Why Google’s Android Simply Rocks

Dec 1, 2008 | blog

Android There are dozens hundreds user-interface or aesthetic reasons that I could list off about the T-Mobile G1 which runs Google’s Android. However, it’s the functionality that has really sealed the deal for me.

The form factor and the ability to quickly add such a wide variety of applications to the device really makes it more useful to me then previous smartphones I’ve used.  The variety of applications and new ideas is exciting and fun to watch develop. It’s no secret that mobile app marketing is very successful, below I’ve listed a number of applications that I’ve loaded and find really useful.

Cool Apps to Check Out

  • fBook – A Facebook client app, similar to the iPhone app. Makes quick work of keeping up on Facebook.
  • Locale- Basically a profile customization utility.  It can change profile settings based on location, time, system events, contacts, messages, calls, etc… Really useful
  • Maverick – An IM client that allows you to connect to more Google Talk accounts than the one tied to the phone account.
  • Meebo – A Meebo client that allows you to log into not only your Meebo account, but also into any other IM service that Meebo supports.  The nice part of this is that the Meebo client uses the data connection for send/receive rather than the text-messages that the built-in IM client does for Yahoo, Live, or AIM.
  • PF Voicemail + – Enhanced voicemail, similar to visual voicemail on the iPhone. Allows you to review your voicemails by caller so you can choose which one to listen too first.
  • Phonalyzr – Nifty little utility that will graph your call usage by date, time, length, incoming, outgoing, and other criteria.
  • ShopSavvy  – Cool tool  for use while shopping.  It uses the camera to scan a UPC code and then look up that product online.  It has the ability to generate wish lists, and alerts for favorable pricing.
  • Mileage – Allows you to keep track of mileage and costs for multiple vehicles.
  • Twidroid – Currently the best Twitter client for Android. That statement, of course, is entirely subjective.  I like it and that’s all that matters right now. 😉
  • WeatherBug – Great Android version of the desktop app. Well designed for the screen size with a smaller memory footprint than The Weather Channel app – which is also a top-notch weather client.
  • TextEasy – Allows you to send an SMS text message to more than one recipient.
  • Toggle Settings – The app to have! This great tool allows you to quickly and easily manipulate various settings and radios on the G1. Very important since we know how power-hungry the current G1 software stack is.
  • wpToGo – Have a WordPress blog? Either on WordPress.com or self-hosted, this tool is a simple but effective blogging client for Android.
  • Opera – Opera Mini 4.2 for Android. ‘Nuff said.
  • AnyCut – Allows you to create a shortcut on the desktop for nearly anything in the system.

Other Good Apps

  • Task Switcher  – While you can’t close processes with it (or others that don’t have root access) it’s still nice to see what apps you may have left running.
  • Voice Recorder – Quick voice notes. This functionality should have been built into Android.
  • Video Player – Watch videos from your SD card.
  • Solitaire – When you need to pass a few minutes.
  • Pictoral – Ties into Picasa.
  • PAC-MAN – Is there anything to say?
  • Orienteer – Makes use of the digital compass in the G1.
  • Fitness – Uses the accelerometer in the G1 as a pedometer. Kinda works, and the developer is getting closer and closer with each release.  Neat to see new app ideas like this.
  • HotSpot Locator – Locate T-Mobile WiFi hotspots close to your location, either by GPS or by Wireless.
  • inetwork test – Get a quick result on the 3G or EDGE network performance in your current location.
  • Convert That – Conversion tool for nearly anything you can think of.
  • Bubble – Mostly a demonstration app, it’s a level that uses the accelerometer in the G1.
  • aTweeter – Another Twitter tool. A bit lighter weight than Twidroid, but improving quickly.

Of course, I don’t have all these installed right now (though almost!).  I’ve been testing and experimenting with these apps and many more.  The available application options have grown significantly over the past month. A great indication of a healthy & robust development ecosystem.

If you’re thinking about an Android device – don’t hesitate.  Sure, the G1 may not be the one for you, but watch the next one or two devices that come along on your network.  I promise, even the iPhone doesn’t hold the amount of promise that Android does long term.

Android

Status Update – Nov. 2008

Nov 25, 2008 | blog

The Winding Road Hi! Sorry I’m not posting as frequently as I had been. I’m working on that, but am a bit sidetracked with my current client in Minneapolis. Its funny how some clients can take up not just time, but more importantly energy from your normal pursuits.

Sometimes it’s hard to work at client sites, where you don’t have the connectivity, or freedom, or time to keep up with the daily routine. Other times it’s just a rollercoaster of energy absorption that the client takes up so I don’t have any left for personal endeavors.  Its a really frustrating experience when I think about it.

So, I’m trying to “partition” my client work from my personal work. That was something I thought I had gotten a handle on awhile ago, but must have forgot somewhere along the way.  At any rate, as I work through rebalancing my work/personal time, I’ll be working on posting here on the blog again.

Stay tuned.

5 Things – Happiness

Nov 17, 2008 | blog, happiness

5 by Leo Reynolds Like Jon Swanson, I’m not really big on memes, but since the 5-Things meme is a long standing blogging tradition, who am I to refuse? So in his 25 Things post, Jon tagged me with “Five Happiness Reasons”, I’ll bite and hand off to another couple bloggers.

Here are my items for the “5 Things” meme: Reasons to be Happy:

  • The change of seasons
  • Our ability to overcome challenges
  • Your family & friends
  • Being part of the community
  • Doing something for someone

So now I’ve got to tag another 5 bloggers eh? Well, I’ll tag Mykl Roventine, Todd Jordan, Josh Kahn, Mike Keliher, Garrick Van Buren. What’s the five things? Since it’s that Thanksgiving time of year – how about 5 things in social media to be thankful for? Participate if you like guys.

Photo credit: Leo Reynolds

Hi there – getting back

Nov 9, 2008 | blog

Hey there! Yeah, I’m still around. I’ve had a heck of a down week this past week. It started out just fine, got back from a great little weekend getaway with the family and started the week just fine. Got out on Tuesday and voted, but that’s about where it ended.

I’d spent the rest of the week trying to work through one heck of a nasty cold. Finally here on Sunday, that’s really lifting. I usually don’t get the common stuff that floats around, including the flu – but this one got me real good. Oh well, it’s about done and I’ll be getting back to business this coming week.

What’s been fun though was meeting more great people involved in social media here in Minneapolis & St. Paul and helping them get connected and able to meet each other. I wish them well as they work on the ideas and projects they create together – fun stuff.

I’ve been wondering about this recent meme on the death of blogging. What rubbish. A great way to drive traffic though – which is what those kinds of memes are for anyway. Though I will admit that all the social sites have diluted the waters of the blogosphere and have pulled many bloggers off their game and kept them from focusing on their goals. I know, I’ve let that happen here as well.

Ok, that and work – having to keep up with a full-time consulting gig at a fortune 100 company can really take up a significant portion of your time. However, that’s all good, should be getting better too I would hope.

Anyway, I just wanted to check with folks and let you know I’m around, a quiet mainly because of time constraints, but still here. Drop a line if you’d like and let me know what you’re up to.

Pin It on Pinterest