gReader 3.3.5 - app

gReader is a powerful, multi-function news reader. If you're looking for an alternative to Google Reader, it could be what you need.

Although designed with Google Reader in mind, you can use gReader with other RSS services, such as Feedly and The Old Reader. Among the most interesting features of the app are offline reading and podcast support.

You'll also be able to share your stories on social networks and save interesting content to services like Pocket and Instapaper. Most importantly, gReader has full search functionality!

Download gReader 3.3.5

DashClock Widget 1.1 - app

DashClock Widget is a simple widget that you can place on your home or lock screen that displays useful information.

While Android Jellybean supports lock screen widgets the included widgets aren't very good. DashClock Widget is actually useful in that it will present important information like the weather, emails, missed calls, and text messages.

Users can add DashClock Widget to the lock or home screen for quick access to information. Tapping on a section will open its respective application. There are settings to add multiple email accounts and changing temperatures from Fahrenheit to Celsius.

DashClock Widget is simple to configure and looks great. You can even modify its appearance, though there are only a few options to change type faces and text layout. It'd be nice to see a few more options for configurations.

DashClock Widget blends beauty with usability. If you're sick of your spartan lock or home screen give it a try.

Google Calendar 201305280 - app

Google Calendar is a cloud-synced calendar app that was originally only part of Android 4.0 stock Ice Cream Sandwich but now is a stand-alone app.

The app syncs with your Google account displaying events and appointments that are stored online. You can also create new events and invite people directly from the app. The default layout for Google Calendar is a weekly view, but it also supports other views like a monthly or agenda.

The monthly view doesn't show as much information and separates different events by colors attached to the accounts that are loaded into Google Calendar.The best part of Google Calendar is how quickly it will sync across your account so an event created on the app will show up in your browser Google Calendar.

You can add multiple accounts easily Google Calendar will automatically read for stored accounts when it loads. Other third party apps only allow you to view saved appointments without being able to edit them, but Google Calendar is a perfect organizer for Android users.

Google Calendar is a must-have app for people with multiple schedules.

Download Google Calendar 201305280

Google Analytics 2.0 - app

Google Analytics is a productivity app that connects to your Analytics account.

The app allows you to create reports for different statistics that are also available on Google Analytics website. In addition to the ability to create reports, you can also see an estimated real-time report of how many users are on a site at a given moment.

Google Analytics is a little difficult to understand in its app form because of the large amounts of information that is available. You can customize the reports based on length of time or other variables. It is a great app if you need to monitor your site's statistics constantly.

If you are a Google Analytics power user, then the app is an excellent tool that you can use. For most people, it may be a little too complicated to understand some of the reports and options that Google Analytics offers.

Google Analytics is a great app for users who know how it works.

Trello 1.3.36 - app

Trello is an Android productivity app that will keep you connected with your colleagues. This Android version of Trello shares many of the features of its web app counterpart. With the use of lists and cards you can inform others of your work ideas and plans. Trello easily lets you update information on your Android, or communicate with people on computers and other smartphones.

Features

After creating or logging into your Trello account you will first need to select a board. You may create your own Trello board and invite others to collaborate or join a colleague’s board. Once on a board you will be able to make lists to categorize your plans, goals, and actives. Within a list you can add cards for specific tasks. Cards are the most detailed part of Trello. Here you will be able to add notes, tags, due dates, attachments, and assign members. When a card is updated the assigned members will receive notification e-mails.

You can also inform others of your Trello activity by sharing across social media and web services. By default the Android version allows sharing across gmail, Google+, and text messaging. Trello will also scan for social media apps installed on your Android and allows sharing to them. When a task card is completed it can be saved into a Trello archive. If your assignment is canceled it can also be deleted to remove clutter.

Usability

Trello on Android uses an interface similar to the web app version. You can scroll across lists with swipes, move cards by holding and dragging, and edit cards with simple taps. Within a card there are many dropdown menus to add comments, change due dates, and vote. Unique to the Android version of Trello is a separate menu to add members, attachments, and labels.

At the top of the app are quick buttons to check board activity, view members, and share your cards. If you’re new to Trello, the app also provides guides and help menus to get you started. One lacking feature on Android is that there is no convenient button to access your archive. Instead you will need to fumble through various menus.

Quality

Trello’s visual design is a mashup of the web app and Google standards. Trello on Android uses the same blue and white color scheme found on its web counterpart, along with text, borders, and menus matching Google designs. Trello does not have any obvious bugs, functionality issues, or slow downs. When a card or list is changed on Trello for Android it will also quickly update across all your devices.

Conclusion

Trello is a great means of staying connected with coworkers and collaborators. The Android version functions similar to other versions, making a smooth transition for Trello users. Even if you’re new to Trello, the app includes plenty of help to get you ready.

Evernote 5.1 - app

Evernote is a free note-taking app designed to help you organize your life more effectively.

The idea behind Evernote is that you can save text, voice notes, images and other files using your phone, then access this information on your home computer or, indeed, any computer in the world. Equally, thanks to this online sharing approach, you can use the Evernote app to view notes you've made elsewhere.

Everything about Evernote is based around simplicity. The user interface of the app is clean and functional, making it easy for you to add and retrieve notes. Buttons on the home screen allow you to capture images and attach them on the fly, upload files, write text notes, and add audio notes.

Tagging and searching

Any note you add in Evernote can be tagged with your own custom tags, making it easier to access in future. The Evernote Android app lets you browse notes by tag, or you can use the powerful search tool, which not only browses text notes, but can even search text that's contained within images.

As useful as it is, the Evernote Android app is far from perfect at the moment. It doesn't save data locally, only to SD card; you always need to be connected and signed in to use it, and sometimes Evernote is very slow, taking an age to load notes. Hopefully these features will be addressed in future releases.

As it stands, Evernote does offer a fast and easy way of taking notes on your phone, then accessing them elsewhere.

Download Evernote 5.1

LinkedIn 3.0.0 - app

LinkedIn has become one of the standards for business connections and LinkedIn on Android is another great extension.

Paralleling the original browser-based website, LinkedIn is a simplified version that has all the same features, but with an app-centric focus.

Containing all the same sections, LinkedIn does a great job of supplying all the same content that is hosted online for easy access. Each section is displayed favoring the scrolling of the screen. LinkedIn also adds a news feed that users can subscribe to, showing different news from sites by category.

The focused nature of LinkedIn gives it strength because it focuses on the information users are looking for. From searching through connections to invitations, LinkedIn is still a great tool for professionals to use and connect with.

LinkedIn only has one real weakness and that is a lack of a settings option. Since LinkedIn models itself as a mobile version of the website, there are no function changes that need to be made, but as always visual changes are always welcome.

LinkedIn is an app that professionals should have. It is straightforward and built with simplicity in mind.