Top apps for your new Android device - Part Two

A familiar view of the Play Store

So you've recently obtained a new Android device. Hopefully you've read Part One of our top apps for your new Android device. Once you've had a read, perhaps you would be interested in Part Two which covers the following categories:

• Social Media & Networking
• Cloud Storage
• Photography
• Navigation and Location Sharing
• Customisation

If you're keen, continue reading after the break.

Top apps for your new Android device - Part Two

Social Media & Networking

Facebook

When you think of Social networking, what comes to mind first? I'm betting Facebook. It just so happens that the Facebook app for Android has been updated to load much faster, now it's actually worth installing (on your phone at least). While not terrible on Android phones, the lack of tablet layout means its still not ideal for your Android tablet. Facebook is available for free on the Play Store.

Friendcaster

The official Facebook app still doesn't support Android tablet layouts and this is where Friendcaster truly excels. With a multipane design on tablets, Friendcaster is easy to use and has a ton of features including different themes and support for multiple accounts. Friendcaster is available for free on the Play Store with ads or the Pro version is $5.99 NZD to remove the ads.

Tweetings

While the obvious Twitter client is the official one, it has some pretty severe shortcomings and an ugly design. When it comes to substitutes, Tweetings is one of the only clients that supports push notifications - meaning you receive @mentions or direct messages nearly instantly. Tweetings also supports tablets but the layout is not optimal. Another cool feature is the Android 4.1+ Jelly Bean support that allows you to reply directly to @mentions from your notification bar. Additionally, If you're lucky enough to own a Galaxy S3 or Galaxy Note 2 with MultiWindow support then you can also use Tweetings for this - however be aware that landscape will not work correctly. Tweetings is available here from the Play Store for around $2.48 NZD.

Plume

Plume is another third party Twitter client with a modern Holo style design. Unfortunately Plume doesn't support push notifications so if you need up to the minute Twitter updates perhaps stick to Tweetings. If you want a really nice interface with great support for Android tablets as well as smartphones then Plume might be right for you. Get it here for free from the Play Store, and if you like it considering buying the premium version here for around $5.99 NZD.

Falcon

Falcon is a fairly recent Twitter client that excels in terms of design and usability. It has super smooth scrolling and an internal browser that saves you having to leave to check out links. It even has an embedded Youtube player so you'll never want to leave. Falcon comes in several flavours, with a fully fledged widget that acts as a full Twitter client that's available here for free on the Play Store. You can also purchase the full Falcon Pro client for just $1.25 NZD from here, and if you're feeling really generous you can donate extra here to help out the developer.

Google Plus

Google Plus is the official client for Google's own social network. While previously relegated to only tech nerds or media - Google Plus is starting to become more mainstream. The official Google Plus client is quite well designed with smooth scrolling and animations. It is also full featured; including instant messaging, 'hangouts' for video chatting and other standard fare of social networks such as being able to update your status with a picture of your breakfast toast. Google Plus is available for free on the Play Store here.

Google Talk

While I can't imagine any (legitimate) Android devices shipping without Google Talk pre-installed, I think its a good idea to remind people what it is, and what it's for. Google Talk is an instant messaging app that also supports voice and video chat over 3G/4G and WiFi connections (some devices may not support this). Google Talk uses your Google account (Gmail) to identify you already so there's no need to sign in or do anything other than add your friends who also have Android devices. While there's no link to the Play Store, you can go check out your app drawer for Google Talk right this second.

Facebook Messenger

Apparently having a Facebook client isn't enough, we all need to chat to our Facebook friends using a separate client. This is where Facebook Messenger tries to help out. Additionally you don't actually need a Facebook account to use Messenger, only a mobile number and you can be away typing in seconds. Facebook Messenger is available for free from the Play Store here.

Cloud Storage

Dropbox

Pretty much the biggest name in cloud storage, Dropbox also has an Android client with the primary ability of making your files available wherever you go. Dropbox for Android's best feature is probably the ability to upload every photo you take in the background (with the option to do this over WiFi only). This essentially saves you from ever having to sync your phone with a PC as it's all done behind the scenes for you. For Samsung Galaxy S3 owners this is even more useful as you receive 50GB free storage for two years. Dropbox is available for free here on the Play Store, however extra storage will require a subscription fee.

Google Drive

Previously known as Google Docs, Google Drive is a combined cloud storage and document editing suite for Android. Drive is able to handle most common office formats as well as Adobe PDF files. By default you will receive 2GB of free storage with the option to pay a subscription for more. Drive has some additional advanced functionality such as being able to convert photos of printed text to google docs making it more of a multipurpose utility than the spartan Dropbox. Google Drive is available free here on the Play Store.

Photography

Instagram

The craze that swept iOS users for so long eventually decided to make an appearance on Android as well. Instagram is all about taking photos of inane crap like your breakfast meal, adding filters to try and class it up, and then sharing the riveting result with your friends through whatever social network(s) you subscribe to (excluding Google Plus). The Instagram app for Android lets you do all this! as well as scroll through the streams of your friend's bollocks uhh I mean incredibly interesting photographs. That said, several of our editors swear by Instagram and it is available for free on the Play Store here.

Snapseed

Endorsed by well known photographer Brian Rose and supporting the ability to share with any app that supports images (including Google Plus), Snapseed is a photo editing app with a ton of great, advanced features including the ability to auto correct colour balance and exposure.  If you take photos on your Android device then get Snapseed today from here on the Play Store for free!

Customisation

Image 2 Wallpaper

While finding cool wallpapers can be relatively easy using apps like Zedge or Wallbase (featured below); getting them to fit on your homescreen can sometimes be a challenge. Image 2 Wallpaper lets you crop, resize, flip and flip images so that they fit how you want them as your homescreen background. The best part about Image 2 Wallpaper is that it's free on the Play Store here.

Zedge

If you're looking to customise your Android device with new ringtones, notification sounds or wallpapers then you're going to enjoy Zedge. With a selection of over 20k wallpapers, 100k notification sounds and over 600k ringtones that are searchable and can be filtered by category there are pretty much endless possibilities. Personally, I enjoy listening to the sailor moon theme song every time my fiancée rings but that probably won't float your boat. Zedge is available for free from the Play Store.

Wallbase HD Wallpapers

Wallbase HD Wallpapers is fairly self explanatory - it lets you browse or search for HD wallpapers to download to your device. With over 1 million to choose from you will never run out of new ways to spruce up your Android homescreen. Wallbase HD Wallpapers is available in free  and pro variations on the Play Store.

Nova Launcher

Nova Launcher is an alternative launcher for devices with Android 4.0 and up. If you're not sure what a Launcher is then check out this article over at AndroidCentral. Where Nova excels is in its ability to not only function in a similar manner to vanilla Android devices, but then adds a lot more functionality and customisation. If you want to read about  or try the features you can check it out for Free on the Play Store and then purchase Nova Launcher Prime for advanced functionality.

Beautiful Widgets

I think this is one instance where app matches it's name. Beautiful Widgets is all about beautiful customisable widgets to display a clock and weather. The app recently underwent a redesign to follow the Android holo guidelines so now it's much easier to customise widgets. With a multitude of clock and weather skins available you really cannot go wrong with Beautiful Widgets. Get it here from the Play Store now for ~$3.20 NZD

Navigation and Location Sharing

Glympse

Glympse is all about sharing your location with friends with the added protection of an expiry date. The great thing here is that your friends don't need a copy of Glympse to be sent your location - just a web enabled device. Glympse is available for free on the Play Store.

Foursquare

Like Glympse, Foursquare is an app that lets you share your location. The difference here is that Foursquare somewhat gamifies going places - that is you receivve recognition for being at a particular venue. If you frequent that venue enough eventually you'll become the Mayor. If being the pretend Mayor of the McDonalds you visit twice a day sounds like your cup of tea then check out Foursquare which is free here on the Play Store. 

Google Maps

While the last two apps have been focusing on sharing your location, Google does this and much more. Google Maps is all about finding places that you want to go to and then showing you the best way to get there. In many countries Google Maps even supports turn by turn navigation for free! While it does use a small amount of data I think the price of a data connection is well worth the utility found with using Google Maps. You can even add on Street view so you can take a look around the street you're headed to.

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