I have used every major mobile operating system available, but my favorite smartphone OS is Android. It offers me the ease-of-use I want, plus it allows me to simultaneously turn my phone into a mini-computer.
I use a lot of apps, but here are my top fourteen favorites.
1. AquaMail Pro. I’m very particular about email clients and when I found AquaMail, I knew it was a winner. Although I don’t receive my email automatically on my phone, I still use this app to periodically check my mail during the day and respond to messages, exactly as if I were on a desktop client.
My favorite feature is that the “starring” is synced with Google Apps, so I can easily keep up with pressing emails on my phone and computer.
2. Hangouts. We use Google Talk extensive at DuoParadigms for internal collaboration, so Google Hangouts is a must-have app for me. I don’t like Hangouts as much as the old Google Talk app, but the new version’s stability and reliability have made it worthwhile.
3. Buffer. Keeping up with our Facebook & Twitter accounts would be impossible without Buffer. This app allows me to queue up updates whenever I want, but it releases them out on a regular schedule of my choosing. Best of all, it syncs with Feedly (more about that later).
4. Instagram. I love all the cool filters and being able to share snippets of daily life with our followers!
5. Audible. I use this app to play the dramatized KJV Bible from Zondervan. I love working to the soundtrack of God’s Word in the background, as it gives me a chance to meditate during the day.
6. Pinterest. Oh, Pinterest, how do I love thee! Fortunately, my guilty pleasure is an aid to DuoParadigms’ nearly 1000 followers. I do at least half of my pinning from the mobile app, as I appreciate the simplicity of the design.
7. Feedly. I was a long-time Google Reader user, but when it faded away into the sunset I was left hanging. Fortunately, I found Feedly. This excellent RSS reader helps me to quickly process the 100+ blogs and websites I follow on a daily basis. Best of all, it integrates perfectly with Buffer, so I can share interesting stories.
8. Maps. A good sense of direction is not one of my best qualities, so I am grateful for this handy app! Thanks to it, I never have to worry about getting truly “lost” when I’m in unfamiliar areas.
9. OneNote. I use OneNote for everything so having access to my notebooks on my phone is vital.
10. Dropbox. Like OneNote, Dropbox is part of my everyday life. I appreciate the convenience of being able to pull up my documents in just a few seconds without the need of a computer.
11. Facebook Pages Manager. This is Facebook’s app for managing business pages. It is especially handy to see what people are liking or commenting when I’m on the go.
12. Invona Amy UK English. Okay, so this app is a little bit geeky! Ivona replaces the default “voice” of Android with the voice of a woman from the UK. Call me crazy, but hearing directions and calendar notifications in a British accent just makes the humdrum so less boring.
13. SwiftKey. While Android comes with the built-in Swype keyboard, I’ve found Swiftkey to be more user-friendly for me. As of this writing, I’ve “flowed” 4,032 meters and saved 57,955 keystrokes.
14. Where’s My Droid. If you have any type of sensitive information on your device, you need a security fail-safe. Where’s My Droid gives me the ability to track my phone’s GPS, remote lock, and if need be, instantly remote wipe.
Do you know of another good app that I did not include? Leave a comment!
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