Android apps

[old.user4556]

Nath, I didn't see a mention here but certainly of much use when Christmas shopping:

- Barcode Scanner

I didn't think it would be much use, but I tried it in Waterstone's a couple of weeks ago on a book. It returned the ISBN number which allowed me to do a Google product search which also gave me reviews and most importantly a list of prices from main retailers. Turns out, Waterstone's price was £25 but Google told me WH Smith had the same book on sale for £15. That alone qualifies it as sex piss in my opinion, although I haven't tried it exhaustively. It also works on DVDs and other goods, but it didn't work well when I tried scanning a 500ml bottle of coke or a tub of Boots vitamins (no brainer there...). It can sometimes be a bit fiddly, particularly in low light, you get the hang of it by being more careful with the phone.

I tried it again just now quickly with the first thing that came to hand with a barcode and it does exactly what I expect (sorry for the quick and dirty photo):

Im also using the following as daily drivers:

- My Days

This is really aimed at women to track ovulation and menstrual phases, but it also works well for planning when your missus is likely to want some action or going to be in a shit mood .

- beebplayer

Already mentioned.

- Maths Workout

Like braintraining, a simple game and it kills time if you're on the train in the morning.

- NetCounter

Already mentioned, an absolute must if you're on a "fair usage" akak 500 MB Orange cut off grrrrrrrr.

- TaskPanel

Already mentioned, gives total control on the pull down blind to kill apps when you feel like it.

 

[Furr]

1. Wireless Tether for Root Users

*Only if you have Root access on your phone through flashing firmwares etc*

"This program enables tethering (via wifi and bluetooth) for "rooted" handsets. Clients (your laptop for example) can connect via wifi (ad-hoc mode) or bluetooth and get access to the internet using the 3G, 2G mobile connection or (in case you are using bluetooth) the wifi connection which is established by the handset."

I like this app, although it's naughty as I think it breaks T&Cs as I don't have to pay for a bolt on for allowing my phone to be used as an access point.

2. Locale

A bit experimental and not totally polished by allows you to set conditions for your phone depending on the situation you're in, for example one of my situations is that i'f I'm at home after 9pm my phone automatically goes into silent mode and turns off the vibrate function till 7am in the morning, etc

3. Astrid

A nice little tasks applications

4. Compass
5. Flashlight
6. Google Skymap
7. Last.fm
6. Linda File Manager
7. London Tube Status
8. Meebo IM
9. Mother Ted
10. Places Directory - useful for finding the local coffee shop etc
11. Spotify
12. Taskiller

 

[Dark Orb Choir]

Nav4all just works grerat, turn by turn navigation

 

[nath]

Nath, I didn't see a mention here but certainly of much use when Christmas shopping:

- Barcode Scanner

Sounds like you want to get shop savvy mate. It does what barcode scanner does but does the searching for you automatically. It also uses your location to work out if there are nearby shops that sell it cheaper. Check it out.

 

[old.user4556]

Awesome! Cheers for the top tip.

 

[Rubber Bullets]

Nav4all just works grerat, turn by turn navigation

The reviews of this are really mixed, some people really like it and others really hate it. What do you think DOC, you obviously like it but is it slow and the GUI bad?

RB

 

[Dark Orb Choir]

free for 90 days i think, fast as well

it took me to the gf's parents last week with no bother at all and i had never been before (70 miles away, a combination of motorway and A roads)

the gui doesnt show you the little icon and the roads (like the tomtom or garmin), it just shows the distance to the the next left or right turn, i found it really easy to use.....

eg

in 400 yards turn left

top app, i used andnav2 before but that was a bit pants, force closed all the time

im only using it until android2 comes out as thats got free turn by turn navigation by google inbuilt

 

[Ch3tan]

For Chilly and other non hero android users: Google Maps Navigation (unofficially) available in the UK - AVForums.com

 

[nath]

Found a very cool pricesearch program called Snaptell. Works very much like shopsavvy in that it'll scan a barcode for you, but if that fails it can search via photo. Grab a snap of whatever it is you're looking at, book/dvd/game whatever and it'll find the product and then pricecheck. I tried it with a relatively obscure book - David Simon's Homicide - found it on the second photo (lighting was bad on the first) and showed me a list of prices.

I'm not sure I'll ever find use for this thing as I so rarely shop retail but it's just so cool .

 

[MYstIC G]

You'd find plenty of use in a games store, all the cases come without barcodes.

 

[nath]

I would but the idea of buying games in a bricks n mortar shop nowadays seems absurd. Still if any of you lot still do then I expect it'll be really handy, I didn't know about the lack of barcodes.

 

[Ch3tan]

The good thing about shop savvy for example, is that it gives you prices of local retailers as well as e-tailers to compare with.

 

[nath]

Yeah it's definitely better than Snaptell but I thought the ability to recognise covers from a photo was really quite handy so worth a mention.

 

[Ch3tan]

For Hero owners, two must haves.

Dolphin Browser, far superior to the HTC stock browser, and free!

Handcent SMS - hugely customisable, works better, more options. Remember to disable notifications from the stock HTC message app, or you will get two notifications for every message.

 

[nath]

Is it just me or does Dolphin not have any double tap to zoom option?

 

[Ch3tan]

my battery is flat, so I will check in the morning, I know it has a pinch zoom and also if you hold down on the screen it comes up with a mini menu with a zoom option.

 

[nath]

Yeah the only reason I like double tap zoom is because it snaps to that point, and the pinch zoom on Dolphin feels a little slow.

 

[Ch3tan]

New HTC widgets for Hero only on the marketplace. Dice, Battery, Today in History and Tip Calculator. Search for HTC in the marketplace.

Battery is useful, and today in history is fun.

 

[old.user4556]

liking Dolphin Browser, will take a look at the others mentioned.

 

[Ch3tan]

If you are using Dolphin Browser, do NOT update to version 2.0, it is utter shit. I have no idea how they managed to take such a brilliant browser and make it so bloated and crap.

Lots of negative comments, so hopefully the developer will take notice and fix up.

 

[old.user4556]

I'll need to check what version i'm on, It's definitely not as speedy as it should be.

 

[Ch3tan]

Guys, get swype for your hero if you have not already, Dys, get it for your nexus one!

Amazingly intuitive and quick text input. Beta version for the hero (and other HVGA resolition android devices) http://androinica.com/2010/02/07/how-to-install-swype-on-a-g1-mytouch-hero-or-hvga-device/

Nexus one version is everyone dys.

It's in beta at the moment but works very very well. It's made by the same guys behind the t9 input method.

 

[Ch3tan]

Oh yeah, hero users, ignore the installation instructions video above. Simply download the file, check the "allow unsecured applications" option under settings-> applications, connect your phone with your pc and select sync to connect it to htc sync, and use the application installer from your pc to install the file.

swype is in beta, so it is not yet on the marketplace. I've been playing with it all day, not bugs so far, and works amazingly quickly.

 

[old.user4556]

Looks brilliant, very intuitive - will check this one out Chet. I also see on youtube the iPhone zealots are lining up to prove it inferior to QWERTY.

Get a fucking life.

 

[MYstIC G]

Have to say I'm curious but how much of an adjustment is it C?

 

[Ch3tan]

Incredibly easy, and you can still use tap to type, but once you get used to this (doesn't take long, has a fantastic tutorial built in) you will not want to.

Not sure if it's on iphone yet though.

 

[MYstIC G]

Highly doubtful mate, anything apple is locked down tighter than a nuns knickers as we all know but it has made me curious. However if these guys came up with T9 I'd hope there's a plan to flog this stuff down the line and Apple do tend to cave when stuff is sufficiently popular

 

[Chilly]

fuck me that keyboard is 1337. This is why I approve of google. They let you swap all the bits out. It's like buying a nova 12 and kitting it out with 18" subs and nitrous. It might look gay but it certainly does the job and doesnt cost a bomb!

 

[ST^]

Just out of interest, how do you type a word like "hello"? Just go over H E L O and it'll work out the double l?

 

[dysfunction]

Guys, get swype for your hero if you have not already, Dys, get it for your nexus one!

Amazingly intuitive and quick text input. Beta version for the hero (and other HVGA resolition android devices) How to install Swype on a G1, myTouch, Hero, or HVGA device | Google Android Blog

Nexus one version is everyone dys.

It's in beta at the moment but works very very well. It's made by the same guys behind the t9 input method.

I'm going to wait till it comes to the market place. I can't be bothered with that install. I'm also quite happy with the stock Nexus One keyboard. Works well for me.