25 Essential Apps for Your New Android Phone
If you were lucky enough to receive your very first Android phone as a holiday present this year, you’ll want to do the following immediately:
First, give a big and sloppy kiss to the angel-winged genius that gifted it to you. Then get to downloading some apps!
Here are Yahoo Tech’s picks for the 25 Google Play store apps you’ll want to grab first for your new Android phone.
1. Gmail: Nope, the Gmail app doesn’t come preinstalled on Android devices. Start enjoying Google’s great email service on your new phone ASAP by making this one of the first apps you download.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
2. Twitter: Don’t let Wall Street’s reluctance to embrace Twitter stop you from downloading the service’s fantastic Android app. You won’t want to miss out on all the 140-character bursts of knowledge, humor, and news. Trust us.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
3. Instagram: It’s one of the most popular photo-sharing services out there. You’ll love the way your selfies look through Instagram’s selection of “retro” photo filters.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
4. Facebook: The social networking app for posts, pokes, and polemics is a great time-waster.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
5. Google Maps: Sure, Google Maps is great for exploring new neighborhoods … or countries. But even if you like to keep it local, this app is a must-have with its built-in Zagat ratings and live traffic information.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
6. Seamless/GrubHub: These apps take the “call-in” part out of getting great eats delivered to your home.
7. Chrome: Google’s Chrome is the most popular Web browser in the U.S. The Android version will sync with all your Chrome desktop browsing history and bookmarks, too.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
8. YouTube: The most popular video site on the planet. With this app on your phone, you won’t have to miss out on the latest and greatest music video or cute animal clip.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
9. Vine: Addictive looping six-second videos. Funny, cute stuff.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
10. Evernote: Create, save, and sync notes across all your mobile and desktop devices with the Evernote Android app.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
11. Square Cash: Probably the winner of the “Easiest Way to Send Money with Your Phone” award. It’s free, too.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
12. Google Drive: It’s the Android app for Google’s cloud storage service. Upload files from your phone or access others that have been uploaded from your computer or tablet devices.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
13. Facebook Messenger: Facebook has made it necessary to download a second app for sending and reading private Facebook messages on your phone. In other words, if you want to chat with your old high school classmates via your Android phone, you’ll have to get it.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
14. Spotify: The Android app for the best streaming music service around is a must. Stream virtually any song you can think of (aside from anything in the Taylor Swift discography) while you’re on the move.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
15. Feedly: RIP Google Reader. Use this gorgeous RSS reader app instead to catch up on all your news in one place.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
16. Heads Up! You may recognize this Password-like game from The Ellen DeGeneres Show, but the Android app version is just as much fun.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
17. Amazon Kindle: Bring your Kindle ebook collection to your Android phone by simply installing this app and signing in.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
18. Yelp: Read and post ratings on this wildly popular business-rating service while on the go.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
19. Foursquare/Swarm: These apps connect you to Foursquare’s popular social “check-in” service. Its new Swarm breakout makes it easier to see what your friends are up to.
20. Google Hangouts: Google’s Hangouts lets Android owners text, send pictures, and video chat across other computer and mobile device platforms (even iPhones), and without a carrier texting plan.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
21. WhatsApp: WhatsApp has more users around the world than any other mobile texting app. Join the largest instant messaging party on the planet!
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
22. Snapchat: The most popular way to send sneaky messages on Android, Snapchat is a staple. Get silly or get scandalous; just download this app.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
23. CamScanner: Pack that bulky, power-wasting scanner away and import documents painlessly using just this app and your Android phone’s camera.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
24. The Weather Channel: With The Weather Channel’s Android app, you can put customizable forecast widgets right on your phone’s home screen.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
25. RunKeeper: Strap your Android phone on and track all your walking, jogging or biking miles. Compare workouts with friends right from the app, too.
DOWNLOAD IT HERE.
