TuneIn Radio [Essential App Series]

Continuing our weekly series highlighting the must-have apps for every Android user is TuneIn Radio. This multimedia app can access nearly any live radio stream in the world and play it real time through your Android device. As long as it streams online, TuneIn Radio can find it. Browse the continuously updating list of stations or use your GPS location to find what’s local. This app can also access thousands of podcasts, categorized by genre. Expose yourself to a world of news, opinion, sports and entertainment. From Aljazeera to Country Top 40, there’s definitely something for everybody.

You can download TuneIn Radio here.

Barcode Scanner [Essential App Series]

Whether you are a devoted follower of all things Android or just a novice, there are a handful of apps that I would deem "must-haves" for every Android device.  The Essential App Series will be a weekly post that highlights special apps that are necessary additions to your Android arsenal.

In this inaugural post, we'll be taking a look at the Barcode Scanner app by ZXing Team.


What it does: Barcode Scanner uses the camera of your Android device to scan barcodes, data matrix, and QR codes (such as the one pictured on our home page).

Why you need it: A simple code can contain endless amounts of information (e.g. urls, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, vcards). Whether you need a price check on a grocery item or just don't have time to enter a url into your phone, this app makes information gathering and connectivity a breeze.

Barcode Scanner is a free app that can be downloaded here.