to the app for easy updating. It could do with more image insertion tools, even though.

The act of monitoring

The act of monitoring and uninstalling apps on Android is a bit of a clumsy process, to be honest, with numerous sub-screens to navigate - even so more yes/no/are-you-sure dialogue boxes to get through once you've found the 'bin it' page. So get a decent app manager just as AppMonster, which as well offers one-click backup of all your apps to an SD card, if you're the type of person who worries about having copies of everything.

The Android 2.2 update known as 'FroYo' will let users save their Android Market purchases to their phone's SD card, freeing up valuable in-phone memory. However if you're using an older, less fancy version of the OS, an app like AppSaver does anyway let you save your app install files to the SD card.

The USP of the Skyfire browser is that it supports Flash content, popping up a little window when it detects an embedded YouTube video or something similar. The actual Flash business is handled by Skyfire's server, which does all the computery stuff, at that time sends the file to your handset. A bit clunky on slower Android phones, however it works like a dream on models with faster processors.

UPDATE: This has been superseded by SkyFire 3.0. You can't fight evolution. In spite of the arrival of Flash with Andriod 2.2, this is nevertheless relevant for those on phones and Android versions not able to support Adobe's Flash Player.

Bit of a hardcore PC background

If you come from a bit of a hardcore PC background, you'll find Android's lack of a red X to close apps a bit of a worry, what with the OS handling app closures itself. Which is why you need a good manual override tool to shut any persistent apps. It may help you save battery life, nevertheless most important is the feeling of control and empowerment you get from one-click closing apps.

UPDATE: Popular thinking is now that task killers are a waste of time on modern versions of Android, as our phones use more power relaunching apps than keeping them suspended in memory. If you however insist on taking manual control, Advanced Task Killer is the current most popular option.

The odd line-drawing alternate keyboard Swype is a love-it or hate-it kind of thing, with the significant amount of re-learning required to make the most of it quite offputting to some users. Once you're familiar with the idea, although, it's genius - with advanced prediction options furthermore speeding your line-typing. Swype is not available through the Android Market - the only way to install is is via a direct download from the maker.

The Android version of Dropbox

After the Android version of Dropbox, the straightway best solution for keeping all your 'business' in one place is Evernote - which lets you stash and sync all your text notes, voice memos and files on your phone and access them through a desktop computer.

This does one thing - it lets you access the BBC's famed iPlayer on your Android phone. You need to be connected via Wi-Fi for the best performance, as our mobile networks can't as a matter of fact handle live streaming the new Doctor Who through the ether, however for in-bed TV it's a great solution.

UPDATE: The developer of beebPlayer has recently removed the app from Android Market and ceased furthermore development. There's now an official BBC iPlayer app, which we take a look at on the at once page.

Absolute must-get

An absolute must-get. As long as you have Android 1.6 or above, the latest update to Google Maps introduces turn-by-turn voice navigation, simultaneously devastating the satnav industry during boosting the in-car dashboard dock/charger accessory scene. Route calculations are done at the start of your trip, minimising data transfer en route and keeping you on target even when the GPS signal drops. It's amazing, it works, and it's free.

The statement is incorrect, as you can download an app to your phone with the click of a button.. using Google Chrome on your PC, and a one registration.

45. Just would like to bring attention to an app called juice defender, brilliant little app that can near double the battery life of a phone without hampering performance/messages/e-mails etc...

44. there are too many new applications being launched in android market off late. The clients are as a matter of fact spoilt for the choice however who's complaining. More the merrier.

40. wrongd0g - re "37. "OK, so the Android Market is more akin to Lidl or Asda than the iPhone's enormous, indulgent Selfridges-at-Christmas time approach"

36. "OK, so the Android Market is more akin to Lidl or Asda than the iPhone's enormous, indulgent Selfridges-at-Christmas time approach"