I’m back! This is a continuation of my series on platform-specific hidden gem apps that you have discovered that are the best in their class for your usecase.
We’ve done iOS+MacOS so far so lets get universal and share our Android hidden gems.
For mine, I would say NewPipe for YouTube… Lets do it!
Edit: Please try to avoid apps that cannot be purchased (subscription apps) since it is important that the creator cannot cut you off once you’ve taken time/effort/money to integrate it into your workflow and dependance. No Apollos, which have that fatal flaw + relying on an external API that they additionally cannot gurantee
Syncthing.
Allows you to use a laptop and sync your phone to it. No iCloud or Google drive needed. All syncs locally.
Wanted to also suggest Resilio Sync if you need something a little less fussy or smaller learning curve. I use it for many thins between devices, I never really “got” Syncthing altho I support their mission and excellent work the community benefits greatly from.
You have used both. How does Resilio compare to Syncthing?
Syncthing is a bit comprehensive and less streamlined, I would say. I would definitely have to sit down for at least 1/2 day to get everything playing nice.
With Resilio, you can be up and running in like 20 minutes on the longer side. You can setup a sync folder and use a QR code to have everybody talking in a few minutes and customize the fewer but necessary options.
No offense to Syncthing, Resilio was probably inspired by it (conjecture)
I added a new pc to syncthing this week, I installed it and scanned a qr and was done in like three minutes.
YMMV. I prefer Resilio. Thats all
It doesn’t really matter but Resilio came out of the BitTorrent Sync project which is relatively older.
I believe it is based on BitTorrent protocol-wise, yeah. I guess I was referring more to the notion of a localized synching solution as opposed to the usually non-local or remote nature of torrenting.
AntennaPod. It’s easily the best podcast player I’ve tried, it’s open source too which is nice.
Every time I have tried a different app because I wanted some feature have realized I don’t use the feature and end crawling back…
KDE Connect (FREE, open source) is definitely a gem. I love using my phone as a remote mouse and keyboard for my HTPC, and syncing clipboard, files, links, and notifications with the other devices I’ve paired with. (BTW, despite the name, you don’t need KDE - or Linux even - to use it. It works on Windows and Android too.)
URLCheck (FREE, open source) is fantastic. It’s a little pop-up that appears when you click a link, showing you the full URL and letting you modify it before you open with your browser/associated app (e.g., to remove tracking parameters):
URLCheck acts as an amazingly customizable and powerful intermediary when opening url links, allowing, among other things: to remove trackers, affiliate links, unnecessary elements, check Hosts, facilitating link holding and sharing, protecting against certain phishing techniques and many more…
So I did NewPipe for using YouTube and that’s all I have to say on the matter 😘
Smart tube for Android TV.
Would it be ok for you to do that as a top-level comment as well?
Edit: Thanks!
Grayjay has completely replaced NewPipe for me because it automatically updates my subscriptions
Smart tube for Android TV.
[Excellent]
Aves Libre - Image Viewer
Just tried it 30mins ago. Super slick and feature packed. Available on Fdroid too.
KISS Launcher. Fast and flexible homescreen replacement that puts quick search first, letting you optionally scroll through an app list.
Niagara Launcher for me. Love the minimalistic approach!
I switched to it one year ago from nova launcher, after getting used to the change, I don’t miss nova at all.
Genius Scan. A shameful exception in my otherwise fully FOSS phone.
It scans multi-page documents with the camera, OCRs them, then uploads them automatically to Nextcloud (or manually to any other app, like Paperless).
Minimalist phone. If you have ADHD and/or want to increase productivity or get anxiety about your phone notifications, look into this app. It’s been sooooo beneficial for me.
JINA App Drawer.
My most used app on my device.
Basically lets you swipe up from the home button to reveal a customized grid of apps + app search.
Makes it so:
- I never have to go back to my home screen to launch a new app
- I can use my entire home screen for widgets and to just look nice
Similar but, IMO better option, would be Sesame Search & Shortcuts for those who are interested in these types of things.
Tachiyomi is a brilliant manga reader and tracker. Or you can get its fork, Aniyomi which has anime support and sources as well, not just manga.
Just Run Zero to 5K.
For me it’s the Golden Age of apps. Easy to use, minimal, good UI, no ads with the ability to buy premium, all the features that you need and non that you don’t.
If you want to start jogging I highly recommend it. I think it’s perfect.
Edit: I went from barely able to jog an exhausting half mile to jogging 4.5 miles in 13 weeks. It wasn’t easy and I think I “failed” a jog twice but having a clear goal with the encouragement of seeing a timer motivate you really helped me.
Very good file explorer and server
Buzzkill for control over notifications.
Musicolet is the best audio player I’ve found.
Not sure how “hidden” these are, but they can be really useful
“AMdroid” by Smart Alarm Clock Team (Higley-configurable alarm clock with different alarm profiles, options for a post-alarm confirmation, and dismiss challenges)
“Engineering Converter Plus” by thermofluids.net (Has every unit conversion I’ve ever needed without needing to be online - Free version avaliable)
“Network Analyzer” by Jiri Techet (Good for helping to find the best spot/s for a wireless router or access point)
“Oldschool Editor : Text Editor” by AbhishekPandey (A no nonsense text editor)
“Unseen - No Last Seen” by Firehawk (Good to help look through message spam without alerting the spammer with a read receipt that your account is active)
