For someone switching from an iPhone/iPad to Andriod, they are interested in knowing what sort of apps are unique to Android that they can take advantage of. Here are a few:
(Also check out the List of Essential Apps for Android)
Full suite of Google apps: Not all Android devices may come with Google’s suite of apps. So make sure you have all the essential ones:
- Google Search – includes Google Now, and on-device app search
- GMail
- Calendar
- Maps
- Street View on Google Maps
- Chrome Browser
- Hangouts
- Google Play Music
- YouTube
- Google Chrome to Phone
Custom Keyboards: I would recommend the Google Keyboard which allows you to swipe your finger across the keyboard to input text.
Widgets: Newer versions of Android include lock-screen widgets which I find more useful than home-screen widgets. Dashclock Widget is a nice one to try out.
Files: Android gives you access to all the files on your device, so its easier to manage them instead of having to go through iTunes’ awkward app-specific file transfer system. Here are some useful apps in this category
- ES File Explorer
- Dropbox (the Android version lets you edit text files, a feature missing from the iOS version)
- some text editor like Jota Text Editor to edit any text file on the device
- Adobe Reader
Wallpaper Apps: Innovative apps like Gainos Fresh Wallpapers are available on Android which can automatically update your wallpaper from the most popular stream on Flickr at regular intervals. You can also find a wide swathe of Live Wallpapers apps like GyroSpace 3D and Ditalix as well as regular Wallpapers apps that give you a wide selection of static wallpapers to choose from.
Screensaver: Newer versions of Android come with a screensaver functionality called Daydream. You can set the device to display this when it is docked. Daydream functionality comes baked into apps you have on your device. E.g. Gainos Fresh Wallpapers will show you a stream of popular photos from Flickr. Flipboard shows you latest news stories. You can also turn your device into a photo frame by showing pictures from your device’s Gallery. Or you could keep it simple and just display the time.
Launchers: To completely change the look and feel of your home screen, you can replace the Launcher with a custom one. I haven’t tried any custom Launchers myself, but some of the popular names I’ve heard are Nova Launcher and GO Launcher EX.
Those things might not possible for iOS but iOS has somehow the same applications which can we say has almost the same function and features. Android phones are very popular because not only we can enjoy the latest technology but at the same time it is not that expensive.
Hi there! This article could not be written any better!
Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He constantly kept talking about this. I most certainly will send this article to him.
Fairly certain he will have a very good read. I appreciate you for sharing!