Getting the Most Out of Your Android Device pt I

OK, so its Christmas day.  You’ve unwrapped your gifts and, Behold! You’ve got a new Android gadget! Whether it is a tablet or a new phone, you want to know what’s next? The beauty of Android lies in the fact that you’ve got a new device that you can make your own through infinite possibilities of customization.

How do you customize your device?  Well that’s where Droidweb comes in to help. In the next couple of days we’re going to be posting about how to customize your device.  We’re going to start with apps and work our way up to rooting and other hacks.  Come along for the ride and learn a lot about your Droid!

Must-Have Applications

First thing’s first: To get the most out of your ‘droid you need to download some applications. If you have an idea for something you want your phone to do, most likely there’s an app out there that will oblige and likely that solution is low cost or even free.  Here are some must-have apps we here at Droidweb wouldn’t be caught dead without:

Handcent

Handcent SMS is a free SMS application that makes the Android texting experience more complete. It includes pop-ups for when text messages come in, adds an updated (and customizable) UI, and includes several perks and features the stock SMS app just doesn’t have.

Custom UI and Text Popup via Handcent SMS

Get this app:

Ringdroid

One of the early great apps for Android was Ringdroid.  This app allows you to take the songs on your phone, chop them and turn them into ringtones for your device. Its definitely a must-have for personalizing your phone.  Now you can have that song hook that’s always stuck in your head as a ringtone!

Here’s an example of a ringtone I made using Ringdroid.  Feel free to use it on your own: I Feel Better Ringtone.mp3.

Get this app

Barcode Scanner

This is one of the most useful apps Android has to offer in my opinion.  This app turns your phone into a mobile shopping center, helping you do price comparisons and become an all around smarter shopper.  With it, you simple focus a barcode in the viewfinder of your phone and, viola!, the barcode is scanned and you will be presented with links to find out more about that product including reviews, prices at local and Internet retailers, and other valuable information.

In addition to being able to scan barcode, this application also picks up on QR-codes (those black and white squares whose function you’ve always wondered about).  This is quite useful for quick downloads of Android applications and displaying small snippets of digital information.  Seveal apps are built on top of the functionality of the Barcode Scanner, so this app is definitely a must-have.

Get this app

Angry Birds

Of course Android is for more than just work.  Have a little fun with the premiere gaming title, Angry Birds. In this entertaining game, take revenge on the green pigs who have stolen the Birds’ eggs by destroying the… erm… structures in which they live.  With almost 200 challenging levels and several expansion packs, this puzzler is sure to keep you occupied for countless hours on end.  Check out the trailer below for some sweet snippets of in-game play:

Get this app

Those are a few apps that should hold you over until we complete our next post in which we feature a few more must have applications. Stay tuned, and as always, if you have an app or suggestion you’d like to see on Droidweb.com, comment below!