So it’s been a while since I got my samsung vibrant android phone and I have come to rely on a bunch of really cool apps that make the phone even better.

For starters all the social networking apps are all pretty good. I also noticed all the companies seem to have their own apps ie: twitter app is by twitter, facebook app is by facebook, etc. All the Google apps are great too: Calendars, Gmail, Maps, Navigation, Reader, Talk (there’s many more!).

Barnacle

Barnacle is an easy way to get your wifi tether on. It turns your phone’s 3g signal into a wifi hotspot so you can mooch off of it with your laptop. There are other alternatives out there that claim to do the job better. Some are more advanced and require a lil bit more know how but this was easy as shit and worked as advertised upon installation.

DoubleTwist

It is itunes for android users. It is available for mac and pc but not linux (luhaaaaaaaame) It isn’t as nice but you’ll be fine. Install doubletwist on your machine and then download the app from the android market. Use as you would itunes. Done.

Dropbox

If you don’t use dropbox already shame on you! It is nice having a lil mini cloud with your shit on it accessible from everywhere. You can access dropbox from any browser. They also have an application for your computer so you can do everything you can do on the website but by just dropping files in folders, very nice. The android app simply adds the same function to the phone. With the app you can access all your files and download or upload to your dropbox.

ProfileChanger

ProfileChanger lets you set up schedules for your phones ringer profiles. For example I created a profile called “work” which I have set the phone to vibrate mode at 8:30 am M-F. Then I created one called “play” which I have set the phone back to normal mode at 5:00 pm M-F. This avoids me being in the office and having to not laugh when my phone goes “beeee beeeee ~ mail muthafucka!” Be sure to use the apps exit button to avoid turning off the app (it needs to run in the background)

Ringdroid

Very awesome, simple app. It’s a very basic editing app but it gets the job done. You can just use the first 5 seconds of a song rather than the whole song and save that as a mp3 and use it as a ring tone. Super handy if you have a bunch of music on your phone.

Titanium Backup

Use this to create backups and delete bloatware. Must be rooted though (go here if you aren’t rooted yet). I also believe if you purchased the paid version you can set your updates to automatically upload to your dropbox (Woot!)

I use plenty of other random apps too but these are the ones that I like most. Once I work up the balls to play with roms I will be attacking clockwork mod. Any cool apps you use? Sound off in the comments.