Whether you're a smartphone novice or a master of custom ROMs, these are the apps that every Android user needs to check out.
Google Keep
Sometimes a simple note-taking app is all you need, and the newly updated Google Keep deftly handles the job. The app lets you create notes with text, images, and checklists; it can transcribe audio notes as well. You can also add time- and location-based reminders to any note. Everything's backed up online and listed in reverse-chronological order for quick access from the web or Android devices.
Pocket
Next time you come across a long article you'd rather read later, use Pocket to save it. The much-loved browser extension and bookmark let can save any web page from your computer, and the Share button in Android will do the same from your phone. When you're ready to read, just open the article in Pocket for a clutter-free, ad-free experience that even works without an internet connection—perfect for catching up on your commute or while on vacation.
1Weather
Yes, 1Weather is a slick-looking weather app loaded with forecast details, but what sets it apart is its huge selection of customizable home screen widgets. You can easily find one to fit whatever screen space you have available, and tweak the color scheme and icons to match your background. The "Tabbed" widget, with its option to swap between hourly, daily, and extended forecasts, is especially useful.
Chrome Remote Desktop
If you use Google's Chrome browser on your PC or Mac, Chrome Remote Desktop can be a lifesaver. Just install the Remote Desktop app on your computer's browser and set up a PIN; once it's done, you'll be able to view and control your desktop from any Android phone or tablet. It's a lightweight way to check on that file you're downloading or access that forgotten attachment when you're out and about.
Waze
While Google Maps gets the job done for basic navigation, turn to Waze when you're headed for a crowded city or taking off on a road trip. The app relies on its community of users for intel about traffic jams, speed traps, and closures, so you can find an alternate route before getting stuck on the freeway.
Mint
More than just a simple budget manager, Mint lets you track all of your finances by connecting to checking, savings, finance, 401k, and credit card accounts. Once plugged in, you can see how much money you've spent, what you're spending it on, and how much you've got in the bank without having to manually add every transaction. The app lets you set goals and create reminders as well.
AirDroid
Instead of plugging your phone into a computer to transfer files back and forth, try connecting through AirDroid. The free app creates a wireless connection between your phone and PC, so you can easily transfer photos, ringtones, music, and video. AirDroid also lets you answer text messages straight from your computer and share clipboard content between the devices.
Feedly
Android may be packed with news-reading apps, but Feedly strikes the right balance of simplicity and control. At its most basic level, the app lets you follow a few sites that you like, and presents every story in a clutter-free view. It can also act as a full-blown RSS reader, with the ability to add custom feed URLs. The app is also bursting with options for sharing to other services like Pocket and Evernote, so you can quickly flag stories for later or send to everything from Facebook to Tumblr.
ConvertIt
ConvertIt has everything you might want in a unit conversion app, including currency exchange rates, unit search, favorites, and recents. It also looks great on tablets, and has a neat feature that lets you copy any unit from another app and have the conversion show up in Android's notification bar. You'll have to pay $2 for the premium version if you want to do that more than once per day, though.
Wunderlist
Wunderlist is an unobtrusive to-do list app that's quick and easy to use, but stocked with powerful features just under the surface. For each list item, you can set a due date, add reminders, attach notes, and create subtasks. But what really sets Wunderlist apart is the ease with which you can share and assign tasks to other users. Plus it's available on nearly every platform, so you can access all of your tasks even if you lose your phone.
