Essential Android Apps
I’ve recently upgraded my Droid Incredible to Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) which required a full wipe and re-install not only of the operating system but also of all the apps as well. It actually gave me a chance to lose some of the cruff that had accumulated and focus on only the most essential Android apps.
SetCPU
The battery life on a stock Droid Incredible is pretty lousy, but SetCPU allows you to underclock the processor, which saves a massive amount of battery life. This app requires root access, so it’s not the simplest tweak, but it’s of vital importance. There are various profiles that you can configure, but the most important one is a setting that powers the system way down when the screen is off. SetCPU Android Market
Camera360
This is a direct replacement for the stock camera and includes a variety of upgrades, including different effect filters such as the retro look that’s all the rage now. And call me crazy but the pictures also seem to come out better. Camera360 Ultimate Android Market
PdaNet
Wireless tethering works out of the box, but wired tethering is not yet built in across all laptops. That’s where PdaNet comes into play: it provides a USB (or bluetooth) tether to any Mac or PC. Considering how often I’m somewhere with spotty or no wi-fi access, this app is absolutely required. PdaNet Android Market
TuneIn Radio
You might be surprised to see this app here, but as someone who’s a fan of out of market sports (I root for San Diego and Portland teams despite living in LA), I can listen to out of market radio broadcasts easily using this app. Also, it can manage podcasts. TuneIn Radio Android Market
Posted by Ron Dollete on Monday, April 25, 2011