TO restore some of the snap on my Android phone, I recently cleared out all the junk I had accumulated over the last two years. I deleted photos, videos and sound files that were just taking up space and uninstalled apps that I had tried but didn’t like, or programs that just I no longer used. What was left was a short list of apps that I consider essential—and that I would install again without hesitation on my next phone, whenever that might come.
With the caveat that these are personal preferences, here are my 11 essential Android apps.
1. Simpler Contacts. A third-party replacement for your phone’s built-in Contacts application hardly seems to be all that important, until you consider that Simpler Contacts makes it really easy to back up all your contacts and email them to yourself as a VCF file. This will make restoring contacts a snap when you change phones. Simply import the VCF file and you’re good to go.
2. SwiftKey Keyboard. For a long time, I used Perfect Keyboard Pro as a replacement keyboard because my fingers just couldn’t get used to the tiny QWERTY keyboard and I preferred the old-school numeric keypad for thumb-typing text. I finally gave that up a few months ago after installing SwiftKey Keyboard, which lets you make the QWERTY keyboard bigger. After using it for a bit, I also found that its auto completion suggestions were uncannily accurate and saved me a lot of typing (2,621 taps as of today, the app happily reports). As a footnote, I read that Microsoft bought SwiftKey this month precisely because of its predictive technology. I’m keeping my fingers crossed the buyout won’t ruin a great free app.
3. Aqua Mail. I dislike Google Mail and Yahoo Mail on Android devices because the last time I tried them, they logged me in automatically and did not let me log out. Aqua Mail does the same thing but gives me the option to lock the application with a PIN. The free version enables you to access two accounts; a paid version (for about P230) removes this limit. With notifications turned on, this is an excellent way to monitor incoming email and quickly respond to them without having to use your computer.
4. VLC. As I do on my computers, I use the open-source VLC on my Android phone to watch or listen to a variety of multimedia files. It just works.
5. WiFi File Transfer. A lot of apps enable you to transfer files between your smart phone and computer. I found the one that works for me is WiFi File Transfer. The app works if your phone and computer are connected to the same wireless network and because it uses any browser as its front end for desktop or laptop computers, you won’t need to install any extra software to get it to work.
6. File Commander. It isn’t always easy to find files in your smart phone. The free app File Commander works pretty much as a file manager would on a desktop computer. There are few bells and whistles here, but it’s simple and intuitive—and if you don’t mind the occasional nudge to upgrade to the paid version, File Commander does nicely.
7. Pocket. Still the simplest way of saving stuff you find on the Web for later reading on your phone. Simply install Pocket on your device and grab a Pocket extension for your browser and log in. The next time you stumble upon an article you want to read later, click on the Pocket icon on your browser and the page will be automatically saved (and formatted) for your mobile device.
8. Evernote. Keep your notes and other stuff on your phone and back them up to the cloud, or access them from your computer with this free application. There are Evernote clients for Windows and Mac computers, but you’ll need to use a third-party app such as Everpad or access your account using a browser.
9. Waze. Waze is a free GPS- and social-network-enabled navigation app that offers you the fastest route to get to your destination and a remarkably accurate estimated time of arrival. It’s an indispensable app for Metro Manila motorists. Don’t leave home without it.
10. Viber. Viber is a popular way to send messages and multimedia to your friends and contacts without paying for SMS or MMS services. Some people find it intrusive and the security features aren’t great, but it is convenient. If you are looking for a more low-key alternative, consider Telegram. I use both, but more people I know are on Viber.
11. Clean Master. Keep your smart phone in good running condition by cleaning out the junk left by your apps every so often with this free app. Chin Wong
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