A list of some of the best or popular Android apps of 2011. Why 27 I hear you ask…? Well I started out with the aim of getting 20 and it spiraled out of control! The apps are in no particular order and I also added in a few of the best games, real time sinks like any good mobile phone game should be! Please click the like button if you like the list and send to a friend, thanks. I had to split it into 2 parts as it was verrrryy long, Part 2 coming soon.

Update: 27 Of The Best Android Apps For 2011 Part 2 now up live!

Facebook for Android    Free

Where would your life be without the Facebook app… well maybe I shouldnt be that extreme! The app is good, it lacks a few features of the full browser version which can frustrate at times but overall its a fast stable tidy app. Small glitches do still rear their ugly heads the odd time but for any Androider who cant do without their facebook fix the app is a good download.

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Layar    Free

You wont realise how good and useful the android app, Layar is until you download it and get out about using it. Using your phone’s camera, Layar overlays on your screen, information about your surroundings. The information can also be user generated and transports your view into an augmented reality popping up all kinds of information about shops, offices, monuments, rivers, lakes etc. A shop might display it’s opening hours or pictures of sale items, point it to the sky it will highlight planes you cannot see with the naked eye and tell you details of the flight its on… the possibilities are endless!

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW9gU_4AUCA” title=”Layar”]

WordPress    Free

The latest version of the WordPress Android app is impressive, its feature packed and integrates well with other apps. I use it regularly and find it very handy when you want to write an article or take a few notes while on the move. It’s quick and you can easily jot down a few notes or manage comments in a couple of minutes. The app allows you to publish your posts straight away or save to draft. Although there are a few things missing compared to the full web version the app punches more than a little above its weight.

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RBz_6Cly5s”]

Google Maps Navigation    Free

Satnav companies cannot be happy with the development of this superb android app. Google Maps with Navigation transforms your phone into the only map you’ll ever need. Not only excellent as an in car navigation system, the app is also perfect for walking directions in the city. it updates your journey step by step, turn by turn with graphically display or voice navigation… never get lost again!

Dropbox    Free

Finally Dropbox reached Android in 2011, the ever popular data syncing software is a very welcome addition to anybody’s apps list. You know the drill, Dropbox allows you to share files from anywhere, you keep a copy online and dropbox will give you the ability to seemless access and edit that file from either your pc or now from your phone. Dropbox is great if you like to do work from home or even on the train on your way home. Dropbox gives you the access from anywhere you can upload their software.  Sharing documents between colleagues is a huge timesaver.

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4eTR7tci6A”]

Onlive    Free

You may have heard of cloud computing well Onlive takes gaming into the cloud, and official Onlive Android app allows you to play console games on your android device. It’ll work best on devices with large screens such as tablets but has been known to run on devices such as the HTC Desire HD with 4.3 inch screen and even the smaller screened HTC desire. If you are a gamer and like all  the latest title give this app a try.

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pp6LcppqtI”]

Kongregate Arcade for Android    Free

Let the Kongregate Arcade app take you back to the early years of old school arcade beat’em-ups and shootem-ups. At the time of writing there are more 630 titles available to play for free on the android app. The app fully integrates with your Kongregate web account where you can keep track of score and compete for high scores with fellow gamers.

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watchv=C8WuX2whrSs”]

Dolphin Browser HD    Free

One of the apps listed that I personally use everyday, the Dolphin Browser HD is leaps and bounds ahead of the stock browser that comes preinstalled with your android phone. The tabbed browsing on the Dolphin browser is reason enough to download it, you can have multiple windows open at the same time and switch between them with one click. It’ll transform your browsing habits on your phone, definitely a must have download for me.

Airdroid    Free

This is one of the coolest android apps out there, Airdroid will let you control your Android device from your PC. Connect your android phone or tablet to your PC over a Wi-Fi connection and use your PC’s large screen, keyboard and mouse to manage and control the device. The connection is made through a web browser on your PC and is password protected… it’s all most as easy as surfing the web!

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfXRhSIm-m0″]

World of Goo    €3.99

Maybe on the higher end of the price range when it comes to Android Games, but World of Goo is a very original and extremely well developed game. The artwork submerges you into a beautiful enchanting world where drops of goo are dragged and dropped together to form structures allowing more goo to get to the end of the level. Gameplay is extremely fun and highly engaging with a careful balance of difficulty for each level. There is also a demo version available in the marketplace as a taster
[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiCm88Me_3U”]

CamScanner    Free

CamScanner turns your phone into a scanner, using the camera on your phone CamScanner will capture an image of any document, automatically crop it and enhance it to create a high quality PDF. the app then allows you to share the file via Dropbox, google docs or simply email it. Taking a ‘CamScan’ is the handiest way of filing!

GLWG    Free

Great Little War Game and thats exactly what it is. Played in 3D in turn based strategy style you get to invade or be invaded by your enemy. I found this game to be super fun, addictive and funny, the gameplay is very clever with each level introducing new enhancements forcing you to develop your tactics to out smart the enemy. Hours of fun and I mean hours!

[youtube_sc url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TVZkfqHNBc”]

Cardio Trainer    Free

If you are into walking, running or cycling among other things (even treadmill) Cardio Trainer is the Android app for you. It tracks your workout via GPS giving you a map of where and how far you have travelled, it will even track your distance on a treadmill using your phone’s accelometer. The app will notify you either of the time you’ve been working out at preset intervals (eg. every 2 minutes) or by the distance (every km or mile) you’ve travelled telling you your current pace, its a great way of keeping on track with your training. The pro version will even compare your current run with a previous run and tell if you need to speed up to beat your previous time… that’s motivation!