Ask Slashdot: Best Phone Apps?

An anonymous reader writes: The phone app ecosystem has matured nicely over the past several years. There are apps for just about everything I need to do on my phone. But I've noticed that once an app fills a particular need, I don't tend to look for newer or potentially better apps that would replace it. In a lot of areas, I'm two or three years out of date — maybe there's something better, maybe not. Since few people relish the thought of installing, testing, and uninstalling literally hundreds of apps, I thought I'd put the question to the Slashdot community: what interesting, useful new(ish) apps are you aware of? This can be anything from incredibly slick, well-designed single purpose apps to powerful multi-function apps to entertainment-oriented apps.

Comments

What a stupid question

[Anonymous Coward]

What's next? "Ask Slashdot: What food is good?" or "Ask Slashdot: What's the best place to live?"

Re:What a stupid question

[Andurian]

"What food is good?" and "What's the best place to live?" aren't particularly part of the "news for nerds" paradigm. Questions about phone apps are. I don't know about Apple's store, but Google Play is absolutely abysmal when it comes to helping users find great apps. I think his question is fine, and on point.

Re:What a stupid question

[CaptainDork]

Joe Bob's Chevrolet ... "Right on the corner ... right on the price."

Re:What a stupid question

[CaptainDork]

Sorry, but string theory is off-topic.

music streamer

[Anonymous Coward]

If you've got more than a few GB of music then get subsonic. You can stream your full collection from home to your phone to listen to at work, in the car, etc. When you're offline or configured to only stream over wifi you can have it stick to playing the last few GB you've configured to cache on your device.

Re:music streamer

[SternisheFan]

If you've got more than a few GB of music then get subsonic. You can stream your full collection from home to your phone to listen to at work, in the car, etc. When you're offline or configured to only stream over wifi you can have it stick to playing the last few GB you've configured to cache on your device.

You don't 'need' a straming app for music. My phone accepts a 64gb SD card that doesn't need to 'stream' music, it just plays it.

Re:music streamer

[wwphx]

I really hate this as a direction the industry is going: stream everything! That's fine for a lot of people who live in major metropolitan areas with lots of cell coverage. Here's the problem: we don't have reliable cellular service where we live. Yes, I have it in my house. But once I leave home to go to my wife's work place or down to town, half an hour to either place, no cell service. If I'm driving SE to Texas or Carlsbad, forget it. North to Ruidoso? Nada.

Apple is making their podcast app an increasing exercise in frustration with every iteration. If people want to stream, fine. I want to download apps and music and podcasts when I sync my phone in the morning, and that should be all there is to it. Everything that I've selected should be on the phone at that point, and NOTHING should say 'You have to turn on cellular service to play this podcast.' I DON'T CARE that there are other podcasts that I could stream, I have plenty to listen to and will download those others the next time I sync.

It's driven me to get books on Objective C and Swift and dust off the cobwebs on my C et al skills and roll my own podcast app. Yes, I occasionally look at various iTunes podcast apps in the store, haven't yet found one that did what I want. I'll gladly entertain suggestions for new apps.

yo.

[Noah Haders]

if you haven't tried a new IM client in a couple years, try yo.

Re:yo.

[tverbeek]

no

Common Sense

[TubeSteak]

That would be the killer app.

Re:Common Sense

[ganjadude]

NSA spyware, I deleted that app right away!

Audible

[bhlowe]

I love listening to books... So Audible is where a lot of my entertainment money goes. Great for car trips or commuting. Goodreads is a good app for logging and rating books you've read. Unfortunately, the two are not merged, so buying a book on audible doesn't add it to good reads.. Audible has a free trial.. You really should pick out a good book and give it a listen.

Re:Audible

[Roarkk]

Librivox ( https://play.google.com/store/... ) is also valuable on this front. Not all of the recordings are great, but it's free (as in beer) audiobooks for books that have entered the public domain.

I use a conservative less is more approach

[aheath]

I upgraded from a flip phone to a Nexus 5 last month. I've taken the less is more approach to loading apps on my phone. I've also tried to avoid installing apps from unknown vendors. I installed Avast Mobile Security to keep the phone secure and virus free. I installed the Kobo app so I can read books when I forget to bring a book or my Kobo eReader. I'm trying to lose some weight so I've installed several fitness apps - Couch-to-5K, DogWalk, FitBit, MapMyRun, MapMyHike, MapMyWalk and MyFitness Pal. I installed the mindfulness app because it has the best meditation timer that I could find on Google Play. I can't remember what other apps I've installed because I uninstalled them once I decided that I wouldn't use them.

I forgot to take my Lego keychain flashlight with me when I walked the dog last night. I was looking for a flashlight app this morning. I couldn't find a flashlight app that didn't collect data that I was willing to share with an unknown vendor. I'm planning to move all my house keys to Lego key chains. I may also hack the leash and use a wire tie to attach a fash light and a set of house keys.

Re:I use a conservative less is more approach

[ezelkow1]

Look for 'Power toggles' ( https://play.google.com/store/...) . That is what I use on my nexus 5. It asks for camera permission for the flashlight, and alert window, and root for running root cmds which has no effect on non-rooted phones. It gives you a bunch of toggles, I leave mine in the main top drop down. One of which is a flashlight toggle. So you dont even need an app with this, plus lets you toggle about 30-40 other things

Re:I use a conservative less is more approach

[AmiMoJo]

Avast Mobile Security

This is a scam app. You don't need anti-virus for your phone if all you ever do is install apps from Google Play. Google themselves do the virus scanning and checking for malware.

The other features are all just duplicates of existing Android functionality, or pointless. If you really care about privacy consider AppOpsXposed or switching to Cyanogen, or just install apps that don't ask for stupid permissions.

F-Droid, OsmAnd, K9-Mail, Xabber

[Anonymous Coward]

F-Droid is without competition: The only app store for open source software.
OsmAnd is a navigation and mapping app which works with free offline maps based on OpenStreetMap.
K9-Mail is an email app with IMAP-push support: get a notification as soon as mail arrives on your server.
Xabber is a multi-protocol chat client.

All of these apps are free (as in beer and in speech). None of these apps require the Google apps on your Android phone.

I'm not sure this approach is valid

[93 Escort Wagon]

There are apps for just about everything I need to do on my phone. But I've noticed that once an app fills a particular need, I don't tend to look for newer or potentially better apps that would replace it. In a lot of areas, I'm two or three years out of date — maybe there's something better, maybe not.

You may be asking the wrong question, at least if you see your phone as a tool. If the apps you've got are doing the job you want them to do, who cares if they're apps you picked up two or three years ago?

It might be better to think on what it is you would like to be able to do using your phone but can't currently accomplish with the apps you've got on hand. If nothing that comes to mind, then there's no problem to solve and no questions to be answered - you're good to go.

Since few people relish the thought of installing, testing, and uninstalling literally hundreds of apps, I thought I'd put the question to the Slashdot community: what interesting, useful new(ish) apps are you aware of?

You've said absolutely nothing specific regarding what it is you want to do on your phone. There are literally millions of apps in the iOS and Google app stores - if you want meaningful responses, shouldn't you qualify your question a bit first? Are you trying to manage your diabetes? Do you only want to buy local, in-season fruit? Are you using your phone to manage illicit drug transactions? Looking for a wife? Learning to repair cars? Managing your Pokemon collection? What??

One gem of a notes app

[gwstuff]

I've been using this note taking app on my iPhone since 2009. It's just like having a little pad in your pocket that you can scribble into. I use it more than any other app.

Xposed installer

[stoploss]

Probably the most useful app I have installed is the Xposed installer.

This is Slashdot, so it's okay to be meta, right? Heh.

ownCloud or BitTorrent Sync

[corychristison]

ownCloud or BitTorrent Sync.

I have found both of them to be incredibly useful. Especially since I have a hard time accessing my mobile files via USB since upgrading to an Android 4.x phone.

The two essential apps

[RDW]

There are, of course, hundreds of thousands of apps you might consider installing, but I think most people will agree that only two are absolutely essential for everyone:

Hypnotic Spiral: https://play.google.com/store/...

(sample review: GREAT APP ESPECIALLY IF YOUR STONED OR DRUNK OR ANYTHING ELSE,TRIPS U OUT,I USE IT WHEN I'M ON ANOTHER LEVEL,WHEN I'M ON THE MOON STONED *****)

this will allow you to make anyone else do your bidding, making a large majority of other apps completely redundant.

I Ching - Divine Your Future: https://play.google.com/store/...

(sample review: 'Excellent! The only I ching app that uses sticks and not coins. Much more reliable. The editable entries are also a bonus. Great work, thanks!' )

This will help you make all the major decisions in your life, including what apps to install. It is also useful for understanding the plot of The Man in the High Castle. I meditated on your situation, and using the yarrow stalk method received the wisdom of Hexagram XLII ('The second SIX, divided, shows parties adding to the stores of its subject ten pairs of tortoise shells whose oracles cannot be opposed. Let him persevere in being firm and correct, and there will be good fortune.'). I hope this is helpful.

Re:Who cares about existing apps?

[Noughmad]

Have you tried PlusFive, the link in my sig? It looks a lot like the old Slashdot interface.

Here are a couple of resources

[rasmusbr]

Android Central lists their favorite games and apps every week: http://www.androidcentral.com/...
iMore's favorite iOS apps: http://www.imore.com/ios/edito...

Happy hunting.

A few FOSS, security, usability apps for Android

[RanceJustice]

I tend to gravitate towards FOSS when possible to be used on a rooted, custom Android ROM. Here are a few useful ones I've found...

Note: Most of the following can be found on GooglePlay, in addition to other locations. They may also be on other app marketplaces, but these are those I've confirmed. Sometimes, there is a difference in version number or whatnot between F-Droid, GooglePlay, and an .apk downloaded from a homepage, so be aware.

F-Droid (www.f-droid.org) - a FOSS app marketplace. Not the only place to find FOSS apps, but a great option for any interested uses.

RomToolbox Pro (Google Play) - If you like to tweak, mess around with rooting and custom ROMs, RomToolbox has a great selection of utilities. Not entirely
FOSS, but it is basically a wrapper for a ton of utilities, some of which have source available. The Pro version opens a few new features and supports the platform; generally worthwhile!

Firefox for Android (Google Play) - Mozilla's privacy focused, FOSS browser. Has many of the same great features (add-ons etc..) as on desktop.

GuardianProject apps (www.guardianproject.info) - Lots of great utilities here, including Orbot (TOR for Android) and Orweb (TOR browser bundle for Android so to speak, based on Orbot and Firefox Mobile), ChatSecure (OTR-enabled XMPP client), and more. They also support Ostel.co, a SIP provider with privacy in mind.

Antox (www.tox.im) - Android version of the FOSS "Skype alternative, but secure" TOX project

OpenWhisperSystems apps (www.whispersystems.org) - TextSecure and RedPhone are FOSS, encrypted SMS (and other text messaging) and mobile dialing apps respectively. If talking to a fellow user of the program, it automatically negotiates a secure connection, yet they still both work to send common texts and calls. Using them as your main apps still have some benefits (ie such as TextSecure taking both text and pictures you receive and storing them in an encrypted form on arrival). Note - TextSecure is new and up to par, RedPhone is a bit sparse and is being completely redone. They also offer Flock (very newly developed), a CardDAV/CalDAV FOSS app that allows you to sync contacts, calendars and more. Pay a couple a bucks and user their servers, or host your own.

FreeOTP (Google Play) - With Google Authenticator no longer FOSS, this is your new best friend in Android 2-factor Authentication. You can generate and pair lots of different codes; if I remember correctly a RedHat dev wrote/maintains it. Works with all major 2FA standards and has lots of options!

CSipSimple (https://code.google.com/p/csipsimple/) - A ZRTP/OTR supporting SIP client for Android. LinPhone (found on F-Droid) is a good alternative as well.

K9 Mail (F-Droid) - This is a great, full featured Android mail client, that just happens to be FOSS. Plugin system too.

MediaCrush (https://mediacru.sh) - Not really an app per se, but one of my favorite image/media hosting sites around. Works with just about every media format, has an API, clients, and plug-ins for various browsers and platforms. FOSS, if you want to host your own MediaCrush site. Privacy focused too.

KeePass2Android (https://keepass2android.codeplex.com/ and GooglePlay) - A FOSS, full-featured, modern form of the KeePass database software for Android. Works with the newest KeePass 2.x database (.kdbx) styles. There's even an offline-only version if you prefer! Note, this is different from "KeePassDroid", which has less features and limited compatibility with the 2.x database format.

Plumble (F-Droid) - A quality Android client for connecting to Mumble servers (Mumble being the gaming-focused, FOSS VOIP system)

OwnCloud (www.owncloud.org, GooglePlay ) - One of the best FOSS cloud storage options, OwnCloud has an official client for Android. You can compile it yourself, but the pre-compiled version on GooglePlay is $0.99. You will need an OwnCloud server to connect to somewhere, of course. Consider this an alternati

Guitar tuner

[CaptainDork]

If you don't have a guitar tuner app, then how in Sam Hill are you going to tune your guitar when you are at Open Mic at Logon Cafe and you forgot your dedicated tuner?

If you don't play the guitar, then get the piano tuner and stuff. OK, maybe you don't play the piano. Me neither.

If you have no need to tune any instrument at all, ever, then just forget it.

Get a good word search program.

If you don't have a word search app, then how in Sam Hill are you going to spend your time when you are at Open Mic at Logon Cafe and I don't go on for another hour?

Re: Please post what the best religion is

[frovingslosh]

Absolutely NOT. Vi serves a false god.

Re:Android VOIP SIP client??

[jrumney]

SIP is built in. Just go into the Phone app, open Settings, and under Call Settings there is an "Internet Call Settings" section where you can add accounts. Video and encryption may require third party options though.

What the hell, why not?

[Atrox Canis]

Waze for traffic and navigation. Nice combination of social and mapping. I just turn it on without routing on my work commute. I get fairly accurate road hazard and speed trap info and people actually thank me for reports that I post.

Audible for ebooks. Subscription service but it means you can get recent publications of decent books (one a month for the subscription) or more if you are willing to buy additional credits.

Airbnb for finding some cool places to stay while traveling

Flighthero for tracking airplanes that are enroute. I recently flew back to DFW from LA. A friend of mine gifted me with a few hours of inflight WiFi so I used it to track the plane I was in just for shits and giggles.

WeatherTap for... weather

iCitizen for political information

BillGuard syncs with your bank account and gives you decent warnings about unauthorized transactions

HBOGO and Showtime has one too. If you have HBO as one of your premium channels, you can stream anything HBO to your device

ZocDoc handy for finding a doctor or specialist near you

IMDB because I can never remember the name of that actor, you know, the one that was in Space Truckers and had a great scene in True Romance with that other actor, you know, the one that was so ugly. He was in Prophecy with what's her name.

Or, just take the time to go looking for an app every time you come across a situation or issue that could be aided by access to your augmented cloud memory.

For Android

[odoketa]

BeyondPod has been my podcast app of choice.
MyTracks is a hiking program that will generate files that google and apps like Lightroom can use. I use it to add GPS info to my photographs, or to tell me how far I hiked. Or both.
I like Orbot with Firefox and Twitter. I don't really need to route everything over TOR, but it makes me feel warm and fuzzy when I do.

Re:ES File Explorer for Android

[horza]

Thirded. I wasted so much time (and some money) trying to get Plex up and going on my server/devices and the quality of the video is crap. I use ES File Explorer now on all my devices to browse the NAS and play videos. This and K9 Mail are two I install and it's not even worth looking for a replacement as they do their job so well.

Phillip.