Android Apps

[AndrewWiggin]

So I'm getting a Droid from Verizon for Christmas, and I'm wondering what apps do you have on your Android device?

 

[funkyb]

I want one bad, just can't justify the extra $30 per month on the data plan. the darn phones have WiFi and I'm around accessible Wifi almost continuously...no need for verizon's overpriced data plan!

I'm told the reason they require data plans is because they are heavily subsidizing the cost of the newer smartphones, and if they didn't require the expanded contract the phones would be over 50% more expensive. I wish I could just purchase/activate the phone at that cost. Oh well, guess I'll have to stick to the LG Chocolate Touch, the only V Phone with a touchscreen that does not require the higher teir plans.

 

[Confuzius]

Depends on your provider, my friend bought one, then just paid the $100 penalty for canceling the data plan. So it was like the phone was $199 instead of $99 (HTC Magic)

Skymap is one of those super neat apps, uses gps and the accelerometer to track the stars and puts a map up that names stars and constellations as you point the phone at them.

Locale that lets you change all sorts of settings on your phone depending on your location, so it will always be on vibe/silent while at work and even have it send you reminders when you arrive at certain locations, like "You just got home and your battery only has 15% charge, don't forget to plug in your phone" type of thing.

 

[cricky101]

I want one bad, just can't justify the extra $30 per month on the data plan. the darn phones have WiFi and I'm around accessible Wifi almost continuously...no need for verizon's overpriced data plan!

I'm told the reason they require data plans is because they are heavily subsidizing the cost of the newer smartphones, and if they didn't require the expanded contract the phones would be over 50% more expensive. I wish I could just purchase/activate the phone at that cost. Oh well, guess I'll have to stick to the LG Chocolate Touch, the only V Phone with a touchscreen that does not require the higher teir plans.

So, no app suggestions?

A friend of mine has a droid and likes Pandora (music) a lot. I've got it on my iphone and agree.

Another is a task manager that shows him everything that is running and you can shut down individual apps from the manager. Very cool way to save some battery life.

That Locale app sounds sweet!

 

[Muirtach]

Pandora is nice, but I prefer Last FM which actually pays attention to music you listen to and makes playlists with them and similar stuff.

Looking on my phone I have a few things

Games:
Chain React (interesting, wish it would be expanded)
Droid Mini Golf
Torect (puzzle game)

Apps:
Movie Finder
Bartender (nice in that it allows you to enter all your ingredients and search for drinks)
Weather Bug with desktop widget
My Couplons with desktop widget
Calendar widget
Twidroid for the twitter nerds
Battery Widget (shows percentage of battery use and has quick clicks for turning on/off GPS WiFi and Bluetooth)
SaveSMS
AutoLock (adjustable timing for putting the lock passcode in place)
SMS Popup (pops text messages up on the screen like an iPhone instead of just top bar notifications. super handy)
Sports Tap (auto updates on sports scores of your choice)

 

[tg16]

I have an HTC Magic on ATT. The following are some of my most used apps:
Beyondpod - YMMV but I found this works better than Dogcatcher for podcasts
Maps - My commute would be much worse without the traffic layer
Astro - Really works at backing up your aps to the SD card
Droidlive for streaming radio
Fandango
Wallpaper Set and Save
Phoneflicks

 

[AndrewWiggin]

This is spectacular! The droid is great and so are the apps, thanks for the recommendations

 

[TimmyBoston]

I'm deciding between the HTC Hero and a Blackberry.

What apps will make the Hero better than a Blackberry?

 

[tg16]

I'm deciding between the HTC Hero and a Blackberry.

What apps will make the Hero better than a Blackberry?

The blackberry doesn't really run much in the app department compared to the android and iphone. The BB is best for email and messaging.

If you're looking for apps, look at the Hero.

 

[_dan_]

Shazam is a decent app. It can be used when you hear a song you like, but don't know the name of it.

 

[Confuzius]

Shazam is a decent app. It can be used when you hear a song you like, but don't know the name of it.

Also Shazam is free unlimited on Android, 5 uses/month on Iphone and only 7day free trial on BB.

Evernote is a cool note-taking app that syncs with their website and desktop application (current version 3.0 works with wine on Ubuntu, new beta 3.5 does not, but the online version works everywhere)

Dropbox is currently under development for android. Dropbox is one of my favorite apps out there now, works on windows/linux/mac/iphone and online. You specify a folder and it syncs everything in that folder on every computer that you have dropbox installed on. Great for school and/or anything else where you may need to access documents/files on the go. Among other things, I keep a copy of my bookmarks in dropbox. Native android client, coming soon.

Android also has ssh clients that let you remotely connect to your computer if you run an SSH server, great for those times when you forgot something that you need. I've actually ssh'd into my home computer to copy a file into my dropbox folder so that it would auto-sync and I could logon to the dropbox website and download it on my friend's computer.

And a slew of messenger apps, I havn't used it, but eBuddy has come highly recommended, it does MSN, AIM, ICQ, Gtalk and Facebook messenger.

 

[TimmyBoston]

The blackberry doesn't really run much in the app department compared to the android and iphone. The BB is best for email and messaging.

If you're looking for apps, look at the Hero.

I know, but I don't know what apps are available, that's why I'm asking.

 

[Confuzius]

You can check out the Android Market for a good idea of what's out there.
http://www.android.com/market/

The barcode scanning apps are cool too, scan a book/dvd, get reviews, links to buy it, etc.. It can also do comparison shopping using your location and tell you where you can find it cheapest locally, works on all sorts of stuff, not just books/dvds.

EDIT: As a cyclist you may like Cardio Trainer "CardioTrainer is your training partner for running, cycling, hiking, and other cardio fitness activities. * Real-time pedometer-guided GPS * Records path, climb, pace, calories & uploads to website * Trainer voice output * Race against your previous tracks(premium) * Autopause * Music integration"

 

[Nancy Boy]

I took the plunge and although I cough every time I get my Verizon bill, it's still worth it to me. My apps are:

NEWSPAPERS
ALOQA
US TRAFFIC
LIST MASTER
WEATHERBUG
BUZZ DECK
NEWSROOM (my first paid app)
ASTRO
DOLPHIN BROWSER
EARTHQUAKE (ok, I live in L.A....)
OPENTABLE
PACKAGE TRACKING
NHK CLOCK (Retro coolness)
SLIDESCREEN (very cool)

Games:

BATTLESEA
MILKY MILKY
WIXEL LITE
WORDUP
FISHIN' (LOVE IT! - my only other paid app.)
CRICKETNOISE
RAGING THUNDER LITE

 

[rollsrook]

My friend downloaded one that lets you change the caller ID to any other number you have in your phone. So you can call a co-worker at 4am and make it look like your boss. Dangerous...