Android

Android

I've come to think of the Google Play app store a little like a galaxy. From a distance, the sheer number of apps is staggering, making it hard to taken in all at once. But zoom in on any one of those apps, and the distance between them, in terms of quality and what they offer, is vast. Consider: If you looked at an app from Google Play every second, without stopping, it would take more than 23 days to see them all. That's hardly a good use of time. So instead I present this list, the 100 essential apps that you need, whether you're on the best and newest Android phone or still plodding along on a dusty tablet.

Our 14 categories are presented alphabetically, and you'll find a little bit of everything from productivity and utilities to food and travel. Note that you won't find any games in this hallowed hall of Android excellence. That's not because we don't like fun. In fact, we love mobile games so much that we've made a separate list for the best Android games.

If this is your first time with an Android device, 100 apps might be too much to deal with right off the bat. In that case, you can start small with our list of 10 must-have Android apps. These are the perfect way to get started with Android, and will cover the basics. Or, if your wallet is feeling a little light, you might prefer the best free Android apps.

When we look for apps to add to this list, we're after those that excel in two areas: uniqueness and elegance. A unique app provides something that no other app can. Take a look at Tasker, which gives you incredible control over your Android device, if you can master its numerous tools. An elegant app may not be the most original app, but the way it accomplishes something makes it a joy to use. Lots of apps let you browse the news, but few do it as stylishly as Flipboard.

We also consider timeliness, design, price, security, and popularity when putting the list together. Each and every app in the list is excellent in its own way. Taken together, they are like a snapshot of the best of the Google Play store at the time of writing. If we missed something, or you have a recommendation, be sure to drop us a line in the comment section below. And now, we humbly present the 100 best Android apps of the year.