Have you just got a new HTC Magic? or waiting for the HTC Hero to come out? Here are 2 must have apps to get for free from the Android Market to manage your wifi and data connections

Wefi – Manage your battery life and wi-fi connectivty

Turn it on to see if there are free networks around you – once its found somewhere, it will login if its free or tell you it needs a password. Turn it to off when you leave your home wifi and it wont look for other networks. Saves you battery and saves you time.

A new version of this was recently released – with a fresher user interface, which now looks a little busy. However it still does the job.

The developers claim the app will in the future download from the wefi.com website a list of the nearest wifi spots, but this feature is something they need – so long as it grows the list of international wifi hot spots

Wisync – Reduce your mobile internet usage when you dont have unlimited data

WiSync for the Google Android Phone is an application that automatically enable/disable syncing on WIFI (dis)connect. This will save you money for those without unlimited data plans. Also saves battery by preventing constant background syncing. Sync only when you turn WIFI on/off as you need

Damien Saunders

Looking for somewhere to go …. Maybe you need to waste some time or want to find something else to try on your Google Android G1 or HTC Magic.

Google obviously has embedded a lot things into the phone – but here are 2 apps that were not installed on the Android phone when you open the box.

Places Directory

Price FREE   Downloads >250,000

updated — 21 Sept -- Even before augmented reality became a buzzword … Google Places Directory was already bringing Google Maps together with GPS / Location Based Services. The Places Directory is a search aggregator – easily find out the most talked about / blogged / reviewed Cafes in London. Trying to find a ‘Gas Station’ in Brixton might be a bit spurious – Gas Stations are not commonly found in the UK, but petrol stations are.

Places Directory is a great aggregator of content from Googles own directories, Wikitude, QYPE and food review sites etc. It’s still much better than the competition (think LAYAR) as its very quick and you dont have to join any new websites before you can use it.

Android Market - point your camera here

Voice Search

A new one, that I just found … and one to show your friends. Just speak and search Google. “Computer – take me to your leader”

Both apps are in the Android Market

Damien Saunders