Android Apps

[Kerry]

I am new to the whole app thing but thought it would be nice to have a thread to share favorite apps.

I just found a new app today that is really cool. It is called Layar. It is very hard to describe but basically it uses your cameras phone to deliver a heads-up display of point of interest by superimposing images on top of the camera image. The super imposed images are hyperlinks that take you to more information. They call it 'reality augmentation'. The app is free.

Check out their intro video.

[Kerry]

I also use the DirecTV app (saved me tonight because I left the house and forgot record the Thunder game). The Weather Channel has a very cool app that includes video and a feature that follows you around so you know the weather where you are, even when you don't know where you are. I was on a business trip in Louisiana when a line of sever storms hit about 10PM. There were several tornado warnings being issued for multiple counties but I didn't know what county I was in or where the counties with the tornados were. The Weather Channel app could save your life with the 'follow me' feature.

[BBatesokc]

I use several photo apps - my favorites are Pic Say Pro, Retro Camer+, Camera ZOOM FX, Camera 360 Ultimate and FX Camera. I also use Gas Buddy since gas prices started going up. Social media related I use FaceBook, Foursquare, Get Glue, Gowalla, HootSuite, and TweetDeck. For shopping I use ShopSavvy (barcode scanner), Amazon, Craigsnotification (let's you know when something you are looking for is posted to CL), EBay, Groupon, and PayPal. The only games I play on my phone are Angry birds, Klondike and Nova. A great app for sharing things like photos is Bump. Fitness wise I use Calorie Counter and MyFitnessPal. A good note taking app is ColorNote. I use Lookout to scan for viruses and backup. I also use WaveSecure for the same thing but it also has a better locate feature. I like Mabilo Ringtones for my personalized ringtones. I use Shadyface whenever I meet with police or anyone else who has a history of lying. I like TripAdvisor for traveling. TV Guide Mobile is handy too. When we go out to eat we use Urbanspoon a lot. I post to my various blogs with the WordPress app.

[metro]

Kerry, the technology is called Augmented Reality or simply AR. AR is fixing to explode and provide a digital layer to our physical world

If you text a lot you should try out swype.

[SoonerDave]

Swype is IMHO the most critical utility any owner of a smartphone not having a physical keyboard can own. The difference it makes in how you approach using your phone is tremendous.

I'd advise getting it ASAP, because it is often in a "beta" cycle that closes and doesn't allow further downloads once the beta is closed...

If you're ever on the road, Google Maps is an absolute must as well. The GPS tool, along with turn-by-turn voice, makes most of the dedicated GPS devices pointless.

[Kerry]

Swype is IMHO the most critical utility any owner of a smartphone not having a physical keyboard can own. The difference it makes in how you approach using your phone is tremendous.

I'd advise getting it ASAP, because it is often in a "beta" cycle that closes and doesn't allow further downloads once the beta is closed...

If you're ever on the road, Google Maps is an absolute must as well. The GPS tool, along with turn-by-turn voice, makes most of the dedicated GPS devices pointless.

My HTC Evo has something similar to Swype already installed. It allows you type without having to lift your finger as you go from letter to to letter. With the Sprint NASCAR app I am a NASCAR fan again. It was really cool watching the Daytona 500 and being able to listen to the spotter, driver, and crew chief talk to each other. I used the EVO kickstand to prop up the phone next to me so I could keep tabs of my favorite driver, listen to team conversations, and watch the race on TV.

[BBatesokc]

I love the EVO's ability to simply speak a text or email and it types it. Works almost flawlessly for me.

[RadioOKC]

I have gone back and forth between Android and iPhone. I think you guys have swayed me in the direction
of the Android. Anyone have a preference among carriers? And are the apps universal? In other words do you
have access to the same apps no matter who the provider is?

Chris
http://www.radiookc.com

[silvergrove]

GoSMS replaces the default txting program, I like it for the customization.

WordFeud is a good scrabble app. Urbanspoon/Yelp for what's around the city to check out. All free.

[Kerry]

I have gone back and forth between Android and iPhone. I think you guys have swayed me in the direction
of the Android. Anyone have a preference among carriers? And are the apps universal? In other words do you
have access to the same apps no matter who the provider is?

Chris
http://www.radiookc.com

RadioOKC - I have Sprint. Sprint does bring a few things to the table that are unique to them although the other carriers might have something similar.

1. Sprint TV - free (there are also some pay packages available)
2. Sprint Football Live (for both college and pro)
3. NASCAR Sprint Cup Mobile

Beyond that it comes down to price and phone selection. The apps from the Android MarketPlace are universal although some phones tend to be buggier than others. The EVO seems to be the dominant Android phone. It also has an HDMI out so I can use the phone to drive my TV which will come in handy when the NetFlix app comes out.

[bluedogok]

The EVO seems to be the dominant Android phone.

It may be for Sprint, the EVO is a Sprint only phone. Most of the models are "carrier exclusive", I think my Droid Incredible is a Verizon exclusive. I switched from an iPhone 3G on AT&T last December, there are some things that I miss about my iPhone but not enough to make a change until a Verizon 4GLTE version comes out. Most of the top line Droid phones on whatever network have similar features, pick the best service/price/phone for you needs and wants.

In my experience the AT&T service was poor, I know some have no problems with AT&T. Just worthless many times in Austin or OKC, including my living room couch no matter what AT&T phone that I have had the past 8 years and I only live 5 miles from downtown in South Austin. I started out on Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems in OKC so I was a long time customer and not a plan switcher but I was finally moved to do it.

[Kerry]

I use Lookout to scan for viruses and backup.

I just installed Lookout over the weekend. Thanks for the tip. I like the 'locate my phone' features. When you register the phone with Lookout it sends you a link to a website. From the website you can locate the phone via GPS which shows the phone location on a map. It can also send a loud alarm to the phone (although if I lose it around the house I just call the cell number from my home phone). On the pay version of the app you can also disable the phone or wipe it clean. Of course, it also checks for viruses and does back-up (although I sync my phone to my laptop anyhow).

Looking around I found a few more apps of interest.

Survivor: My wife is a huge Survivor fan and the Survivor app has lots of features, including full episodes. It is free

Channel Surfing: Since the feds took away the website I used to use to watch Thunder games I bought the app for $2.99. I went to Disney over the weekend and was able to watch the overtime period against Phoenix live while I was standing in line for Big Thunder Mountain. How cool is that.

Now they just need an Amazing Race app.

[mooshie]

What launcher is everyone using? I'm using launcherpro. I'm loving the preview of each home screen and being able to customize the bottom row of icons. Also, if you're not using an HTC Sense phone, the paid version of launcherpro has many great widgets that HTC Sense is known for.

I'm also using Winamp app over the default music player on android. I don't find the default music player good, but Winamp does the job well and the widget is much better.

Lastly, Dropbox. It's perfect for me to put particular files on my phone from my computer without using a USB cable or writing myself an email. If you don't have an account yet, you can use my referral link http://db.tt/gSIu9pk and get an extra 250 Mb of space on top of 2 Gbs. With this app and ES file explorer app, I rarely ever connect my phone to my computer to add files.

There are some apps that I've heard good things about but I personally haven't used

Titanium backup - This app restores all your other apps if you were to switch phones or put a new rom on your phone or just general back up of your apps.
Double Twist - This app will wirelessly sync your music if you depend on itunes on your pc to manage your music.
SMS backup - This is like titanium backup but for your SMS messages if you wanted to save them.

[Kerry]

Thanks to Charlie Sheen, I found USTREAM. It turns your cell phone into a live mobile internet streaming device. It works pretty cool. Install the app and register for free. When you launch the app it turns on your camera and broadcast the streaming video to the USTREAM web site. You can even save the video and send it to youtube. From the USTREAM website anyone can watch you live video (there is about a 10 second delay between video capture and display on the internet).

[BBatesokc]

Thanks to Charlie Sheen, I found USTREAM. It turns your cell phone into a live mobile internet streaming device. It works pretty cool. Install the app and register for free. When you launch the app it turns on your camera and broadcast the streaming video to the USTREAM web site. You can even save the video and send it to youtube. From the USTREAM website anyone can watch you live video (there is about a 10 second delay between video capture and display on the internet).

I used to have live streaming cameras on Robinson Ave.

[RadioOKC]

So has anyone have any hands on experience with an android tablet? I noticed Wallgreens has one for sale in this weeks sale ad that is $150. You have to order it online - the stores dont have it.

Chris
www.radiookc.com

[mooshie]

So has anyone have any hands on experience with an android tablet? I noticed Wallgreens has one for sale in this weeks sale ad that is $150. You have to order it online - the stores dont have it.

Chris
www.radiookc.com

That isn't a real tablet. Android 2.1 is a 2009 OS that was never meant for tablet computing.

[bluedogok]

Everything that I have read about those cheap tablets is they give "tablets" a bad name.

[mark]

got nova and have really been enjoying it, but i need some help. i got into the room where you disable the auxillary drives by uploading a virus. after that, i seem to be stuck in the room. how can i get out?

[Kerry]

Now that I have had some more app experience I thought I would pass along some more that I use. All these apps are free.

Golfcard GPS: this app tracks you on the golf course. Almost every golf course in the world has been mapped (if you find one that hasn't you can map it and it to the database). It uses GPS to track up to four golfers. Just hold the phone over your ball, press the button, and it marks the location of your ball. It keeps track of your score and other vital info like how far you hit and how far to the pin. It also has a buddy tracker feature that allows others to monitor your progress via the web.

Justin.tv player: Allows you to watch live TV from around the world. You name it - you can watch it.

MyCar Locator: When you park your car just push the screen and it remembers where you parked. To get back to your car just push a button and it will route you back to your car. I got it for camping. Push the button while we are at the camper and we will always know how to get back in case we get lost.

StateFarm Pocket Agent: Everything you need if you have an accident. You can even file the claim via the phone.

AAA Roadside: Not much else to say other than if you have AAA - get the app.

US Army Survival Guide: So long as your survival needs don't involve a dead cell phone battery it could come in real handy. Don't know how to make sea water into drinking water? It is in chapter 6. (they people on Survivor are wasting thier time hauling fresh water from a mile away).

DirecTV: A must-have if you are a DirecTV customer.

[RadioOKC]

We partnered with Tunein and they are streaming RadioOKC on their app which is free. Seems like a pretty
solid app. You can tunein radio from across the globe and you can use the GPS feature to listen to stations
close to you. It may be blah to some but cool to us radio geeks.

Chris
www.radiookc.com

[Thunder]

Making a post to subscribe, but will read all these posts later.

I am also new to Android and exploring the many apps out there.

The only issues that I have with the Android Market is...

Submitting the app purchases to my Sprint bill does not work. I kept trying and it kept canceling after failed authorization. I never had a problem on my Exclaim phone when getting wallpapers in the Sprint store...always had it on my Sprint bill.

One time, I upgrade a game app to remove ads and get more colors customization, but that time I added my credit card info, paid for it, and never got the download or upgrade. Emailed to the developer/maker, but no response, so I got robbed.