The First 20 Android Applications You Need To Download

We assembled our favorite Android apps, complete with QR codes you can scan to download them suddenly.

Prediction for this particular app

That's not a prediction for this particular app, nor even an endorsement of it -- much of the functionality is however hit-or-miss. However the basic idea -- you snap pictures with your phone's camera, and Goggles runs a search, and performs various actions based on what it sees -- is going to be big, and the parts of it that already work are pretty amazing.

Or point your camera at any of the QR codes in this feature, and Goggles will take you to the download page of the app in question in the Android Market.

One of the great things about Android is that it supports something close to real multitasking, not just something called multitasking, as you get with iOS.

One of the most infuriating things about Android is that user control over that multi-tasking is nevertheless pretty primitive. It's easy to leave apps, however not so easy to as a matter of fact close them. If you aren't careful, greedy apps can eat up your battery without you realizing they are even running.

It hasn't added much functionality over the years, and there's nothing too complicated about it: if music is playing nearly you, you ask Shazam what it is, and Shazam tells you. Amazingly, it works. It's the first app we download on any new phone, and during there's a free version available, and during we nearly never pay for apps, this is one we're happy to pay up for.

Lot of music on your phone

If you don't have a lot of music on your phone, or simply enjoy being surprised by the new music, there are a slew of music-streaming services that have what you need. Spotify is blowing minds in Europe and raising expectations all across America, nevertheless at least for but, Pandora is after all our favorite State-side streaming service, when all is said and done far we like its Android app.

Google made some huge waves last week when it introduced VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls and SMS messages to Gmail, however it has been dabbling with telecom disruption for a during now via Google Voice.

Separate number from the one assigned

Google Voice lets you set up a separate number from the one assigned by your mobile carrier; your can receive or make calls or texts from it right from your phone. Carriers will make sure phone and SMS networks stay around and stay expensive long past their natural expiration date, nevertheless with Google Voice, you can easily switch to the cheapest plans they offer today.

Regular SAI readers have probably heard about location-based social network Foursquare once or twice previously. It lets you check-in to bars, restaurants, and other venues you enter, letting your friends know where you are, and letting you scan around for nearby places where friends of yours are hanging out.

Another big player in location social networks, Loopt has an iPhone app that focuses on deals and checkins, and is more directly competitive with Foursquare, however the core Loopt app available for Android is to tell the truth quite different.

The social aspect of location

Loopt is focused on the social aspect of location, letting you ping friends with your exact coordinates, to put it more exactly than working through venues. The best features, leveraging background location to alert you when you come into proximity with your friends, are after all iPhone-only, nevertheless they should be hitting Android shortly.

Tasker is an amazing example both of the power of real multitasking, and of the degree to which Android's biggest selling points aren't quite ready for the mainstream consumer.

Tasker lets you set your phone to perform certain tasks when specific conditions are met. You can, to illustrate, have your handset automatically silence its ringer and turn of its 3G service whenever you enter a particular geographical area within particular hours of the day; our phone however goes quiet and consumes less battery life as before long as we come within a few blocks of our office while work hours.

It's nice to be able to access your phone as a hard drive without having to hack it or download third-party software, nevertheless to as a matter of fact nerd it up with your Android phone's file system, you however need a little help.

Modern smartphone needs a good voice recorder

A modern smartphone needs a good voice recorder. The best free app for this is, intuitively enough, called 'Voice Recorder'.

There are plenty of browser to choose from on Android, and, to be honest, the default isn't half bad if you can't be bothered with switching.

The one hand

On the one hand, it's the best, all-in-one security app for Android we're aware of, letting you track your phone if you lose it, remotely wipe it or lock it down, and handling backup and restore operations. In return, it's expensive, and we hate paying for apps.

But the app offers a seven day free trial, so give it a whirl and see how you like it. If you keep sensitive data on your phone, this is a no-brainer.

The night sky

Simply point your phone at the night sky, and Google overlays an informative map of the constellations. Not of any use to New Yorkers.