Give your productivity a big boost for the new year with these exceptional Android additions. Credit: GDJ/Google/JR Raphael, IDG It’s the calm before the storm. Today, on New Year’s Day, we have a brief moment to pause and prepare — and set ourselves up for success. From a tech perspective, that means taking the time to clean up and optimize your smartphone setup. That way, when the inevitable craziness hits, you’ll be ready to tackle whatever comes your way with smart, sensible systems and all the best apps already in place and ready to serve you. We’ve already thought through the top Android tips and Google Android app tricks from 2024 — and even the most noteworthy Pixel-specific advice from the past year. Today, it’s time to shift our focus and look at some of the most exceptional (and often off-the-beaten-path) third-party Android apps that can really expand your experience and grant you some exceptionally effective new productivity powers. Take a peek through the following standout suggestions — 44 awesome apps to explore, spread out over a dozen different articles! — and for even more Android Intelligence, make sure you’re set to receive my free Android Intelligence newsletter, too. You’ll get three new things to try in your inbox every Friday, and you’ll get my game-changing Android Notification Power Pack as a special welcome bonus. Here we go! 2024’s top Android app advice Meet the floating Android note app of the future This dazzlingly different Android note app floats your most important info in an incredibly interesting way. The secret to summarizing notifications on Android With about 60 seconds of simple setup, you can have Google’s Gemini AI genie sum up your incoming notifications this instant — no matter what Android device you’re using. 11 Android Quick Settings additions that’ll supercharge your efficiency These out-of-sight tiles will turn your favorite phone into an even more powerful productivity powerhouse. 3 secrets to a smarter Android status bar A trio of quick ‘n’ easy enhancements to transform the top of your screen into a time-saving power-hub. 22 must-have Android widgets for busy professionals The most exceptional widgets around for making your favorite device’s home screen much more useful. Android widgets gone wild Why stop with the home screen? This wow-worthy widget wonder will make whatever Android device you’re using infinitely more efficient — in a way that only Android could provide. An awesome Android audio upgrade Whether you’re dealing with mumblings from meetings, noises from notifications, or music from commute-time streaming, you’ve never experienced sound on your phone like this. The best Android app drawer enhancement you’ll ever make Free your phone’s app drawer from its shackles and watch your efficiency soar. An instant Android motion sickness upgrade Ever wish you could look down at your phone or tablet in a car without getting queasy? Here’s your answer. 60 seconds to a smarter Android screen timeout This quick ‘n’ simple enhancement will make your day-to-day Android doings meaningfully more pleasant. This awesome Android weather app reads the forecast out loud A thoughtful interface, on-demand audio forecasts, and actual human meteorologists set this app apart. Bonus: 8 AI-powered apps that’ll actually save you time Most AI apps are buzzword-chasing hype-mongers. These eight off-the-beaten-path supertools — while not entirely Android-specific — are rare exceptions. A very happy New Year to you. Here’s to many new geeky, Googley adventures ahead! Give yourself the gift of endless Android Intelligence in 2025 with my free weekly newsletter — three new things to try in your inbox every Friday and six powerful new notification enhancements the second you sign up! SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe