Android based smartphones are some of the most fastest growing mobile devices around, and for good reason. People purchase Android devises not only for there quality, but because of an almost endless selection of smartphones to choose from. Big name companies like HTC, Samsung, Dell and many more have all thrown in there hats on the creation of Android devices. Numbers of Android smartphone sales have even hit an all time high, surpassing Apple’s iPhone line.
So lets say you’ve had an Android smartphone for quite some time now, and your wondering just what you can do to brighten it up. You’ve changed your ringtone and background a million times, got directions to see your favorite band, and well, made a phone call. So what’s next? Well perhaps you’d be interested in the most popular free Android apps of 2011! That’s right, there free and all you gotta do is download em and enjoy.
- Facebook for Android app – Of course you would be right to assume that the Facebook app for Android would be one of the top free apps downloaded for Android. With this app you can simply share status updates with your friends, chat, check out your News Feed and Events, upload photos and more. Check it out today and start enjoying the ever so popular Facebook on your smartphone!
- Pandora Internet Radio – Hopefully this isn’t the first time your hearing of Pandora. The service has been around for a short while now, and it offers it’s users a plethora of music for free. Simply download the app, create a station by genre or a particular artist, and Pandora will play the genre of music you entered, or the artist you entered along with similar artists. Take Pandora with you to the gym, office, car, or at home.
- Angry Birds – If you haven’t played Angry Birds by now it might be because you chose not to, or because your new to the smartphone world. The story goes that the greedy little green pigs stole eggs from the innocent birds, and now there angry! You must use each angry bird’s unique attack ability, and slingshot them across the map to break down the pig’s fortresses. This addictive game features 285 levels, hours of replay ability, and is the number one free game downloaded in the Android Market.
- Skype – The infamous Skype that some of us are used to on our desktop computers, has finally made it to Android. The Skype app will allow you to make free Skype to Skype calls and video calls, and IM’s on your Android handset. Additionally, Skype offers the ability to make regular phone calls to lane line and mobile phones at a small rate. It’s important to know that Skype isn’t currently compatible on all Android handsets, but it’s worth giving it a try anyways, as it is free.
- Netflix – This app is simple and easy to use. It provides an almost unlimited amount of content that streams to your computer, Xbox 360, your smartphone, and much more. Watch popular titles like Family Guy, South Park, Glee and many more. One thing that should be mentioned about this app is that it’s free, but you do have to have a membership with Netflix, which will run you about $7.99 a month.
- Zedge Ringtones & Wallpapers – This app is great for those inevitable times when your bored of how your smartphone looks and sounds. Zedge Ringtones & Wallpapers offers free user submitted ringtones, wallpapers, and notification sounds. With a massive data base and more than 40 million users every month, you can’t go wrong here.
- The Weather Channel – This app is another one that’s pretty self explanatory. Never the less, it’s still the number one downloaded free weather app in the Android Market. With the Weather Channel app you get detailed weather conditions, both local and worldwide, animated radar, severe weather alerts, and fully customizable weather maps. So don’t get stuck in traffic because of unexpected weather conditions, get your forecast today with this free weather app!
- Tiny Flashlight plus LED app – How many times have you desperately needed some kind of light but didn’t have anything on you? Well that problem could be solved with the Tiny Flashlight app from Nikolay Ananiev! Simply download the app, and the next time you need light, the app will use your smartphone’s LED flash as the light source. It also comes with a warning light option, and the ability to use your smartphone’s screen as the main light source.
- Barcode Scanner – Do you ever wish you could instantly find a price for a product that doesn’t have one? Well now you can with this free Barcode Scanner! Just download the app and you’ll be on your way to viewing contact info, reviews, pricing and more. It’ll scan barcodes, Data Matrix and QR codes. You can also share contacts, apps, and bookmarks using QR code. This Barcode Scanner app from ZXing Team is the number one barcode scanner app in the Android Market. Find out why today!
- Twitter – The Twitter app is pretty self explanatory at this point in time. All you gotta do is download the app for free and you’ll be on your way to following friends, family, celebrities, and pretty much anything that interests you. You’ll receive live updates from the people you follow, letting you know anything from upcoming deals at your favorite stores, to one of your friends letting you know they just got a puppy. Try it today for free!
So there you have it, the top 10 free Android apps of 2011! Hopefully these apps will make your smartphone a little more fun, and help you out a little at the same time. Could they remain the top 10 Android apps of 2012? We will have to wait and see! If your in the market for a new smartphone, head on over to my smartphone blog for a chance to win a free Android phone, get caught up with the latest smartphone related news, and more!
23 Comments
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Jessica
December 5, 2011 at 2:57 pm
These are great Android apps… oh, they are all free apps! Lovely… and my favorite has to be Angry Birds!
Christina
December 5, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Facebook and Twitter are two of the most commonly used social networking sites of today. I wonder if G+ will be the third one to be included in 2012 list. What really caught my attention in the list is the angry bird. LOL For sure, parents lend their precious android to their kids to let them play the angry bird.
Jacob Staggs
December 6, 2011 at 7:52 pm
It definitely does look like Google+ will be a strong contender next year. Although Facebook isn’t going anywhere any time soon.
Thanks for the comment Christina!
Christina
December 7, 2011 at 8:31 pm
For sure, there are lots of Google plus users who can’t really wait for the newest social networking app designed just for this. And I maybe you’re right, FB won’t get out from their lime line anytime soon especially if they are working too much in improving their service for their users.
Richard
December 6, 2011 at 3:58 am
Slight problem with the usual North American-centric view of the world:
Pandora Internet Radio – won’t work due to artificial IP based location locking
Netflix – won’t work due to artificial IP based location locking
Not to mention we can’t use the Amazon App Store (Region Locked), HULU (Region Locked), etc.,
Please remember that people all over the world read your articles and so should be made aware of this issue created by the money-hungry media outlets. Saves them from downloading useless bits and getting frustrated, thinking there is an issue with the phone or their carrier.
I’d happily pay for these services if there were available to me here in Australia. (and they wonder why people turn to piracy!)
Jacob Staggs
December 6, 2011 at 7:58 pm
Sorry some of these services don’t work for you Richard. I was unaware of problems like that in other countries. Hopefully some day these awesome services will be available to you in Australia, or something very similar. The odds are good.
Danny
December 6, 2011 at 4:32 am
Great post! It would be even greater if you add the QR codes to the software.
But you can probably leave the one from “barcode scanner” out because people who are scanning QR codes probably already have that program haha.
It’s so sad that Pandora stopped working outside the U.S. although that was years ago so I’ve learned to live without it.
Maja
December 6, 2011 at 5:16 am
I always welcome such a free application.The best one is the Facebook for Android Application.
Jed
December 6, 2011 at 11:34 am
Angry Birds was always going to be there, but if you ask me it’s overrated.
Koma
December 7, 2011 at 3:02 am
Agree with Jed above. Angry Birds was cool when it first came out, but it gets stale pretty quickly.
Jacob Staggs
December 9, 2011 at 6:37 am
I agree for the most part. Angry Birds is a little old news but it’s still fun once in a while. Not to mention it’s still going strong as one of the top apps downloaded in the Android Market. At least there trying to bring some fun to the table with Angry Birds Seasons.
Nick
December 8, 2011 at 7:52 pm
Agreed about Angry Birds. Sure it’s a great app, but for the best apps of 2011? I dont think so anymore, not until they bring something new to the series.
My most used app there is the barcode scanner – so useful these days, especially considering so many businesses are incorporating the barcodes on websites / magazines etc.
Mohd Akbar
December 9, 2011 at 12:27 pm
Hi Jacob Staggs, All apps are wonderful. but i like Facebook for Android app. It so interesting.
Thanks for sharing with us such a wonderful apps.
Jarod
December 9, 2011 at 4:50 pm
Android has definitely positioned themselves to take on Apple in the tablet market. These are wonderful apps, and with the flood of devices available, people everywhere are going to be taking advantage of them!
Jim Olenbush
December 12, 2011 at 4:07 am
Those are great apps but i think you should have included GoLauncher EX . It’s an extended version of the popular home screen replacement app. It lets you personalize your themes, widgets, home screen and your icons which gives you total control over your mobile experience.
Jacob Staggs
December 14, 2011 at 6:02 am
Thanks for the comment Jim. I checked out the GoLauncher EX app and it sounds great! The ratings are high and people seem to love it. I’d like to try it for myself.
Mike
December 15, 2011 at 12:44 am
Let’s say you take a class and learn the correct usage of “you’re” and “your.” Your otherwise excellent top 10 article could be improved if you’re using the words correctly.
Pat
December 15, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Android free applications are really great. Twitter, Barcode Scanner, The Weather Channel, Skype, Angry Birds and Facebook are some of the applications that I am using.
Tom
December 31, 2011 at 5:26 am
I can see why Facebook and Twitter are here, but I’m not really sure the Weather Channel is all that useful an app. Still, it looks like a solid collection, and I’m going to download the Barcode Scanner and try it out myself. Sounds useful!
Jacob Staggs
January 3, 2012 at 7:47 pm
You should really enjoy the Barcode Scanner. Thanks for the comment Tom!
Ashley
May 9, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Android app are really amazing and one of my favorite in social networking is the Twitter. I hope G+ will include this year!
Rita Dawson
May 10, 2012 at 7:43 am
Android apps are great and I just love them. Especially about ringtones and wallpapers from Zedge, Skype and Angry birds. Who will not love angry birds?
Laila
July 15, 2012 at 10:20 pm
I simply love the Skype app. I love the way that I both on my computer, tablet and my phone can have access to my friends, and communicate with them.
It’s such a nice and smooth program. I like that you can start a chat on the computer, and continue on the phone later 🙂
…And I’m not a fan of Angry Birds. But sure, it has to be on a list like this, but I have tried it, but it isn’t me.