Amazon Appstore for Android Kindle Fire Apps to get you started

I’ve spent considerable time in the Amazon Appstore for Android since my recent purchase of the Kindle Fire. During that time I’ve found that the online reports are true; the Amazon Appstore for Android selection is not yet up to par with the official Android Marketplace. Many of my favorite apps from the Google Android Marketplace (an alternative store for the non-android initiated) just aren’t there. So until more apps migrate over to the Kindle App Store (sure to happen if you’ve seen recent news about Kindle Fire sales), I’ve had to make due with the current crop of apps available. So far, I have survived.

I’ve also been able to side-load a few applications, but I’ll leave that for my next post. For now, and after the hitting the link below, let me share the apps from the Amazon Appstore for Android that I feel are a worthy of consideration for your bright, shiny newAmazon Kindle.

This will be a simple list with a few caveats. I understand that some of these apps have very specific tasks and features and that may not appeal to all readers. But I bet you find something of value here. Hit the app name listed to be whisked away to the Amazon Appstore for Android page for that particular app. While you are on the app page, don’t forget to look for the Test Drive Now button. This will let you experience the app in a browser to ensure it has the features/experience you are looking for. The button is not available for all apps.

Free App of the Day: This is not a single app, but it is well worth repeating again and again. REMEMBER, Amazon offers a free app each and every day. This has been my primary way to try out new apps. Even if they don't appear of value currently or the reviews are a bit “one to two starish” I buy it! Why? The app may be updated later to fix bugs or add features that one day may prove to of value. Remember, updates are FREE! And I don’t have to keep the app on the Kindle Fire where it takes up precious room. I try it, if it stinks, I delete it from the device. If I ever want to give it another shot, I simply go to the cloud and download again.

Readitlater: ($2.99: half price, as of this writing, for a limited time) There are those occasions where you find an article online and you really want to read it later (hence the name) on your Kindle Fire. This app makes it easy and integrates nicely with your browser (search your browser extensions for Readitlater and you'll find lots of options). Typical scenario: you find article, it is too long to read currently, you click a browser button, the article is reformatted (devoid of advertising) and sent to Readitlater on the Kindle Fire, you read it later, and all is right with the world.

Wolfram Alpha: ($2.99) A bit of a math geek, someone who occasionally has to help with high school homework, and regularly reviews statistical data, I find this app indispensable. I’m always amazed by the amount of information this app provides. I also like the custom keyboard to make input even easier.

JustReader: (Free, ad-supported) If you’re an RSS junkie like me, you need this reader. I’ve tried them all on the Kindle Fire and this is currently the best of the lot (and the most like Reeder for Mac and iOS). It syncs with Google Reader, is relatively quick and does an excellent job syncing my favorite news and blog posts. I use this app daily. {December 3rd Update: I’ve recently discovered gReader in the app store and I really like it. It is slowly becoming my favorite and I may soon be removing JustReader.}

Stitcher: (Free, ad-supported) This is my podcast client of choice. I’ve used this on my iPhone for about a year now and the inclusion on my Kindle Fire makes it even more valuable. Listen to a podcast on my iPhone, walk into the house, pick up the Kindle Fire and I can begin listening where I left off. There are other features too numerous to mention. Give it a shot. It’s free!

Pandora: (Free, ad-supported) I like the free version of Pandora. Sure it is ad supported, but I don’t find them overtly annoying. The Kindle Fire version works as expected. In my opinion, this is still the best way to experience new music. For those not in the know, you create a custom radio station by selecting a song or artist. Pandora then searches for more songs “like” that one. As they are presented, you thumbs up or thumbs down. Pandora gets smarter and your station gets better. You can also create multiple stations.

TuneIn Radio: (Free) If you want to listen to terrestrial radio stations, this is your app. Select traditional radio stations from around the world to listen live. Syncs your favorites list with TuneIn Radio online (also free).

Scanner Radio Pro: ($2.99, Free version) You hear that police siren down the road and you really want to know what’s going on. This is the app for you. Depending on your locale, you should be able to listen to most emergency vehicles radio transmissions in your area. Alternatively you can listen to emergency radio transmissions from around the world. This one comes in two versions, pro or free. This is one of the few times I’ll recommend the pro version. I didn’t like the ad placement on the free version and it was worth it to me to get rid of them. I also wanted to include the free Chat plugin.

Netflix: (Free but requires Netflix subscription to service) It’s the Netflix app and makes a good supplement to the Amazon Prime Instant Video option on your Kindle Fire. Need I write more? Oh yeah, I do. It’s the new improved interface which completely blows the old iPad and iPhone app out of the water.

Epistle: (Free) You need to take a quick note and you want it to sync with your Dropbox account. This is the app to make that happen. My favorite way to access information on all my devices is through the creation of simple text notes in my Dropbox account and if I need to view or modify them on the Kindle Fire, this is the app I turn to.

Comics by Comixology: (Free) Amazon will sell you DC Graphic Novels; however, if you want single issues, other publisher titles and you want access to them online on your iOS device and on the Kindle Fire, Comics is the only way to go. This little app will allow you to purchase, sync and read your comics. It also includes a pane-by-pane mode that works really well on the Kindle Fire. Very geeky in a superhero kind of way.

Documents to Go or Quick Office Pro: ($14.99 or $9.99) You may need Microsoft Office compatibility on the go with your new Kindle Fire. I’m going to let you decide on this one. I own both and find each useful. Give the free versions (read only) a go first, but until you purchase the pro versions, you'll never really know if the suite suits your needs or not. If money is decision factor, you won’t go completely wrong with Quick Office Pro.

Exchange by Touchdown: ($12.99) No. Not a football game. If you work in an Exchange environment for e-mail and calendaring, this app will allow you to connect. If none of that last sentence made sense, you don't need this app. With this app I can read and write to my employers Microsoft Exchange server with ease. I’m pretty impressed with the capabilities of this app. Since the Amazon Kindle Fire doesn't include this ability out of the box, this is a must purchase for Exchange users.

And that should do it for now. Those are my “official” app recommendations. You may notice a lack of games. That was intentional. While I play a game or two occasionally, I am not a huge gamer. Besides, most of the big mobile platform games, such as Angry Birds, are available and play relatively well. So if you have game suggestions for the rest of us, feel free to drop that into the comments below. When I find other apps that make my Kindle Fire more productive and useful, I’ll add them to the blog.

In a future my next post we will hack around a bit and I’ll share the process you use to side-load applications (or install “unofficial apps”). Then I’ll provide a list of the unofficial apps you should install on your Kindle Fire. For now, drop me a comment and let me know if there is an app you think I’ve forgotten. If you have questions about an app not listed you can ask me about that as well. Chances are I may have tried it. Happy app downloading.