5 replies to this topic

[SoLongSidekick]

Well Hellos!

I realized we just don't do enough writing on Android applications, and that changes now. The following article lists and describes (in no particular order) what I have found to be the best, useful apps in the market as of now. I had been working on this article for over a week, and it contained an insane amount of information. Unfortunately, Lenny snuck into my house and deleted the file. So I threw this together over the past hour to get it posted, and perhaps I will continue editing it to return it to its former glory over time.

I hope to present some apps that you have not heard of before, and in some small way change your life for the better. And that all starts with...

☆ Stick it! (Pop-up Player)


*NOTE* The icon in the upper left of the video window is the icon on my home screen, not part of the floating window.

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is a video player with a twist; it floats above any app you have open! I don't think I need to explain why this is one of the greatest things since garlic salt, in fact I am pretty sure a good chunk of the people reading this just left to go download it. It does cost $1.79, but is well worth the small premium in my opinion. I have tested the app on both my Razr Maxx and my TF101 and it runs great on both. I was even able to have two videos playing side by side as I was browsing the internet with no stuttering. Stick it has a built in file browser for easily locating your videos, but the greatest thing about this app is that it supports streaming videos as well, including YouTube. YouTube support is listed as in the beta stage but I have not had any issues with the feature. You can access it from either YouTube.com or the mobile app, just press the share button and select Stick It and a floating video will magically appear before your eyes. The window is easily moved and re-sized, and is extremely easy to manipulate. The app also has a few themes you can select if the stock look isn't your thing. The developer

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has created quite a few great apps including

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(snaps a picture of anyone who fails to unlock your phone),

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(a floating calculator),

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(a floating terminal emulator), and

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(a floating browser); which could all be listed here as well. I highly recommend you check out any of those if they interest you. Floating apps made their debut with ICS, and it is great to see at least a few developers embracing the idea; as without them the only way to experience this cornerstone of mobile multi-tasking is to endure the horrors of Touchwiz *shudder*. Which leads to the next app in the list...

Floating Notes / Floating Notes FREE

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follows the same idea as above, but with a basic text editor. The paid version enables you to have up to four windows open at a time, as well as unlocking the following additional features: pinch to resize (you can already resize windows in the free version), append notes together, set transparency of windows independently, open every text file! (their words), a widget to open notes quickly, the ability to set notes as a calendar entry, and an available persistent notification bar entry to open a new note. The paid version will set you back $1.88, but unless the unlocked features are worth it the free version is completely adequate; there are no advertisements anywhere (thank God). This app is great if you need to carry information over from app to app if the text is un-copyable such as in Gtalk, or an image.

Splashtop / Splashtop 2 / Splashtop Gamepad

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is the best (in my opinion) remote desktop client for Android, and there is a different version for just about any niche need you may have.

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($9.99, on sale now for $4.99) is the original remote desktop client;

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($8.99) is the HD version of the original Splashtop;

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($8.99 I think, I already bought the app so I can't see what the price is ) is the tablet specific version that enables watching video in full 1080P, one-click login via your Gmail account, and many other goodies; Splashtop

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($9.99) is a version specifically made for playing games streamed from your PC or Mac. There are also versions for businesses that use Splashtop Center, IP professionals, and promotional free versions for owners of Sony tablets. While it is cool that they have niche versions, they force you to pay for a new app every time they make a better version. I know they did run a promotion when Splashtop 2 HD came out that enabled anyone who bought the original to upgrade for free by emailing them, but I am not sure about any other version upgrades. Holy mouthful, now onto the details...



You are able to connect with any computer on your wireless network simply by entering the host IP address into the mobile app and typing a security code. You can also sign into your Gmail account on the host program for internet-wide access from anywhere. Splashtop includes helpful tips and guides on how to get connected correctly. Once you are connected you are greeted with a helpful tip window that shows you how to manipulate your computer (you can disable this if you want).


*NOTE* I did not wait for the desktop view to completely load (takes ~ 2-5 seconds) before taking this screenshot as I am a very impatient boy.

Once you pass that screen, as you can see in the title screenshot you have a view of your desktop as you left it. Pretty nifty. You are able to get to more advanced features my tapping on the keyboard icon in the lower left corner of your screen.



While apps like Moto/Zumocast make getting to files you have stored on your computer extremely easy, being able to run/manipulate programs in addition to that is an outstanding feature. This app has saved my live more times than I would like to admit.

Imgur For Android



While if you go on reddit at all you are sure to know all about Imgur (pronounced i-mu-jur), I have encountered quite a few people that have never heard of the self pronounced "Simple Image Sharer". Imgur.com is just that, an extremely simple and easy to use image host. The truly great thing about it is you do not need to have an account to upload images, making sharing a one-time use image incredibly fast.

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(Free), while not official, continues the Imgur legacy by being extremely intuitive and simple. I have been uploading all of the screenshots for this article using the app. You use the app from the share menu in the gallery just like any other share service, and once selected you will be greeted by a pop-up that asks if you want to use your account or upload anonymously. After the upload you will have a notification letting you know it has completed that once tapped upon brings you to this menu:



It's as simple as that. There is a

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($1.99) which you can purchase if you feel so inclined, but there are no advertisements anywhere in the app. Me gusta.

SMS Popup


SMS Popup (Free) is another great app that is pretty self explanatory. When you receive a text message a little popup window appears that shows the sender and the message, and give you the option of closing, deleting, or replying to the app, all right from inside the window.

[SoLongSidekick]

Sixaxis Controller

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($1.99) gives you the ability to easily connect your Bluetooth controller (PS3, X-360, Logitech) to your device so you can actually have fun playing games on your phone/tablet. And while yes, native gamepad support was included in Android 3.-, this app provides so much more. Got a game that doesn't include gamepad support (about 99% of them don't)? No problem! This app enables you to perform keyboard, mouse, and touch emulation.


*NOTE* I don't know why the game screenshot looks so pixilated; I have never experienced it before but am too lazy to fix it. Sorry.

Shown above is a touch emulation profile I threw together for the popular game

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. As you can see, I was able to import a screenshot of the game being played so I would be able to match the touch emulation up perfectly with where the controls are in-game. From this menu you are able to add/edit backgrounds, add buttons, edit button properties (you can't tell for some reason, but the 'Triangle' mapping in the upper right is assigned to a 'swipe right' action to switch weapons), and more.

The developer provides a free

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to ensure your device is capable before you buy the actual app which is great. Pairing your device and the controller are easy; if you have a tablet or USB to Micro USB cable you can pair the controller to your device that way, but if not the developer has created the

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so you can set the MAC address for the controller on your PC. You really have no idea how fun and addicting Android gaming can be if you have never liberated your thumbs from the touch screen and played the games the way they are meant to be. Go test your compatibility now, the next entry will be waiting here when you get back.

Chrome To Phone

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(Free) is a great concept; you can easily send links, maps, directions, etc. to your mobile phone with the press of a button. The greatest part is, there is a Firefox extension called

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that you can install to use the app but not have to use an inferior browser ( ). So obviously I do not use Chrome, but I assume the process is mighty similar; the extension adds a cute little button to your add-on bar (or wherever), you press the button, and the link is sent to your phone/tablet.



The app gives you the option of your device launching the links automatically or manually. If you choose manual, you will get a notification that looks a little something like this:



Clicking on the notification will launch the link in a browser of your choosing. Super duper cool, let's move on.

ROM Toolbox Pro


*NOTE* I am quite the idiot, I knew I would be writing this article today and did not bring my tablet with me. If this article gets published before I get home, I will be adding tablet views of the three main screens to show all of the app features when I arrive there. If not... well then you will never even see this note. So... Lenny eats boogers. I feel so much better with that off my chest, even if no one ever sees it.

I am not going to even bother writing up the features that you still get with the free version as if you are going to spend any money at all in the Play Store, this app should be it.

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(normally $4.xx, on sale for $3.99) is the ultimate root user's toolbox. Since there is no way I am going to take the time, here are all the features of the app straight from JRummy's lips (bold mine, noting which features work with the Razr):

= TOOLS =

- ROM Manager -
☆ Install full ROMs & other zips from a growing list of ROMs
☆ Create, manage & restore nandroid backups
☆ Wipe data, cache, dalvik-cache, battery stats
☆ Install a ROM from your SD card
☆ AOKP, CM9, CM7, Gummy & other popular ROMs included

- App Manager -
☆ Scheduled backups
☆ Restore from CWR backups
☆ Batch backup & restore
☆ Backup/Restore text messages, bookmarks, accounts, etc.
☆ Automatically backup or delete apps when they are installed/uninstalled
☆ Send backups via gmail/email or dropbox
☆ Sort backups by already installed, same as installed, older versions, etc.
☆ Backup/restore app data
☆ Backup/restore Android Market link
☆ Task manager
☆ View memory usage
☆ Show/hide different processes
☆ Automated batch uninstaller
☆ E-mail your apps to friends
☆ Share with other applications which accept text (SMS, facebook, google reader, etc...)
☆ Move *any* user app to the SD card
☆ Freeze/Defrost system & user apps
☆ Market Doctor (Link *any* app to the Android Market)
☆ Break market links
☆ Clean up dalvik-cache
☆ Zipalign all apks
☆ Fix permissions on all apps
☆ Wipe data or cache for apps
☆ Force close apps

- Root File Browser -
☆ Access the whole of android's file system (including the elusive data folder!).
☆ Batch copy/paste, zip, tar, delete, move any file or folder
☆ Change file permissions and ownership
☆ View, edit & share files
☆ Add new files & folders in any directory

- Scripter & Terminal Emulator -
☆ Create and run scripts as root
☆ Download & run new scripts from an ever-growing list

- Auto Start Manager -
☆ Enable/disable apps that run on start-up
☆ Enable/disable any intent/action apps receive

- Ad Blocker -
☆ Choose to block ads, porn, casino & risky sites
☆ Add new sites to the hosts file
☆ Use custom IP

- Configure Apps2SD -
☆ Select the default install location for apps

- Rebooter -
☆ Reboot recovery, powerdown, bootloader, restart status bar, etc.

= INTERFACE =

- Font Installer -
☆ Install custom fonts from a list of over 150
☆ Set fonts as favorites & send them to friends

- Boot Animation Installer -
☆ Install custom boot animations from over 100+
☆ Preview boot animations
☆ Backup & preview your current animation

- Theme Manager -
☆ Create themes to install to your system
☆ Install a theme from other users

- Icon Changer -
☆ Customize your status bar by installing custom icons for wifi, 3g/4g, gps, etc.
☆ Change your battery icons in the status bar to a custom one from a list of 150+

- Boot Logo Changer -
☆ Change your boot logo for supported phones

- Theme Chooser Themes -
☆ View a list of themes for the CM7 theme chooser

= PERFORMANCE =

- CPU Sliders -
☆ SetCPU & scaling governor
☆ CPU Profiles
☆ Apply at boot
☆ Cpu info

- Build.prop Tweaks -
☆ Easily edit your build.prop
☆ Change lcd density, improve battery life, increase performance

- Auto Memomory Manager -
☆ Set minfree values & select from presets
☆ Apply minfree at boot

- SD Boost -
☆ Increase the speed of your SD card

- Sysctl Tweaks -
☆ Modify sysctl values

So yeah, go guy this beast.
Groove IP Lite



Got Google Voice? Want to make phone calls from your tablet? Well quit yer beotchin and pickup

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(Free,

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$4.99). It connects to your Voice account and lets you make free calls any time you are connected to a WiFi network. You can also use the app on your phone, but I don't see the point as you could just use Google Voice for that.

[SoLongSidekick]

Tablet Talk



Got unlimited texting? Want to sent texts from your tablet? Well quit yer beotchin and pick up

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($2.99). It connects to your phone and lets you send texts any time you are connected to the phone via WiFi or Bluetooth. Probably my favorite app as it allows me to type on a full sized keyboard and not have to have my phone on me at home. You can also set it to connect if your tablet is feeding off of your phone's wireless hotspot capability, as seen in the screenshot above.



It also has a neat little feature for anyone who uses a Bluetooth headset. You can control phone calls from your tablet, shown below.



Google Voice

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(Free) is just so super cool, and in many different ways. You can like, totally like, make cheap international calls, free domestic calls, keep track of your text messages, and most importantly never have to check your voicemail ever again! If you are anything like me, you hate voicemail with the same passion that Rosie O'Donnell loves an all you can eat buffet. Google Voice can catch all of your missed calls and store them in it's inbox, and transcribe them for you. You can listen along if you wish, either through the phone's earpiece or speakerphone.



It has a convenient widget that you can place on your home screen to view your most recent voice messages. Just think about that for a moment; you will never have to call your voice inbox ever again. Listening to or deleting messages is as easy as tapping your screen. You're welcome. Oh, and having both voicemail and texts in the same app is pretty cool too.



Now, I figure I should extol the features of Google Voice beyond just the app. When you sign up, you are given a Google Voice phone number. You can choose to use it or not, but it's there if you need it. Now, because of the ecosystem Google has built for us, you can record voice greetings for each of your contacts individually. So never again will your mother have to hear "YOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BRO. YOO GOT MY VOICEMAIL, PROBABLY BECAUSE I AM BUSY HAVING UNPROTECTED SEX AND GETTING WASTED! LEAVE ME A MESSAGE AND I'LL PROBABLY IGNORE IT. DUECES."

Dolphin Browser (Beta)



Gotta include Dolphin in a list like this ( ), and their newest offering Dolphin Browser Beta is outstanding. I haven't looked under the hood for differences, but there is a noticeable improvement with speed/snappiness. Dolphin performs great on both phone and tablets, and uses the extra real estate a tablet provides efficiently. There are two things that make this browser different from the tens of other choices out there. The first is called Dolphin Sonar / Gestures. As you can see below, one you tap the lower left corner of the screen a menu pops up. You drag the slider to the right for voice commands, and to the left for gestures. They put a lot of effort into the gestures section; you can assign a gesture for just about any browser operation you can think of. Drawing the letter "G" brings me to Google.com.



My personal favorite features are the add-ons. There are a ton of great add-ons for this browser; extending its functionality even further. I won't take the time to explain them all, but I will explain the ones I have installed here.



Evernote Share - Save pages in your Evernote cloud
Dropbox for Dolphin - Save pages in your Dropbox
Fullscreen (comes with the browser) - Enter fullscreen mode
Colorsplash (comes with the browser) - For changing themes
MyPDF - Easy PDF creation/saving/sharing
Screencut - Cut out portions of the screen for saving as images
Dolphin Translate - Uses Google Translate to... translate
Speed Dial - Brings up a grid of favorites you can set for easy access
Read It Later - Now called Pocket, a service that enables you to create temporary favorites for reading later
Desktop Toggles - Toggles between Android and desktop viewing modes
Shiny Shake - Enables you to shake the phone to perform different actions (change tab, exit browser, etc)
Wikipedia Search - Searches Wikipedia, has the option to open it in a new tab which is great
QR Share - Quickly creates a QR code for the website you are currently viewing
Honorable Mentions -

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(Free) - A much more full-featured superuser app created by Chainfire, creator of a ton of great SU apps

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($2.99) - A forum client that makes browsing forums on your device actually enjoyable

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(Free) - A µTorrent client for your phone, download and manage torrents that are running on your PC or directly on your device

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($4.99) - A translation app that uses your camera to 'stream' translations live over whatever foreign text you have your camera pointed at

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($4.99) - A great HTML editor that makes coding on your device just as easy as on a PC (assuming you have a physical keyboard)

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(Free) - Turn an unused device into a useable FTP server

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(Free) - An E-zine type client for many of the most popular blog/news sites on the web

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(Free) - A cloud based storage service with a massive set of features, 2 gigs of storage free

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(Free) - Find the cheapest gas stations near you

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(Free) - Always willing to do whatever I want her to

[NullPointerException]

Awesome! I have used a lot of those, and they are great. I hadn't seen the tablet talk, but I'll be checking that out. Another awsome (and free) app is AirDroid:

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AirDroid allows you to remotely (over the LAN) manage your android device through a web browser. Basically, you can put your phone on the charger, connect it to wifi and reply to text/sms messages, browse files, browse contacts, etc., all from your PC (or tablet) on any standard web browser.

Also, Adobe Photoshop Touch is very cool. I have it on my tablet and it is pretty magical.

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[BleedsOandB]

I've got to give a shout out to Tasker. It has to be included on any definitive list.

[NullPointerException]

Yep, tasker is def. B.A.

I've got to give a shout out to Tasker. It has to be included on any definitive list.