Although Apple’s iPhone and its loaded iOS platform have changed the face of mobile phones and their uses, Google’s open source Android platform is catching up fast and gaining its own loyal following. With the plethora of apps (or apps) available for download on the Android app store, many Android phone users can now make the most of their mobile devices, whether it’s for business, fun, recreation, or gaming. But, while there are hundreds and hundreds of free Android apps available, keep in mind that there may be a lot of apps out there that aren’t that great. We’ll help you find the best ones on the Android app store by bringing you ten of the best free Android apps this year.

1. Free Android Advanced Task Killer App. This free Android app can help you maximize the speed and efficiency of your Android phone. Remember, while Android phones can multitask (something pre-iPhone 4 users can’t enjoy), this can hog up valuable memory and drain your battery. Use Advanced Task Killer to quit tasks and apps that can slow down your phone.

2. Astrid. Science and research state that we can only store 4-7 things in our short-term memory. It’s good that you have Astrid and your Android phone to the rescue! This nifty free Android app lets you keep track of reminders, tasks and errands, and even group them by priority or due date. A cute little cartoon octopus (“Astrid”) even acts as her personal assistant, reminding her of upcoming events.

3. Dolphin Browser. iPhones may have proprietary Safari, but Androids have Dolphin Browser. This free Android app makes mobile browsing easier and much more fun, with pinch zoom, gesture commands, tabbed browsing, bookmark sorting and more.

4. Foursquare. Instead of just letting your friends know where you went to dinner, show them exactly where you’ve been with Foursquare. With Google Maps, your friends can see where you are, and you can see where they’ve been too. You can even explore nearby restaurants, cafes, and shops through your phone. Remember to include Foursquare when you download Android apps!

5. Google sky map. Have the sky in your hands literally download it from android app stores. Google Sky Map lets you see the constellations and planets and even helps you name the stars. GPS navigation also allows you to see the exact position of the stars and planets based on your location.

6. Mint. This app, which is available on Android app stores, can help you keep track of your personal finances on the go. Enter your daily expenses and transactions so you know where your money is going. You can even keep a monthly budget and monitor your overall cash flow with this free Android app.

7. Replica Island. Relive the fun days of Mari Brothers and MegaMan on your Android phone with this exciting and cute game. Replica Island allows you to navigate a cute green robot through 40 different levels, each with different degrees of difficulty.

8. Talk to me. Communicate with people from all over the world, regardless of race or nationality, with this free and convenient application for Android. Just type any text and Talk to Me will translate it into any of the 40 different languages ​​available. You can also speak to it, and the app will reply in Chinese, German, Spanish, French… the list goes on and on!

9. Bubble rhythms. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to watch music? Well, Bubble Beats provides the answer to that question with its unique and innovative interface. Free from the Android app stores, Bubble Beat is a kind of jukebox that lets you assign colored bubbles or dots to certain tracks. You can then create playlists by grouping bubbles together. Listening to music has never been so much fun!

10. Ringdroid. Are you tired of the same old boring ringtones and message alerts? Then download this free Android app. Ringdroid allows you to record and edit sounds, as well as create ringtones. It’s like your own little music studio inside your mobile phone!

Take full advantage of Google’s open source platform and your nifty Android phone! The handy, fun and innovative free Android apps listed above prove that often the best things in life are the ones you don’t have to pay for. So, head over to your favorite Android app store and start downloading these apps now!