Free and cool Android apps

Any other tech-related topics
Message
Author
TenaciousD
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2012 11:38 pm

Free and cool Android apps

#1 Post by TenaciousD »

Hi all.. I thought it would be a great idea to create a thread for people to list any cool and free Android Apps and games that users have found along their journeys through the Internet(s) :)

One of the reasons why I created this thread is because I really don't like how google play is organized, but i'm sure you have found some really cool apps and games nonetheless so why don't you add a link at let others benefit too?

I will start off, its a bit old (july 2012) but it still rocks:

XP mod is an app launcher that can make almost any Android device look and function like a portable version of Windows XP, it's not really XP but you would be hard pressed to figure out it wasn't. :D
XP Mod for Android [XDA-developers forums] [1.57MB]

Image

(picture from site)
Note: Someone (*cough* probably Microsoft ) removed it from Google Play, so its not there anymore. It was and still is in Beta so it will be a bit buggy and may not work on all Android Devices plus the developers website is available but only links to the google play store.

User avatar
Midas
Posts: 6710
Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:09 am
Location: Sol3

Re: Free and cool Android apps

#2 Post by Midas »

Just a couple of my favorite (lean & mean) freewares in no particular order:

FBReader https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... ui.android
Image

Zoner AV Free https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... .antivirus
Image

Wifi Analyzer https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... i.analyzer
Image

AppBak https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... est.appbak
Image

Uninstaller https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... ise.uninst
Image

BigTinCan AdFree(*) http://adfree.bigtincan.com/
Image

(*) For obvious reasons, Google has removed this from the Play Store but it's still availalble elsewhere...

TenaciousD
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2012 11:38 pm

Even more free stuff

#3 Post by TenaciousD »

@ Midas great apps thanks! :P

Here are some more, in no particular order as well:
Fing Network tools:(651KB)
Born from the ashes of Look@LAN Network Monitor, Fing is the ultimate toolkit for network management:
* network discovery
* service scan (TCP port scan)
* ping
* traceroute
* DNS lookup
* Wake on LAN
* Fingbox (sync, backup, merge, monitor, notifications)
* TCP connection tester
* MAC address and vendor gathering
* customizable host names and icons
* connectivity detection
* geolocation
* Integrated launch of third-party Apps for SSH, Telnet, FTP, FTPS, SFTP, SCP, HTTP, HTTPS, SAMBA

Image


Truesculpt Virtual Sculpture(490KB)
Virtual modelling clay for Android:Create 3D models on your Android device!
Saves in .obj format. Inspired by Blender and ZBrush and totally free!
Image

User avatar
Midas
Posts: 6710
Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:09 am
Location: Sol3

Re: Free and cool Android apps

#4 Post by Midas »

I have Fing installed, too. ;)

As I have my device rooted, let me drop a few more names that are only of interest in such case: ClockSync, Terminal Emulator, Superuser, Titatnium Backup, and Root Explorer...

Maybe we can make this the Android App topic here at TPFC (with one app per post and app name in subject from now on, for easy retrival)... what do you think?

TenaciousD
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2012 11:38 pm

Re: Free and cool Android apps

#5 Post by TenaciousD »

Yes no problem for me. But in the subject line we may have to add something like [Root] for apps that require root, and maybe a little more info such as what it does. eg in subject line Fing_network tool

Oh here's another one!
Hacker's Keyboard (1.7MB)
Proper keyboard for those who want a 'real' soft keyboard and are annoyed that you have to go to multiple screens to input extra characters. More ideal for larger screen Android devices as can be expected. Not just for hackers. :wink:
Image

User avatar
Craunch
Posts: 54
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2012 5:27 am
Location: UK

Re: Free and cool Android apps

#6 Post by Craunch »

My suggestions are:

EssentialPIM - This is an Android version of the Windows platforms personal information manager with which it can sync data

X-Plore File manager - This is a dual-pane file explorer that can also access network shares.

TenaciousD
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2012 11:38 pm

Re: Free and cool Android apps

#7 Post by TenaciousD »

Oh wait there's more!
But first a question. Ever had the inexplicable yet geeky need to control your PC via your Android Tablet?
Well now you can with RemoteDroid
Remote Droid allows a user to use his/her Android device as a mouse and keyboard to control their PC!
YouTube Video

Remote Droid is composed of 2 components.
1.Server Application that needs to be extracted to your PC (Whether its Linux, Windows or Mac OS X, yes most platforms! :P )
Get it here.
2. An Android app that must be installed on your Android device. Get it here.
Note:
1. You will need Java Runtime Environment installed ver 1.5 or higher. Don't worry the Java vulnerabilities you may have heard in recent news, those have to do with the Java plugin for you browser, having Java alone installed on your system without using the plugin poses little or no risk.
2. If your don't have access to Google Play, don't worry you can download them here as well.
3. A paid app is also available with more features. :)
Last edited by TenaciousD on Tue May 07, 2013 11:41 am, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Checker
Posts: 1628
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 1:00 pm
Location: Ingolstadt [DE]

Re: Free and cool Android apps

#8 Post by Checker »

TenaciousD wrote:... XP mod is an app launcher that can make almost any Android device look and function like a portable version of Windows XP, it's not really XP but you would be hard pressed to figure out it wasn't. :D
Works great ... thanks :D

I like to suggest TubeMate, a YouTube-Downloader :!:

Image

Ruby
Posts: 324
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2009 6:35 pm

Re: Free and cool Android apps

#9 Post by Ruby »

AndChat - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... et.andchat
AndChat is a multi-server internet relay chat (irc) app for Android, designed to work on both phones and tablets, and includes a tablet optimized layout.
Colors - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... itc.colors
Set a solid color as a wallpaper.
From black and white to hot pink and radioactive firefly.
Enjoy!
DroidEdit - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... .droidedit
DroidEdit is a text and source code editor (similar to Notepad++ or gedit) for android tablets and phones...
Elixir 2 - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... oid.elixir
Elixir 2 is a system information application with highly configurable widgets.
Field Compass - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... eldcompass
Field Compass is a powerful and simple magnetic compass app, with all the information you need on one clear screen. This easy to use Android compass has a unique sighting screen to take and store bearings to help keep you on track.
GPS Test - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... ss.gpstest
The GPS Test app for Android is a utility that shows GPS information read from your phones internal GPS. Will support GLONASS phones. The app has several colour schemes, which could be used to match other instrumentation, used along side the app. It has a "night mode" colour scheme as well.
Kingsoft Office - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... office_eng
Kingsoft Office is the only mobile Office with full-features FREE. Support for running on Android 2.1 and above system. User-friendly & nice UI interface! Users from over 200 countries and regions around the world are using it. The Average Rating of Kingsoft Office is up to 4.6 stars! Whether in a small cell phone screen or on a large screen on the Tablet, Kingsoft Office has a superior performance!
Mizuu - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... .mizuulite
Mizuu is an easy-to-use media center application for devices running Android 3.2 or newer. Mizuu helps managing all your movie and TV show video files, and automatically downloads information about the video content - including title, plot and cover art. The immersive interface was designed from the ground up with touch devices in mind. As such, it's easy to use and offer lots of customizability for more advanced users.
MX Player - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... oplayer.ad
MX Player - The best way to enjoy your movies.
a) HARDWARE ACCELERATION - Hardware acceleration can be applied to more videos with the help of new H/W decoder.
b) MULTI-CORE DECODING - MX Player is the first Android video player which supports multi-core decoding. Test result proved that dual-core device’s performance is better up to 70% than that of single-core devices.
c) PINCH TO ZOOM - Easily zoom in and out by pinching and swiping across the screen.
d) SUBTITLE SCROLL - Subtitles can be scrolled to move back and forth faster.
e) KIDS LOCK - Keep your kids entertained without having to worry about them making calls or touching other apps. (plugin required)
f) ANDROID 4.2 - Fully supports Android 4.2 Jelly Bean MR1.
Photo Editor - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... oto.editor
Photo Editor is a simple and easy application for photo manipulation.
Adjust color, add effects, rotate, crop, resize, frame, and draw on your photos. Color adjustment options include hue, saturation, contrast, and brightness. Additionally, Photo Editor offers a large variety of effects for your photos including gamma correction, auto contrast, auto tone, blur, sharpen, oil paint, sketch, black & white high contrast, sepia, and lots more.
Pocket - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... tlater.pro
When you find something on the web that you want to view later, put it in Pocket. It automatically syncs to your phone, tablet or computer so you can view it any time, even without an internet connection.
ServeStream - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... ervestream
Open source HTTP streaming media player and media server browser. Supports custom, online radio and SHOUTcast streams.
Speedtest.net - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... .speedtest
Use Speedtest.net for easy, one-tap connection testing in under 30 seconds—accurate anywhere thanks to our global network.
SuperBeam - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... .superbeam
SuperBeam is the easiest and fastest way to share large files between Android devices using WiFi direct. You may pair your devices devices using QR codes (with the included QR code scanner) or NFC, if your devices support it.
No more clicks and manual approvals for connections. SuperBeam makes file sharing as convenient and fast as it should have been, because it is already 2013!
Turbo Client - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... rbo.client
Sleek, intuitive, and powerful Android FTP client & SFTP client for faster and easier server maintenance.
Built following the latest Android guidelines to make the experience the most intuitive on the Store also on Tablets!
TV Listings - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... tvlistings
TV Listings - fast and easy!
This TV guide app covers over-the-air, cable and satellite TV in the USA (over 13 000 channels in total and hundreds of providers). It will show an overview of what's on right now including all the shows, movies and sports events.
ZArchiver - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... .zarchiver
ZArchiver - program to manage archives (archive manager). The program has a simple and functional interface.
ZArchiver lets you:
* Create following archive types: 7z (7zip), zip, bzip2 (bz2), gzip (gz), XZ, tar;
* Decompress archive types: 7z (7zip), zip, rar, bzip2, gzip, XZ, iso, tar, arj, cab, lzh, lha, lzma, xar, tgz, tbz, Z, deb, rpm, zipx, mtz;
* View archive contents: 7z (7zip), zip, rar, bzip2, gzip, XZ, iso, tar, arj, cab, lzh, lha, lzma, xar, tgz, tbz, Z, deb, rpm, zipx, mtz;
* Create and decompress password-protected archives;
* Edit archive: add/remove files to/from the archive (zip, 7zip, tar, apk, mtz);
* Create and decompress multi-part archives: 7z, rar(decompress only);
* Partial archive decompression;
* Open compressed files;
* Open an archive file from mail application.
\* ROOT APPS */

Android Firewall - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... idfirewall
This is a fork of the popular application Droidwall that uses iptables to limit data usage and add security to Android. Droidwall was originally created by developer Rodrigo Zechin Rosauro. The app was discontinued and did not function correctly on Android 4.x. So I decided to fix it.
***ROOT ACCESS IS REQUIRED***
CPU Adjuster - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... .cputweaks
A new voltage control and CPU adjuster app is in the city...
For root users, this app allows you to create and automate CPU and GPU via the Profile manager.
For non root users, you're able to get information about the CPU (governor, speeds, etc)...
Network Log - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... networklog
Wondering when and to where your Android apps are connecting across the Internet? Look no further! Network Log is for you!
Network Log monitors iptables-logging to display a real-time list of which apps are making network connections, and provides statistics about those app connections.
\*NON-FREE*/

Cerberus anti theft - https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... d.cerberus
Cerberus is a complete anti-theft application, the best protection you can get to recover your misplaced, lost or stolen Android device. This is a free trial for one week, then you can buy a lifetime license for a small price (2.99€) from within the application: no monthly or yearly fees, just a one-time payment. License is associated to your Cerberus account, if you have multiple devices you can use all of them (up to 5) with the same account.
It has three ways to protect your device:
- Remote control through the website http://www.cerberusapp.com
- Remote control via text messages
- SIM Checker (for devices that have a SIM card): you will automatically receive alerts if someone uses your phone with an unauthorized SIM card
~Ruby

User avatar
Midas
Posts: 6710
Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:09 am
Location: Sol3

Re: Free and cool Android apps

#10 Post by Midas »

TenaciousD wrote:Ever had the inexplicable yet geeky need to control your PC via your Android Tablet?
My urges mostly went the other way around (controlling the mobile while it's connected to a PC). :)

Something quite easy to achieve on the PDAs of old, but somewhat of a bête noir in Android (at least with freeware: there was a rather buggy beta of a VNC server port and then there is adb, which is anything but lean or straightforward)... :(

TenaciousD
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2012 11:38 pm

Free and Cool Andoid Apps

#11 Post by TenaciousD »

@ Ruby nice work, oh snap you mentioned Kingsoft Office! (Also available for PC!)
@ Midas I also had that need but:
Airdroid filled it quite well. :mrgreen:
One thing I like about it is the fact you only need a browser to interact with your android device. :)

AirDroid 2 (6.5MB) is a free and fast app that helps you manage your Android from a desk web browser, all over the air.

※ Desktop SMS
Send & receive SMS from the comfort of your computer. Faster typing and navigation with the full keyboard and large screen.
※ Files and Media
Move photos, videos, ringtones and any other files on and off Android, all without a USB cable.
※ Find Phone
Locate and lock your Android when it’s lost. Cannot get it back? Simply wipe all data remotely.
※ Manage Apps
Easier way of app search, installation and apk export.
※ Camera and Screenshot
See through the lens of your Android camera, front and back. Or stream the screen of your Android in nearly real-time.
※ Phone Calls, Clipboard , Url transfer and more
Call contact, share clipboard content, push url to Android and more features awaiting your discovery.

TenaciousD
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2012 11:38 pm

Gaming with TenaciousD

#12 Post by TenaciousD »

Now for some gaming! :twisted:
Critical Strike Portable:(28MB)
Great 3D FPS multiplayer that more or less imitates Counterstrike but is for Android and PC (iOS coming soon)
Also supports singleplayer via bots. Game modes include Classic, zombie survival, Team Death Match.
For PC get it here. Additional Map packs also available for PC and Android.

Image
Note: It can take a while to get use to play on your Android device, some users may prefer playing it on a PC.
Paid for version also available.

User avatar
Midas
Posts: 6710
Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:09 am
Location: Sol3

Re: Free and cool Android apps

#13 Post by Midas »

@TenaciousD:
Tested AirDroid -- not my piece of tart... ;)

@Ruby:
Also a user of Speedtest.net. :)

User avatar
Checker
Posts: 1628
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 1:00 pm
Location: Ingolstadt [DE]

Re: Free and cool Android apps

#14 Post by Checker »

Worldscope Webcams
Half a million users love Worldscope Webcams. This app makes it easy to check an old vacation spot, visit new places or just spy the world with more than 20,000 webcams from around the world. Optimized for phone, tablet and Google TV.

With Worldscope Webcams it's easy to:
- point anywhere in the world and discover nearby webcams
- bookmark your favorite webcams for faster access
- save time-lapse images in the background automaticaly in specified intervals
- set any webcam image as your regularly updated wallpaper or homescreen widget
- view current weather conditions along with a 5-day weather forecast
- choose between current and daylight view
- add custom webcams
Image

User avatar
guinness
Posts: 4118
Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2007 2:00 am
Contact:

Re: Free and cool Android apps

#15 Post by guinness »

Checker,

Did you choose that because the icon looks like an eye?

Post Reply