New Galaxy S II owner here - what are some "must have" apps & other recommendations?

[aroundincircles]

I was able to get the .97 at Sam's on BF on my AT&T account. I'm new to the smart phone market. So far, I downloaded the free AVG antivirus and do know to get what I would like as far as games, but are there apps that are useful as far as tools and phone operations?

Also, should I do something special with this phone to ensure it will operate at its peak? (Details, please.)

Is there any other advice you have?

Thanks in advance!

AG

 

[s44]

So far, I downloaded the free AVG antivirus

uninstall it

 

[zerocool84]

Download Amazon App store even just for their free app a day. Sometimes there will some really good apps for free.

Let us know what you want to do with the phone so we can recommend some good apps that'll enhance your experience.

 

[lothar]

uninstall it

This.

 

[shabby]

uninstall it

Can't, its already infected with it, its going to spread from partition to partition and devour the phone from the inside...

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Handcent or GoSMS. Opera or Dolphin Browser, Pandora, Winamp, Barcode scanner, Facebook, Movies, Google Music, Yelp.

 

[aroundincircles]

Ok... uninstall the antivirus? Why is that? Is there any protection for the phone? And, Shabby, are you serious?

As for use:
Some light business - check email, read docs, nothing major or heavy. I'm considering a tablet for when prices drop next year for that.

On the personal side, light game playing, definitely price checking (I did get the Amazon app). I'm not much of a facebook user (it came preloaded). I did grab Skype, but I have to say that for some reason, the sound was horrible. The picture quality was good, though.

I'm sure that as time goes on, and I get more experienced, I'll use it more. Of course, with your help, that will come in no time! There are so many things out there that I don't know where to begin.

Thanks again!

 

[ImDonly1]

Ok... uninstall the antivirus? Why is that? Is there any protection for the phone? And, Shabby, are you serious?

You don't need an antivirus on cellphones because it is very rare to get a virus on a cellphone. It just wastes space and cpu power. And no he was being sarcastic.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Shopsavvy is good for checking prices.

The included quickoffice app is excellent for working with documents so you should set there.

The stock browser on the galaxy S2 is pretty exceptional so I doubt you would need to replace it.

If you don't like any of the included keyboards I highly recommend Swiftkey, it's text prediction is second to none.

 

[poofyhairguy]

First things first, try the ICS keyboard:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1359305

Then I recommend rooting the device:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1285894

Why root? Well for one you can use this app to calibrate the screen (makes fonts look way better):

https://market.android.com/details?id=org.projectvoodoo.screentunedev

And you can use Chainfire3D to try the hottest 3D games:

http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-pl...a2-android-phones-with-chainfire-3d-tutorial/

Finally once you are rooted I suggest flashing this ICS font, as it looks much better than the default:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1318904&highlight=ics

With the calibration plus that font you would swear its a high-density screen its so clean.

 

[aroundincircles]

You all amaze me. If/when I grow up, I hope to be as savvy as you all! Love the ideas!

Another question... which bluetooth to get? I did grab a Samsung from Newegg that came with the $20.00 rebate, so for only a penny, what the heck. I'm not expecting much from it but figured it would make a good backup.

 

[shabby]

And, Shabby, are you serious?

Im aboot as serious as my avatar pic, but yes get rid of that anti virus thingy.

 

[sjwaste]

I got my SGS2 today as well. It's a really nice phone, but TouchWiz is a real step down from Sense. No music widget? Come on now.

Sounds like I'll be reinstalling PowerAmp or Google Music.

 

[Gibson486]

First things first, try the ICS keyboard:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1359305

Then I recommend rooting the device:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1285894

Why root? Well for one you can use this app to calibrate the screen (makes fonts look way better):

https://market.android.com/details?id=org.projectvoodoo.screentunedev

And you can use Chainfire3D to try the hottest 3D games:

http://www.redmondpie.com/how-to-pl...a2-android-phones-with-chainfire-3d-tutorial/

Finally once you are rooted I suggest flashing this ICS font, as it looks much better than the default:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1318904&highlight=ics

With the calibration plus that font you would swear its a high-density screen its so clean.

thanks!

I would root, but I wouldn't want to loose swype, or whatever that keyboard is. Waiting for my gingerbread update really sucks.

 

[zCypher]

Congrats on the sweet phone!
Definitely get Tank Hero and Defender if you would like to try any games, I think they are awesome.

Other than that, I have tried Dolphin, Opera and Firefox. I don't use either of them really. The stock browser works amazingly well. There has only been one instance so far when I needed a different browser to do something. I'd keep either Opera or Dolphin installed just for the odd time you might need it.

Get an app for online banking, whichever bank you use probably has an app.
Get Brightest Flashlight Free.
Cineplex mobile to get showtimes if their theatres apply to you.
eBay app.
Expedia app for hotels.
Hubble space telescope and/or Hubble Wallpaper
IMDB just like the website
Netflix if you have a Netflix account
Optik TV if you're with TELUS and would like to set remote recordings from your phone
PayPal if you're into that
Plants vs Monsters another game, not rly as fun though in my opinion.
LMI (log me in rescue) for remote support to the phone
Scanner Radio to listen in to radio broadcasts around you
Skyscanner for flight times
ttorrent or utorrent if you're into torrenting
Tetris of course

 

[lothar]

thanks!

I would root, but I wouldn't want to loose swype, or whatever that keyboard is. Waiting for my gingerbread update really sucks.

You don't lose Swipe by rooting...On the international version at least.

 

[WelshBloke]

I got my SGS2 today as well. It's a really nice phone, but TouchWiz is a real step down from Sense. No music widget? Come on now.

Sounds like I'll be reinstalling PowerAmp or Google Music.

Ubermusic

 

[Loop2kil]

Ypmobile
Google maps/navigator - awesome free gps
Tapatalk for atot browsing

 

[poofyhairguy]

Yeah, mine is rooted and I use Swipe daily. The only thing I lost with rooting is hassel.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Some apps to look into for your GS II:

Fruit Ninja (my favourite game, and it's free!)
Angry Birds (if you're into that)
Kindle App
Amazon App Store
>Plants vs. Zombies from the Amazon App Store (it's not available on the Android App store)
>Peggle from the Amazon App Store

Words With Friends (free multiplayer scrabble app)
WiFi Analyzer
Data Counter (shows in a widget your Wifi/Cellular data usage)
WhatsApp (best free cross-platform texting program)
Gmail App


...and a fun one --- Instant Heart Rate. It uses your phone's camera to measure your actual heart rate!

 

[WelshBloke]

LBE privacy guard. Let's you monitor your wifi and mobile connections, change apps permissions and block apps from using your data connection. Also its free.

 

[QueBert]

Swiftkey X
Quell
PlayerPro

 

[aroundincircles]

Thanks again everyone.

I've read a lot about AP Mobile eating up minutes. Its listed in my "all" apps under settings, but there isn't a widget for it when I select the applications menu and scroll through the screens. Any ideas why? I ask because I've read about it on various sites, and for some reason, some of my data plan has been used, even though I've only been connected to my home wi-fi. (I've not left home with this phone.)

I also want to ask again about headsets?

 

[QueBert]

Thanks again everyone.

I've read a lot about AP Mobile eating up minutes. Its listed in my "all" apps under settings, but there isn't a widget for it when I select the applications menu and scroll through the screens. Any ideas why? I ask because I've read about it on various sites, and for some reason, some of my data plan has been used, even though I've only been connected to my home wi-fi. (I've not left home with this phone.)

I also want to ask again about headsets?

Plantronic Discovery 925 here, it's getting old but still really nice. Love the carrying case that also holds 2 charges so you can keep your headset charged on the go.

 

[GoodEnough]

What does Handcent do that the stock messaging app doesnt?