Because Android is less of a walled garden than iOS, it tends to include some awesomely unique apps that you won't find on the competing platform. Given that this is an area where Android excels, we at AP thought it was about time we compiled a list of some of the greatest Android applications now available on the platform that aren't the most well-known but nonetheless provide intriguing and useful features that Android lovers will enjoy. So that's what we've done, with intentions to expand the list with updates, like we do with the rest of our roundups. So, if you've been looking for the finest app oddities on and off the Play Store, from indies to big-name unknowns, this is the list for you.
Bromite
Bromite should be on your radar if you're searching for a Chromium fork with built-in ad-blocking and privacy features. It's a mobile browser that ditched Chrome's advertising-centric design, and all fixes are released under GNU/GPL v3, making the app open-source as well. Simply said, it's a de-Googled Android browser that uses the same interface as Chrome to keep things simple and familiar. This software, of course, isn't accessible on the Play Store, but you can find it on its own website and GitHub page.
TrailLink: Trail Maps & Trail Guide - Walk & Bike
If you like to cycle, longboard, skate, or stroll a lot, you know how difficult it may be to discover all of the trails in your region. Sure, Google Maps has some great routes, but they leave out the smaller trails and unknowns. Crowdsourcing comes to the rescue, which is exactly how TrailLink works. People in your community who use the app may detail the trails in their region, as can you, creating a database of trails for everyone interested. As a result, anybody may use this software to identify and document trails, allowing the entire community to enjoy the benefits of being outside.
Squid - Take Notes & Markup PDF
There are other note-taking applications available on the Play Store, including a handful that provide handwritten notes, but Squid stands out because to its amazing vector-based typography that remains readable at all magnification settings. It's an excellent tool for students or anyone who frequently takes handwritten notes. Although the basic programme is free, premium customers have access to extra features such as PDF importation and coloured backdrops. Subscriptions are rarely the ideal way to pay for an app, but Squid costs less than a $1. Squid is also fantastic even if you don't subscribe, and it works on iPads and Chromebooks equally.
Dolby On: Record Audio & Music
The first thing that springs to me when I think of Dolby isn't a free audio recording software for Android. But that is precisely what Dolby On is, and it is most likely the finest audio recording software for Android. Dolby isn't an independent developer, but Dolby On isn't a well-known software, which is why I wanted to promote it. It's quite handy in a variety of contexts because to its audio processing, which includes noise reduction, de-essing, and a fade in/out. There's even an EQ and support for spatial audio built in. So, whether you want to capture a band's live performance in a crowded auditorium or just your next lecture, Dolby On has you covered. The best part is that Dolby On is free.
YouTube Vanced
Given that Google makes it simple to sideload applications and since Google pushes advertising on everyone who uses the official YouTube app, YouTube Vanced is a fork that removes these adverts while maintaining the same UI as the original YouTube app. It's essentially a better, ad-free version of YouTube. Of course, you'll need to sideload YouTube Vanced, which you accomplish by installing an installer followed by two additional programmes to get Vanced operating (one of which is necessary, so you can sign in). While I wouldn't call the installation procedure simple, the end result is a YouTube app for Android that isn't riddled with intrusive advertisements. You also receive a slew of extras, such as a dark theme.
MarinDeck for TweetDeck
This one is for all of you Twitter users. With MarinDeck, an entrepreneurial developer brings TweetDeckback to Android. The programme was initially only available in Japanese, but after considerable pressure, the creator ultimately provided an English patch. Sure, MarinDeck isn't a true clone of TweetDeck, but it comes close, and it has a nice gallery view to boot. So, if you've been missing TweetDeck for years, maybe MarinDeck may fill the hole.
Caffeine - Keep Screen On
Here's one that all Linux users should be familiar with. It's Caffeine, an app that allows you to keep your screen on for as long as you want. Because Android doesn't provide a simple way to keep the screen on for more than 10 minutes, if you want to use a tablet as a display, installing Caffeine will assure you can keep the screen on for as long as you like without having to tap the screen to keep it awake. It's a basic purpose-built programme, and it's quite handy on Android, just like it is on Linux. Just bear in mind that the app appears as a tile in your status bar pulldown, thus it won't appear in your app drawer once installed.
Dream by WOMBO
Have you ever wondered what a pug picture would look like if Salvador Dal had painted it? No longer are you perplexed. Dream by WOMBO is a clever software that allows you to enter keywords, select a renowned artist, and then let the app's AI make a painting based on your choices. It's a very fun tool to play with, and if you truly like an image, you can get it printed for real to put in your house, right from the app. Playing with Dream by WOMBO is a terrific way to pass the time when you have a few seconds to spare, and the results are frequently amusing enough to share with a few friends.
NewPipe
Why limit yourself to just one YouTube app when you can have two? That's correct. People despise YouTube advertisements so much that there is a second YouTube fork available that also provides an ad-free experience. It's called NewPipe, and it's available on F-Droid, a free and open-source Android software store. This YouTube fork is the go-to if you don't want to use any Google framework libraries, such as if you're running a de-Googled Android ROM. This way, even if you don't want Google to have access to your information, you can still install a YouTube app. The programme is open-source, which means it is available for free to anybody and everyone.
Offline Survival Manual
With recent events and everything, I'm sure many of you have begun researching preparation and survival strategies. Thankfully, there are applications that may assist with this, such as Offline Survival Guidebook, which provides an offline manual that covers topics such as constructing a fire, how to create a shelter, where to get food, and emergency medical methods. There is no requirement for an internet connection, but your phone will require electricity. So, as long as you still have some energy when calamity comes, you'll have a useful guide at your disposal.
