5 Apps You Should Have On Your Android Phone

The Android Play Store is littered with apps that claim to do it all, but in reality barely do anything more than display intrusive ads. If you’ve fallen prey to such tactics in the past, then you’ll probably understand the inconvenience involved here. That’s why we have come up with a list of 5 apps that will allow your smartphone to earn its keep.

Credit: Flipboard

1. Flipboard
It’s like the news stand of the digital world. Flipboard curates the latest news and features that matter most to you. Every time you open the app, it provides the latest information from a variety of news outlets. The first time the app is launched, you’ll be asked to sign in and pick a set of topics that you’d like to be kept aware of.

Based on this information, Flipboard will then assemble a feed with the latest relevant news. An excerpt is provided with each topic to give readers a brief idea of what it’s about. If you are interested in reading the entire article, just double tap on the screen. The platform isn’t perfect but happens to be one of the more reliable digital newsstands that bests Google’s own.

2. Google Lens
Forget everything you thought you knew about search results. Google’s Lens app is a Godsend for people who want to look for something, instantly. Lens uses your camera app to identify objects, documents and places. It uses AI and machine learning to identify what it sees, then provides you with similar information that’s available on the web.

The app can also be used to copy text, copy content to a computer or translate the information to another language. It’s a one stop shop for people who want a carefree search experience. Though skeptics sight privacy concerns as a mark against the Lens app, it isn’t something that’s actually worrisome for us.

3. Snapseed
This is another Google app that makes editing photos an absolute breeze. Unlike the basic editing functions offered by apps like Instagram, Snapseed lets you apply filters or tweak a set of properties including brightness, exposure, contrast and hue. In addition to this, you can add more visual effects, text, frames, HDR-scape etc.

This is a must have for people who constantly post pictures on social media platforms because of its ability to compensate for lackluster camera hardware. There are several apps that rival Snapseed’s abilities but I’ve never had a reason to switch to them.

4. Brave Browser
If you value your privacy while online, then the Brave browser is something you’d like to have. Google gathers our data to improve its list of services and help service us better in the future. However, that isn’t the full story but a small portion of it. That data may also be used for a variety of other purposes that we aren’t aware of.

Brave prides itself on being privacy-centric. It shields your online activities from websites and other trackers by preventing them from harvesting information about you. It does a reasonably good job at protecting user privacy. That said, when it comes to privacy, one must remember that there isn’t such a thing as a free lunch.

While Brave may not be as eager to collect data as companies like Google and Facebook, we can’t say with a straight face that it isn’t gathering some data on us. Keep this information in mind if you do choose to switch.

5. Signal
It’s like WhatsApp but more private. The messenger service touts better encryption and privacy policies. Firstly, Signal uses an open source end-to-end encryption service that can be examined and scrutinized by the general public. This means that Signal is transparent about how it keeps your messages secure.

Signal isn’t linked to ad tracking, affiliate marketers or other kinds of advertising mechanisms. Since it is completely funded by grants and donations, there’s little need for the company to harvest your data and sell it to third party companies. This is something unheard of in this day and age.

Read More About Signal: Signal, A Good Alternative To WhatsApp

Unlike Telegram, Signal seems to emulate WhatsApp functionality in several ways. The general interface and chat responses are familiar. You can share Share text, voice messages, photos, videos, GIFs and files for free. Signal uses your phone’s data connection so you can avoid SMS and MMS fees.