Ad-Aware Pro Security 10
$36
This suite offers antivirus and firewall protection, plus a browser safety toolbar. It's relatively light on resources, but the firewall is low-powered and the antivirus killed one test system. You can do better.
avast! Internet Security 7
$69.99 for three licenses
avast! Internet Security 7 has some unusual features, including remote assistance and sandbox virtualization. However, unless you're a sandbox junkie, you'll be better off choosing one of our Editors' Choice suites.
AVG Internet Security 2012
$54.99, direct; $68.99 for three licenses
Performance tests showed this suite has only a small impact on system performance, and its antivirus protection is very good. However, the other suite components don't measure up to the antivirus, which you can obtain for free as a standalone product.
Avira Internet Security 2012
$59.99, direct; $89.99 for 3 licenses
The antivirus component is the best part of this suite, with good malware cleanup and better real-time protection. Phishing protection and parental control, however, are not so hot. Overall it's a good suite, but not a great one.
Bitdefender Total Security 2012
$79.95 direct for 3 licenses$63.75 at UnbeatableSale Bitdefender Total Security 2012 offers all the features you could want in a mega-suite, but it does its job silently. All of its components are good. Some, like phishing protection, are great. This is a good choice for those who want protection without drama.
BullGuard Internet Security Suite 12
$59.95 direct for three licenses
The best part of this suite is its real-time protection against malware attack. The flexible online and local backup system is also nice. But many of the other components just aren't up to snuff.
Comodo Internet Security Pro 2012
$4.99
This stripped-down suite includes hands-on remote assistance by Comodo's GeekBuddy experts. If its antivirus scan finds any threats, you'll want to invoke their expert help for full cleanup.
ESET Smart Security 5
$59.99, direct; $79.99 for three licenses
This suite has some good points. The labs like it, it didn't put much of a drag on the test system, and malware cleanup was mostly good in my tests. However, other sub-par components make it a poor choice.
F-Secure Internet Security 2012
$59.99 direct for three licenses
Most components of F-Secure Internet Security 2012 do a good job, though phishing protection and parental control are weak. Its effect on system performance is very low. As good as it is, other suites are better.
G Data InternetSecurity 2012
$44.95 direct for three licenses
Some of this suite's features are very good, others not so good. If your needs match the good ones and not the bad ones it's quite a bargain, significantly less expensive than the average suite.
GFI VIPRE Internet Security 2012
$49.95, direct
VIPRE's spam filter is the best around, but its antivirus protection is average and it can't seem to remove rootkits. Its firewall avoids bombarding the user with popups simply by not enabling protection that might cause popups. Its performance drag is small, and the 10-PC home site license is a bargain, but you're better off paying more for more protection.
Kaspersky Internet Security 2012
$79.95 direct for three licenses$26.99 at SnaggStuff The independent labs love Kaspersky's antivirus protection, but it fared poorly in PCMag's hands-on tests. Its firewall is impressive, and the Safe Run sandboxing feature protects the system from questionable files and Web sites, but the antispam and antiphishing features failed to impress. Choose this suite if its strong points align with your needs.
Adobe Reader: Probably one of the most downloaded apps from the Android Market, Adobe Reader, can easily claim to be one of best PDF viewers for both tablets and mobile phones based on Google’s OS. Whether you want to bookmark a page or hop onto a particular page, the app delivers. Workingfor most parts minus any glitches, it’s a great pick.
Tweet Deck: Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare…those who have profiles on a range of social networks can find solace in the TweetDeck for Android application. It streams content in a format easy to read and manage. Users who spend an ample amount of their free time or let’s say just time on the web are going to like the social browser for keeping them updated in a convenient manner.
Google Maps: There’s something about Google Maps on Android phones that makes it a must-have. Along with free and voice-guided GPS, the application also does its bit by bundling in the Places and Latitude feature as well forrecommendation and check-in to places respectively. All you’re going to have to worry about is enough memory space in your device and nothing more.
Skype: With video calling still unavailable for a range of phones, you may want to check your handset’s computability before you give Skype for Android v2.1 a go. In fact, many new phones have been added just recently to the existing list. Like its desktop version, you have the advantage of engaging in free Skype-to-Skype video calls while phones can also be called at affordable Skype rates.
YouTube: ‘The latest version of the official YouTube app, now with in-page playback!’ seems to sum it all up on why you may want to download thisapplication should you not already have it on your phone. The highlight of this app is without doubt its user interface that ensures watching videos is not just any mundane activity. A completely re-hauled player control and easy rotation for full-screen playback are some other interesting features included in the app.
ASTRO File Manager: Pictures, music, videos and loads of other files – phew! There’s hardly anything we don’t want a copy of in our smartphones and that’s just where the ASTRO File Manager comes handy. Allowing easy management of content, the app brings to the table attributes like Zip Tar, file and/or app backup, downloader and search files.
PhotoWall Live Wallpaper: No sooner had wedownloaded it, we fell in love with the PhotoWall Live Wallpaper application. Adding that extra zing to an otherwise boring homescreen has photo effect options too. You can have photos showcased as the wallpaper and even set them to change automatically with this free Android app. What’s more, it also supports Picasa web album now.
Opera Mini web browser: Our time spent on the Opera Mini web browser in the Android phones we’ve reviewed so far asserts one thing for sure – faster load speeds means paying lesser in data charges. Isn’t that what browsers should be doing anyway? So if you’re hunting for a web browser that’s not just speedy but also user friendly, this should be your choice.
Wheres My Droid: This is the app to download if you’re among the handful that frequently sees themselves asking ‘Wheres My Droid’ in a real world scenario more often than they’d like to. Keeping to its name, the application works just fine for those who’ve lost their handset. Features are inclusive of being able to turn the ringer on and also getting the GPS location of the phone, all via a simple text message.
JuiceDefender – Battery Saver: We’d run out of count on the applications that apparently reclaim your battery life but the JuiceDefender – Battery Saver app really works. The powerful tool wraps in smart functions tailored specifically to increase the battery life of an Android device. And the 5 preset profiles make customization a breeze
