It has been about a year and a half since posting my original Android App Picks blog entry. I have had numerous emailed comments on it, and thought it was about time that I followed up with a more modern and relevant list. Since my original post, my LG Ally was replaced with an HTC Droid Incredible (and a Samsung Galaxy S3 is pre-ordered and on the way.) To further delve into the Droid world, I also caved and got a tablet: Acer Iconia A500. Brian’s HTC Droid Incredible has been changed to a Motorola Droid Razr Maxx, with a Acer Iconia A100 (7″ tablet). Even the kids jumped on board! Sierra got a Acer Iconia A100, and Buddy got a Acer Iconia A200.

For the purposes of this article, I will be using all of their feedback, to add to my own! Also, a note: the Android Market is now known as the Google Play Store. 🙂

Games:

Angry Birds by Rovio – After all this time, Angry Birds is still king. There are other incarnations, as well: Seasons, Space, and even after the movie “Rio”. And, of course, the beloved Birds are an absolute trend, and you can see them everywhere! COST – FREE

Draw Something by OMGPOP/Zynga – OMGPop has since been bought out by Zynga, but the game is no less awesome. This is a social game to play with your friends, a take on Pictionary. COST – FREE or $2.99/PAID

Scramble With Friends by Zynga – While Zynga’s other popular Words With Friends and Hanging With Friends games came on the scene first, most people have seemed to abandon them for this newer social game, another type of word puzzle game which is highly addictive! COST – FREE or $.99/PAID

Fruit Ninja by Halfbrick Studios – A game loved by my son, you just slash the fruit…but avoid everything else! COST – FREE or $1.22/PAID

Temple Run by Imangi Studios – My daughter and son both love this game. After stealing the idol from the temple, now you must escape the evil monkeys! This has also made way to a special Disney version based on the new movie “Brave”. (Download Temple Run: Brave for $.99) COST – FREE

Tap Tap Revenge 4 by Tapulous – A suggestion from my son, this is a rhythm game set to popular music. To play, you tap the targets in time with the music. COST – FREE

I would love to hightlight more, but as usual, there are just some many great games!

Social Networking:

Facebook – Once again, Facebook is the app to beat! As most of you use Facebook already, explanations are not necessary. COST – FREE

Twitter – You need a Twitter app to tweet! I do recommend, however, if you are using an HTC branded phone, try their own “Peep” app, instead! COST – FREE

Google + – Finally Google has their own social network answer. More people are jumping on board every day, especially seeing as how Facebook is becoming more and more obnoxious by the moment! (Think about the new timeline *shudders*) COST – FREE

Web Browsers:

This first one is not a link, as the stock browser from Google is really holding its own. (Especially on tablets!) The best part is that Flash works best on the stock Google browser.

Firefox by Mozilla – If you must have another browser, though, Firefox is a favorite. COST – FREE

Shopping:

Key Ring Rewards Cards by Mobestream Media – Key Ring has come a long way from its roots. Of course the ability to not have to carry around all those rewards cards is an awesome thing. But the large number of coupons/offers given makes this app even better than before. How often have I walked into Michaels and have been able to instantly produce a 50% off an item coupon? This is definitely one of my most used apps! COST – FREE

Out of Milk by Capigami Inc. – This time I moved this app to the shopping section. This is another of my heavily used apps. It’s a grocery list…and then some. The features have been heavily expanded. And, you can go pro to get to sync your lists with family! This is great so your spouse can go to the store and see what you need…and when they cross it off, it crosses off yours as well! This is one of the very few apps I have paid for! COST – FREE or $1.99/PRO

eBay – For those who cannot bear to leave your auctions unattended at home, now you can take them on the go! If you get this, be sure to also get Paypal to monitor your online funds. COST – FREE (for both)

Square – On the other end of the spectrum, if you are a merchant, you can accept payments ON YOUR PHONE! Unlike high merchant fees, Square charges a flat 2.75% rate per swipe with no monthly fee. And they give you the credit card reader for FREE! COST – FREE

(Note: Intuit – Quickbooks has also introduced their own competing card reader, and Paypal’s Here is on the way!)

On a side note, for other shopping needs, most store have their own apps: Best Buy, Walmart, Sears, Michaels, and many many more.

Entertainment:

Netflix – Netflix has made it to most phones and tablet by this point. The app is free to download, but you have to have the subscription. But, they do not charge an extra fee to use it on your phone. My only warning? Beware to those without unlimited (grandfathered) data plans. This is one data eating app! COST – FREE (to download, subscription needed)

Hulu Plus – And speaking of subscriptions, we have Hulu, as well. Free online Hulu content is not available on the app, so you must have a subscription to get this. But, for those who do, this app is a great way to keep up with your favorite TV shows. Justification for paying the fee? $7.99 is a small price to pay per month, and you could easily disconnect cable between having this and Netflix. Just saying. COST – FREE (to download, subscription needed)

Crackle – I know, you are probably sick of movie and TV apps at this point. I promise, though, that this is worth a look. It is free, no subscriptions. An app put out by Sony, they rotate lots of their own free movies and TV show for you to watch. No, there is not a catch. COST – FREE

Kindle by Amazon.com – Looking for books instead? Kindle is my top pick of the book reader apps. Besides being free, a LOT of good books are also free! COST – FREE

(FYI: You can also get books through Nook by B&N or by Google’s own store. Both apps are FREE, and both have free book selections.)

Pandora – Pandora is worth a mention, again. Although, warning, it is a data hog. But, if that is not a worry, it is a great way to stream music for free without having to buy into the system. There are paid options, as well. COST – FREE

Amazon MP3 – This is my new go-to app for music. The songs are reasonably priced, and you can use them in iTunes, or anywhere else. (Unlike iTunes, where the DRM prevents you in a lot of cases from using the music anywhere else, locking you into Apple.) Add that to the Cloud feature (which came out BEFORE Apple, mind you) where you can access your paid music, as well as a limited amount of uploads from your own library, anywhere. COST – FREE

Tools:

Evernote – It is still the king of the note apps, with the most features. It also syncs your docs online to prevent loss. COST – FREE

Ledgerist – Once again being featured is this awesome checkbook app. Get rid of your bank register, and go digital. No longer a free app, but it does not cost a lot for the features. COST – $1.99

On a side note, many banks have apps, as well. You can use both Ledgerist and your bank’s app together. (PNC, CapitalOne, Bank of America, and many more.)

Astro File Manager – This app lets you explore the files on your device like no other can! The free version will do the job, but you can also go pro and remove the ads. COST – FREE or $3.99/PAID

Photo Editing:

PhotoShop by Adobe – This editing app has the best features, for free. A must! (Also available is PhotoShop Touch for tablets only, which costs $9.99. A hefty fee, but one I was willing to pay for the advanced features!) COST – FREE or $9.99/PAID

Skitch by Evernote – Skitch is a unique photo app by the makes of Evernote. You draw right on your photos! Lots of fun. COST – FREE

Travel:

Tripit – This handy app keeps track of your trips in a way that nothing else does. Hotel stays, car rentals, flights, excursions…it can all be entered in. Don’t know how to get to the hotel? The app will port the info into a map with directions via GPS. COST – FREE or $3.99/PAID

TripAdvisor – While TripIt helps you once you already know your destination, TripAdvisor helps you find everything to start with. Find your hotel, and see reviews from real guests. Do price checks…the possibilities are endless. COST – FREE

AAA Mobile – If you are a AAA member, this is a useful app. Get roadside assistance, find discounts, get directions, find gas prices…there are lots to find here. If you are looking for refined apps, AAA also offers specific RoadSide, Insurance, and TripTik apps, as well.

Other Useful Apps:

Bible App by YouVersion and LifeChurch.TV – For those of us out there who are Christians, this is the best Bible app I have found. It has lots of great features, and it is a good way to be able to bring the Bible with you everywhere. This app allows you to change translations at a touch of the finger. As long as you are connected to data plans, this leaves your options limitless. If you have no data in your church or shut it off to conserve, you can download versions of the Bible for offline use. Some are free, and some are paid. COST – FREE (only pay for some offline translations)

TIKL – This is another of my most used: a walkie talkie app. Both users must have the app installed, but then you just touch to talk…without using minutes! COST – FREE

Tango – On the other end of the talking spectrum, this is a free “video call” app. Again, without using minutes! COST – FREE

Google Translate – This is worth another mention. Very handy if you need help communicating. It even speaks the words for you in another language of your choice! COST – FREE

Google Maps – Also worth telling again, this is the BEST maps app out there! And “boo” to Apple for wanting to do away with it on iPhone! COST – FREE

My other major recommendation to those converting to Android, is to also make the switch to Gmail. It will make your total phone experience so much better, having everything in one place!

Well, I am off for now. Hopefully that Galaxy S3 will be in my mailbox soon!  Keep an eye out for future app pick guides!