I've been using the Google app (Play) site for programs for my smart phone - it's the Samsung Nexus S that is purely Google, no Samsung software at all. The first question should be what software came installed on the device? It would be a good idea to explore that and build outward.

Be sure to put in an antivirus/security program. There is a free AVG program for Android that I'm using (and my son, who also has a smartphone, is using that one - I thought I'd check to see if he knew of anything better, but he didn't). You may also want to see what keyboard apps are out there - the ones that predict (accurately!) can save time as you add text to whatever program. There are productivity readers for MS Office programs so you can read them if you download files in email.

I work at a computer all day so I don't need this phone to have every bell and whistle, but I do have a couple of browsers I use and like. In addition to a standard Google browser, I use Opera mini and Dolphin. I'm not sure if the Dolphin is for more than just the phone, but you can check.

You don't have to get apps just through Google Play. You can go to the specific site and download apps, though sometimes you're redirected back to Google Play if it is in there, and sometimes I'm asked what browser I want to use for that process to download it. I've downloaded an app from my bank, for example, that I know will connect when I need to log on to check a balance or move money for one of the kids when I'm away from my computer. Simply navigating to the bank site on a phone browser doesn't necessarily let me do all of the things I might want to. One of the browsers gets a message from the bank that it isn't adequate to use for connecting to my accounts.

I have resisted getting a tablet though I see them being used productively all around me. I'd only get WiFi, not one tied to it's own phone account - that gets expensive in a hurry. Doing much web browsing in detail on the phone, even as big as it is, is like looking through a keyhole. The tablet gives you more the effect of one of the old small laptop monitors but with better and faster resolution.

Hope this helps.

SRS