This topic explores the best replacement for stock apps on your Android phone.
Web Browsers
A smartphone’s usefulness is very much dependent upon its web browser and is undoubtedly, one of the most used apps. In the prehistoric ages (all of five years ago
), you were lucky if your smartphone could render images on a webpage, but now it’s possible to use your phone to view the internet in all of its glory – well, most of its glory. In the case of Android devices, there are a lot of browsers to choose from and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses, making it better suited for some tasks but less suited for others. Which browser you’ll want to use depends on what you want to do with it. Who says you can’t install two (or more) browsers anyway?
In choosing a browser for your phone, you have to judge it by the rendering performance, web compatibility, viewing performance, features, and general ease of use. Also you have to take into account the more tenuous data connection, the smaller screen and the kind of tasks that you need or want to do on your handset.
The beauty of Android is that you have options, and you’re not stuck with just one browser. Though third-party browsers are available for iOS as well, Apple doesn't allow such tools to replace the built-in Safari browser altogether.
I have rounded up some of the most popular Android browsers here, Vote for the one you feel deserves the crown. If I have omitted any, please post here so that it may be added.
Video Players
Most of you will probably agree if I say that the stock video player for Android is a pretty solid application that caters to our needs of playing videos on our beloved phone. For those who find the stock video player a little short in features, well, the Android Market hosts several third-party apps that will cater to your requirements for seamless and almost skip-free video playing and also provide many additional features.
Vote for the video player that you will vouch for. Did we miss out your favourite player for Android? If so, please post below so that it may be listed.
Launchers
Android's greatest, platform-defining feature is customizability. Other mobile OSes provide little room for home screen customization, but Android has several choices for you and your inner creativity. Called “launchers” or “home screen replacements”, these apps allow you to customize the way the screen looks when you press the Home button on your phone. The best part is that anyone can do it and there is absolutely no hacking or trickery involved; just download, install and begin customizing.
But which launcher replacement is the best? Share here.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Images courtesy Iconpedia, gawkerassets, lisisoft