Android News
The 10 Best Paid Android Apps
March 6, 2009 | by Andrew Kameka
Android Apps, Paid apps
If you build it, they will come. If you code it, will they buy? Google has finally allowed developers to answer that question now that paid apps are available in the Android Market. T-Mobile G1 junkies have been examining these new programs, constantly browsing the Market for apps worth launching Google Checkout. Most apps are weak and deserve to be return policy casualties, but others have managed to become worth their weight in code. These are The Best Paid Apps on Android.
1. Checkbook Genius Hyper Deluxe – $7.99
Steep price and all, Checkbook Genius Hyper Deluxe may earn its keep for anyone willing to pay for this upgrade of the free Checkbook Genius app. This Android debit ledger can track purchases, bill pay, work expenses, and other transactions for multiple accounts, unlike the free version. It also includes added help features and the ability to change the background. Let’s just hope a price break can make the decision to purchase CGHD easier.
2. Discover Pro – Sale: $1.99 (regularly $6.99)
Discover Pro can view and transfer files wirelessly through computers, other Android phones, or iPhones that access the same WiFi network. Imagine being able to manage files on your home computer without having to mount the phone, or even share content with a friend at a coffee shop. Imagine no more, because Discover Pro can do it. Note: Discover offers a free version with less features.
3. BetterCut – $2.99
We’ve already reviewed BetterCut, a more powerful version of Any Cut. This enhanced app allows customers to create shortcuts, toggle settings, customize icons, and add website shortcuts. While you can do some of those things by combining a few apps’ powers, BetterCut still has its merits.
4. PageRing – $1.99 / 5. SMS Commander – $2.99
Losing or misplacing a cell phone is not fun, especially when that cell phone is on vibrate. PageRing helps locate your missing phone by sending an SMS text message with a keyword that can raise the ringer to maximum volume. SMS Commander does as well, but also adds the ability to lock a phone or obtain a map of its general location through texting.
6. dxTop: Home Alternative – $3.99
Android needs apps, but it also needs widgets. It needs widgets that can quickly tap into multiple search engines or display post-it notes on the home screen. Android gets those services in dxTop (at a price) and a platform for more widgets in the future. Unfortunately, current widgets cost money, which can become awfully expensive as more are downloaded. It’s great that dxTop adds widget support, but it will take more free offerings for this to remain a worthwhile paid app.
7. Snap Photo Pro – $0.99
We’d all like to have a cell phone camera that could replicate the picture quality of our digital cameras from Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc. We’ll have to settle for the improvements that Snap Photo Pro can add to the T-Mobile G1’s 3.2 megapixel camera. SPP improves on its free version with stronger stability detection, new editing modes, the ability to draw on pictures, add borders, and toggle timestamp settings. Take a look at a few SPP effects.
8. Air Hockey – $0.99
A mobile game app should be simple enough to play in downtime but interesting enough to hold your attention. Air Hockey succeeds in both arenas and offers an enjoyable table hockey experience on the Android phone. Read our full app review to see why Air Hockey made this list.
9. Klaxon Smart Alarm – $2.99
Alarm clock radios are so 2008; everyone wakes up to ringers and beeps from their cell phone now. Waking up can be easier with Klaxon Smart Alarm, which sets alarms with custom volume, gradual ring, multiple alarms, and snooze settings. If the default Alarm Clock or free Klaxon do the trick, skip this app. Otherwise, change the way you get up in the morning.
10. Poker Odds – $2.99
Fold after the flop or play to the river? Poker Odds will help make that decision easier by calculating the odds that a player has based on the hole and community cards. The app is a handy tool for Texas Hold ‘Em players because it can quickly measure the strength or weakness of a hand. It obviously shouldn’t be used in live settings, but it can be useful to online poker players and new players trying to gain a better understanding of Hold ‘Em.
Well… Lucky for some… as a Uk user call I can do is READ about it… Oh oh… an I could also make the mistake of updating an already free app only to be told 2 days leater that its stopped working and I have to buy the full version… which of course I can’t! Bollox
Haah just spending all time playing Cubik – guys just check that awesome tetris clone
I’m loving Minutes Tracker, it helps me keep track of my minutes.
I like dxTop but there are several others I would recommend: – aHome and AHome Power because the G1 battery life is soo bad. – Do Not Disturb because I’m a student – And Snap Photo Pro really is good
SMS Commander isn’t just worth the money, it’s basically essential. If you haven’t seen it at work you better go check it out.
How could you not include Power Manager Full in this list?? Not only is it essential for the (basic) task of providing power profiles, it's even the most bought app in the Market.
At the time this article was written, Power Manager was still a free app. It didn't become a paid app until the day it was published (Mar 6). Look forward to a new list of apps that is likely to include Power Manager.
How do you not have MyBackup Pro on here? Really?
this is an old article. a newer version will include some of the more recent android apps.
this is an old article. a newer version will include some of the more standout android apps.
programs like ahome may look nice, but if they crash, they can crash your phone and you have to get it reset, which can come with its own set of problems. If you are going to get something like ahome DO NOT pay for it. Get the free version. For ahome it’s called ahome lite. If you buy it and it crashes your phone, you not only have to get your phone fixed but you have to get a $2.99-$3.99 rebate. If it does crash your phone reseat the battery, turn the phone back on and hold down the menu button to go into safe mode.from there go into settings->manage apps->ahome and choose clear defaults. Press home again and choose the original home (on droid eris its HTC sense).
That was a good list of apps.
I’m in a bit of dilema, I’ve had my iphone 3G for the last couple of years and it’s been pretty good. It is my understanding that Apple has a new update coming out called OS 4 and it’s supposed to be adding some new bells & whistles to the Apple iPhone. The problem is that I bought Verizon’s new HTC Incredible the HTC Incredible and it’s an awesome phone, way better than the Apple iPhone 3Gs, BUT I’m hearing that Apple is going to be coming out with a completely redesigned new iphone altogether, and it’s supposed to be really nice but no one has any ideas as to when and Apple isn’t saying a thing. Should I keep my HTC Incredible, that I have a month to test and give back if I don’t want to keep it, or should I give it back, keep my current 3G and wait for the release for the new iPhone- tough to decide.