Posts tagged android phones
10 Android Apps You Need To Download NOW!
Mar 15th
by Scotty Brown
Have you ever seen one of those lists on a tech site giving you this list of apps that they claim are the end-all-be-all of lists? The type of article that swears up and down that what they are telling you is for your own good, and that the author knows everything about all of the apps in the Market? Yes? Great! Here’s another one!
After weeks of exhaustive research (and by “weeks” I mean 20 minutes, and by “exhaustive research” I mean I asked a couple of my buddies), I’ve compiled what I believe to be an excellent list of apps that everyone should give a shot. I’ve divided these apps into three different categories for your reading and browsing pleasure.
Utilities:
For the purpose of this article a utility program is one that doesn’t fit into one of the other two categories. See, it’s good to be the writer, I can make things up as I go along. Actually, these are general purpose applications that would include social networking apps, enhancements to the user interface, or apps that allow additional functions.
HootSuite
You may know HootSuite as a main stream iPhone application, but recently they’ve launched an Android version. This app is easy to work with, graphically appealing, and has a web interface as well. Some users with smaller screens may find it harder to navigate the menus, but if you’re running Droid or Nexus One you shouldn’t have any issues. This app comes in a free (limited functionality) version as well as a paid flavor. From the HootSuite Website:
Now Google Android device users can enjoy HootSuite from anywhere with a choice of full-featured and lite versions of the popular social media dashboard. Built to utilize Google open web platform, Android users will now enjoy the same benefits iPhone user have raved about, including:
- Managing multiple identities and accounts
- Creating custom views for tags and searches
- Understanding reasons for trending topics
- Scheduling messages for the future
- Adding followers to lists and accounts
- Sharing photos and shortening URLs
- Plus HootSuite Android version includes a few new tricks including background notifications so messages keep on coming even when you’re browsing elsewhere.
Choose between two versions – including a free option. The full-featured allows unlimited Twitter accounts plus on-board, click-through statistics tracking. The Lite versions – available for no cost – are limited to three accounts.
Already using HootSuite on the web? Tight integration means a single import gets you rolling so you are synced up on the go, and at your desk with help from a powerful wizard.
Get your fingers on this Owl to outreach to audiences, track conversation, spread messages and track statistics from anywhere you choose and let the robots work for you.
PDANet
PdaNet is a handy little app that allows you to tether your device to a laptop, netbook, or desktop PC. The tether will work either with USB or Bluetooth without changing any settings on your PC/Mac. But, that’s not all… the greatest part about this app is that it doesn’t require root access. So, if you’re like me and you don’t want to void your warranty but still want to tether, here’s the app you’ve been waiting for. From the PDANet website:
PDANet has been one of the most popular software for Windows Mobile phones, Palm OS phones and iPhones. It is now ported to the Android system! PdaNet provides you with FULL Internet access so all your email, instant message programs will work without any setting changes. Supports both USB Tether and Bluetooth DUN.
PDANet does NOT require root access or hacking your phone’s firmware in order to work. It is just a regular Android application that works on all Android phones as-is. Tethering is fast, secure and USB mode will also charge your phone at the same time. Your phone can either connect to 3G data, WiFi, or even through VPN and PdaNet will share the connection with your computer.
New! Version 2.41 adds an SMS Agent for sending/receiving SMS on Windows.
Weather Channel
Likely the most widely used Weather app in the Market is the Weather Channel. This is a full featured app (for free) that provides you with up to date localized weather, videos, maps, and even alerts for severe weather issues. This app is graphically appealing and contains a lot of detailed info. Also, this is a must-have if you’re doing any travelling!
Android Guys Pro
What AndroidGuys list would be complete without me plugging our own app? You can listen to our podcasts, view our articles, join in on our poll, and pretty much inundate yourself with AndroidGuys. It’s kinda like carrying us all around in your pocket… only, not nearly as creepy. Yes there is a free version but I’n not plugging the paid version because we’re money hungry (ok, we are… but that’s still not the reason!). You want the paid version for one reason: the desktop widget. Yes, it’s very attractive and updates frequently showing a stream of our latest stories. That, and you’re friend will be jealous because AndriodGuys is awesome. From our website:
Get it while it’s hot! That’s right, we’re serving up fresh and hot Android Guys News and Podcasts right on your phone! We understand your need to get Android gossip, news, and reviews and we’re more than enthusiastic to give it to you.
Now available for download on the Android Market and on SlideME.org is the Official Android Guys App. Coming in two versions we have the ad-supported version for free, and the ad-free PRO version for $0.99 as well.
Official feature list for the app is as follows:
- Read Daily News from Android Guys
- Read comments on all news articles
- Share articles with friends
- Listen to the most current and older Android Guys Podcasts
- Weekly Polls from Android Guys
- Staff Application Picks, linking you directly to the Market
- Changeable themes and backgrounds, 3 currently available.
- Homescreen Widget to view the day’s top articles (PRO version only)
Grab yours now and become part of our great community. In addition to all these fun things I do suggest you read our End User License Agreement and General Public License that the application is being released under. Please be kind and rewind rate it on the market!
Music Apps
Music Apps would be an application that’s primary function has something to do with… you guessed it, music!! Gold star for you! But not all music apps just play music.
TuneWiki
TuneWiki combines social networking, music, and connectivity to other social sites. Now you can broadcast to your friends and followers exactly what you are listening to in real time. From the TuneWiki website press release:
TuneWiki, the next generation social media music player, today announced its new app for Google’s Android 1.5, Cupcake. This new version of the app features Blip technology for increased social connectivity, offering to post the user’s current song on their Twitter or Facebook profile. The new social media capabilities come in addition to earlier TuneWiki versions, promoting a social network that allows users to add, edit and subtitle lyrics for audio and video files in all languages.
This new version of TuneWiki is the most advanced and comprehensive social media music player compatible with Cupcake available today. Features found only in the Cupcake version include a home screen widget, allowing users to control TuneWiki without having to launch the full player, and the ability to organize and access different parts of their music collection directly from the home screen through live folders. TuneWiki for Cupcake is Bluetooth compatible and can be upgraded to an ad-free version for $4.99.
Features Include:
- Blip technology to update Facebook and Twitter with current playlist selection
- Android Home Screen widget
- Bluetooth wireless compatible
- Free Ad-Supported or Ad-free version available for $4.99
- Interactive Music Maps showing what other users are listening to around the globe
- Lyric subtitling for both audio and video, including the option to translate lyrics into 40+ languages
TuneWiki is the world’s leader in social media music players, with the largest legally-licensed lyrics database in the world, covering more compositions in more territories than ever available before. The company has won numerous international awards for innovation including the Android Developers Challenge, the GSM Association Best Consumer Application in Asia, and the AT&T Best Consumer Application at the CTIA. Founded in May 2007, by Rani Cohen, Amnon Sarig and Chad Kouse, headquarted in the British Virgin Island with R&D offices in Bellbrook, Oh.
Pandora
My favorite desktop music player, now in travel size! If you’ve used the desktop client then you’ve got to try this gem of an app. You can log into your stations right on your phone and listen to your streams, vote songs, see song info, and discover new music. From the Pandora website:
Pandora Radio is your own FREE personalized radio now available to stream music on your Android phone. Just start with the name of one of your favorite artists, songs or classical composers and Pandora will create a “station” that plays their music and more music like it.
Already a Pandora user? Even easier. Just log in. Pandora on Android is fully integrated with Pandora on the web. Enjoy all your existing stations – and create new ones right from your Android phone.
Pandora for Android is designed to run on all Android phones.
Shazam
I love Shazam. Have you ever been driving in your car and hear that awesome new song pounding on your stereo, but you don’t know who sings it or the name of it? Though you bounce in your seat, pound your steering wheel, and mouth along to the lyrics, there is no way you can download the song later if you don’t know anything about it! No longer do you have to Google what you think are the lyrics! Simply load up Shazam, let it listen to the music for a few seconds, and find out that you’ve been doing the car-mosh to the latest Winger comeback song. From the Shazam website:
Create music moments. With Shazam you can identify music tracks, store them, and buy them; plus you can learn more about the artist and connect to their MySpace page. Start your music journey now!
Games
Pretty self-explanatory. Fun stuff!
Parallel Kingdom: Age of Emergence
Need to get your MMORPG fix while on the go? Parallel Kingdom: Age of Emergence is the app for you. But, be careful this game will suck you in and take a great deal of attention if you’re wanting to be good at it. Think of this as World of Warcraft Light. You can fight other players, expand your territory, chat, trade, and many other things. Honestly, this is one of the most in-depth apps on the Market. One of the pioneers in augmented reality, PerBlue has managed to really hit a home run with this app. Yes, I play this game daily. Yes, I will kick your butt if you make me angry. Yes, I highly recommend you download this app now and start playing.
Gem Miner
From the creators of the highly addictive Abduction! World Attack game comes the equally addictive Gem Miner. Boasting excellent graphics and an infectious game play, this is one that you can play over and over and not get bored of it. Seriously, The Greatest Girlfriend In The World played it all the way from Seattle to Sacramento on one of our road trips. Download it and give it a shot.
Jewellust
Wrapping up this list is another favorite time-waster of mine, Jewellust. This isn’t your mothers typical gem-swapping game either. The paid version of this game adds a very cool campaign to it where you pass through different levels in Egypt collecting different types of gems. Also, the graphics in this game are incredible. The colors are vibrant and the motion is smooth and you’ll get a lot of replay out of this game. From the Jewllust website:
Your journey begins from the small Step Pyramid and runs through seven Egyptian Pyramids. Each pyramid has several rooms with closed doors. To open each door you must gather a mosaic tiles from mystical lock and put them together. Every pyramid holds a magic crystal. Using seven crystals you will get into the very heart of the Great Cheops Pyramid and enter a Pharaoh’s Treasury. Your jewelry lust will be surely satisfied!
Burst the gems by grouping them to three or more in a row (or a column) before time runs out. Your must take all mosaic tiles to the lowest row. If you’ve burst four or more gems in a row, a bonus gem will appear. In campaign mode new bonuses become available as your journey goes.
So there’s my list… what say you, AndroidGuys readers? What are your “must install NOW” applications? When your buddy get’s his brand new shiny Android phone, what are the first apps that you tell them to download? What apps were you told to download? Let’s get some awesome discussions going in the comments!
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My Life With The Nexus One (or, How I Became a Rabid Android Fanboy)
Mar 11th
It was almost like Christmas, and I was an 8 year old boy again. Only it wasn’t Christmas and this wasn’t a puppy I had found under the tree. It was just after Valentines Day and this was a brown cardboard box in my hands. This brown box was a gift from The Greatest Girlfriend In The World, and it was my drug of choice… a brand new gadget. But it wasn’t just any new gadget; it was a Nexus One.
And now it was mine.
I feel as though I have joined a club… When encountering another Nexus One owner, we both readily whip out our phones to share any tips or tricks (did you know that speech to text recognizes supercalifragilisticexpialodocious?). I don’t see this camaraderie with any other type of device. Sure, while some would say that Apple/iPhone users share a bond, I’d go so far as to say that it’s more like a cult with His Holiness Jobs looking down from on high instructing his minions on what to do. I have made friends with people in other cities, states, and even nations… simply because of our shared ownership of this handset.
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Verizon Shows Us How Skype Mobile Works [VIDEO]
Mar 8th
Verizon recently announced that they’ve worked out an exclusive deal to offer Skype Mobile on their Android handsets. Starting this month, the Droid, Droid Eris, and Devour handsets will come loaded with the “new” feature that allows for calls anywhere in the world without using minutes. Since neither Skype nor Skype Mobile are technically new, we’d understand if you already know how the respective services work. However, there’s a large segment of the population who have yet to learn of Voice over IP (VoIP).
Verizon has taken to a cute little YouTube video to show us how their exclusive agreement stands to benefit current and potential Android users on the nation’s largest network. Never one to resist taking a dig at the iPhone, Verizon reminds us that “these phones can run more than one app at a time”.
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Samsung’s SHW-M120S to Feature Bluetooth 3.0
Mar 8th
Just over a month ago, we brought you guys news of a Samsung handset called the SWH-M100S. Today finds us already learning of its presumed successor, the SHW-M120S. Thanks to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, we know that this handset will offer Bluetooth 3.0 once it arrives. Other specs listed in the document include a 3.3” WVGA AMOLED, 5 megapixel camera with autofocus, WiFi, GPS, Accelerometer, Proximity Sensor, and HSDPA / GSM roaming.
The M100S that was unveiled last month is boasts similar specs across the board. It features a 3.7-inch AMOLED display, 5 megapixel camera with 720p support, WiFi (802.11n), GPS, T-DMB, DivX support, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. On top of all that, there’s an 800MHz processor running things from the inside.
Although the M100S has a larger screen, we agree with Samsung Hub that the new model could come bearing the new Super AMOLED display. We’re just getting started with this one so keep checking back as more specs and details are uncovered.
For those curious as to what Bluetooth 3.0 is, Wikipedia lists it as: It supports theoretical data transfer speeds of up to 24 Mbit/s, though not over the bluetooth link itself. Instead, the bluetooth link is used for negotiation and establishment, and the high data rate traffic is carried over a colocated wifi link. Its main new feature is AMP (Alternate MAC/PHY), the addition of 802.11 as a high speed transport.
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AndroidGals: Where are the Girlie Android Phones?
Mar 8th
The first smart phone that I truly fell in love with was a Blackberry. I loved it so much that I never thought I would see the day that I would switch to another phone. To me, the Blackberry form factor was very female friendly. There were two big things that appealed to me as a girl; It came in a variety of different colors and I could also buy hard shell cases to change with my moods. The other was that it offered a full keyboard, with raised letters and great spacing. Women with acrylic nails know what I am talking about. Texting and writing emails were very quick and effortless.
Near the end of my relationship with my BlackBerry, I started gettting some operating issues, and began to consider a new phone. Android had been out for a year and I was aware of the cool, new apps I wouldn’t be able to download if I stayed with BlackBerry. I would have switched to Android earlier, but there weren’t any “girlie” phones out there and I had some specific needs as well. The G1 was completely out of the question because the chin made it difficult for me to type. The soft keyboard of the G1 and myTouch 3G didn’t help because the screen is a capacitive display. My previous experience with a Windows Mobile phone (T-Mobile Wing) was nice because I could use my fingernails in place of stylus on the resistive screen. Along comes the Motorola CLIQ. This would be the most appealing phone that I could find with Android on it.
I didn’t visit a store to try the CLIQ out before buying it because I didn’t want to over-analyze the phone and find features I didn’t like. I liked the idea of the keyboard without a chin and the camera was quite a step up from the one in my BlackBerry. After a few months, I can safely say that I am definitely not in love with this phone. Don’t get me wrong, I love Android. In fact, the apps are what have kept me from going back to BlackBerry.
I feel like I am using a man’s phone. Call me picky, but I don’t like that it only comes in “Winter White” and “Titanium”. The phone is somewhat bulky and rather heavy. As thick as this phone is, I would expect more raised buttons or something easier for me to type quickly on. I know it sounds like I hate this phone or that I wouldn’t recommend it to others, but that’s not the case. It’s just not for me and my needs.
I’ve looked around at other carriers and don’t see anything else that really appeals to me. I find the DROID to be downright ugly and lacking personality. I know all that it can do inside, but on the outside it is very box-like and cold. All of the Android phones I have seen so far have capacitive touch screens or don’t have a full keyboard. 
I remember seeing an upcoming HTC phone called the Salsa. To me, that’s the perfect design. At least from what I can tell in the pictures. It would be a step down in camera quality, but I’d give that up for the 4-row QWERTY keyboard, directional pad, and full touch screen. It looks just like a BlackBerry to me and I love that.
For now, I will continue to put up with my Motorola CLIQ and wait for something like the Salsa to come along. In the meanwhile, I see a bunch of Android phones on the horizon that appeal to males and/or the uninformed. By that, I mean that I didn’t even know there were two types of displays – resistive and capacitive. I learned the hard way that not all screens can be tapped with a fingernail. I can imagine someone going to a carrier tomorrow to buy the “latest and greatest” and end up with something that doesn’t fit them like it should. Over time, though, this problem should go away as more carriers and handset makers put out new products with unique features and designs.
I guess in the end, I just wish I had more choices as a female at this point. Android has been out nearly a year and a half and I feel like my demographics doesn’t matter. I’d love to sit in on some of these focus groups or test products for companies like HTC and Motorola. I think they could learn a thing or two about what us girls want in a phone.
Talk Back to Me!
Are there any other AndroidGals out there who feel like these companies aren’t speaking to them? What is it that you want or need in a phone? Are you happy with your Android phone or are you like me and just putting up with it?
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Average Samsung Phone Coming To Rogers
Mar 6th
Samsung Galaxy Spica
If the Samsung Galaxy Spica were the new kid in school, he/she would get made fun of for his/her out of date clothing and boring personality. While there has been much phone release news in the past few weeks, the Samsung Galaxy Spica is nothing to get excited about. As a community of highly informed Android owners we always want the latest phones with the best features, and therefore there isn’t a much of a chance that this phone will be making our wish list. On the others side of things this phone could be a great entry level phone for new comers to Android. It’s technical specifications are as follows:
- Android OS 1.5
- 3.2-inch touchscreen display
- 320 x 480 pixels
- 3.2 megapixel camera + video
- 800MHz processor
- 3.5mm headset jack
- speakerphone
- WiFi + A-GPS
- holds up to 32GB with a microSD
- 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery
The phone will ship with a 3 year agreement price of $79.99 and an outright cost of $449.99. A release date is not yet known.
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Rumor: Motorola Opus One Renamed to ‘i1′
Mar 5th
The eagle-eyed chaps over at Engadget just picked up on another Android-based Motorola handset that passed through the FCC. Doing their best impression of Encyclopedia Brown, they’re guessing that the handset with the model name of ‘i1′ is the same we’ve previously reported as the Opus One. For those not familiar, this would be the first iDen handset to run Android and likely end up on Sprint or Boost Mobile.
In addition to iDEN, the handset includes Bluetooth 2.1 and WiFi. Engadget assumes, and we tend to agree, that this will be a smartphone. Codenames and final products get changed all the time so this wouldn’t surprise us in the least. Now the question becomes, when will we see this phone announced? Perhaps a few weeks from now at CTIA?
A quick recap of the specs gathered to date:
- 3.1″ HVGA (320—480) capacitive touchscreen
- 3 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash
- Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, A-GPS
- Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth
- microSD card slot
- 2.5mm headset jack
- Home, Menu, Back, Speaker buttons are capacitive buttons with haptic feedback
- iDEN PTT & PTX
- Android LBS which is integrated into the iDEN GPS engine
- 58mm in width, 118mm in length, 100g weight
- 512MB Flash / 256MB of RAM
- 64k and 128k iDEN SIM card support
- Motorola dual-mic technology noise-canceling for noisy enviroments
- Flash Lite v3.1.x
- Corporate email client with ActiveSync support, MOTONAV navigation app, barcode scanner, and document viewer.
Source: FCC
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