The Android Marketplace is reported to have over 30,000 applications available for users of the Motorola Droid, HTC Droid Incredible, HTC Desire, HTC Legend, Motorola BackFlip and other phones using the Android OS. Which are the best free android apps that are the most useful for users of these smartphones?
Productivity Tools for the Android Phone
With the Toggle Settings app, users can create pre-set profiles – for home, work, school, or sleep for example – and quickly enable these profiles to change things like volume, ring tone, brightness, screen timeout, wireless or GPS off, etc, with one touch.
Savvy shoppers can use the Barcode Scanner app to scan the UPC on a product when out shopping – and quickly display user reviews and competitors prices to determine if a good deal is to be had. The app uses the camera to scan the barcode and searches the internet for deals and reviews listed on other web sites.
The Unistaller app is pretty simple – uninstall apps with just three touches – one to pick the app, one to confirm and one to tap “OK.” Much quicker than accessing the list of downloaded apps through the Android Marketplace and uninstalling that way.
Personal Health, Fitness and Sports apps
Using the Calorie Counter app, users can search among restaurants, chains, popular brands, supermarket brands and more to track daily calorie intake, or just look up the information on a certain food. The app also includes a Food Diary, Exercise Diary, Diet Calendar and Weight Tracker.
Both the My Days app and the Menstrual Calendar app allow users to input information, such as Basal Body Temperature and period start and end dates, to track their monthly menstrual cycles. Both programs will predict ovulation, fertile days, and the next period start date, and allow users to track other things like when a pill is taken and when intercourse occurs. Menstrual Calendar also allows users to track cervical mucus and a variety of other pre-set symptoms.
My Days is a free application, and Menstrual Calendar is free for a limited trial period; a permanent unlock key can be purchased in the Android Marketplace for small price (currently 1.99 pounds).
Avid runners can use the simple program My Tracks to use GPS to track runs outdoors. The basic app tracks the runner’s course along a map, and gives audio feedback of time, distance and pace at set intervals (determined by the user). Tracks can be saved to the phone and also exported to Google Documents. My Tracks will also show minimum pace time, and minimum and maximum elevation, and can display a chart of pace compared to elevation.
Avid sports fans can access the latest scores for MLB, NLB, NBA, NFL, NCAA, Futbol and more using the Sports Tap application. The app is organized by sports type, and brings up the day’s (or most recent) scores, news, standings, schedules and more for that league.
Entertainment and Social Apps
Music lovers can use the Alice app to sync with their music files on their smartphone, and also their Last FM profile to be alerted when a favorite band is scheduled to be in town. The app will “star” which artists have a concert scheduled within a pre-set radius (determined by the user), and with a couple touches, the user can get all the details – and even purchase tickets for certain events.
Anyone who has had trouble picking a restaurant will love the Urbanspoon app. Users can “lock” certain specifications, such as city, cuisine or price, and shuffle the rest for a random restaurant suggestion. The app will even connect users to ratings, reviews, menus, addresses, phone numbers, and more.
Fans of the web site OpenTable.com can use the Open Table app to search for and make restaurant reservations. Great for those on the go, the app will display available times for a restaurant, as well as the restaurant location, phone number, description, map and reviews.
Already out and about, but want to catch a movie? The Movies by Flixster app can search for showtimes based on your location and movie title. The app links to reviews, can play trailers, and display photos and synopsis. Additionally, tickets can be purchased through the phone for certain theaters.
Any Android phone can be customized for the owner’s preferences by downloading any of the thousands of applications available. As Android phones grow in popularity, the Android Market will only grow with more and more apps available.
Maggie Wolff - Maggie has over seven years of experience in public relations and marketing in the fields of healthcare, performing arts, and professional ...
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