Android Explosion: Lifestyle Apps That Make Life Easier

Dec. 15, 2009— -- In the beginning, the Android-powered smart phone looked like an also-ran after Apple's iPhone. My, how times have changed.

Just a year ago, T-Mobile's G1 "Google phone" was the only phone on the market to run on the Android operating system. But in the past year, a handful of other smart phones have come on the scene -- and analysts expect more than 50 new phones with Google's Android operating system to ship next year.

The jump in available Android phones, such as Verizon's Motorola Droid and Sprint's HTC Hero, has fueled the growth of the Android Marketplace, which Andro-trackers say just recently reached 20,000 applications and is counting.

"Android absolutely has the momentum with it right now with developers," said Phil Nickinson, news editor of an all-things-Android blog called AndroidCentral.com. "It's going to explode in 2010."

From applications that entertain and educate to those that help save money and stream live video, he said developers are releasing innovative, new applications in droves.

But though the selection may be growing, others say finding apps for Android phones isn't as easy as finding apps for the iPhone, which are promoted in commercials, in Apple stores and through iTunes.

"The only difference between the iPhone user and the Android user is the amount of work put into finding apps," said Andrew Kameka, managing editor of Androinica.com, another blog for Android users.

The Android Marketplace provides lists of the top free and top paid apps, but he said it can be somewhat tedious to find the applications that appeal to you.

To help novice Android users find the best apps for their phones, his blog provides a guide for beginners.

AndroidCentral also regularly reviews new applications and phones and lets users talk to each other in an online forum.

If you're a newcomer to the Android universe or are thinking about taking the leap, here's a sampling of the Android Marketplace's finest offerings.

An oldie-but-goodie, ShopSavvy is a necessary application for every budget-conscious shopper.

Among the most successful early Android applications, ShopSavvy turns your phone into a pocket barcode scanner using the phone's built-in camera.

Once you've scanned the product's barcode into your phone, it gives you information about that product, as well as where you buy it online or at other stores, and at what prices.

Originally launched last October as GoKart, ShopSavvy is available for free in the Android Marketplace.