The Best Free and Open Source Apps in 2024!

Summary

In this video, the host introduces 15 of their favorite free and open-source applications for 2024. The list includes System UI Tuner for system-level customization, James DSP for enhanced audio quality, Positional for GPS and geographic information, and Telegram Themer for custom themes. Other apps featured are Save on Device for organized file saving, Plan and Octe for device management, and Cashew for budget tracking. The list also covers Hail for hiding system apps, Noto for note-taking, Dual Wallpaper for theme-based wallpapers, Smart Spacer for advanced widget functionality, Notification Dictionary for quick word definitions, Audio Share for streaming computer audio, and OB tanium for keeping apps updated. The video concludes by inviting viewers to share their own favorite free and open-source apps.

Takeaways

• 📱 The video showcases 15 favorite free and open source applications for 2024.
• 🔧 System UI Tuner is a powerful app that unlocks system-level modifications, requiring ADB permissions.
• 🎵 James DSP enhances phone audio quality with customizable settings and also requires ADB permissions.
• 📍 Positional is a well-designed app for GPS and geographic information, offering a range of location-related features.
• 🎨 Telegram Themer is an open source tool for creating and applying custom themes in Telegram.
• 💾 Save on Device simplifies file management by allowing users to save files directly to their preferred location.
• 🖥️ Plan app enables phone management through a web browser, offering file access, note syncing, and screen mirroring.
• 🔄 Octe allows syncing and monitoring of information from other Android devices, providing insights like battery levels and app lists.
• 💰 Cashew is an expense and budget tracker with a focus on design and customization, helping users manage their spending.
• 🧊 Hail is an open source app for hiding system apps from the home screen and AppDrawer, enhancing user experience.
• 📓 Noto is a clean and minimal open source note-taking app with formatting, categorization, and reading mode features.
• 🖼️ Dual Wallpaper lets users set different wallpapers based on their phone's system theme and is compatible with Android 14.
• 📊 Smart Spacer enhances Google's glance widget on Google Pixel phones with added functionality like unread counters and Tasker plugins.
• 📚 Notification Dictionary provides instant word definitions through a notification, aiding in reading comprehension.
• 🎶 Audio Share is a simple app for streaming audio from a computer to a phone, offering flexibility for listening on the go.
• 🔄 OB tanium is a tool for keeping apps updated, especially those not available or outdated on the Google Play store.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the System UI Tuner application mentioned in the video?

System UI Tuner is a free and open source application that unlocks various system-level modifications for your phone, such as hiding icons in the status bar, customizing UI sounds, setting custom device lock timeout durations, and disabling specific radios in airplane mode.

How does James DSP improve audio quality on a phone?

James DSP is an application that enhances audio quality by allowing users to adjust a variety of settings. With the right configurations, it can significantly improve the sound output from phone speakers to match individual preferences.

What kind of information can be obtained from the Positional app?

Positional is a GPS and Geographical information application that provides detailed information about any location, including latitude and longitude coordinates, compass directions, and the ability to set waypoints for trails.

What is the main function of the Telegram Themer app?

Telegram Themer is an open source app that allows users to create and apply unique themes to the Telegram app, customizing its appearance with a wide range of settings and options.

How does the Save on Device app help with file management on a phone?

Save on Device is an app that enables users to manually save files to their device from any app or service. It provides an option in the system share sheet to choose the exact location where files are saved, helping to keep the downloads folder organized.

What are the features of the Plan app for managing phone files through a web browser?

Plan app allows users to manage their phone through a web browser, enabling them to view, open, and save phone storage files to a computer. It also includes options for writing notes that sync across devices and mirroring the phone screen.

What is the main purpose of the Octe app, and how does it work?

Octe is an app that lets users sync and view information about other Android devices. After setting up the app on the desired device, users can monitor details such as battery levels, operating temperatures, network connection information, and app lists from any phone with the app installed.

What features does the Cashew app offer for expense and budget tracking?

Cashew is an expense and budget tracker app that includes features to help users manage their spending securely. It offers customization options, attractive design, and animations throughout the interface.

How does the Hail app allow users to hide system apps on their phone?

Hail is an open source app that lets users hide system apps by granting the app permission. Users can select apps to hide, and they will be removed from the home screen and App Drawer. To restore them, users simply go back into Hail and tap on the app they want to restore.

What is the Noto app, and what are its main features?

Noto is an open source note-taking app that offers a clean and minimal interface. It allows users to format notes, sort them into categories, use a reading mode, set reminders, and add folders of notes to a vault that can be secured with a passcode or biometrics.

What functionality does the Dual Wallpaper app provide?

Dual Wallpaper is an app that lets users set different wallpapers based on their phone's system theme. It also works seamlessly with Android 14, making it a go-to app for customizing wallpapers.

How does the Smart Spacer app enhance the functionality of Google's out of glance widget on Google Pixel phones?

Smart Spacer takes Google's out of glance widget and adds more functionality, such as unread counters, digital well-being stats, and Tasker plugins. It does not require root access and only needs permissions to be granted via ADB.

What is the Notification Dictionary app, and how does it assist users in understanding words?

Notification Dictionary is an app that allows users to quickly look up the meaning of words while reading text. Users can select a word, tap the three-dot icon, and then tap 'meaning' to receive a temporary notification with the word's definition.

What is the Audio Share app, and how does it facilitate sharing audio from a computer to a phone?

Audio Share is a simple app that enables users to stream audio from a computer to their phone. Users need to install Audio Share on both their phone and computer and follow the setup steps to start streaming audio from the computer to the phone speaker.

What is the purpose of the OB tanium app, and how does it help with updating other apps?

OB tanium is an app that helps users keep their apps updated. Users can copy the URL of an app from a source like GitHub, open OB tanium, paste the URL, and add the app to a list where they can track updates manually or receive notifications for updates.