Best of the Best! 12 Essential Android Apps

To conclude the series of Android Apps this weekend, I thought I cap it off with the absolute best of the best Android Apps. This is my take on the 12 Android Apps you should Continuing with the series of Android App posts this weekend, I thought I would bring you the best of the best! This is my personal collection of the 12 Android Apps that will take your smartphone experience to a whole new level. In my opinion, the apps listed below are the absolute best you can get. Even better, they are all free! The apps below are listed alphabetically. Enjoy!

Awesome Drop (File Sync)

4.71 Stars, 1k ratings, 10k to 50k downloads

(FREE) Your Android device is really a mini computer. You can store, access and view files on your device. Awesome Drop enhances this ability by giving you the ability to drag and drop files from your web browser to a dropbox you can use to sync with your phone. The beauty is that no account is required. You can sync any file, including documents, music, videos and photos.

Barcode Scanner

4.35 Stars, 86k ratings, >250k downloads

(FREE) Barcode Scanner is becoming a necessary app. While the app store offers other excellent Barcode Scanner, such as ShopSaavy, I’ve found the best success with this app.

If you’re wondering why you find a barcode with each app listed in this entry, it’s for use with your Barcode Scanner. You simply open up the Barcode Scanner app from your phone and scan the barcode (QR Code). It takes you directly to the download location in the App Market. I use this app to scan QR Codes that have URLs, contact information, calendar events, etc. As an added bonus, it works for any other barcodes too. CDs, books and any products that have a barcode. By scanning them, you can look up prices and reviews before buying.

Call Confirm

4.79 Stars, 2k ratings, 50k to 250k downloads

(FREE) I can’t count how many times I’ve accidentally bumped my phone and bothered someone I didn’t mean to call. Not only is this embarrassing, but it is annoying since I don’t like talking on the phone in the first place as many others don’t. Once you click on a name to call, instead of directly dialing the contact, you first get a Confirm dialog box to click. The box displays the phone number, photo and contact name and gives you a bit of a cushion before making that call. No more accidental calls.

Flash Player 10.1

4.58 Stars, 19k ratings, >250k downloads

(FREE) The name says it all! One thing that distinguishes the Android Devices from the iPhone is this very app. With this app, you get full access to any and every website and Flash-based component. It works very well and is a must-have app for your Android device.

Google Maps

4.57 Stars, 318k ratings, >250k downloads

(FREE) With Google Maps, you take advantage of all the goodies the Android provides. Turn-by-turn navigation, 3D Maps, search for locations by using your voice, get traffic, check out the always cool street view and more. Also integrated with this app is

Just hit “Directions,” then type or say your End Point. You can get driving directions for your vehicle, public transportation, on a bike or if you’re just walking. Hit Go and you’ll see a nice summary of the trip, such as miles, minutes a nice Mapquest-like list of directions and the option to Navigate. Of course the beauty is when you Navigate. FREE voice activated turn-by-turn activation that’s updated as often as your Garmins and Tom Toms, but cost you nothing!

Google Sky Map

4.71 Stars, 94k ratings, >250k downloads

(FREE) One of the first apps you should hit up when getting your new Android phone is Google Sky Map. It turns your phone into a way to browse the sky. Based on your GPS coordinates, you’ll be able to see all constellations, stars and planets.  It’s very fun and a good way to show people one of the coolest apps available.

Google Voice

4.40 Stars, 29k ratings, >250k downloads

(FREE) These days, I can’t live without Google Voice. Currently only available in the US, Google Voice is loaded with features. You can establish one phone number for all your phones, so when someone calls you all your phones ring at once. You can also setup personalized greetings for certain people or groups. My favorite aspect of Google Voice is that Voice is transcribed into text. When I receive a voice mail, I have my Google Voice setup to text me the message and to also email it to me. Very useful, although sometimes the transcription is a bit off. You can also block certain callers, screen other callers so they automatically go to your voicemail and more. Another great feature is the cheap cost for international calling. I’m also a fan of the way Google organizes your voicemails and text messages when you access this app. Try it, you’ll love it.

Handcent SMS

4.54 Stars, 159k ratings, >250k downloads

(FREE) Did you know you can send text messages without typing? The voice integration the Android has allows this option. When your at the To: or Message prompt, the keyboard will popup. You just hit the microphone image in your keyboard and starting saying your message. Of course, Handcent SMS offers this functionality as well, but I wanted to point it in case you already didn’t realize this powerful feature.

Handcent SMS has countless customization options to help take your SMS’ to the next level. The beauty of this app is in the custom styles. Change the skin, theme, every little detail of your conversation list (i.e. font, pic or no pic, background color, etc), your Bubble Settings, etc. Then go on and establish your notification settings where you can enable popup, modify the popup details, choose sounds and so much more. Even the widget is awesome!

LauncherPro

4.71 Stars, 68k ratings, >250k downloads

(FREE) If you’re getting tired of looking at the design of the Android screens and want to do your own thing, you’re going to love this app. The best part of this app to me, other than the countless customization options, is the ability to have 7 home screens. Another useful aspect is the app drawers. The app is well executed and has smooth scrolling, animated screen previews and a scrollable shortcut dock.

Pandora Radio

4.58 Stars, 179k ratings, >250k downloads

(FREE) You probably already know about Pandora Radio, but if not you’re definitely missing out! Pandora simply gives you your own streaming radio stations you can customize. Pick a song or artist and it becomes your new station, playing all music similar to your selection. If you don’t care for a song, just give it a thumbs down and never hear it on your station again. Love a song? Just give it a thumbs up and you’ll hear it on your station more often. The great thing about Pandora is you can use it on your desktop and there is an app everywhere. You can just login to Pandora and keep listening to and customizing all your stations. I use it on the iPad, Droid and my Roku device. Pandora is easily the best in the business.

Quick Settings

4.70 Stars, 12k ratings, >250k downloads

(FREE) As an Android user, one of the things you’ll want to avoid is draining your battery too quickly. Brightness, Wifi, Bluetooth and GPS all have an effect on your battery life. You don’t need to use these settings all the time, but it’s a pain navigating to your settings and manually turning them off each time. Quick Settings works by giving you a nice quick way to click and go. You can adjust your brightness, volume, GPS, Wifi, Bluetooth and many other settings all in one shot.

USAA Mobile

4.83 Stars, 5k ratings, >250k downloads

(FREE) You may be surprised to see a banking app on this list, but this one is ridiculously good. Of course, it’s only for USAA members, but if you use USAA you’re going to love this app. The most valuable aspect of this app is the ability to scan your checks and deposit them into your online account, directly from your Android. You can pay your bills, transfer funds, trade stocks, use the loan calculator, locate rental cars and ATMs, request insurance cards, view your insurance claim details and so much more. This is a must-have app if you use USAA.

Do you think I missed any of the must-have apps? Tell us about your favorite Android Apps.