5 Tips and Apps for Better Android Phones [WATCH]

Google's Android 4.3 operating system, is displayed during a Google event at Dogpatch Studio in San Francisco, California, in this July 24, 2013 file photo. A U.S. appeals court on December 4, 2013 closely questioned Google's claim that Oracle does not enjoy copyright protection over certain parts of the Java programming language. Oracle sued Google in 2010, claiming that Google had improperly incorporated parts of Oracle's Java programming language into the Android operating system. REUTERS/Beck Diefenbach/Files

Android, the Linux kernel-based operating system (OS) for smartphones and tablets from big name brands such as Samsung, LG, HTC and Motorola, is amazing and all, but what if there are ways to make it even better? Well, wonder no more because here are 5 tips and apps for better Android phones.

1. Customise your keyboard -

Android phones come with the usual Google keyboard (Click HERE to see it). It is fine and dandy, but some users don't like it and prefer another keyboard style. Thankfully, there are apps available at the Google Play store that allows users to install and use the keyboard that they actually want to use with their Android phones. An example of a great keyboard app is SwiftKey which not only uses smart word prediction but also learns your personal typing styles by checking messages from Twitter, Facebook, Gmail and other sites that you frequently use. Check out the video below to see how it works. Other amazing keyboard apps are the Emoji Keyboard, A.I. type Keyboard and the Samsung keyboard from Samsung OTA Software. Click HERE to check out the available keyboard apps for Android phones.

CREDIT: YouTube/SwiftKeyApp

2. Use your Android phone as a personal assistant -

Android phones with the latest version of the Android OS, which is the 4.4.2 KitKat (released on Dec. 9, 2013), are equipped with the Google Now app. It is akin to Siri of iOS, Apple's own personal assistant app. Google Now must be allowed access to a user's personal information including emails and locations so that it can be maximized. It can provide important information such as traffic updates, package tracking, restaurant reservations, weather updates, including storm warnings, flight updates and event updates, including birthdays. All you have to do is swipe up from the Home button of your Android phone. Once you see Google Now, click on the check box that says "OK, I'm in!"

Click HERE to learn more about Google Now.

3. Use the Data Usage app -

This one's built into an Android phone. Just go to your phone's Settings and locate it there. Then, program it to warn you about your mobile broadband use so that you won't go over your plan. For example, if you have a 2GB plan and you don't want to go over that limit, set a warning once you have already used 1.5GB of broadband in your Android phone. According to Gigaom, a great app to use for this function is the Onavo Count app, which is free (Click HERE to learn more about it).

4. Remove ads and other distractions in the Chrome browser for Android phones -

Add Safari's Reader function, which is from iOS, to your Android phone by following five simple steps (Click HERE to learn more about it). Once you're finished with the fifth step, you can now surf for only pure content, without annoying distractions that clutter your browsing experience.

5. Upgrade your Android phone's camera functions -

Use the free VSCO Cam app from Google Play to manipulate and improve your favourite images (Click HERE to check it out). Once you are satisfied with your handiwork, then you can now share the edited photos on several social networking sites such as Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.

Hopefully, these 5 tips and apps will help you have better Android phones. Try them out and see the improvements for yourself. Visit Google Play for more details about these free apps.