After getting mugged last December, and after almost six
months of walking around with a non-internet enabled kabambe, I finally garnered
enough courage to rejoin to the world of smartphones, hoping that this time I’ll
get to hold on to my smartphone for a little bit longer than the last. Anyway, it’s
now been two and a half months and my new wife... Madame Galaxy is still by my side
and to my surprise; our love has reached a point where I can’t see myself surviving
without her!! And I couldn’t help asking myself... WHY? The answer is simple… Apps!!
Thanks to the hundreds of thousands of applications available for the android platform,
smartphones now allow me to do practically anything and everything on my
phone!! I’m sure even my laptop misses me now… hehe. Anyway, after sitting down
and scrutinizing my wife, I have decided to put up a list of ten free android
apps that I believe one CANNOT live without.
1. Data ON-OFF
Anybody using a smart phone will have realized one thing
during the first few days of use, smart phones have the dumbest batteries,
especially if you’re addicted to tweeting and surfing like I am. I can leave
the house with a full battery in the morning and will have a dead phone by 2pm. Luckily I
bumped into the Data ON-OFF app. It allows you to place a cool neon widget on
your home screen allowing you to conveniently enable or disable mobile data
settings. Using the app, the phone only connects to the internet when you want it to,and it
will thus not waste half your battery life searching for network while it is in your pocket and believe you me, you
gain a least 5 hours or more to your battery life.
Moreover, if you don’t have unlimited WiFi access, the Data
ON-OFF App also helps you save MB’s by preventing your phone from constantly connecting
to the internet and syncing with your online accounts!! #TrueStory
2. Opera Mini
For those of us who use data bundles to surf, the stock
Android HD web browser (and any other HD browser e.g Opera Mobile) has never been and will never be
data friendly. 50MB’s of data can be cleared easily within an hour of normal use!! That’s
where Opera Mini comes in, it may not be able to compare to HD browsers like
Dolphin HD and Opera mobile in terms of web page quality. But it is Smooth, Fast
(depending on the connection) and most importantly, it uses MUCH less Internet
Data. This means that the cost of surfing using Opera Mini due to the efficient
use of internet data is reduced by up to 90%!! That there, to be honest, is the
only reason I use the App. It saves my Credit!! #NuffSaid3. WhatsApp
Now this is an app I can’t do without, WhatsApp
messenger is basically the android equivalent of the blackberry’s BBM. It
allows android users to send (and receive) messages, pictures, audio notes
and video files with anybody that is on their phone book as long as they both
have the App installed on their phone. I personally love WhatsApp because
international texts and call rates can be very expensive... so WhatsApp allows
me to keep in touch with all my family and friends outside Kenya at absolutely NO
cost!! Al I need is an internet connection!! Need I say more?
4. Evernote
Some people have disconnected thoughts,
ideas and random light bulb moments that are forgotten as fast as they are thought. Guess what? I unfortunately happen to be one of those people. I could be sitting
in a Bar and the awesomest idea pops into my head, unless I write it down, I WILL forget
it. Enter Evernote..tatadadaaaa!!! This app literally turns your Android device into an extension
of your brain( believe that!!). It helps one stay organized, improves
productivity, save photos, make audio notes and best of all, it allows you to
access these files from any device anywhere!!
5. Any.DO
The Any.Do app is in simple terms, a very
very cool and fun to use task manager. This app will help you organize and
remember the millions of things you have to do daily by allowing you to drag
and drop to-do’s to your daily agendas, swiping and shaking away completed
tasks!!
This is one of my favorite apps
because I can now afford to forget stuff I have to do knowing my phone will remember
everything for me.
6. Officesuite veiwer6
Wonderful for viewing documents. I can download word
documents, spreadsheets, PDF’s and PowerPoint presentations from my emails and
read them on the go (or in class). I don’t think I have to explain how
important this app is, especially if you move around a lot and need to stay in
constant communication with the office. Unfortunately, the free version may
allow you to view the documents but does not allow editing of documents.
7. Foursquare
Foursquare allows you to save and share
all your experiences and then share everywhere you go and everything you do
with your friends. It also lets you check in to locations like clubs, restaurants,
parks and basically anyplace you can think of and leave tips for your friends and
anybody who might want to visit that place. In short, the foursquare app helps you and your friends make the most of
where you are, and is also fun to use:).
8. Angry Birds
If
you don’t already know why you need this..then you don’t deserve to. No explanation needed.
9. Camcard Lite
CamCard is a
professional business card reader and business card scanner. Simply take a
picture of a business card, CamCard recognizes the business card and saves
contact information in Card Holder or your Address Book. Then feel at ease to
manage cards with CamCard - business card reader and business card scanner.
More space for money in your wallet .
10. Flashlight
This flashlight turns your LED flash
and/ or screen into a torch. This is usually VERY useful when you find yourself
in the dark (Thanks to KPLC, this are situations that unfortunately cannot be
avoided in our beautiful country). It’s a super useful app.
Twitter
Again, if you don’t know why..I will pray for you.
