Five essential Google Android apps - Calgary Herald

Google's popular Android OS (Operating System) is one of the leading systems found on many smartphones today.

Android phones come in a variety of prices, sizes and shapes. While many are touchscreen-based devices, there are some with QWERTY keyboards and other form factors to appeal to a wide user base.

Applications are the heart and soul of any mobile operating system and here are five essential Google Android applications that each Android user should consider checking out to enhance their Android owning experience.

Google Maps and Navigation

What most people don't know is that Android phones have a full-featured GPS built in. With Google Maps plus the Google Navigation apps installed, (they are free) users get location search, tracking and turnby-turn navigation right on their device. (www.google. com/mobile/navigation/).

Documents to Go $15.99

Smartphones are mini PCs so they should at least run mobile versions of Microsoft Office. Documents to Go can open, create and edit Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint files on the go from within the Android OS. (www.dataviz.com).

FlightTrack

Frequent travelers or those who need to pick up people from the airport often can use FlightTrack to get real-time flight updates and information as soon as the airport gets them.

Visual maps even allow users to see where a particular flight is flying at a specific time. (www.mobiata.com).

Rdio

Rdio is a music subscription service that offers users unlimited access to five million songs accessible through their PC or smartphone. This service costs $10 US a month and is ideal for users with WiFi access. For $4.99 you get unlimited access but via your PC only. (www.rdio.com).

Kobo

As smartphone screens get bigger (we have fourinch and larger screens now), it makes it easier to use smartphones as eBook readers. Kobo for Android offers users the ability to browse and buy eBooks and read them right on the device. Best of all, you can share excerpts, highlight text and even gain points and badges with the Kobo Reading Life social app. (http: //kobobooks.com/ android).