My Top 5 Android Applications

Here are my top 5 android applications and widgets (two separate lists).  In an effort to spread the word about some lesser-known power-user apps, I will try to exclude everyone's favorites, such as RememberTheMilk and WeatherBug.

Applications

1 Handcent

Handcent is a replacement for the stock "Messaging" application on Android.  It literally has too many feature to list, but some of my favorites:

• Can customize notification options on a per contact basis, and even set custom vibrate settings


• Can skin to your hearts content


• Can reply inline to incoming text messages


• Can quick-compose a text message from within ANY android application

2 SayMyName

SayMyName is a nice little random utility that will speak the name of the incoming caller when receiving a new phone call.  It is overlaid with the ringtone that is being played, but in my experience that is not much of a problem.  You can have it just say the persons name, or configure what it says, such as "Incoming Call from %first% %last%".

3 Gentle Alarm

GentleAlarm is a sort-of a replacement for the Clock application.  In my opinion the stock Clock application is severely lacking in the alarm feature, coming from using an iPhone as a dedicated alarm clock for almost two years.

Once you get past GentleAlarm's rather HORRIBLE user experience, it is easily the best alarm application I have ever used.

• dock support


• sleep-cycle optimized to you wake up during light sleep (optional)


• music, playlists, ringtones


• silent alarm for school/work


• very smooth onset of alarm


• night display


• flip to snooze


• optional flightmode at night

4 KeePassDroid

I use KeePassX on my Macbook Pro to track all of my important account information.  KeePassDroid allows me to carry that information with me everywhere on my phone.  Definably a must for me and my smart phone.

5 twicca

I really don't spend much time using Twitter anymore, but twicca seems to be the best currently available twitter app for Android.  It looks great, and covers all of the basic features perfectly.

Widgets

1 Agenda Widget

The stock "Calendar" widget that comes with Android sucks.  What I needed was an agenda style widget that doesn't look like crap.  "Agenda Widget" fits the bill rather perfectly.

2 Power Control Widget (root required)

A widget that gives you quick access to toggling bluetooth/wifi/3g, comes with a rooted ROM.

3 Battery Time Lite Widget

This widget gives you a little battery icon showing remaining juice, but it also places the battery percentage into your notification bar.