Favorite Android apps (I just got suckered into buying a smartphone)

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

Just bought my wife an Asus ZenPhone Laser 2, and, when we went to the T-mobile store to get the SIM card, I got suckered into the smartphone revolution myself. As much as I am ambivalent about these devices and social media in general, I was also sick of my generally useless ancient Motorola "candy bar" phone, which didn't even work well as a phone. So, when they offered a $150 LG K-7 for only 50$ (because I rock so hard), I couldn't refuse. I have actually been enjoying playing around with all these new features and conveniences I now have at my disposal. Today I took the admittedly modest camera for a spin, and the results (in daylight) are not at all bad. Certainly it will not replace my dSLR, but is still very convenient to have a camera with me at all times.

Anyway, what are your favorite apps? Any suggestions for GPS, media players (any that play FLAC?), and the like??

[Ken B]

SimpleNote. An extremely elegant and fast app for taking notes. Works cross platform and allows you easily publish a note as a simple web page (good for itinerary etc). Free

Extremegammon, an app version of the world's best backgammon player. Free trial.

I like LastPass as a password vault. Free version but the real use comes from the subscription version. Again cross platform.

[kishnevi]

You may have some preloaded.  Google Music works well for me, and for variety Amazon Music. For GPS purposes, Google Maps is all I need.

A weather app is a necessity. I use Weather Bug.

For antivirus I use Avast and AVG.

Gmail, Yahoo and Outlook all have their own apps.

You may want the app of your local news station and the app from whatever airline you have frequent flier miles.

I actually have a tablet, with an app for word processing I never use and a file management app, ES, and some image editing apps I am not keen on because they are so basic.  Also several games, Nook and Kindle even though I don't ebook much.

Most important: watch your data limits. Download over free wifi if you can, and the same for updates which will occur almost every week.

[Rinaldo]

I run only a few extra apps, but Booking.com and Sky Map are two of my faves.