Just got an Android (glee), now... what do cool kids put on those things?

[Lensor]

Since Android Market is not under total control, I find it prudent to have an antivirus software scan through stuff before I install it. The risk may be small, but does not hurt to be extra careful.

And yes, if you do not have limitless internet, you need a traffic monitor app asap.

[Alaris]

I had to get a feature to qualify to cheap phone, and extra internet was the only option I cared for. Yay me.

I'm still getting the Traffic Monitor asap. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Also, what are some good games for this? Got Angry Birds pre-installed, also getting fruit ninja & rope cutting & sudoku, but what else is good?

I'd be more interested in actual games rather than stuff you can find online these days... the various emulators are an awesome idea btw, thanks. Any good link to emulators and where to get the associated games?

Btw, nothing illegal please, even if I can get away from it. I want to be 100% legit.

[MixedVariety]

Unfortunately, you are already behind the times.

If you buy an Android smartphone in 2012, there's a good chance it will be packing an Intel chip instead of an ARM-based processor as current Android devices do.

[Alaris]

Behind the times?

Pfft, I am not concerned about times, I just want a cool toy.

I'll be using it until it dies, or until it gets so old that you can see these things in a museum. My previous "iPod touch"-like device was the first one made with a color screen... it now has a blotch of pixels permanently orange. My phone came free cuz I couldn't care less to upgrade.

My previous computer died, but before it did it was so old that I couldn't run all games I got from the bargain bin.

[Xilisys]

the various emulators are an awesome idea btw, thanks. Any good link to emulators and where to get the associated games?

Btw, nothing illegal please, even if I can get away from it. I want to be 100% legit.

Emulators aren't illegal, but roms (the games) technically are.

I just recently upgraded from a Droid 1 to a Droid 3. The apps that these guys have listed so far are great. Some that I use:

reddit is fun (if you're on reddit.com)
Tweetdeck (combines facebook posts + twitter)
Dropbox
Euchre (AI can get obvious, eventually)
IMDb (to look up movies/actors, etc.)
iReader (for ebooks)
Movies (see local theaters, movies and theater/dvd release dates)
Netflix (watch netflix, do it over wifi...3g is too slow...)
Ringdroid (select parts of songs and save them as ringtones, notifications, or alarms)
Shazam (identifies music by listening to it)
Ventriloid (talk on ventrilo)
Wifi Analyzer (see nearby wifi networks, their channels, etc.)
Urbanspoon (see local restaurants based on location, type of food, and price)

I don't bother with virus protection or whatever. Pointless.

Oh, and rooting your phone is amazing.

[Alaris]

Rooting my phone?

So eh what, I plant it or something? o.O

Also, is there a general accepted way to install software and files? I dragged my music to my bluetooth/music folder and some Excel Word files to bluetooth/misc folder, but I might not have done it the "right" way...

[Raye]

You don't have sudo powers by default. So you have to root your phone if you want such powers. if you do, then other doors open... you can install other versions of android OS (or android flavored) and there's a whole other subset of apps that work only on rooted phones. Like screenshots or overclocking apps.

Sent from my G2. lulz what typos?

[Alaris]

Looked it up, sounds fun. But sounds risky.

I have the capacity to become a power user, but I don't want the time investment or risk of breakage that comes with it. I'd rather keep that frustration and time for RL applications.

[RD]

NO ONE HAS SAID SNES YET! Get an SNES Emulator!!

My Droid has been acting up a lot lately... I want to throw the thing against the wall. I'm fairly sure it is just my model, but RAAAAAA

[Art]

Surprised no-one has mentioned zImperium's Anti program (Android Network Toolkit).

It's still in beta, officially passes itself off as a stress tester for networks and their security and is likely to be the reason why Android will be needing anti-virus' and firewalls.

Also the game known as 'Alchemy' is pretty sweet for a while.

-Art