The best Android apps

This isn’t a definitive list, just a personal one. I’ve recently re-flashed my phone so it’s time to install my favorite apps on it.

Free:
Handcent SMS
K9 Mail
QR Droid
Applanet
Battery Indicator
Wordpress
Pandora
Tweetdeck
Zeam
Quick Settings
Soundhound
Advanced Task Killer
Astro
Sketchbook Mobile

Paid:
Chandroid
Tapatalk
PicSay Pro

Hard to find:
Swype

Tethering the Virgin Mobile Android phones

There have been two new  Android phones added to Virgin Mobile’s lineup since I last posted here. Two. On a crappy prepaid company… So maybe they’re not so crappy after all… Anyway, this guide will show you some of the pluses and minuses of some of the ways to tether your Android device:

Wireless Hotspot
As far as I’m aware, this option is only available on the LG Optimus. It also might not be the wisest choice to use, since Virgin Mobile can easily monitor your usage of it and could make a snap decision regarding your customer-provider relationship because of it. Not that they will, but don’t rule it out.
Pros: it’s pretty easy to do, it’s wireless, it’s totally unbridled.
Cons: uses a lot of battery, Virgin Mobile might be monitoring it
How: Download an app like Quick Settings from the Marketplace and enable the Wireless Hotspot toggle option.

Barnacle
Pros: wireless, powerful, one easy app
Cons: rooting required, ad-hoc wireless is picky, cannot connect Android devices to each other this way
How: Root your device. Install Barnacle Legacy if you’re using the Samsung Intercept, otherwise just grab the latest Barnacle. Run it and turn it on!

Easy wired tethering
Pros: no root required, pretty easy to do
Cons: needs computer to be set up before it works, costs $10-25
How: Search for and download either PDANet or EasyTether from the Marketplace. Both have free trials. Follow the instructions from there.

Pro wired tethering
Pros: free
Cons: hard to set up, harder to use
How: Find Proxoid or the like on   Marketplace and follow the instructions. After everything is running, make sure every computer program you want accessing the Internet is set up with the proper proxy (instructions should come included). Worse yet, when you’re done, make sure to return then to normal or else they won’t work while untethered.