Android Smart phones

[Naya]

I apologize if this sounds dumb but ... who the hell still uses Nokia? My first cell phone was a Nokia about 10 years ago. Yes 10 years ago this Christmas ...

Haven't had a Nokia phone since ...

[Klaus]

[Klaus]

Can't wait for flash to be rolled out on Android. Porn!

[Sylvester]

Is that a reflection of Luke?

[Naya]

Is that a reflection of Luke?

If Luke was balding and had facial hair, then maybe. :P

[Klaus]

Google is really pushing computer to smartphone integration now. It's really powerful to be able to find a place on your computer - click a button and have your phone automatically come to life and go into Google Navigation mode. On Android 2.1 I use the ability to "star" items in google searches and google maps so they show up on my phone all the time. It's much better compared to the old way of typing the address into your phone manually.

[Klaus]

[Klaus]

Naya:

Since you got a Android phone thought I would post some of my favorite apps.
How to use QR codes

Google Voice: Best voicemail system available. You can get a invite on ebay if you don't know someone that has one available.


Dropbox: Makes a folder on your laptop or computer - whatever you drop into it shows up on your phone (2gb for free)


Audio Manager: Control all the different sound volumes on your phone. Includes a widget and profiles if you upgrade for $2


Barcode Scanner: Allows you to scan these boxes and go right to the app in the market (several scanners will do this). Shopper by google also works well.


Handcent: Best text messaging app available. Install it and then turn off the built in Android text message notifications etc. Very customizable - will blink different colors, durations, repeat notifications etc.


Mixzing: Better music player for Android with nice widget options.


Pandora: Streaming music for free. Everyone pretty much knows what this is about.


Weatherbug: Weather with nice widgets.


ASTRO: File manager for Android. This should come standard.


Honorable Mention Apps:
Google Buzz - widget
Google Sky Maps - star maps
Mint.com - personal finance
Mediafly - podcasts
Photoshop Mobile - photoshop
Remote RDP - remote desktop app
SNesoid - SNES emulator
Fandango
Google Gesture Search - draw on your screen to search your phone
Google MyTrack - track your runs or bike rides and sync with googlemaps
Nesoid Lite - Nes emulator
Google Earth
Adobe Reader - I like it better then the built in adobe viewer

Doubletwist is what you need to sync your itunes or mps to your Android phone - it installs on your computer.

Tip:
When logged into your gmail account on your desktop computer if you do a google search or google maps search - when the results come up there is a little dimmed star by each one. If you click the star next to your destination or search result it will show up on your phone in a few seconds. If you hit the navigation app there is a starred option - they show up under there.

Google Talk: If you plan to use google talk on your phone (came preinstalled on the droid) sign into gmail on your computer go into the "labs" area and turn on the "green robot" feature. This makes your online indicator a robot when you are logged in on your phone. Not sure if it work since you and Luke will be my first gtalk friends with android phones.

[Lyncher]

do you guys like your droid phones? i have the one made by motorola and i hate it. i've always had pretty cheap phones, but i finally decided to get something cool. i'm sure all the apps are great (though i don't use many) but as a phone, i think it's terrible. a good 10% of the time when i make a call, i hear nothing after i hit send. no ringing, nothing on the other end, nada. the person i called heard a ring, answered, and then there was nothing on my side. i always have to call back. maybe i got a dud, i dunno. i also run into a problem where it will drop a call when i'm in the middle of talking to someone and show 0 bars of service. when the call is over, i'll have 4 bars. as soon as i redial, i'm back to 0. all i want is a phone that works and also has a web browser

[Klaus]

I have the Moto Droid and I actually think the phone on it is really good. But Lyncher you are the 2nd person in a week that I know to have reported the phone being shitty. I came from a VX6900 smartphone and a Motorola Q before that which both had horrible phones so made it's just relatively better. I don't think I have ever dropped a call on my phone and I think the quality is very good. Reception is about 50% over the VX6900 I had previously (I get reception in my basement now) You might consider exchanging it with Verizon or getting the HTC incredible Android phone if you have the cash.

I typically use my phone for 90% web and app usage and 10% phone calls.