1st time smartphone/Nexus owner. What apps should I download?

[Robert22]

I will be buying the Nexus for my first smartphone. I am not into games. I would like to know some useful apps that I should download. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[iKN0WaGH0ST]

Handcent for SMS messaging

 

[Phoenix86]

I am in the same boat. I follow these two series:

http://www.androidpolice.com/topics/features-2/best-appsgameslwps-of-the-week/


if you wanted to root, this may help:

Best Apps For Rooted Users Series - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets - Android Police

edit: if anyone can post some other guides, i would truly appreciate it!

 

[mightybrick]

I will be buying the Nexus for my first smartphone. I am not into games. I would like to know some useful apps that I should download. Thanks for your suggestions.

Some I really like are LastPass for password management that syncs across your smartphone, computers, etc. I also like Pure Grid Calendar for some really nice calendar widgets. Sound Manager is nice for preset volume adjustments during the day. It will automatically silence your device at hours you determine, then bring the volume back up at another o hour or your choosing.
I'll add more to this list as I think of more.

 

[doublea500]

heres a list

Texting- (first look at stock and see how it is, if you dont like it here are some pretty good options)
-stock
-handscent sms (currently using)
-go sms (used for a long time, just comparing with handscent sms now to see which is better)

homescreen-""
-launcherpro (may be a bit outdated)
-adw ex (one im currently using)
-go launcher ex

Music-""
-player pro (currently using/always used. Highly recommend this one!)
-soundhound (music identifier)

camera-stock should be fine, i dont use other camera apps even for my d1

keyboard-
-stock
-swiftkey x

gallery-""
-quickpic

games- (optional, here are some of mine)
-fruit ninja (famous one...)
-get angry birds!!! great if you never played before
-4 player reactor (simple game of clicking. good for alot of people, especially with a laggy phone, my d1)

misc-
-astro (file explorer)
-dolphin hd (browser, check stock first)
-google currents (brand new but looks great)
-tapatalk (forums app)
-amazon appstore (always good to get free app of the day)
-batteryminder (tells you what % battery you are)

optional-
-gentle alarm (i use this as my alarm clock)
-wheresmydroid (if you lose your phone, text wheresmydroid or gpsmydroid and it remotely turns your phone volume on and plays a sound so you can find it. it can also turn gps on to find it. i never used it but its nice to know its there)

 

[coverton341]

SwiftKey x, droidforums app, google voice (sign up for a google voice number, give it to everyone, never use your text message allotment again), root explorer if you plan on rooting, beautiful widgets. Those are some that I couldn't live without

Sent via pixie dust

 

[561427]

Music will be a PITA if you have iTunes and use an iPod/iPhone. There are just so many apps that can do sooo much. I personally choose not to sync my phone and keep 2000+ tracks on my phone. I use Windows7 and Winamp to do my PC things and Google Music to 'stream' the music from the cloud. I think cloud based software is the way to go because if you have multiple devices it can be a headache trying to manage more than one library. But if your old fashioned and want to have you music locally on your device then iSync or DoubleTwist can sync your iTunes to your Andy.

You can spend HOURS on end finding great apps and that is half the fun, but music is not as easy because there are soo many players and soo many options; unlike Apple where it is just one way of managing music (which is just fine).


AND A HEADS UP!!! Look into rooting and decide i you would ever explore that. You have to unlock your bootloader (not hard) and that wipes the phone and factory resets it. That means app data is gone. I would recomend that you do that right away in case a year from now you decide you need an unlocked bootloader and have to sacrifice all of your angry birds levels.

 

[Felix 222]

-wheresmydroid (if you lose your phone, text wheresmydroid or gpsmydroid and it remotely turns your phone volume on and plays a sound so you can find it. it can also turn gps on to find it. i never used it but its nice to know its there)

Do apps like this always run in the background?

 

[Garemlin]

I would wait on buying a keyboard right away. I read that BlindType, which was acquired by Google over a year ago, is supposed to be the stock keyboard on the GN. If you aren't familiar with BlindType check this out. Pretty amazing.

[video=youtube;1am8DXpjyf8]http://youtu.be/1am8DXpjyf8[/video]
​

 

[tcyree2202]

I like PowerAmp for music. Best on the market IMO. If you plan on rooting, OS Monitor and Root Explorer are both very useful, as is SetCPU, though you can use OS Monitor for overclocking.

Sent from the Planet Express delivery ship

 

[Nubbie]

Don't get launcher pro. the creator gave up on it. hasnt had updates in ages. lots of force closes.

If you are getting a nexus..no need to get a new launcher just yet. play with stock ICS.

as for useful apps.
Springpad- great for keeping notes. addresses, directions, you name it. its great! (must have)
Handcent- nice customizable features for texting.
Any Google app- for obvious reasons. (most likely will already be installed)
Astro- easy to get into files so you can delete or organize. (this is a must)
Desktop Visualizer-helps create icons and widgets (this might be outdated since I'm on OG Droid with Froyo) ICS might take care of those needs.

as for tools.
Flashlight apps are nice. uses the LED for the camera.
Crome to Phone-actually through your internet browser on your PC. can send data through google straight to your phone. (great way to send links, images for wallpapers, or just about anything on the internet can be easily sent to your phone.)

And a million others. but thats for you to find out

 

[tituswife]

SwiftKey x, droidforums app, google voice (sign up for a google voice number, give it to everyone, never use your text message allotment again), root explorer if you plan on rooting, beautiful widgets. Those are some that I couldn't live without

Sent via pixie dust

Google voice: as long as my fellow texters use the phone number I receive from Google Voice, I could downgrade my text package?

Sent from my Gingerbreadless stock Thunderbolt

 

[tituswife]

Shortcuts: Swipepad and the add ons, Wave Launcher, Apps Organizer (I make my own icons from web), Desktop Visualizer (also use icons from web)

Dolphin Browser - lots of addons, gestures, bookmark organization

Organizers: any.Do, Astro File Manager

Cloud: Minus for photos, Amazon mp3 for music

Fun: iBird, Droid TV Primetime

If I like a free app, I always upgrade if I can. They're always there.

Sent from my Gingerbreadless stock Thunderbolt

 

[coverton341]

Google voice: as long as my fellow texters use the phone number I receive from Google Voice, I could downgrade my text package?

Sent from my Gingerbreadless stock Thunderbolt

That's what I did. I went to the google voice site and settings and made it to where I don't receive a text to my verizon number, then I gave everyone my google voice number and downgraded to the 5 dollar a month text package. Just make sure the settings are correct and that no one uses your verizon number

Sent via pixie dust

 

[tituswife]

Well, thank you!

Sent from my Gingerbreadless stock Thunderbolt