It would help you to read my index page
first, so you understand what lead me to here.
I AM especially excited about writing up this page. Unfortunately I have not produced much yet
as free time available to play with apps is dwindling. I am STILL trying to learn how to use a mobile OS.
So, this page will remain "Under Construction" for a long time. But, as new items come along, they can be
quickly tagged onto the end of the list. Caveat Emptor.
Apps I intend to review:
Seesmic, Advanced Task Killer, Documents To Go 2.0 Main App,
AIM, Color Note Notepad, Barcode Scanner, AndFTP,
Android Terminal Emulator, Palm Graffiti, Graffiti for Android, AK Notepad, Dolphin Browser HD,
Handy Backup for Android, USA TODAY, CBS News, The Weather Channel, Wikidroid for Wikipedia.
See these in the Android Market. I am not a gamer, so look elsewhere for those kinds of reviews.
Early on I decided that one type of app deserved special attention on this web site. You can find it at this page:
Geocaching Tools
When I upgraded to Froyo (Android 2.2), I noticed some new apps in the app tray. You can find those notes with
my Droid Incredible review.
Mini Reviews:
When I began this page I envisioned having it complete in 5 or 6 weeks. Oh, well, best laid plans.... So, in order to get something done, here are some concise words:
Fun stuff that just works (mostly OK): Compass by Snaptic, Bubble, Metal Detector, Google Earth, DroidRecord,
Tricorder, Battery Widget by mippin.com, Ringdroid, Memory size pies, Google Maps, Google Goggles,
SilentMode OnOff, Facebook for Android. If YOU ask
me for more info
on these, I'll likely provide it.
The other more detailed reviews now follow:
App 1:
This is just SO COOL, I had to bump it to Number ONE, and give it a
SPECIAL page.
The short description is this: Fast Web Installer by Swiss Codemonkeys, where AppBrain enables you to
directly install apps from your web browser to your phone. There is more to it, so click this
SPECIAL link to see more cool stuff.
App 2:
Coheso CalorieSmart
For a paid app, it has no help system, AT ALL! Also, I expected a way to MASS import data. But it is all done
by hand, on the screen keyboard. No CSV or XLS conversion.
It would be a good free app, but not a great one.
app brain info More words later, as I find time.
App 3:
Calorie Counter by FatSecret Has a neat option to take a photo of a barcode (scan it), and produce the Nutrition Facts Table.
app brain info More words later, as I find time.
App 4:
Advanced Task Killer (ATK)
OK, you just NEED this app (or one like it). I am now anal about reducing battery use, which is not hard to do,
and is an easy habit to make. Anytime you are done using an app, or want to put your cell to sleep,
kill all the battery hogs with this app! Click, click, you're done.
I tried Watchdog Task Manager but found it was simply observing. It is easier to just zap apps every once in a while
with Advanced Task Killer. Gee, why doesn't Android have a standard 'end executable' option?
UPDATE (Oct. 2010):
Under Froyo (Android 2.2), and with adequate RAM, there seems to be less need for a task killer.
I NEVER liked Auto-Kill apps, but that is not how I used ATK! I now believe that under Froyo (and maybe Éclair)
if you kill an app like weather or news, it will restart it's self. The restart will deplete the battery
more than if you had just left the app running. So, the only reason for ATK is to clear or stop a misbehaving app.
You can do exactly the same thing with Menu > Settings > Applications > Manage Applications...
App 5:
Flash Droid (Flashlight) by Malak is not as bright as FlashLight by Brenton Klik.
App 6:
ReaderScope by altcanvas is a Google reader client.
I tried it for a while but was NEVER satisfied with it. The new version is a 10 day free trial so I un-installed. In the market, it is still marked as FREE. Bad PR.
App 7:
I NEED a podcast player with the ability to PAUSE audio quickly, without hunting for the right pixel to tap.
I'd like the pause button to be something I can find in the dark or without searching for it.
This has become so drawn out and tedious to work around, that I'm setting up another web page
to document my Podcast Player Hunt.
That page includes all audio players, not just podcast players.
App 8:
Aquarium (Live Wallpaper) does NOT stay loaded. Very pretty, but useless bloat-ware. Removed.
App 9:
Peep vs. Seesmic: I started with Seesmic, but because of the seamless integration with HTC Sense,
I've dropped it for Peep.
App 10:
Weather app? My Droid came with the HTC Sense clock-weather app on the home page. Before long I wanted more
space and since it took up half the real estate (8 icons), I removed it. The time is in the status bar on every screen.
Other apps had smaller weather widgets. I tried Snowstorm and Weather Bug. They were SLOW to update
or required fiddling. I have since found out there are almost unlimited screens with the HTC scenes feature.
I am back to the big digit, HTC flip clock, and am very happy with the animated weather, knowing that more
info is a click away. I'll keep Weather Bug as a backup since it has a cool radar display.
The "Kansas Guy . com" web site.
