10 Recommended Droid Apps

I have now been using the Google Droid for three weeks and have made a few customizations and added a couple of apps I would recommend.  Here is my list, as I find more I will update with a new post (all of these apps can be searched by name on the Android app store and are free unless otherwise noted):

1. Facebook

This one goes without saying.  We live in a world where Facebook is everywhere.  I keep up with friends, groups, aquaintances, work, almost everything on facebook.  How could you have a smart mobile phone without facebook?

2. Google Voice

I have been a Google voice user for a while but really didn’t appreciate the service until I had a Droid.  The seamless integration between voice and droid makes it a must have.  I will warn that the setup can take a few minutes and that you must make a small setting change to get all your text messaging working correctly, but it is worth it!  All of my calls now go through Google voice, and I don’t think I will ever turn back.

3. Silent Time

This great app gives you the ability to set times that the phone will go silent automatically (or loud if you prefer).  My wife loves this app because it allows me to shut my phone up at night (I also have an iPhone I use for the alarm clock).

4. CalWidget

This widget will display a listing view of your calendar appointments (both exchange calendars and personal / google calendars) on one of your home screens.  It has many custom sizes and is quite easy to configure and use.  It provides a very nice quick glance of your calendar without having to open the entire calendar application.

5. Seesmic

A very nice and small twitter client with strong and reliable features (if you have used Seesmic on the desktop then you will have a familiar experience).  This is kind of like the facebook client, how can you possibly go without some type of twitter client.

6. Gmail Unread Count

This allows you to replace the gmail icon with one that will show the number of unread messages.  Strangely both the exchange/imap/pop mail client and the built in gmail client do not show the unread count on the home screen icon.  This fixes that problem.

7. TaskPanel

This application allows you to view all actively running applications (both foreground and background) and close upon request.  It also allows you to configure when background applications will automatically close (like every time the phone goes to sleep).  This is a huge battery saver and helps the overall operational speed of the phone.

8. Weather Widgets

If you have used or played with the HTC Hero or Droid Eris then you have not doubt marveled at the polish of the UI and primarily the nifty looking clock / weather widget on the main home screen.  This app can also determine where you are located so that it may customize the weather to your local.  This widget provides that same clock mechanism and weather connection, it is by far one of my favorites (note: this one costs $1.50).

9. The Weather Channel

I like to know the weather, this one does it pretty well.  You are probably wondering why I have two weather widgets. I like to exercise and I like to play golf, unlike the Weather Widgets (which just provides overall weather for each day) this app will give you hour-by-hour, radar maps, 36 hour forecast and a bit more detail.

10. Pandora

Even with the new 40 hour a month restriction (unless you pay), pandora is the best online radio available.  This app provides the ability to listen to pandora on the run.  BIG NOTE:  Verizon data is not truly unlimited, it is capped at 5gigs before you start getting pinged with charges, be careful when using a heavy data usage app like Pandora.

So there is my top 10 thus-far, I am sure I will have more to add as time goes on.  Feel free to post your recommended apps.  Coming soon! A comparison of the Droid vs iPhone from someone who uses both every day.