These are the only 5 apps that matter
Face it - you'll never download every app in the Play Store. There are 1.5 million of them, but you could live with just five. If you limited yourself to only five apps, which would you choose? Here are the ones I recommend.
For communication: WhatsApp
Well, this is no surprise. WhatsApp is one of the most popular apps available on Android and for a good reason. This app is where we communicate. Communication is the original idea behind the cell phone – or phone for that matter – and an essential function of the smartphone.
Though the way we communicate via smart phones is continually changing, WhatsApp is the current way more than one billion people around the world choose to connect. Therefore, as communication is something we just can't do without, WhatsApp is essential.
WhatsApp takes care of all of my communication needs and that's why I chose it as my one of the only apps I need. I can make calls, send text messages, share photos or even documents. All of this on the platform that nearly all of my friends and family have.
For planning and scheduling: Evernote
I rely on my smartphone for all of my planning, scheduling and reminders so having an app that does these things is critical. Evernote has a lot of those functions that make it an essential app for me. I can schedule appointments, set reminders, take notes and so much more. Evernote is not just a note taking app, it fulfills so many functions that it has become crucial to my daily life.
Though Evernote does offer a ton of different organizing options, it remains very easy to navigate. There are other note taking and scheduling apps out there but none do it with the balance and functionality of Evernote.
For connecting to the internet: Google Chrome for Android
Browsers connect me to most of the functions apps do. With a browser I can watch YouTube videos, check my email, post pictures to Facebook, search for restaurants, navigate and many more. Google Chrome does all these things well, which is why it is essential to my Android experience. Of course, I normally use apps for many of these functions but if I only have five apps I would use my browser for them.
So why did I choose Google Chrome instead of a different browser? Chrome is one of the easiest browsers to use and does all of your the essential functions without a stutter. It has a built-in flash player and PDF reader as well as voice recognition. Its minimalist design is also quite refreshing.
For taking pictures: VSCO
I use the camera on my smartphone almost daily and I would consider it one of the essential functions of my experience. Therefore, I need a quality camera app to get the most out of my smartphone. VSCO gives me everything I need from a camera app and more.
I not only need to take the pictures but I have to be able to edit them to make them even better. There is no other camera app out there that makes my photos the way I want them. You can alter them for contrast or exposure. You can crop and straighten your pictures.
For keeping your phone secure: AVG
Without security, all of these the essential functions I need my smartphone for go out the window. If my phone is hacked I lose everything and my phone is completely useless. And though other apps on this list have security features built-in – like encryption on WhatsApp and security on Chrome for Android – the system itself needs to be protected.
AVG is the most popular security app for a good reason. All of the functions for keeping your phone secure are free and easy-to-use. Scanning and securing your device is quick and your smartphone is kept safe at all times. It just takes an update every once in a while.
If you could only have five apps, which ones would they be?
My top 5 Apps are
Google Music/Spotify, Waze, Google Calendar, Kodi, and Google Now Launcher. Google Music/Spotify for my music needs. Waze because it's by far the BEST navigation app with the social aspect of it being the reason as to why, because until you have it, you'll never understand. Google Calendar because I was always late for things before it!! Now with mapping in my calendar where I have to go it tells me the time to leave so I can arrive on time. Kodi for your movies without having to worry about downloading any sort of malware. Google Now launcher because I do like the bigger icons and it's pretty slick when you create your folders and add more than 6 things per folder. That's my top 5!
Antivirus? Didn't you have a post about "apps you should remove from your phone right now" and Antivirus was right on that list?
All opinions aside (and FYI I use Evernote & Chrome), these are all respectable app functions one could use on their Android smartphone / tablet .... Even if one would prefer to use a different app than then what is being suggested, I found this to be an informative article :)
I do not agree with that completely in Android there is no use for Antivirus because Google has inbuilt security which can be used via Google settings you can enable App check where Google checks and verifies Apps every time you install them and notifies you regarding malware and also Antivirus Apps never work as much efficient or never even work on Android as much as they do in PCs. So My Top 5 essential Apps would definitely be WhatsApp for communication,MxPlayerPro for playing Videos, Mozilla Firefox for browsing ,Nova Launcher as Launcher for Premium looks and ESfile manager for managing files.
I can't believe that you are Still promoting anti virus apps, even though on other articles your colleagues state that the are USELESS.
We're you paid to include the above mentioned apps? Or do you really believe that AVG is needed on any Android device?
Peace ✌
If I had 5 essential apps for android, it wouldn't be these 5.
Givebme Smart Launcher Pro 3, or give me nothing!
You might want to skip the Antivirus because it has absolutely no use at all. Instead you should include Nova Launcher in that list since it's the greatest Android app ever. And ditch the VSCO for ES File Explorer because you'll already have a camera app installed on your phone.
Let me say you have forgotten greenify. It's a pretty cool app to have
Product placement? AVG is useless. You could have mentionned Nova Launcher and Firefox instead
Nova launcher...
someone wrote "if your not doing Nova your not doing Android properly" a little extreme but I agree, probably the one app that really epitomises all that's great about Android.
I agree Paul, Nova Launcher is a great pick :)
Come on, really, Anti Virus is NOT essential on a smart phone. As long as you are smart and don't do something incredibly stupid you will be fine... I strongly disagree to this being on of the 5 necessary apps needed.
You keep believing that. I just hope you don't have any banking and credit card info in your phone, for your sake.
What are you doing with your phone so you can humanly justify this?
Watch adult videos on shady sites? Go to a shady blogspot that carries "X app/game CRACKED MOD IAP UNLOCK APK+OBB?"
If you do all of these and then some, by all means, please put an antivirus app and watch your battery life drop like a rock on a lake. But if you ABSOLUTELY stick by the Google Play Store, you DO NOT NEED an antivirus app!
I don't do anything like that. It is just in this day and age with all the hackers around the world ( some state sponsored ) trying to steal info it just a matter of time before they get a major inroad to android. They already have several viruses in android. If you want to live under a rock and not believe it won't happen to you, that is your business. I was just watching a new story about the IPhone the FBI hacked. One of the expert on security for devices said "the only safe device is one that is turned off, melted down, and buried. Anything else can be hacked nothing is totally safe." Also there are several viruses in google play store apps.
Use a VPN.
What that expert meant is that no mater how protected your data is there is always a way to get to it.
I prefer to encrypt my data with LastPass, than AV that im sure will drain my battery and not sure if it will help. On top of that i get unique, 20+ characters, random pass for each and every account - that on its own is better than AV.
BTW average user's online behavior is worth much more than his online data. So the effotrs are concentrated there.
Not to a thief, they want your banking, credit card, and personal data. So they can steal your identity and money. To Google and manufactures yes.