About 18 months ago I posted an article here describing the five apps I used on my Samsung Galaxy SII smartphone everyday. I happen to notice recently; however, that I no longer use most of the apps I wrote about. I suspect that the main reason for this is because now that I’ve retired I simply don’t need THESE apps anymore. So I replaced them with a different set that I’ll share with you. Here’s the caveats: 1) all the apps I use are free and 2) my phone is not “rooted” or “jail broken.”
1) Android Lost – While I still don’t worry very much about losing my phone, the possibility of misplacing or losing my phone is still very real. Last year I used Where’s My Droid to help me locate a misplaced phone. This year I’m using Android Lost which is a web-based program and I personally feel a little bit more complete. You can have the camera (front or back) shoot pictures of its surrounding. You can sound an alarm for as long as you like or remotely turn on the phone’s GPS and show you on a map where it is. Finally you can remotely wipe the phone if you need too. Like everyone else who uses these apps, I hope to never really need them.
2) Google Search /Google Maps – These two programs form the core of Google Now which is nothing short of awesome. With Google Now and it’s system of “cards”, you really can manage your day. It will get you the right information at just the right time. No matter where I am, when I’m away from home, Google Now will show me a card telling me how long it will take for me to get home and suggest a route to avoid traffic. You can verbally ask it a question like, “did the Braves beat Washington last night” and it will answer verbally and then show you the box score. Google Now make my phone a much more interactive part of my life.
3) RedLaser – Ever been at a store and find an item you want, but wonder if you’re getting the best price? Well, Redlaser solves that problem. You can scan that item and instantly find the lowest online and nearby. This free app allows you to do instant price comparisons on practically any item you find in the stores as long as they have a scan code. Never knowingly overpay for an item again.
4) Facebook – Since retirement I’ve spent more time on Facebook than I like to admit. The Facebook mobile app allows me to navigate Facebook on my phone; however, the truth is using Facebook on a phone sucks. I know there are those who think Facebook on a phone is better than sliced bread. I’m not one of them, but the app is good for letting me know me know that one of my friends has posted something that I should check out – on my computer.
5) Feedly – I am a news junkie and there is no better program for me than “Feedly.” It collects the RSS feeds from your favorite news sources and delivers them to you phone for your perusal. It is quick and through and minimizes my news search daily.
Just as the last time, I didn’t talk about some of the other apps installed on my phone because I simply don’t use them often enough to say they are “must have.” For example, I still don’t use a voice recognition app beyond Google Now because apps like Speaktoit and Robin seem redundant in comparison. That said, all of the apps listed except for Android Lost are available for the iPhone as well.
Anyway, these are my new five and they probably will be for some time.