Mastodawn

Curated_Android

Discussion: Apps Worth Every Penny!

https://lemdro.id/post/547676

Discussion: Apps Worth Every Penny! - Lemdro.id

Hey, Android enthusiasts! 📱 Let’s take a tour of timeless non-game paid apps in 2023 that truly enrich our Android experience without emptying our pockets. Let’s skip the games (that’s a story for another day) and spotlight some ever-reliable paid apps recommended by @[email protected] [https://lemm.ee/u/Deconceptualist]: - Tasker [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.dinglisch.android.taskerm&pcampaignid=web_share]: The master of automation, turning your device into an efficiency wizard. - Titanium Backup [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.keramidas.TitaniumBackupPro&pcampaignid=web_share]: Safeguarding your data with finesse. - SD Maid [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.thedarken.sdm.unlocker&pcampaignid=web_share]: Your neat freak companion, maintaining cleanliness and speed. - BigBag [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.best.grocery.list.pro&pcampaignid=web_share]: Organizing your shopping escapades like a champ. - Wolfram Alpha [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wolfram.android.alpha&pcampaignid=web_share]: The answer guru for all things complex. Here’s to building a treasure trove of invaluable apps and supporting those who keep the Android landscape innovative and vibrant! No APKs please. Play Store links and app screenshots are encouraged. FOSS projects worth a contribution or two (whether a donation or paid version) are also more than welcome! This week’s discussion idea is brought to you by @[email protected] [https://lemm.ee/u/Deconceptualist].

db2 Aug 12, 2023

Torque if you have a Bluetooth OBD2 device.

cole Aug 12, 2023

I would like to recommend “Piston” play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clockwo… as well. It is the only app I found that feels modern and well-built vs all other OBD2 apps looking like they’re 6+ years ols

Piston - OBD2 Car Scanner - Apps on Google Play

OBD2 Diagnostics - Read and Clear Fault Codes and Access Data from Sensors

ijeff Aug 12, 2023

Oh an actually decent-looking OBD2 app! I’m too cheap to fork over the money for the Bluetooth ECUTek dongle (I have the license and cable). I’ll have to give this one a try.

Mythnubb Aug 12, 2023

This is great, I love torque but it’s definitely dated. I’ll check it Piston.

Mythnubb Aug 12, 2023

How about Solid Explorer. It’s my favorite file browser.

Also Network Analyzer Pro is a bunch of great network tools that I use quite often.

Solid Explorer File Manager - Apps on Google Play

Organize, protect and share your files in a dual pane layout.

Llew Aug 12, 2023

Solid Explorer is great. Works for everything I’ve needed from it, including remote servers.

giant_smeeg Aug 14, 2023

Had to shift from Solid. For some reason when I SMB to my unraid server, when it waits for the disk to spin up. It locks up the whole app and the only way to fix is clear cache.

Recently moved to MiXplorer, way more powerful but not as visually polished as Solid.

enkers Aug 12, 2023

RIF! Oh wait…

ulemmyagain Aug 12, 2023

Big sad. But at least there’s Connect for lemmy.

tiny_tina_Aug 12, 2023

Sync for Lemmy

Gee2oo40 Aug 21, 2023

I’m sad now.

viking Aug 12, 2023

X-plore file manager - paid version allows you to run an FTP server on your phone, so you can easily transfer data over wifi with any device on the same network - also works phone to phone via hotspot
Ice Box - Freeze apps for good (no auto launch, no updates, gone from the app drawer) but allows to start them via shortcut. Ideal for battery hogs and apps forced onto you by work, school etc. (works without root, but it’s complicated, easier with)
Storage Isolation allows to restrict apps from accessing certain folders (root only)

X-plore File Manager - Apps on Google Play

X-plore is dual-pane file manager with tree view, LAN/Root/Clouds and more.

kratoz29 Aug 12, 2023

I freeze apps with SD Maid and App Manager would I see a benefit while using Ice Box?

viking Aug 12, 2023

I can’t tell, haven’t used either. What I like about ice box is that I can put a link on my home screen that looks just like the real app icon and opens it on click, with auto hibernation right after use. And that it’s completely removing apps from automatic updates, since there are some I absolutely want to preserve in their existing state. But if you’re happy with your existing setup, why change a running system :-)

kratoz29 Aug 12, 2023

That sounds kinda cool, actually I struggle a bit after the freezing action because when I unfreeze them they take forever to re appear in the homescreen/app drawer, or they never do… (maybe a restart or cleaning cache would bring them back, IDK).

viking Aug 12, 2023

Then give it a shot maybe, they launch pretty much instantaneously.

ijeff Aug 12, 2023

I’m jealous of your root access! It has been awhile for me.

viking Aug 12, 2023

I can’t live without, seriously. Living in China means there’s a lot of proprietary shit I must install, and that won’t be tolerated without a means to control it.

G020B Aug 12, 2023

If you want just a good file manager with the FTP server option - I use Material Files, which is free and open source app. here’s the link

Material Files - Apps on Google Play

Open source Material Design file manager

Drinvictus Aug 12, 2023

KWGT Kustom Widget Pro Key - Apps on Google Play

Create your own custom widget with endless possibilities

N-E-N Aug 12, 2023

TickTick is a great reminders app. Cross platform too

TickTick:To Do List & Calendar - Apps on Google Play

Your second brain for organizing your life: to-do, calendar, reminder.

ImpyDimpy Aug 13, 2023

My life is basically run out of this app. The pomo timer is an excellent bonus that I use for when I’m alternating between various work tasks

giant_smeeg Aug 14, 2023

Recently shifted away from this. Been using it for years and had almost 20,000 tasks completed in it.

It just got way too bloated, I tried google tasks, tasks.org but i’ve settled on the tasks plugin for obsidian.

blackbarn Aug 12, 2023

MiXplorer Silver File Manager

Cris Aug 12, 2023

Its worth mentioning that SD maid has a new version in development, so it may make more sense to buy the new version, although its presently in beta

Curated_Android Aug 12, 2023

You’re right, it’s SD Maid 2/SE!

GitHub - d4rken-org/sdmaid-se: SD Maid 2/SE is Android's most thorough cleaning tool.

SD Maid 2/SE is Android's most thorough cleaning tool. - d4rken-org/sdmaid-se

GitHub

Cris Aug 12, 2023

Very helpful of you to include a link for folks :)

ulemmyagain Aug 12, 2023

FolderSync Pro

ijeff Aug 12, 2023

Interesting! Link for others: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dk.tacit.an…

Do you know how it compares to alternatives like AutoSync?

FolderSync Pro - Apps on Google Play

FolderSync enables easy sync of files between cloud storage and Android devices.

ulemmyagain Aug 12, 2023

I don’t, but it looks to be similar.

Bebo Aug 12, 2023

For book lovers like me, Moon plus reader pro. I have used it every single day on my phone for years and am very happy with it.

Curated_Android Aug 12, 2023

Moon plus reader pro

That’s a great one! play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.flyerso…

Moon+ Reader Pro - Apps on Google Play

Your ultimate ebook reader and ebook documents management with rich features.

Deconceptualist Aug 12, 2023

❤️

Some others I previously forgot:

Twilight is great for dimming your screen or shifting the color balance to red near bedtime. This is mostly baked into Android OS now but the app still gives a bit more control.
Sleep as Android is an alarm and sleep tracking app with a ton of crazy and innovative features. Even if you don’t use most of them, having a smart alarm match your sleep cycle and wake you up gently with a fade-in is worth it.
Accubattery does what it says and helps you track battery health and get the most longevity out of your device.

SpiderStratagem Aug 12, 2023

Musicolet is such an awesome app.

LegitNerd Aug 12, 2023

I’ve used Sleep as Android for yearrrrrs now. Absolutely love it!

Ⓑⓡⓞⓚⓔⓝ Aug 13, 2023

What do you use it for? I’m looking forward to setting this up.

LegitNerd Aug 13, 2023

For me, it’s very helpful in the ways it prevents me from oversleeping. I have it set to that in order to turn off my alarm, I have to go scan the barcode on my mouthwash in my bathroom, thus forcing me out of bed. The sleep tracking features are neat too and will hopefully wake you up when you’re out of deep sleep so you’re less groggy in the morning.

JWBananas Aug 12, 2023

Fastest I ever signed up for a recurring subscription.

Beans - Maps for Apartments - Apps on Google Play

apartment, maps, delivery, parking, deliveries, navigate, directions, drive

Regular Human Aug 12, 2023

What’s up with the 2.2 rating?

JWBananas Aug 12, 2023

It used to be totally free. Glancing at the reviews, many people were very upset when they switched to a $4.99 monthly subscription model.

They did crowdsource the data (they have a companion app where they will pay you per property map). And as a result, they don’t have information about every single complex. But I have found the data that is available has been invaluable to me in time savings.

The app also defaults to HERE maps (with Google maps as an option), and some people don’t seem to like those.

limerod Aug 13, 2023

What sets it apart from something like Google Maps or OpenStreetMap maps

JWBananas Aug 13, 2023

They tell you exactly where the unit is.

hansmeiser666 Aug 12, 2023

Conversations (Jabber / XMPP) - Apps on Google Play

Federated instant messaging for your mobile device (Jabber, XMPP, Snikket)

Xusontha Aug 12, 2023

FairEmail: a FOSS email client with features such as a unified inbox, PGP encryption, and more! F-Droid Play Store
Aegis: a FOSS 2FA app with backups and biometric login F-Droid Play Store
Findroid: A native Jellyfin client for Android F-Droid Play Store
Kvaesitso Launcher: An Android launcher unlike any I’ve seen that I love! F-Droid

FairEmail | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

Fully featured email client. Neat, intuitive user interface. Privacy friendly

RBG Aug 12, 2023

They are great, but OP asked for paid apps. These are all free.

ijeff Aug 12, 2023

FOSS apps worth paying for, either through a premium option like FairEmail or donation, are also welcome 🙂.

Warrior of Ukraine Aug 12, 2023

Does Aegis support multiple devices? I am really paranoid about losing my phone and getting locked out of all my accounts.

geranimo2112 Aug 12, 2023

Yes. You can backup with a password to the cloud storage of your choice and load onto another device. I keep my tablet and phone in sync.

Xusontha Aug 12, 2023

It has backups but not web-based cross-device syncing like authy, which I think is good because the point of 2fa is to only have it with you and if it’s available online it kinda defeats the purpose If you want it on multiple devices, you can just do what I do and just backup the file and put it on another device

Ⓑⓡⓞⓚⓔⓝ Aug 13, 2023

I have not used any 2fa app before. I’ve read that if we lose the codes then we are locked out. So, people take offline backup of these codes. But, I’ve seen these apps refresh these codes every 30 seconds. So, how does this backup work then?

Xusontha Aug 13, 2023

Essentially, there is a secret code which has some fancy math done to it with the time as part of that equation. Both sides have this secret and do this calculation, so when you put in a code (ex 123456) the server checks it against what it generated (123456). The reason for doing it this way is you don’t have to share the secret code and you have to have access to the device at the exact time you are trying to login, making it harder to steal

Ⓑⓡⓞⓚⓔⓝ Aug 13, 2023

Thanks. This was very well explained.

I want to start doing this with my social accounts. What apps do you recommend I should use on my Android? I’d definitely want to backup these secret codes somewhere else, in case my phone is stolen or broken.

Xusontha Aug 14, 2023

I use Ageis, which lets you export an encrypted file with all your codes

sour Aug 12, 2023

Doesn’t Jellyfin already have a FOSS app? What’s the difference to that one?

Xusontha Aug 12, 2023

Jellyfin’s android app is just the website in a wrapper I’m pretty sure, so it doesn’t have some features Also the UI/UX is nicer

LegitNerd Aug 12, 2023

I’m giving Kvaesito Launcher a shot since I haven’t been too happy with KISS Launcher. So far I’m enjoying the experience!

UnaSolaEstrellaLibre Aug 18, 2023

Will check these out. I’m using Outlook app since K-9 Mail has some annoying quirks still, but I’m looking very much into the rebranding of the app into Thunderbird.

Xusontha Aug 18, 2023

Yeah, I started with K-9 but switched quickly because it just didn’t jive with me. Both are good clients though, just not my cup of tea

Welp_im_damned Aug 12, 2023

Lumai fusion powerful video editing tool. Play store link

Oto music player. Great for local listening Play store link

Symfonium is great for streaming music from my media server to my phone Play store link

Kwgt is great for making/edit your custom widgets or using others. Play store link

LumaFusion: Pro Video Editing - Apps on Google Play

Pro video editing studio with multiple tracks, effects, color grading & titles.

limerod Aug 13, 2023

It’s worth mentioning. If you have a Samsung smartphone. The luma fusion app is available at 50% discount in the galaxy store compared to the Play Store.