Android Apps for Foodies

I was recently asked to give the world of Android a try.

I was a little skurred, for sure – I know Apple products, and learning something new is well, not something I am typically great at.  But after a glimpse of the gorgeous, large screened Droid DNA, I was kind of smitten.

It’s easy to navigate, it’s laid out in a similar fashion to the iPhone, and it is rational.

As in, it makes sense…there aren’t a lot of weird steps to get what you want.  One of my old phones was bizarre.  But let’s not talk about that nonsense.  The DNA is not weird.

So, as I’ve started using the DNA, I’ve been trying out some apps that as a foodie, and more precisely, a Food Blogger, make my life more convenient.  I think they might help you out, too.

First off, you have the Social Media.  These are a given.  A Food Blogger can’t survive without Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  So make sure you have those – which I bet you already do.  All you need now is ways to make them BETTER. 

Here are my suggestions.

Taking Great Food Photos

Now, if you are like me, sometimes Instagram leaves you, well, wanting.  Sure, the filters on Instagram are great, but I often want more.  In steps a fantastic photo editing app…

The Photo Editor, by Aviary

Filters, re-sizing, orientation, adding text, contrast, stickers – it’s all here.  Take your cheeseburger from tasty to mouthwatering in only a few clicks.  Then, load it right into Facebook,  Instagram, or directly into Twitter if you prefer to keep your photos in a format other than square.  The choice is yours.

 

Finding Great Food To Eat

OpenTable

I remember the days when OpenTable was merely for making a restaurant reservation without having to talk to an actual human.  Of course, you can still do that, but now that it has partnered up with Yelp, you can also get reviews of the restaurants, AND see what establishments are around you in map view.  Best part?  You still get the points for making those reservations.

 

UrbanSpoon

I still turn to Urbanspoon whenever I’m in a different city, as I like being able to see the User Rankings at a quick glance.  Japanese Food in Boston?  Plug it in, and find everything around you.  You’ll even find magazine, newspaper, and BLOGGER reviews listed for many of the restuarants.  Kind of love that.

 

 

Making Food at Home

AllRecipes

LOVE THIS APP.  Always have.  Huge database of recipes, and such a fun and easy way to search for a recipe.  The DinnerSpinner is a terribly clever idea…just enter what you have on hand to work with, give her a spin, and voila – dinner ideas!  There are lots of ways to search, but this is the one I use most.  And my son Seven thinks it’s an actual game…he likes to play the Cook the Chicken Game.

BigOven

So. Many. Recipes.  Or, add your own.  And hey, take a picture of what you’ve made, upload it in, and be a star.  There’s a menu planner as well, so you can make a grocery list and be well ahead of the game.  Ooooh – you can easily scale meals up or down to suit your needs, AND – measurements can be converted to metric.  Overall wonderful app.

 

What are your favorite apps for Android?  What am I missing?  I do love any and all Photo Apps, so fill me in.  Any recipe apps I should know about?  A Social Media App I’m not aware of yet?  Or, one that would make my life a little easier, maybe combines Facebook & Twitter, or something along those lines?  I’d love to know!