Post your favourite ANDROID APPS

[Ferris]

I have just purchased an android phone, the HTC Hero and am eager to discover which apps are good and which aren't worth the download,



Intro shamelessly copied from the iPhone Apps thread.

I have a new phone, running the Android operating system. This open source OS is aimed at being a direct competitor to the ubiquitous Apple iPhone. It, like the Apple store, has a marketplace where you can download apps, for free and paid for. One of the beautiful things about open source software is you're not locked into any one way of doing things. Don't like your phones sms app? Download another one. Don't like the way the app looks? Customise it. This is a far cry removed to the "Apple's way or the highway" approach.

I will list some of the apps I've found so far that I like, and the reasons why.

It's worth noting that if you have multiples of a type of app, it's not an issue. You can pick and change which app you want to use for SMS's for example on the fly, without needing to copy, change, alter anything. You can pick one as the default and leave it at that if need be.

chompSMS
This application is a better alternative than the stock standard HTC sms that my phone came with. I can customise its look, and the notification system is a little better for me. Basically though, it looks just like the iPhone SMS system, with the ability to customise the shit out of it. Another alternative is Handcent but I haven't downloaded it yet.

Dolphin
A replacement to the stock HTC browser. Has tabbed browsing. Technically, it's better, but I haven't got around to making the switch to it fulltime over the HTC one. Another replacement browser is Steel but I haven't downloaded it yet.

Layar
Now this is cool. Using various user-defined or downloaded Layer criteria, you can augment reality with a HUD/Waypoint display, by overlaying info over what you see through the phones camera. Handy for a visual reference to find, say the nearest HJ's or petrol station.

3G Watchdog
Keeps an eye on your 3G usage, to help you stay within your plan limits. Quite a decent app for those that wish to stay within their data limits.

Shazam
The music tagging program that debuted on the Apple store. EXACTLY the same on android.

Robo Defense
Tower Defense game. Looks a lot like a reskinned Fieldrunners. A lot of fun.

Jewels
A Bejeweled clone. I dunno how long this will last when popcap gets onto the Android market.

Manga Droid
Download most popular manga on the fly to peruse at your leisure.

Droid Comic Viewer
As the name sez. A comic book viewer. Lovely to use.

Astro
A file manager app, allows you to manipulate all the data on your phone and memory cards. Great interface, not cluttered at all.

Barcode
A barcode scanner. It also scans those funky square barcodes too.

[WIGARUS]

you can get tapatalk for the android if you go to their website. I've got robodefense and its kinda cool

you need to root your phone and chuck cyanogen rom on it CyanogenMod | Android Community Rom based on Donut tree.

downloaded a program called AFL live scores for when the footy starts... guess what that does?

[WIGARUS]

oh, and pocket auctions ebay is pretty bloody handy


touchdown by nitrodesk if you want to sync your email with your work server.

[Dubs]

[WIGARUS]

hrmmm wheres that 'piss off you retard' jpeg gone?

[Ferris]

I might have to get tapatalk, as the mobile edition of PSB is a bit pus. (Sorry to whoever is responsible for that.)

[WIGARUS]

lol tapatalks not much better. its in beta so it freezes a fair bit.

[Kingy]

I was looking at the HTC Magic... anyone know if that phone any good?

[Dubs]

hrmmm wheres that 'piss off you retard' jpeg gone?

It's right next to the ban button

:snap:

:admin:

Dubs

[Ferris]

This will have to suffice then.



Although, it's only the Apple users I'm getting snobbery from. How quick they forgot I was one of them.

It's all good, this is what you get for being an early adopter.

[Kingy]

Ringdroid is good for cutting up your MP3s to make the ringtones or notification tones.

The Star Wars and Star Trek sound packs are cool for the nerds (like me!)

I am pissed off that the Google Navigation and Google Voice only seem to be in the US which it does not tell you when you look at the "specs" on the vodafone site but hopefully they get released here soon.

[Kingy]

Anyone else like me on a "no data" plan as such... I found my phone was using data every 15 minutes or so.. while only 7c each time it soon chomped into my available credit considering it was just syncing stuff or updating the weather or whatever the hell it was doing. I tried turning everything off, uninstalling so on the not needed apps, etc and still it would not stop.

Eventually the easiest and most reliant fix is to manaully edit the APN.

Just chuck some numbers on the end and all the data problems go away. Of course you need to reverse the process if/when you do actually want to use it. Once I get some credit back next month I will try tweaking it a bit more.

Also turning off 3G and data has significantly increased my battery life too.

I am hoping if I can't find an app to do what i want then I might see if I can write one myself... would like to just click and icon to turn off and click again to turn back on than navigate thru all the menus.

[Desmo]

Although, it's only the Apple users I'm getting snobbery from. How quick they forgot I was one of them.

And we would give a fuck about you turncoats why?

[Teedo]

So is this phone better than the iphone? and HTC touch HD?

My phone just broke so in the line for a new one right now.

[Murley]

So is this phone better than the iphone? and HTC touch HD?

My phone just broke so in the line for a new one right now.

Actually this thread is for ANDROID apps, not just a certain phone but a mobile operating system which is used on several handsets. This is the latest and greatest handset running the OS.

[02keilj]

So what Android phones does everyone have. Im planning on getting the Magic in a few months. Free on the 49 plan with 3 plus a 2gig data pack for 20 bucks.

Someone suggested i should buy a Hero off the net and then taking a plan out on that. However i also see that you can get the 'Sense' and the Hero theme on the magic.
Any chance anyone has had a play with both? Im a student so the free magic on the plan is looking like the best option for me.

Just in case anyone doesnt know the Magic that vodafone stocks has about 2/3 (i think) the ROM capacity that 3 stocks

[Ferris]

Hero. Love it.

Apps: AndFTP
Lets you connect to FTP servers to download stuff to your phone.

FTPServer
Turns your phone into a FTP server to upload and download from. Handy way to get ringtones/music/docs onto your phone without having to cable into pcs. Just use Astro afterwards to put the files where you need them.

Meebo
All-in-one IM messenger that only uses data. Got me online the other night on msn to be laughed at by a couple of psbers who had access to a game while I was away.

WaveSecure Beta
The app you hope to never use.
Track your phone, lock it, back up data from it. Invaluable if you have your phone nicked.

ConnectBot
SSH terminal. Great for remote admining your linux servers etc.

edit:

and a game for you guys, Spira Defense
Tower defense with a twist. Ultra basic graphics, but quite a robust tower defense game nonetheless. If you like tower defense games, this is definitely a must try.

[Ferris]

oh and I completely forgot:

Newsroom
VERY VERY good News/RSS reader. Fantastic interface. There's a free and pro version. This is a definite must try app.

[Kingy]

I got the magic on the $29 plan with vodafone. Not fussed about slightly less memory. Got a cool touch phone for the same as my old contract.. if you are going to pay $49 a month then get an iPhone IMO. I could not jsutify that much cost for a phone so I got the magic as it does the stuff I like about an iPhone but does not do the multimedia as well which I dont care about.. It browses the net.. facebook, ebay, etc... very well whcih is what I wanted.

Only issue is the lack of a formal data plan but I only make about $30 a month of calls so that leaves me $120 a month of data even at the super high prices... downloading of apps etc I do at home via the wireless.

[Ferris]

What do you mean it doesn't do multimedia as well?