25 essential business apps for Android

Plenty of business-related tasks are moving to smartphones, including expense tracking, social media, and even on-the-go invoicing. Here are 25 essential apps for Android

As Android devices continue to invade the enterprise, workers are beginning to rely on them as much as, if not more than, than laptops and desktops. In addition to basic email, plenty of other business-related tasks are moving to smartphones, including expense tracking, social media updates and even on-the-go invoicing.

It can be tough finding the right app for the right task, but here are 25 essential business apps for Android (note: the last five require an enterprise component).

[ Also check out Android 4.0: The ultimate guide (plus cheat sheet) and 16 free and great Google Nexus 7 apps. | Get the best apps for your mobile device: InfoWorld picks the best iPad office apps, the best iPad specialty business apps, the best Android office apps, and the best Android specialty apps. | Keep up on key mobile developments and insights with the Mobile Edge blog and Mobilize newsletter. ]

1. PocketCloud

Developer: Wyse

Cost: Basic version for one computer, free; premium version, which provides connections to multiple computers, $5/month.

Available on iOS too? Yes

Pocket Cloud provides secure remote access to a Mac or Windows desktop from your Android phone or tablet. You can access your files, photos, and applications, like PowerPoint and Photoshop. Recently added features include an “explore” capability that provides a streamlined view of desktop file systems, so you can actually find what you’re looking for from that small smartphone screen. This feature also helps facilitate file sharing, especially when files are too large to email or download to your phone. A cloud storage component is still in beta.

2. Mr. Number

Developer: Mr. Number

Cost: Free; however, the call ID feature is only free if you let Mr. Number look through your contacts to help it identify unknown numbers. If you block it from doing this, you can get the Caller ID features for $1.99/month

Available on iOS too? No

This app serves as a spam/nuisance filter for both your texts and calls. Mr. Number consolidates features that you used to have to cobble together through separate apps. It provides advanced Caller ID, so you know who’s calling, even from cell phones. Call blocking lets you block and even report annoying numbers that you used to have to go through your carrier to block, while text blocking allows you to banish spammy or just annoying SMSers.

3. Auto Memory Manager

Developer: Mad Squirrel

Cost: The free version is ad supported. To get rid of ads, pay $1.59 for the premium version.

Available on iOS too? No

Is your smartphone starting to get slow and sluggish? You could have memory issues. On PCs, it’s easy enough to add more RAM. On your phone? Not the easiest chore. However, you can better manage memory with this app to help free up resources and boost performance.

25 essential business apps for Android