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Updated on December 10, 2021
Last year, I looked at the top apps in use, and how many of those I actually use. In the interest of staying current on apps, here’s a look at the most popular Android apps (as of May 2017) both in the US and globally, as well as my usage of each one.
Infographic by Statista (CC BY-ND)
Infographic by Statista (CC BY-ND)
The top apps vary between the US and world at large, of course. Among other reasons, Pandora is mainly a US-specific music service, unlike Spotify.
Android apps I use
Facebook’s the third most popular app globally and domestically, with Twitter (my favorite social network) is a no-show on both lists. I guess it fits Facebook’s immense popularity, despite its flaws.
My Facebook usage is mostly for following family, relatives, and online friends, plus running the blog’s Facebook page.
Instagram’s a popular photo sharing service, offering tight integration with Facebook (Instagram’s owner). While it doesn’t have the advantages of other photo services (Flickr’s Creative Commons photos, Google Photos’ integration with my Android phone), it does its core job of displaying photos well enough, I suppose.
I use Instagram to display the occasional photo I take, as well as follow photos posted by family, relatives, and online friends.
Spotify
Spotify’s one of the most popular music services in the world, so I’m not surprised it made the global list. Oddly, it’s not on the US list. Competition from Pandora, Android’s default Google Play Music app, etc.?
I occasionally use Spotify. While Google Play Music allows me to upload my music collection, Spotify offers a wider variety of pre-made playlists, including the “Discover Weekly” list.
Android apps I don’t use
Pandora
While Spotify’s stolen a lot of its thunder, Pandora’s still popular here stateside. That said, I’ve largely moved to Google Play Music and Spotify for my music listening. Both offer better features, including larger music libraries.
Games
I don’t play a ton of games on my Android devices. Angry Birds and a crossword puzzle app are the most prominent ones installed on my phone.
Additionally, “Injustice”‘s premise is “one of my all-time favorite superheroes is now evil and has to be stopped by Batman” (and got that way via being tricked by the Joker into gruesomely killing Lois). Sounds like most of what I dislike about modern superhero comics/DC Comics, but as a video game. All of which equals an automatic “pass” from me.
Whatsapp is quite popular, I’ll admit. Still, I have unlimited texting on my phone’s plan, plus rarely text or message others, so I haven’t needed such an app.
Snapchat
Snapchat’s something I’ve never gotten into, as I’m not sure what purpose it’d serve; see the above infrequent messaging remarks.
Messenger
Facebook spun off its messaging aspects into a separate, stand-alone app. Again, I don’t use messaging much as it is, and Twitter’s direct message feature gets used way more than Facebook’s ever did. Still, since others I know do rely Facebook Messenger (and Facebook period), I might consider installing it in the future.
Which of the above Android apps (or their iOS equivalents if an iPhone user) do you use?
