Androids continue to dominate the global smartphone market, indicating has far this mobile OS has gone since it was rolled out in 2008. Since the Android Market introduced a set of widgets then, the Android has expanded to wider platforms and ecosystems with the latest being the Jellybean and the Lime Key Pie on the horizon.

However, like any OS, the Android has its strengths and weaknesses. Tech blogger Bob Freking identified the 4 best and 3 worst features of the Android in YugaTech (http://www.yugatech.com/gooooogle/android-the-best-and-worst-of/).

Best Features

1. Like a desktop computer - Its homescreen is similar to a desktop and the owner could add widgets, shortcuts and folders and rearrange them according to user's taste. It also provides access to file director and a wide range of installers, while providing geeks with chances to hack, mod and overclock.

2. Personalisation - Allows setting up of live wallpaper, addition of widgets on homescreen and changes to keyboard and even how the homescreen works.

3. New Features - Took the lead in the introduction of new features such as panoramic photos when everyone else was using regular photos, leveled up recently to photo-sphere.

4. Variety - Offers a choice in every corner, ranging from cameras to styluses and even ovens (the kitchen appliance used for baking cakes and cookies). The bonus is that these apps have more affordable price tags, but this wide range is also a source of problem for Android users as seen below.

Worst Features

1. Slow to software updates - With thousands of models of Android devices, owners of underrated units often would have to wait for a long time for an update. Most phone makers update devices that are popular, but for the less popular units, the handset upgrade could come earlier than an update.

2. Fast hardware upgrade - In contrast to the slow software upgrade, hardware upgrades are quite fast that after a few months, one's top-of-the-line and latest model unit appears obsolete and antiquated just after a few months.

3. Apps ecosystem - While Android tablets enjoy great hardware, they suffer from bad app support since most apps are just phone apps "blown up to a large scale, and it's ugly." Some apps with poor polishing result in bad arranged ads, misplaced details and other glitches. In comparison to Windows' and iOS user interface, only few apps follow Android's Holo UI.

Meanwhile, British daily Guardian released its list of top 30 Android apps for the week. The list includes price of the apps. Here are the top 10 apps.

1. Material (free) - Serves up news stories and blog posts accordingly in a stylish design which is its main attraction

2. NFC by Moo (free) - Features NFC-enabled cards that can have URLs, phone numbers, map links, contacts and social networking profiles linked.

3. The Simpsons: Tapped Out (free) - The rebuilding of Springfield after a nuclear meltdown, featuring the main characters from the popular cartoon series.

4. Zombie Minesweeper (￡0.63) - Added more zombies.

5. The 500 Hats of Bartholomew (￡3.18) - Based on a young boy's attempts to doff his fat to the king; aimed at 6-12 year-olds

6. NewsWhip (free) - News aggregation based on cans of 1 billion Facebook and Twitter users to track breaking stories.

7. Die Hard (free) - Users swipe and tap their way through missions, including bullet-time feature to cause stylish deaths to enemies.

8. Gifted2you (free) - Reminder for special occasions which offers users browsing of catalogues of products, and linked to Facebook.

9. Pokemon TV (free) - Coloured virtual pet with more characters and higher resolution.

10. DashClock Widget (free) - A replacement lock-screen clock widget for devices running on Android 4.2, with customizable extensions.

Android Apps own list of 30 best games and apps for November 2012 is in the following YouTube post.

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