Android Apps For Parents?

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

So my parents are not big computer people at all.
However when I went away on vacation a few weeks back, they stayed at my house. 
Since I was gone for 18 days and in The Philippines, we used FaceTime and Skype on the iPad to stay in touch and save money on overseas calls.
They really kept commenting about how cool the iPad itself was. This was the first time they used any type of tablet device.

 

Unfortunately, due to other XMas presents that they really wanted and were more necessities then they were gifts, I could not afford to buy them a new iPad, even a mini, once all was said and done.

 

Due to some gift cards though, I was able to pick them up a Google Nexus 7.
It also came with a $25 Google Play credit via a promotion.
I plan on setting it up ahead of time, so was going to install all the apps I think my mom would find useful.

 

So I am just curious, what do people think are "must-have" Android apps for parents who know little to nothing about tablets? And again keep in mind, they are not big computer people at all.

 

So the main point of this tablets will be email and surfing. Some Skype video chatting as well.
I am also going to have my mom use Google Hangouts to start texting me instead using her phone (my smartphone is a Samsung Galaxy S4), as she is often coming close to her monthly limit on texts each month.

 

As I indicated, I am an Android user myself, but really just want to get other people's take on things.

 

Right now, I am just thinking the following...

 

• Skype
• Swiftkey Keyboard (I personally love it, and think it will help my mom with texting a ton since she often says the same things)
• Anti-Virus App (I already have a key for ESET, plan on using it)
• Netflix (they have Netflix)

I also picked them up a Chromecast as it was only $30. Will hook that up for them for Netflix, and possibly other stuff in the future.

 

So what do people think? What are the must-have Android apps for a parent who is not a big computer user at all?

[tsupersonic]

For news readers, Flipboard and/or Play Newsstand.

If they read ebooks, Kindle, Nook, Play Books, or Moon+ Reader (for local content)

[techbeck]

Well, depends really on their interests. Can you be more specific on what they are in to?

I would install a different web browser. I am currently using Chrome Beta as it is pretty damn quick. I also have my bookmarks synced from my desktop and use the Chromecast extension from time to time.

Other than that, some games. My mom likes to play spider solitaire and a few other card games.

[+Fulcrum Subscriber¹]

TuneIn Radio is always my list - you can select stations from all over the world. Free Version works PERFECT.

 

I just tried Flipboard and it's really neat! But I've been using Pulse and it's mostly useless because i get everything on the Radio.

They may want a weather app with forecast on their home screen.

 

I think some of the best things you can help them with is by organizing their home screens: remove the clutter, have the speed dials prepared.

 

WiFi Calling is free like Skype, but I think Skype works over Cellular Towers, which is better i guess.

 

I'm not sure how Google Hangouts reduces texting costs, but i've heard of Whatsapp messenger (which is now $1/yr, first year is free), the communication on it is supposedly free and your phone# is your ID.

[AJerman]

Yeah, not really sure what you mean. I'm not sure what a "parent" app is. It all just depends on what they want to do with it. Skype/Hangouts will do your video. My parents play a few games on their phones, but that's about it I think. My mom probably has some cooking type apps, bank apps, workout apps, etc. It's pretty difficult to give suggestions for specific people when you don't know those people. We have a thread with people's favorite app suggestions. Maybe read through there for what people consider quality apps and match what fits your parents' interests.

 

https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/817420-definitive-best-android-apps/

[firey]

My dad has an iPad.  He basically uses it for NHL Scores,  playing random puzzle/mystery games, netflix, and browsing the web.  I don't think there are any specific apps.. it ends up being what they enjoy doing, and plan on using it for.

[+Eternal Tempest MVC]

Here are the apps I always re-load / put on my devices.

 

QuickPic (Free) - I use to replace the built in gallery, easy to use, fast rendering of images on phone

ezPDF Reader (Not Free) - I like the best for viewing pdf's

QuickOffice (Free) - for viewing / editing office documents

Reddit is fun (Free/Paid) - if they do reddit 

 

These are the essential apps that I always use.

 

Out of all the apps, QuickPic may seem the best for parents, easy to use, no ads, free, indexes / pulls in all the images / video's quickly.

[srbeen]

Dots and 7x7 are very addictive simple free puzzle games.

May like something for taking notes (like colornote) if not there,

voice recorder or some sorts can come in handy.

pandora/hulu+/netflix/sirius apps, all subscription based services sometimes have one. Cell carriers and banks even.

I have one one simply called timer (mobi.intuitit.andriod.x.timerit) that will quickly set a countdown timer.

soundhound can identify songs. I think shazam? does this too.

Amazon App store - lots of give aways until the 28th. worth the install for the $5 credit.

[+Fahim S. MVC]

Try Slice and Pocket

[DConnell Member]

My mom is addicted to Angry Birds on her Nexus 7. Every version.

 

Words With Friends is another good little game.