recommening android apps

[steveb6]

I am new to android and would like to know what applications do people use and recommend.

[Pomthai]

Cookie run

Angry Birds

Facebook

Line

I don't think there's anymore than that out there according to my oldest daughter anyway.

[dddave]

Practical: "Chrome", "Notes Lite", "Google Translate", "Kingsoft Office" "YouTube", "Clean Master". If you don't like your keyboard, "Go Keyboard" has some some good alternative options.

Communication: "Line". "Skype" "Twitter"..."Facebook" if you are in to social networking but learn about it before you start to use it, easy to get out of control and unmanageable.

Timewasters: "Jewels Pro"

Music players: Most Android devices come with a decent player installed. There are some very good "free" players on Play Store but most are trial only and want you to pay for full featured version.

"Shazam" can be a lot of fun. If you are someplace, a bar for instance and a song is played and you want to know the name or artist, just open Shazam and it will sample the song; tell you the song name, artist and where you can buy it.

[WhizBang]

I didn't see WhatsApp mentioned, which I much prefer to Line. Also Tango and Viber.

For messages I like Handcent SMS and Jorte as a calander.

Curreny converters, such as FX and XE. Plus your bank may have an app. Bangkok Bank does.

App Master is nice as it gives a lot of info about installed apps. Easy Uninstaller for, you guessed it, uninstalling.

A good backup and restore app is essential, I think. There are many out there, I use Super Backup.

System Info Droid will tell you more about your system than you ever wanted to know.

CCleaner, CameraMX, BusyBox, History Eraser, Memory Optimizer, QuickPic, VLC Media Player, Task Killer

If your phone is rooted (and you should root), Root App Delete, Root Explorer, Root Uninstaller, SuperSU

Paragon exFat, NTFS & HFS+ Mounter allows the mounting of other file syatem volumns for read and write. Mainly useful if you use OTG and external USB memory sticks.

OTFE (On The Fly Encryption) app EDS. Compatable with Truecrypt volumns. Essential if you have anything on your android device you would not want falling into the wrong hands.

EDS requires root, by the way, as does the Paragon NTFS app.

[Chicog]

Audio: TuneIn Radio, Xiialive, Stitcher; Player FM; PowerAmp

Browsers: CM Browser; Next Browser; Maxthon; Opera Mini

Reading: Feedly; ThaiVisa (obviously )

Others: FlashScore; FilmOn; Viber; WhatsApp

[WhizBang]

Audio: TuneIn Radio, Xiialive, Stitcher; Player FM; PowerAmp

Browsers: CM Browser; Next Browser; Maxthon; Opera Mini

Reading: Feedly; ThaiVisa (obviously )

Others: FlashScore; FilmOn; Viber; WhatsApp

I tried the ThaiVisa app. Absolutely hated it. I went back to using a browser (in desktop view, not mobile).

more apps: Smart Keyboard, Opera, various camera apps (for RF control), Dailymotion, Home Accounting (expense tracking), Maps With Me (off line maps), PDF Reader, Paiboon Thai Dictionary, Wallpaper Wizardrii, WeatherBug, World Clock.

[Paul944]

The facebook app eats a lots of resources. I prefer to use the mobile website instead. Saves you also from the constant alerts when a new item is posted.

Line tends to eat up a lot of resources too. But, if your friends or family are using it, it is handy to have.

Whatsapp seems to use less resources, also only handy if friends and family have it also.

xe currency is handy for currency conversions. It updates the exchange rates when started.

Mobile banking is handy if your bank has an app for it.

I have a subscription to voipbuster. It has an app that supports calling out over the internet using wifi. Handy if you make international calls. Requires a decent internet connection though.

I tried some navigation applications but I am still looking for one that can calculate routes in Thailand and supports city names in roman characters.

[Chicog]

The facebook app eats a lots of resources. I prefer to use the mobile website instead. Saves you also from the constant alerts when a new item is posted.

Line tends to eat up a lot of resources too. But, if your friends or family are using it, it is handy to have.

Whatsapp seems to use less resources, also only handy if friends and family have it also.

xe currency is handy for currency conversions. It updates the exchange rates when started.

Mobile banking is handy if your bank has an app for it.

I have a subscription to voipbuster. It has an app that supports calling out over the internet using wifi. Handy if you make international calls. Requires a decent internet connection though.

I tried some navigation applications but I am still looking for one that can calculate routes in Thailand and supports city names in roman characters.

I thought Google Maps worked in Thailand?

[VBF]

I didn't see WhatsApp mentioned, which I much prefer to Line. Also Tango and Viber.

For messages I like Handcent SMS and Jorte as a calander.

Curreny converters, such as FX and XE. Plus your bank may have an app. Bangkok Bank does.

App Master is nice as it gives a lot of info about installed apps. Easy Uninstaller for, you guessed it, uninstalling.

A good backup and restore app is essential, I think. There are many out there, I use Super Backup.

System Info Droid will tell you more about your system than you ever wanted to know.

CCleaner, CameraMX, BusyBox, History Eraser, Memory Optimizer, QuickPic, VLC Media Player, Task Killer

If your phone is rooted (and you should root), Root App Delete, Root Explorer, Root Uninstaller, SuperSU

Paragon exFat, NTFS & HFS+ Mounter allows the mounting of other file syatem volumns for read and write. Mainly useful if you use OTG and external USB memory sticks.

OTFE (On The Fly Encryption) app EDS. Compatable with Truecrypt volumns. Essential if you have anything on your android device you would not want falling into the wrong hands.

EDS requires root, by the way, as does the Paragon NTFS app.

WhizzBang

With respect and not wanting to argue for the sake of, I would not recommend a "newbie" to Android to root his device - OK for we "Geeks" but a bit risky if you don't fully understand it, don't you think?

If I may offer the OP a word of warning: Get all your apps from the Google Play Store - don't be tempted to "root" the device - you'd be far more likely to attract viruses and other nasties. There is a Google Play Store App.

I also like Shazam, (already mentioned) Skype, BBC News, BBC Player, OfficeSuite Pro (not free but very cheap), File Expert HD, YouTube, Kindle, Lookout Free Security, AVG Antivirus Free, TED Talks, Pocket, Flipboard and the various Google apps: Maps, Earth, Translate, Docs

I would certainly agree about VLC Media player - although it's on Google Play Store as a Beta, it works very well, and like VLC for Windows, plays nearly every type of Audio/Video file you can think of.

My opinion only, of course but I've got all this lot on my Nexus 7 (not rooted) and it plays happily, leaving me room for loads of books, music and movies

Edited September 11, 2014 by VBF

[WhizBang]

I didn't see WhatsApp mentioned, which I much prefer to Line. Also Tango and Viber.

For messages I like Handcent SMS and Jorte as a calander.

Curreny converters, such as FX and XE. Plus your bank may have an app. Bangkok Bank does.

App Master is nice as it gives a lot of info about installed apps. Easy Uninstaller for, you guessed it, uninstalling.

A good backup and restore app is essential, I think. There are many out there, I use Super Backup.

System Info Droid will tell you more about your system than you ever wanted to know.

CCleaner, CameraMX, BusyBox, History Eraser, Memory Optimizer, QuickPic, VLC Media Player, Task Killer

If your phone is rooted (and you should root), Root App Delete, Root Explorer, Root Uninstaller, SuperSU

Paragon exFat, NTFS & HFS+ Mounter allows the mounting of other file syatem volumns for read and write. Mainly useful if you use OTG and external USB memory sticks.

OTFE (On The Fly Encryption) app EDS. Compatable with Truecrypt volumns. Essential if you have anything on your android device you would not want falling into the wrong hands.

EDS requires root, by the way, as does the Paragon NTFS app.

WhizzBang

With respect and not wanting to argue for the sake of, I would not recommend a "newbie" to Android to root his device - OK for we "Geeks" but a bit risky if you don't fully understand it, don't you think?

If I may offer the OP a word of warning: Get all your apps from the Google Play Store - don't be tempted to "root" the device - you'd be far more likely to attract viruses and other nasties. There is a Google Play Store App.

I also like Shazam, (already mentioned) Skype, BBC News, BBC Player, OfficeSuite Pro (not free but very cheap), File Expert HD, YouTube, Kindle, Lookout Free Security, AVG Antivirus Free, TED Talks, Pocket, Flipboard and the various Google apps: Maps, Earth, Translate, Docs

I would certainly agree about VLC Media player - although it's on Google Play Store as a Beta, it works very well, and like VLC for Windows, plays nearly every type of Audio/Video file you can think of.

My opinion only, of course but I've got all this lot on my Nexus 7 (not rooted) and it plays happily, leaving me room for loads of books, music and movies

Personally, if I cannot root an android device, I will not buy it. I have never had a problem with viruses and such, that's more fear mongering than anything, although I will say it would depend a lot on your surfing habits.

My two phones and Nexus 7 tablet are rooted. Rooting is not for everyone, but rooting allows more control of your device than not rooting, plus some very good apps require rooting. EDS, the OTFE app for example requires root and does the Paragon NTFS app.

Rooting also allows you to modify the hosts file, which goes a long way to blocking ads and malware.

But to each their own. I root, you don't.

[steelepulse]

Swiftkey is a good paid app that learns the words you use, so quite often it's just one tap to input a word. I use mx player for watching videos, as I thought vlc wasn't ready yet according to a few reviews I read.

To the non geek, most have no idea what rooting is or why they would need to do it. Perhaps someone can explain to the lay person why they actually need to root their phone when all they want to do is surf a bit, send some messages and take photos.

[lazygourmet]

"Titanium Backup" is a must have if rooting.

[steelepulse]

"Titanium Backup" is a must have if rooting.

Funny you say that, I have titanium pro and it just took a s***, so it reverted back to free mode and it looks like I lost all of my backups and settings, including frozen apps.

[wgdanson]

The facebook app eats a lots of resources. I prefer to use the mobile website instead. Saves you also from the constant alerts when a new item is posted.

Line tends to eat up a lot of resources too. But, if your friends or family are using it, it is handy to have.

Whatsapp seems to use less resources, also only handy if friends and family have it also.

xe currency is handy for currency conversions. It updates the exchange rates when started.

Mobile banking is handy if your bank has an app for it.

I have a subscription to voipbuster. It has an app that supports calling out over the internet using wifi. Handy if you make international calls. Requires a decent internet connection though.

I tried some navigation applications but I am still looking for one that can calculate routes in Thailand and supports city names in roman characters.

[wgdanson]

Try SYGIC. I got all the maps and a lovely lady to tell me the way in English. About Bht 600

[GarryP]

Yes, please explain how you can root a phone without getting an electric shock.

I use MapMyRide App when out cycling. The free version.

[Chicog]

"Titanium Backup" is a must have if rooting.

Funny you say that, I have titanium pro and it just took a s***, so it reverted back to free mode and it looks like I lost all of my backups and settings, including frozen apps.

Go Backup is the best with Root.

[Chicog]

I also like Shazam

I prefer SoundHound.

[VBF]

I also like Shazam

I prefer SoundHound.

Got that as well - forgot to include it in my list

[Tywais]

Airdroid - Manage your device over WiFi. I use it mostly to transfer movies and photos from my phone to my main computer or vice versa. I consider it a must have.

Dolphin browser

CM Security or Avast! mobile for security and lost phone

RealCalc - must have for me due to my work and for a good scientific calculator including hex/bin/octal modes for us programmers.

A Flashlight app if not already on the phone.

Pixlr Express for photo

Camera FV-5 to replace the standard camera app.

Movie hounds - IMDB for Android

Clean Master

Quick Translator for Thai/English or other languages

Google Earth

MX Player multimedia

[VBF]

Swiftkey is a good paid app that learns the words you use, so quite often it's just one tap to input a word. I use mx player for watching videos, as I thought vlc wasn't ready yet according to a few reviews I read.

To the non geek, most have no idea what rooting is or why they would need to do it. Perhaps someone can explain to the lay person why they actually need to root their phone when all they want to do is surf a bit, send some messages and take photos.

Rooting is defined here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooting_(Android_OS)

With respect to WhizBang, rooting is not necessary if all you want to do is surf, message and take photos. I consider myself an advanced user on Android, Windows and Unix but I don't automatically root devices unless I need to, If you're a "vanilla user" and not interested in getting into the intricacies of Android, do not root. If however you are keen to do more than that, then rooting may be essential to achieve what you need.

My warning was only because once a device is rooted it will allow you to do things to the Operating System (Android) that a non-rooted device would prevent. Therefore, for a less-than expert user it could cause you to do more harm than good if you make a mistake.

I suppose an analogy could be to cars: If you just want to drive and let a garage take care of the servicing and maintenance, then you're a vanilla driver (user) and don't need to buy a workshop manual and a comprehensive tool kit. If you are someone who wants to get into the mechanics and electrics and do your own servicing and maintenance then you need the additional facilities. Another one might be that a learner driver should always be accompanied by a qualified and experienced driver. Once you've passed your test, you can go off alone and be responsible for your own actions - you could say, you are now a rooted driver (please don't go there! )

Either way, you get what you need out of your phone/tablet or car - hope that helps many and offends nobody!

Edited September 12, 2014 by VBF

[dddave]

I also like Shazam

I prefer SoundHound.

For what reasons? Maybe I'm missing something.

[Digitalbanana]

Try SYGIC. I got all the maps and a lovely lady to tell me the way in English. About Bht 600

Yep, another thumbs up for Sygic, great app. when driving, doesn't need too much time looking at screen.

[Digitalbanana]

I aslo like Firefox and way it seamlessly syncs with all your devices and PC with history and bookmarks (may not appeal to some I understand) which saves me a load of time.

[Digitalbanana]

Flipboard

[Chicog]

I also like Shazam

I prefer SoundHound.

For what reasons? Maybe I'm missing something.

In fairness I haven't used Shazaam since they started charging, but Soundhound seems better for the obscure stuff anyway.

[BKKdreaming]

swiss army knife

and pinball. :-)

[jacnl2000]

After having installed all these interesting android apps mentioned in this thread on a device having relative low internal memory both android app Link2SD for linking android apps to an external SD card and Windows application Mini Partition Wizard Manager for partitioning the external SD card do come to mind again. This is one of the methods which proved to work perfectly well for my Samsung Galaxy Fame. Others did not. How to do tutorial can be found on the xda-developers site.

[tx22cb]

Thank goodness I found this thread.

I too am new to tablets - just got my first one, an Asus Memo Pad FHD 10. Wanted large-ish screen, but did not want to spend too much on a first tablet, so this Asus is WiFi only (no SIM) but has a microSD slot.

Question - can anyone recommend a Map/Directions App, which does not need internet connection but which makes use of the GPS functionality of the tablet? I will not have internet in a vehicle, but the tablet has GPS capability, so an off-line Map + tablet's GPS = in-car GPS.

And from where would I get an off-line map of Thailand (and perhaps surrounding countries)?

Thanks in anticipation.

[BKKdreaming]

is there a free thai keyboard app which also translates to English ,

so type in thai and english word is also shown

and the same app to type in English and get Thai word