I don’t enjoy talking on the phone, but I sure love my smartphone.  It’s a rarity that I use the actual phone function, it might as well not be there (Especially considering I can just use Skype from the device anyway). 

My phone of choice is the Droid, never a fan of AT&T and never owning an iPod, the iPhone just really doesn’t appeal to me at all.  I know it has some downfalls but I’m a fan of open source just because I don’t want anyone telling me what I can and cannot access.  Plus I’m a huge fan of Google and am always exited to see what they will come up with next.  I don’t want this to be a debate over which phone is superior there are pros and cons to both.  Now that Verizon offers the iPhone it really comes down to personal preference.

I love the apps on the phone.  Many have made life easier or in the case of the airhorn app just a little more fun (good way to wake up a child in the morning…..well maybe not good but sure funny for the parent).  These are some of my favorite or most useful apps, they are common non obscure apps, but a good list to start with if you are looking for something for your phone.

1. Google Maps–useful  I’m pretty certain that most people are familiar with google maps standard online version (if you are still using Mapquest it is time to upgrade), but the app has some really cool features.  You can input an address, or even a business name, then ask it to give you directions and if you are in the car you can ask it to give you voice guided navigation from where you are at that moment.  While on vacation we asked it to give us directions from IKEA to the nearest Big Bowl, we didn’t need any addresses.  It also came in handy when there was too much snow to read road signs.

2. Ringdroid–fun This app allows you to create ring-tones.  You can edit any music you have in the phone or record custom ring tones.  Can’t say a whole lot about it, but I’ve heard some pretty unique text notifications from my fiance’s phone.

3. Pandora Radio–fun  I love this one.  You can customize streaming radio stations for yourself based on your favorite artists.  Just type in who you want to hear and it plays all similar artists.  You can let it know if you don’t like one.  The more you use it the more it seems to get to know you.  The only thing to watch out for is that it uses a LOT of data so I don’t really recommend it unless you have an unlimited data plan, or at least use it sparingly.  You can also use it on your computer here.

4. Timeriffic–useful  If you are tired of your email and text notifications waking you up in the middle of the night, but you can’t seem to remember to silence your phone, this app is for you.  You can set your phone to certain hours in which it will change itself to silent mode, vibrate or airplane mode. No more waking in the middle of the night to a junk email (why do they send most junk email at 3am?). It’s come a long way since its initial debut and is really customizable.  I find it really handy because my phone serves as my alarm clock so it is always on my nightstand.

5. RetroCamera–fun, sorta useful  There are many camera apps out there, some that are truly loved by photography enthusiasts, but this one is my favorite.  I like to take quirky pictures of scenery and my friends and family.  The come out grainy with odd color saturation just really cool.  Check out the selection below of pics of the pansies on my property.
    
 

There are so many more apps to love these are all really basic ones that are useful or fun for most people.  I admit I do have Angry Birds on my phone but I really wouldn’t rank it up with my favorites, it merely replaces boredom with frustration for me.

What are your favorite apps?  Google Goggles, Barcode scanner?

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