APP CHECKLIST: MUST HAVE SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 APPLICATIONS

The SAMSUNG GALAXY S IV is King.  The S4 is a combination of class and performance geared towards giving the ultimate android experience.  Dubbed the Life Companion, the S4 is out to make life easier. The S4 runs on the latest jellybean 4.2.2 with a superior 5-inch display coupled up with a Full HD Amoled display.  A 13 Mega-pixel Camera and a quad-core processor!! Clearly, it is a Beast.

Your Life Companion

Assuming you have just bought the Samsung Galaxy S4, and downloaded the security enhancements from Samsung Store (That is always the First thing I do) what apps should I install?

BROWSERS

Browsing the internet is the first thing on everyone’s mind. It’s typical to have Chrome, Mozilla, Opera and all other mobile browsers on your phone but on the S4, Chrome will be the best choice.  Chrome is fast in response, and easily handles tabs and lets the user to switch between the desktop and the phone and manages bookmarks and user’s most visited sites for ease of access.

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/android.chrome

Alternative:  Users can also download Dolphin Browser, which offers a closer experience to Google Chrome

Keyboard

I have always had problems with the Samsung keyboard and the decision to have the S4 come with the Swift Key Board, as the default was futuristic.  Swift Keyboard is faster, easier and more accurate.  It also learns the words and the phrases commonly used and how one interacts with the keyboard.

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/touch.swiftkey

Alternative: Hackers Keyboard it provides the layout used on computers and offers an equally better experience. It is also free on the playstore

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/Hackers keyboard

Games

With the 5-inch display and quad-core processor, gaming will be a top agenda for most S4 users.  Top on the S4 accessory is the S4 Game Pad that uses Near Field Communication to allow the user to play their games.  Among the games S4 users can enjoy include Dead Trigger that lets the player shoot zombies over various levels under a basic progression system where players upgrade their arm assortment as they progress.  Popular games such as Temple Run, Angry Birds and Cut-the-Rope need minimal introduction.  With the gamepad, racing and sports gamers are out for an experience and Asphalt 7 and FIFA 2012 and FIFA 2013, should offer the player quite the thrill.

Link Dead Trigger:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/Dead Trigger

The Galaxy S4 Game Pad.

NEWS

Keeping up to date with all the news and information is no longer about reading 7 newspapers daily.  Flipboard not only makes reading news fun and casual, it makes wholesome. If you do not fancy politics, users can easily edit that and read what they like.  Sharing information is also easy with links to Facebook and twitter.  Appy Geek is also another platform that delivers the latest news in the tech world and keeping you knowledgeable. Additional applications a user may need to make the news experience better include Pocket and Instapaper where users can post articles and read them later on.

FlipBoard on the Galaxy S4. Pure Bliss

Link:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/flipboard

Alternative: Alternative applications for Flipboard, Include Pulse, which offers users a chance to choose topics they are interested in and a feed for the same is delivered to them via the application. Currents and Material Beta also offer the user such an experience.

Link:    https://play.google.com/store/apps/PULSE

https://play.google.com/store/apps/GoogleCurrents

Antivirus

It is common knowledge that there is an influx of malwares and virus within the android platform. Actually, the number has tripled and subsequently quadrupled meaning security is key. I would advise that you use McAfee and Norton antivirus but they will not be as effective as the Mobile antivirus Security Pro, a product of AVG.  I have used the antivirus on various android devices and it has not only been effective but also does not eat into your RAM. It also lets block call and texts, protects from spammers and warns you of impending threats.    

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/Mobile antivirus Security Pro

Additions APPs

There are also those must have applications on your phone. Some of the applications which are a must have on the S4 include Google Keep provides a unified remainder that is integrated on your email, with the 5” screen, Side Bar Pro will aid in switching apps,  Google Googles this application allows you to search via photos or images. With the 13MP camera, there is just so much Google Googles will Google.  MA3Route an application that will keep you aware, on the traffic situation in Nairobi, PesaDroid to help you manage your M-pesa balances better.

Link:     https://play.google.com/store/apps/ma3route

https://play.google.com/store/apps/pesadroid

  MA3ROUTE 

The Samsung Galaxy SIV launches on the 26^th. Pre-orders through Safaricom via this link http://www.safaricom.co.ke/samsungs4/ once you lay hands on the beast, be sure to use the Checklist. Wishing you and Your “Life Companion” an easy life :-).

The Samsung Galaxy S4