Getting a shiny new Android smartphone this holiday season and unsure exactly what to do with it? Never really owned a smartphone before?
Have no fear, because we've put together this list of the top five apps that any new smartphone user should download. These apps will get you started, then fill in with whatever else takes your fancy.
Google Play Music
If you own a stock Android device, such as the Google Nexus 6, your device came with Google Play Music. If not, you need to head straight to Google Play and download it.
Google Play Music is great for a number of reasons. First of all, it's a great music player. It's easy to navigate and it looks great. But the real benefit to Google Play Music is the cloud music storage. Google allows users to store up to 20,000 songs for free online, meaning most people will probably be able to upload their entire iTunes library. From there, users can stream their music to any device that's logged on to their account. Users can also easily store music on their device for offline playing.
For any social-media users out there, Facebook is a must-have on a new smartphone. Not only to keep up with who's dating who and who's eating what, but also because mobile is arguably the most exciting area for Facebook. The number of Facebook mobile users is growing extremely fast, and the company is always experimenting with new features. But of course it's also important to keep up with who's eating what.
Google Chrome
This is the second Google app on the list and there's a reason for that. Because Google makes Android, all of its apps work seamlessly and are heavily integrated into things like lock screens.
Google Chrome is arguably the best Internet browser, regardless of whether its mobile or which mobile operating system it is. On Android there's really no competition.
Chrome on mobile syncs with the user's Google account, allowing them to open the apps again on desktops. Starting with Android 5.0 Lollipop, tabs in Chrome are also separately found in "recent apps," allowing quick and easy access to each web page that was left open.
Snapchat
Now owned by Facebook, Snapchat has fast become one of the most popular instant messaging apps ever. The service allows users to send messages through a data connection to any of their contacts, quickly and easily. Users who have friends in other countries will greatly appreciate this because it uses data, and hence is free.
Angry Birds
OK, maybe Angry Birds isn't necessary, but it's one of the best-selling mobile games ever, and for good reason. It's challenging, makes you think and heck, there's nothing wrong with having a bit of fun on your new Android smartphone!
