Starting at No 10

10. TasKiller

This app is basically a task manager for Android. The big win here is not only killing that rouge app, but force clean up of memory when you are about to run that hard core 3D game you just downloaded.

6.  Astrid

At first glance Astrid appears to be a basic Task Manager. It is so much more. Astrid is a very easy to use and feature rich task or tracking system designed specifically to make you more productive with minimal fuss.

5. Layar 3.0

Wondering when I would add my augmented reality app?  Here it is.  Layar is like most other discovery AR apps, but this is best so far.  With an API, people can add 3D information over the video scene.  Nice.  I have a feeling Layar will continue to keep the lead, so it makes the top 10

4.  Car Locator

Although there are many other AR apps like Car Locator, I have this as number 10 because its a good example of a simple 1 function AR app. Now can you get the same thing done using a standard map, yes, but most AR app are about cool then uniquely practical.

3. Last.fm Android

This is a bit like Pandora, but instead of matching based on music qualities, it matches based on the songs your friends listen to or the Last.fm population in general. You can skip any song and find out about concert dates, too.

2. Qik – Share Live Video

Provides real time streaming video from your iphone to a web page where anyone can see it. (If you set the permissions as such). Also, if the phone cannot get a connection, it will hold the video till it does. Cool points for being able to see the video on the iphone. More here.

1. Google Voice

Again, I’m SURE I’m sure I will get debate on this, but Google Voice basically extends the phone beyond just a cell phone, beyond just a smart phone.

First new entry: Clippy

Clippy was first sold as a ‘kinda’ cut and paste system.  And ‘kinda’ is about as accurate as  you can get, which given the absolute FAIL on Apple’s part for not having cut and paste, is still pretty good.  But where Clippy shines, and why it’s a ‘must have’ is the ability to store a list of words/phrases for pasting. Kinda like the clipboard stack in windows. I also like that it does ‘cut’ from SMS messages. Very useful for addresses.

Next new entry: clearCam

As we all know, and I have said many times, the camera on the iphone is about as weak as it gets. Well this app does something about it. Now understand this is only useful for still images, but the results cannot be argued.  Have a look at this..

Original Shot

Enhanced Shot

Crazy right? I’m guessing I slightly moved the phone at the time of the first shot, and the other 5 shots corrected my movement! I will NEVER take another still shot with the normal camera again.  Also, this takes the normal 2m shot and bumps it up to 4m providing cleaner details.  Sweeettt.

So, what fell off the list?

5. QuickUnlock (now removed)

4. QuickGold (now removed)

As much as I liked these two apps, ‘something’ has to give. And in this case, its these two.

Now the question is, does the order change at all?   Yup.  Here is the old and new list..

I left the numbers to make it easier to see where things were. The big jumps were PdaNet, IntelliScreen and Qik.  I’m not sure how long Qik will hold this position though, its been hit and miss for me mostly because of limitations of the situation, poor light or poor connection, or the fact I keep forgetting to take the macro lens off.

..and here is a link to my static top 10 list.  I’ll update this later today.