How To Turn Your Android Phone into a Portable Web Design Hub

Smartphones are not only for communicating anymore: by using apps, you can actually turn your phone into a small computer. If you are on the road or you can’t access your computer, your smartphone can be your saviour, since access to a computer is vital for many. Moreover, even if you’re not a web designer, do you know that you can actually perform web design using your smartphone? Nope, they’re not that hard to use, but several apps can even make web designing look simple.

Here are the smartphone apps that can help you with web design.

Finding the source of a web page is easy for all browsers, but it’s not a built-in function on smartphones. This is where the View Web Source app becomes useful: It’s an app that lets you view sources just like on a desktop. Just enter the URL and the app will show you its source code, and you can copy this code to your clipboard if you want to use it later on.

You can control your desktop computer even if you are on the road by using your smartphone: the VNC Viewer app allows you to sync your device to your computer anywhere. It will show you the display of the desktop which you can control through the app, so you can run desktop applications, change controls and access any information just as if you were sitting in front of your computer.

Adobe Edge Inspect, formerly Adobe Shadow, may have been overshadowed by Photoshop, Flash, and other Adobe apps out there, but I’m pretty sure you’ll love it. This app allows you to test a site on a Mac or PC, and it can also connect several mobile devices automatically to mirror the site. Using Adobe Shadow, testing on your smartphone is a lot easier and faster.

Install the extension on Chrome and your mobile device will sync to anything on Chrome.

Since the demand for more apps for Android, Apple, and BlackBerry smartphones is increasing, web designers and developers are focused primarily on mobile devices. But hey, they create them on desktop computers, not on mobile devices, so they’re not really sure if the app or web site they’re developing even fits a smartphone. LiveView allows them to do so. If you want immediate feedback on the app or site you are creating for mobile devices, this app is very efficient and easy to use.

Want to check how your site is going? Well then, you should have the Analytix app on your smartphone. It allows you to get the details from your Google Analytics account on your smartphone so you can now check the hourly views and visualizations on your mobile device to help you with your work.

Again, who would want to create a website on a mobile device? Many believe that smartphones are really not made for productivity, but for consumption, so who would think that they could also be used for web designing? Textastic proves that it can be used for web design: it’s a simple text and code editor with syntax coloring, and also provides functions such as search and replace. It even modifies the on-screen keyboard by adding programming character keys.

So these are some of the web designing apps for mobile devices. They can help you design your website or page even if you are on the road—you can now develop and deploy sites using your smartphone! You can also surf through the BlackBerry World or App Store to look for apps used for web development. There are countless apps out there to explore!

SEE ALSO: How to Create Stunning Infographics in 30 Minutes or Less

Andrew Meadows currently writes for CashforBerrys.com and CashforSmartphones.com. Graduated with a bachelor's degree in Literature (cum laude), he has been part of several national and international conferences, seminars and workshops on history, creative writing, arts criticism and literature.

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7 Best Android Tablets that are as Good as iPad?

Comparison shopping for new Android tablets can be quite the process if you are new to tablets and/or the Android OS. The funny thing about tablets is once you have one, you will usually use the heck out of it. However, before the purchase many people struggle to find reasons to justify the purchase. I mean, most people think “I have a smart phone and a computer, where would the Android tablet fit into the mix?”

Just like when you got your first smart phone and discovered that you used your computer a little less for things like email and maps, the same is true when purchasing an Android tablet; you will be more likely to use your tablet for things like Facebook, keeping up on your favorite websites, reading your RSS feed, playing games and general web surfing either while you are home, or anywhere with Wi-Fi. In some cases, tablets can be used as a second monitor for computers, or even to control some of the newer TVs.

That being said, here is a list of the best 7 Android tablets currently on the market in in order of awesomeness by size. Things taken into account were portability, screen resolution, overall usability and the way the manufacturer intended its use.

The Google Nexus 7 made by Asus is the tablet all the techie people gravitate towards. The reason for this is that any of the Google Nexus products are updated with the new operating systems sooner than any of the other Android tablets on the market. The Google Nexus 7 has a 7-inch screen with an NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core processor. The reason this processor is different than most of the others is it uses one core for better battery life when the general tasks are being completed. When playing more graphics-intensive games, the workhorse processors kick in.

Pros:

Tegra® 3 processor helps give the best of both speed and battery life.Great size for everyday use.Google Device.OS updates sooner than most other devices.Brilliant screen.

Cons:

No rear camera.1GB of RAMThe newest OS updates can be a little buggy at times.No option for SD card.

The Kindle Fire HD is a super-hot device with an 8.9 inch screen. (No pun intended.) When getting into a Amazon-based device, one of the most noticeable differences is the lack of the Google Play Store: this is because Amazon has their own Android app store. For users who really have no interest in the Google aspects of owning one of the Android tablets, the Kindle Fire HD is a great choice—you’ll have access to all of the Amazon apps such as the Kindle, Audible and the Amazon MP3/Cloud Player. If you need to have access in areas where there’s no Wi-Fi, you can check out the Amazon Kindle Fire HD at your local AT&T store, as doing so will give you the option to add a wireless data plan to your Kindle Fire HD.

Pros:

8.9-inch screen makes it the best all-around size.Sharper display than the the 7-inch tablets.LTE compatible.Dual antennas for potential better streaming of media.

Cons:

Less than 1 megapixel front-facing camera.Cannot access Google Play Store.Heavily-customized version of the Android OS

On the  7-inch version of the Galaxy Tab, one of the most noticeable features you lose is the front-facing camera. My personal screen size preference in Android tablets is the 7-inch screen because it’s the most usable overall. In many cases, it can fit inside a jacket or pants rear pocket; it’s large enough to watch movies in full screen; great for reading books, and general web surfing.

Pros:

Available with a 3G/4G option.Rear-facing camera.Very portable and easy to use 7-inch device.

Cons:

1,024 x 600 PixelsNo Bluetooth.Slower processor than the other tablets of similar size.8 GB of internal storage.No Graphics Accelerator

SEE ALSO: The Most Useful Android Apps You’ve Probably Forgotten About

The Google Nexus 10 is the big brother to the Nexus 7. Most of the features are the same on the Nexus 7 and the Nexus 10 Android tablets, with the most obvious difference being the 10-inch screen vs. the 7-inch one.The Google Nexus 10 also has a rear-facing 5 megapixel camera. The 10-inch Google tablet also has a Micro HDMI output on it which is nice for plugging it into a TV or projector.

Pros:

Light for a 10-inch Android tablet.Very thin.Fantastic screen.Great non-slip back.Google Device.OS updates sooner than most other devices.Approximately 10 hours of battery life.Micro HDMI

Cons:

Doesn’t travel as easily as a 7-inch tablet.No option for data plan (Wi-Fi only).The newest OS updates can be a little buggy at times.No option for SD card.

There are actually several styles of the Transformer Pads, but we’ll focus on the  Transformer Infinity.  This Asus tablet is unique to the group because it comes with a keyboard docking station. A tablet like this is ideal for business travelers or people with light Internet usage needs who don’t want to spend the money on both a computer and a tablet.

Pros:

Comes with keyboard docks.Is available in Champagne gold in addition to the standard black, white, and gray options used by most other Android devices.Tegra® 3 processor helps give the best of both speed and battery life.8 megapixel rear-facing camera with 1080p video recording.two megapixel front-facing camera.

Cons:

Thinnest of the bunch.The connection to the dock can be fickle. It may take a couple of tries to set correctly.The aluminum scratches easily.

If the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 seems a bit too complicated, take away the S-Pen, multi screen option and lesser quality front and rear facing cameras. The processor speed diminishes from a 1.4GHz Quad-Core Processor to a 1.0 GHz, Dual Processor. The Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is more for everyday use than a business tool like the Note is.

Pros:

Can be purchased in 3G or 4G versions.2 megapixel front-facing camera.Accepts up to 64 GB of external storage.

Cons:

1 GHz dual core processor.No flash for the rear camera.Headphones use the microUSB port.

The Samsung tablets are at the top of the bunch. Samsung has a couple of styles of Android tablets in their Galaxy series: the Galaxy Note 10.1  and a Galaxy series tablet. When you get with this one is the S-Pen: similar to the Galaxy Note 2, this tablet allows you to mark up web pages, edit photos, and use the wand to make handwritten notes and illustrations. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 also has a multi-screen version, which will let you have multiple applications open on a single screen instead of toggling between two screens. This is more of a productivity enhancer than anything else.

Pros:

S-Pen.Run multiple apps side-by-side on the 10.1-inch display1.9 megapixel front facing camera.Up to 32 GB of external SD card storage.1.4GHz Quad-Core Processor.2 GB RAM.

Cons:

1280 x 800 pixels (same as the Nexus 7, less than the Nexus 10).Some of the functions lag a little bit, specifically running apps side-by-side.Built-in handwriting function is hard to find and not that great.Proprietary charging connection.

While there are other Android tablets out there, these 7 have proven to be the most popular among users. Keep in mind what you intend to use the tablet for while doing your research, and if you aren’t really sure what you’d like to use the tablet for, go to the store to play around with one, and ask your friends for their input. Get an idea of what is others use them for because, as I mentioned earlier, once you have a tablet you will really wonder how you lived without one.

SEE ALSO: 10 Android Apps to Help Save You Time & Money

Trevor is a freelance writer covering topics ranging from the Android OS to free web and desktop applications. When he is not writing about freelance productivity, He is coaching and playing the world's greatest game... Soccer.

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How to Set up Your Android to Improve Battery Life or Improve Productivity

Just received a new Android device? or do you find that the battery doesn’t last as long as you need it to? How about if you need it to help improve your productivity? Well, this Lifehack lesson by Trevor Dobrygoski is for you, it provides detailed information about how to set up and configure your android phone to get the best out of battery life or productivity. What apps to install that speed up what you are doing, or apps that help you to prevent unwanted apps from sucking up your battery, and how to configure your homescreens so that they are more efficient for your needs.

The lesson is free for 7 days. After which to get access to it, as well as all the other Lifehack lessons, it only costs $4.99 per month.

Here’s an excerpt from the preview-

Want to get the best out of your Android Device? The best way to configure it to save juice and make it much more easier, productive and last longer? Here’s how you should set up your Android device based on what you are trying to achieve. I’ll describe what you should do and then go into the details of how to do it.

Certain settings will be ideal for both productivity and saving battery. As most Android owners can tell you, anything you can do to save battery is a good thing.

Less home screens

Whenever you get a new Android device, it will have anywhere from 5 to 7 home screens with icons and widgets scattered all over. Ideally what you want to do is condense all of the home screens down to as few as possible. What this will do for you is create less scrolling from screen to screen looking for an application or widget.

Use a different home screen launcher

Home screen launchers are one of the easiest ways to change how it Android tablet operates. The home screen launcher can change the cosmetics of the application icons, add application docks at the bottom of the screen and add more functionality to the home screens. Some of the functionality can be gestures (which I’ll talk about later), different widgets and other customization.

Featured Photo Credit – Robot With Cardboard Box via Shutterstock

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Announcing TED’s new Android app

This morning we’re thrilled to formally announce TED’s official app for Android, which lets you browse and watch 1100+ TEDTalks on a wide array of Android-enabled phones and tablets.

The new TED app for Android is built to adapt to all kinds of Android devices, including the new Sony Tablet P “dual screen” and the Amazon Kindle Fire, making it feel natural and familiar to users across different devices. You can find the TED app in the Google Play store and the Amazon Appstore for Android.

The functionality of the TED app is fine-tuned for the mobile audience, and allows for offline browsing and viewing, as well as audio-only engagement: App users who are out for a jog, commuting to work, or simply multi-tasking can listen to TEDTalks, either on an individual basis or through TED’s curated audio stream.

Features include:

Up-to-the-minute videos: TEDTalks are published daily, and Android app users can see the latest TEDTalks videos as soon as they’re available online.
Browse + search: Whether they’re online or off, users can browse the TED library – by theme, tag, rating or popularity – and search for a talk by speaker name or topic.
Easy sharing: Users who are inspired by a talk can share it easily over Facebook, Twitter or email.
Bookmarks: Users can mark and save talks for viewing later within their “My Talks” tab.
Offline viewing: The app is designed to support a mobile lifestyle, in which users move fluidly between online and offline use. Users can download video and audio directly to the device to watch on the plane or other locations where Internet connectivity may not possible. The full library is searchable in offline mode.
Curated audio stream: Out for a jog, multi-tasking, or just interested in listening, TED app users can listen to TEDTalks, either on an individual basis or through TED’s curated audio stream.

Find the TED app for Android in the Google Play store and the Amazon Appstore for Android.

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Five Reasons to Choose an Android Tablet Over an iPad

An early technology adopter, I purchased the iPad on the first day it came out.  I also got the original iPhone on the day it came out, and the first Google Android phone, the T-Mobile G1, within a month of its release.  Google even sent me their first unlocked Android phone, the Nexus One, to review when it came out. I like new toys and am not tied to any specific company; the one with the coolest or best features is the one that wins me over.

Unfortunately, my iPad was stolen less than a month after I bought it.  Insurance covered the loss, but I did not rush out to buy a new one right away.  I got my chance to play with the iPad and while it was pretty cool, I found it to be more of an entertainment device than anything and it was lacking some key features – for example, a camera.  Apple will probably add some of those features with the upcoming release of the iPad 2, which some say is to be announced this week, but I’m sick of their game of intentionally leaving out features that consumers want and introducing it on a subsequent version so you’ll buy their product again. I want all the features I want right now.  Sure, I’ll probably buy another similar device in a year or two, but by that point I expected the features to once again be something new and cutting edge, not a feature that you opted not to include but most others did.

I am still in the market for a new tablet, and it’s a great time to be ready to acquire one.  The 2011 Consumer Electronics Show last month was dominated by a slew of tablets, the new must-have device.  Tablet computers have been around for some time, but they were never as sleek, pretty, functional, and in-demand as they are now.  The launch of the iPad last year can be credited with bringing the tablet mainstream, but one year later you’ve got a whole lot more choice.

The top competitor for the Apple iPad right now is any one of a number of Google Android-powered devices manufactured by the likes, of Motorola, Samsung, Dell and others.  HP Palm announced a new webOS powered tablet yesterday, but I think they still be a minor player in the -tablet arena.  I’ve done my research and played with a few of the new Android tablets and at this point have decided that an Android tablet is a better choice than the iPad.  Here are my top five reasons to choose an Android tablet over an iPad:

Dell Streak 7. Photo courtesy of Dell.

1. Choice of Size

The Apple iPad is closest in size to a 10×8 picture frame with its dimensions at 9.56 x 7.47 x .5 in.  There are no other size options for the iPad, unless you’re of the opinion that the iPad is merely a giant iPhone, and in that case the iPhone could count as a smaller version.

Unlike the iPad, the various Android tablets come in a range of sizes.  The sizes include 5-in. (Dell, Acer), 7-in. (Dell, Samsung, Acer), 9-in. (LG, Panidigital), and 10-in. (Motorola Xoom, Acer) tablets.  The 5-inch tablets are admittedly just slightly larger than popular touchscreen smartphones, which tend to top out in the 4-inch range. But if they make them, there’s obviously some kind of market for them. You can go bigger or smaller than the iPad with an Android. Personally, I’d like to go bigger and would love to see an 11-inch tablet come out in the near future.  It’d be the exact size of a piece of paper.

2. True Multitasking

Apple has avoided true multitasking on the iPad primarily due to battery life and performance concerns, the reason they always leave off features on their new iPhones as well.

There are already some Android tablets running off dual-core processors, which have more than enough power to handle true multitasking.  Android 3.0's new multitasking panel is also easy to bring up with a single tap on the screen, and provides full previews of running applications.  The multitasking panel is also extremely easy to navigate.

Apple should have figured out how to deliver true multitasking.  Perhaps this will be a feature included in the second-generation iPad.

3. Cameras

Apple made a huge mistake in not including a camera on the iPad.  At the very least it should have included and outward facing camera, but if it really wanted to be a winner, it would have also had a second, front-facing camera that users could use for video chatting.

Most Android tablets have 2 cameras, an outward facing one and a inward one for video chatting.  Google’s native camera app also has some nice features that will let you alter your image, without having to download and edit it on your computer.

Apple iPad. Photo courtesy of Apple Inc.

4. No Syncing Required

Whether you own an iPod, iPhone, or an iPad, you must sync the device with iTunes using a computer to transfer downloads purchased on your computer to the device.  It’s a royal pain, but it’s Apple’s way of keeping their users coming back to iTunes.  It’s also a very slow process.

With the Android Market Web Store, you can buy apps on your computer and send them to your device without syncing. Brilliant!

5. Replaceable Batteries

One of the things that irked me most about the iPhone and the iPad was the battery.  It’s not removable, and if it goes, you have to get a whole new device.  If yours breaks and still happens to be under warranty, Apple will send you a new one — for a fee.  For the iPad, if the battery goes, you can send in your old one and they’ll send you a new one for $99.   Oh, and make sure you synced it before it died because when they send you out the new one it won’t have any of your apps or personal information on it.  If you forgot to sync, you’re S.O.L.

Android devices have their own batteries which are replaceable.  If the battery goes, you just buy a new one.  Or if you’re under warranty, the manufacturer can send you a new one without having to bother with taking your entire tablet.

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10 Android Apps to Help Save You Time & Money

A screenshot of the CardStar app.

Unless you’ve got an unlimited amount of cash and a limitless line of credit, saving money is probably something that you could benefit from.  There are countless ways to save money, from coupon clipping to budgeting and shopping at discount stores, but did you know that your Android smartphone could help?  I’ve waded through the thousands of apps available in the Android Marketplace, and these are some of the best apps out there to help with your money saving goals.

1. Mint.com Personal Finance

COST: Free

This app is brought to you by the same people behind Quicken personal finance software, so you know it has to be good.  This is app is an excellent way to begin managing your money and allows you to see all of your accounts in one place, set budgets, see where you are spending, and find personalized savings.   It’s an excellent tool to help you get your finances in order, and you can access it from your phone as well as Mint.com

2. CardStar

COST: Free

CardStar is an awesome app that will help you lighten the load in your wallet, in a good way.  All those rewards cards  and membership from places like CVS, Best Buy, and Blockbuster, amongst many others, can be consolidated digitally.  Use the CardStar app to enter information for numerous national and regional merchants, libraries, or you can even add your own custom cards.  Once you’ve entered your cards, you can easily access them as needed with just one touch from the CardStar home screen.  Merchants can then scan the “card” directly from your phone’s screen. How cool is that?!

3. Discount Calculator

COST: Free

Discount Calculator is a pretty simple app that does all that the name implies – it helps you calculate how much money you will save and what the item’s final price will be with the discount applied.  It’s helpful in those situations where something is X percent off but the store doesn’t have a sign telling you what the new price will be.  It can even include tax in the price.

4. Google Shopper

COST: Free

Google Shopper is another handy tool to use when you’re out shopping.  The app can recognize products by photo, barcode scanning, and voice and text search.  Once the app has identified the product, you can find local and online prices, reviews, specs. and more.  While you’re not likely to use it to check the price of your apple juice at the grocery store, it can be handy for larger purchases or for items you may not be at all familiar with.  You’ll know whether you’re getting a good deal or if you can get that item cheaper elsewhere, and can star your favorites and share them with friends.  It’s worth noting that at this time Google Shopper is valid only for US and UK prices.

5. ShopSavvy 4 Barcode Scanner

Cost: FREE

This is similar to Google Shopper, but it was around first and thus deserves a mention.  The ShopSavvy 4 app is the upgraded version of the old GoCart app.  It allows you to use your phone as a barcode scanner, and then ShopSavvy will provide you with a list of online and local prices for that product. If you don’t need all the frills of Google Shopper, this is a nice simple barcode program that will help you save money.

A screenshot of the Craigslist Notification app.

6. Craigslist Notification

COST: Free (ad-supported) / $9.99 for ad-free version

Craigslist itself is a great place to score deals on everything from cars to baby clothes.  It’s the modern-day equivalent of classified ads, and as we all know the good deals get snapped up pretty quickly so you really have to be vigiliant about checking the site if there’s something specific that you’re looking for.  Craigslist Notification is a god-send. It notifies you when new stuff is posted in certain categories, so you can monitor the site on the go.

7. Receipt Scanner

COST: $3.99

Keeping track of receipts can be a real pain.  They’re small and easily lost or misplaced.  The Receipt Scanner app uses your phone’s camera to capture images of receipts, business cards and other documents, allowing you to store and secure important information.  Once scanned, the documents are stored in folders for organization and easy retrieval.  This can come in handy at tax time, helping you to save money by keeping record of your receipts that might have otherwise gotten lost.

8.  GasBuddy

COST: Free

Don’t make the mistake of paying more for gas when you can get it cheaper just around the corner. GasBuddy helps you find the best prices on gas for your area on the go.  You can also add to the database of gas prices by reporting current gas prices from your phone, which will earn you points and a chance at winning one of their weekly $250 gas gift card giveaways.

9. Our Groceries

COST: Free (ad-supported) / $4.99 ad-free version

Make a grocery list that you won’t lose your pocket or  drop on the ground with Our Groceries. Family members can install the  app on their compatible phones as well.  You can share the list and everyone can make updates or changes to it as things are purchased or become needed.  Every change is visible within seconds, and is synced to everyone’s phone’s or browser. You’ll never run into the situation of buying something someone in your family has already picked up.

10. Google Finance

COST: Free

Get streaming, real-time stock quotes on your phone and sync with your Google Finance portfolio.  You can quickly access charts on the go as well as view the latest market and company news.  So even if you’re not at home, you’ll know what’s going on with the market and can then decide whether you need to put in a buy or sell order with your broker, or hold tight and wait for further news.    A must-have app if you’re into stocks and the economy.

*Some of these apps are also available on other mobile phone platforms, including iPhone, Blackberry and Windows phones.

Each one of these Android apps is available to download from your mobile Android Market, or using a web browser at market.android.com.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on these apps, as well as any other apps you’ve come across that have helped save you either time, money or both.

View the original article here

10 Android Apps to Help Save You Time & Money

A screenshot of the CardStar app.

Unless you’ve got an unlimited amount of cash and a limitless line of credit, saving money is probably something that you could benefit from.  There are countless ways to save money, from coupon clipping to budgeting and shopping at discount stores, but did you know that your Android smartphone could help?  I’ve waded through the thousands of apps available in the Android Marketplace, and these are some of the best apps out there to help with your money saving goals.

1. Mint.com Personal Finance

COST: Free

This app is brought to you by the same people behind Quicken personal finance software, so you know it has to be good.  This is app is an excellent way to begin managing your money and allows you to see all of your accounts in one place, set budgets, see where you are spending, and find personalized savings.   It’s an excellent tool to help you get your finances in order, and you can access it from your phone as well as Mint.com

2. CardStar

COST: Free

CardStar is an awesome app that will help you lighten the load in your wallet, in a good way.  All those rewards cards  and membership from places like CVS, Best Buy, and Blockbuster, amongst many others, can be consolidated digitally.  Use the CardStar app to enter information for numerous national and regional merchants, libraries, or you can even add your own custom cards.  Once you’ve entered your cards, you can easily access them as needed with just one touch from the CardStar home screen.  Merchants can then scan the “card” directly from your phone’s screen. How cool is that?!

3. Discount Calculator

COST: Free

Discount Calculator is a pretty simple app that does all that the name implies – it helps you calculate how much money you will save and what the item’s final price will be with the discount applied.  It’s helpful in those situations where something is X percent off but the store doesn’t have a sign telling you what the new price will be.  It can even include tax in the price.

4. Google Shopper

COST: Free

Google Shopper is another handy tool to use when you’re out shopping.  The app can recognize products by photo, barcode scanning, and voice and text search.  Once the app has identified the product, you can find local and online prices, reviews, specs. and more.  While you’re not likely to use it to check the price of your apple juice at the grocery store, it can be handy for larger purchases or for items you may not be at all familiar with.  You’ll know whether you’re getting a good deal or if you can get that item cheaper elsewhere, and can star your favorites and share them with friends.  It’s worth noting that at this time Google Shopper is valid only for US and UK prices.

5. ShopSavvy 4 Barcode Scanner

Cost: FREE

This is similar to Google Shopper, but it was around first and thus deserves a mention.  The ShopSavvy 4 app is the upgraded version of the old GoCart app.  It allows you to use your phone as a barcode scanner, and then ShopSavvy will provide you with a list of online and local prices for that product. If you don’t need all the frills of Google Shopper, this is a nice simple barcode program that will help you save money.

A screenshot of the Craigslist Notification app.

6. Craigslist Notification

COST: Free (ad-supported) / $9.99 for ad-free version

Craigslist itself is a great place to score deals on everything from cars to baby clothes.  It’s the modern-day equivalent of classified ads, and as we all know the good deals get snapped up pretty quickly so you really have to be vigiliant about checking the site if there’s something specific that you’re looking for.  Craigslist Notification is a god-send. It notifies you when new stuff is posted in certain categories, so you can monitor the site on the go.

7. Receipt Scanner

COST: $3.99

Keeping track of receipts can be a real pain.  They’re small and easily lost or misplaced.  The Receipt Scanner app uses your phone’s camera to capture images of receipts, business cards and other documents, allowing you to store and secure important information.  Once scanned, the documents are stored in folders for organization and easy retrieval.  This can come in handy at tax time, helping you to save money by keeping record of your receipts that might have otherwise gotten lost.

8.  GasBuddy

COST: Free

Don’t make the mistake of paying more for gas when you can get it cheaper just around the corner. GasBuddy helps you find the best prices on gas for your area on the go.  You can also add to the database of gas prices by reporting current gas prices from your phone, which will earn you points and a chance at winning one of their weekly $250 gas gift card giveaways.

9. Our Groceries

COST: Free (ad-supported) / $4.99 ad-free version

Make a grocery list that you won’t lose your pocket or  drop on the ground with Our Groceries. Family members can install the  app on their compatible phones as well.  You can share the list and everyone can make updates or changes to it as things are purchased or become needed.  Every change is visible within seconds, and is synced to everyone’s phone’s or browser. You’ll never run into the situation of buying something someone in your family has already picked up.

10. Google Finance

COST: Free

Get streaming, real-time stock quotes on your phone and sync with your Google Finance portfolio.  You can quickly access charts on the go as well as view the latest market and company news.  So even if you’re not at home, you’ll know what’s going on with the market and can then decide whether you need to put in a buy or sell order with your broker, or hold tight and wait for further news.    A must-have app if you’re into stocks and the economy.

*Some of these apps are also available on other mobile phone platforms, including iPhone, Blackberry and Windows phones.

Each one of these Android apps is available to download from your mobile Android Market, or using a web browser at market.android.com.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on these apps, as well as any other apps you’ve come across that have helped save you either time, money or both.

View the original article here