15 applications to help you getting started on Android

Got a new Android device? Don't know what application should you install first? Here's the list of 15 applications that may help you getting started on Android (the order of the list is random, not based on importance). Please note that I use these applications on Nexus One handset, and these applications may not be available for your device.

01. Linda Manager (Free)

Android doesn't come up with built-in file manager. There are several third party file manager applications available in Android Market, and the most popular ones are Linda Manager and Astro. I prefer to use Linda Manager because it's lighter, and no annoying beta version expiration!

02. tAttachApkInstaller (Free)

For some reason, In Android you cannot directly execute apk (Android Package Installer) from gmail attachment. By installing tAttachApkInstaller, you can install apk from gmail attachment

03. Gesture Search (Free)

Gesture search allows you to search many kinds of item in your Android handset, only just by drawing a gesture of letter/digits. This is very useful on condition where you're only able to operate your handset only by using one hand. The indexing feature of this application is also briliant. No question about that because it's made by Google.

04. Juice Defender (Free/Paid)

This application will magically help your Android device last longer in term of battery life. Juice defender can smartly turn off your APN (data connection) when your screen goes off, and will regularly turn on APN again for several minutes, enough for background application to sync data. The drawback of using this application, you can't really have realtime push notifications on email, Twitter updates and others

05. Goggles (Free)

Image recognition and search application made by Google. Capture a photo of a product, and Goggles will identify it, and search more information about that. The latest information of Googles even allows us to do language translation only just by taking picture of the text. In the upcoming versions, there are rumours saying that Goggles will be able to capture chinese/japanese/arabic language, and translate it to any language you want! Really can't wait for that

06. Moxier Mail (Paid)

Android 2.0+ devices are already powered by exchange compatible email clients. Unfortunately, not all exchange servers can be connected. Moxier Mail will help that, bundled with so many features and real-time push and synchronization options. It sync exchange calendar very well too

07. Opera Mini (Free)

Android built-in browser is very good actually and also fast enough. But Opera Mini, although lack of several functions and rendering capability, is very very fast indeed. It saves me time a lot when opening URL shared by friends in Twitter.

08. Twitter for Android (Free) / Twidroid (Free) / Touiteur (Free/Paid)

Those three are very nice Twitter clients. The official Twitter for Android is very fast and has slick UI, but still lack of features for example reply all feature. Twidroid has complete feature, but the UI is standard. Touiteur also has complete feature and very nice UI, but it's a bit heavy. I personally use Touiteur, because Touiteur has complete features and has the best looking Widget at the moment.

09. Earth (Free)

Marvelous application to browse our lovely earth. You can search for places, and get satellite view of that place, even in 3D View

10. Advanced Task Manager (Free/Paid)

Allow you to easily kill applications that still exist in your memory. You can make exception list of applications that you never want to kill.

11. Smart Keyboard (Free/Paid)

The Android built-in keyboard is enough, but for more features, especially multi-touch support, go for smart keyboard instead.

12. Fring (Free)

Multi-protocol instant messaging application. Actually, at the moment, there are very good application on IM (I still need Yahoo Messenger). But after comparing several alternatives, I choose Fring. Fring also support Skype account, and you can make VOIP call to skype account using Fring

13. News Room (Paid)

RSS reader with stunning user interface and very easy to use

14. GPS Status (Free)

GPS status gives you more detailed information on your GPS sensor. With nice user interface and complete information, GPS Status is a must have utility especially if you often use GPS

15. Aldiko (Paid)

Aldiko turns your Android device into book collections. Browse many kinds of books (free and paid) easily.