The hard part is over: deciding between smartphones and trying to find the one that best suits you can be a lot of work. Now that that’s out of the way and you have a shiny new phone, it’s time to have some fun with it. Mobile phones aren’t just for talking anymore; they’re now akin to tiny personal computers, even equipped with operating systems and software. That means, unlike your old phone, you’re not confined to talking and playing Solitaire. There’s a whole world of amazing software just for your new phone; time to go and explore it.

First Things First: Apps

Most people don’t normally think ‘software’ when they want to trick out their phone; they think ‘apps’. Well, apps (aka applications) are software, but the name conjures up more exciting things than, say, anti-virus protection. There are hundreds of thousands of apps out there, made by everyone from major software developers to your little brother. Apps can turn your smartphone into a mini arcade, an organizational arsenal or a personal library. Take a look at some of these fantastic options, then go discover a few of your own:

• Cut the Rope. If Angry Birds is getting a little old, how about branching out? This addictive game stars Om Nom, a hungry little monster with a serious sweet tooth who needs your help fulfilling his candy cravings.
• ShopSavvy. Anyone who likes shopping or just likes finding bargains will want to check out this app. With it, you can compare prices from store to store, find out about sales and even buy stuff.
• Evernote. This fabulous app is like your second brain — the one that remembers everything you tell it. Record ideas, take notes, capture images, record spoken ideas and thoughts, and then access them all in a snap.
• Blogger. No more lapsed entries! Keep up with your blog no matter where you are with this app. The slide out QWERTY keyboard on the Samsung Transfix by Cricket makes typing entries sans actual computer a breeze.
• iTookThisOnMyPhone. Photos and phones? A natural and convenient pairing! Share the pics you take in one fell swoop with this app, which lets you upload them onto photo-sharing sites such as Facebook.

Updates: That Other Software

While certainly not as exciting as apps, there is another area of software that’s worth checking out: updates. Just like your web browser, phone software sometimes needs an adjustment to improve performance. Keep an eye out for updates and check them out — you want your new phone to stay in tiptop shape, right?

Image via Flickr